The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an often overlooked midsize pickup truck. That’s probably at least partly due to the fact that it’s not like other pickup trucks. The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a unique design that isn’t like a conventional truck. It also isn’t from one of the big truck brands that’s been around for decades. Yet that doesn’t mean that the Santa Cruz isn’t a great pickup truck, and its recent pick as the best truck by J.D. Power proves that. Add to that the fact that the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz price is pretty low, and it’s definitely a truck worth considering.

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The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz price starts at $24,440 for the base model, the SE. The 2022 Santa Cruz is smaller than most midsize trucks, which makes it attractive to those torn between something compact and something a little bigger. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 181 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. That’s matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive, though you can upgrade to all-wheel drive.

It also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen that’s compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker sound system. As far as safety features, the 2022 Santa Cruz comes with forward collision warning and lane-keep assist. These features make it feel almost like an SUV, which Edmunds says is one of the best parts of the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

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The J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study looks at how happy owners of new vehicles are after 90 days. “The study data provides insight on experiences with design, performance, safety, usability, comfort, perceived quality, and other factors.”

The APEAL study tries to quantify how people feel in their vehicles, asking them to think about “37 attributes, ranging from the sense of comfort they feel when climbing into the driver’s seat to the exhilaration they get when they step on the accelerator.”

People definitely identify with the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, in part because of how easy it is to customize. Want to add heated mirrors and front seats, keyless entry, and a lockable cargo bed? It’s easy to do. You can also add on wireless charging, LED lights, and a digital instrument cluster. And with its starting price being so low, adding on extra features and packages is much easier to do.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz its Top Safety Pick award. That’s the second-highest award a vehicle can win from the IIHS, behind the Top Safety Pick+. To win a Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle has to have good crash test ratings for the “driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, original side, roof strength and head restraint tests.” It also must have advanced or superior front crash prevention, and acceptable or good headlights available.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an all-around great pickup truck. It’s super safe and its owners love it. The fact that it’s so inexpensive makes the Santa Cruz a pickup truck anyone should consider.

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