The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a new sport adventure vehicle while the 2022 Ford Ranger is an established midsize pickup truck. Here’s how they compare.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Starting Price: $23,990 | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Hyundai’s first pickup; SUV comfort and pickup utility; available all-wheel drive; can pull up to 5,000 pounds.
Below Average: Short pickup bed.
Consensus: Hyundai’s Sport Adventure Vehicle revives the idea of a compact pickup based on unit-body construction. It’s designed as the perfect vehicle for those without the space for a full- or even midsize truck.
2022 Ford Ranger
2022 Ford Ranger SuperCrew Cab Starting Price: $26,500 (est.) | Price yours or View listings near you
Above Average: Powerful standard engine; best-in-class payload; 7,500-pound tow rating; good fuel economy.
Below Average: AWD is a costly upgrade; somewhat stiff ride.
Consensus: In addition to the great tow rating and best-in-class payload, the Ranger features high-tech infotainment and safety features. New for 2021, the Tremor Off-Road package offers some off-road capability above the FX-4 model.
Santa Cruz vs. Ranger: Trucklet or Truck?
2022 Santa Cruz
The new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the latest example of an aggressive product plan from the Korean automaker. Built in Alabama, the Santa Cruz is a compact SUV with a truck bed that utilizes the same platform as the Hyundai Tucson.
Santa Cruz offers several options for buyers, including a choice of engines. The standard offering is a 2.5-liter inline-4 that makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The higher range of models utilizes a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4 making 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Drivetrain choices include front- (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), which will cost an additional $1,500. Six trim levels are available, ranging from base SE, SEL, SEL Premium, SEL Premium AWD, Limited, and Limited AWD.
Designed for five passengers, the base Santa Cruz includes the 2.5-liter inline-4 and 8-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic and FWD. An 8-inch color touchscreen display audio system is standard, as is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Its 4.3-foot composite-molded bed has a payload of 1,748 pounds. As equipped, this Hyundai can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
2022 Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger carries on for 2022 in the midsize truck market as a highly adaptable truck that makes everyone forget the previous Ranger. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4-cylinder engine that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission, it moves with authority.
All-wheel drive is available for around $4,000, which seems a bit steep.
The 2022 Ranger offers a choice of SuperCrew or SuperCab options with a pair of bed lengths. If you carry passengers regularly, we recommend the SuperCrew over the tight-fitting SuperCab.
The innovative Tow-Optimized Blind Spot Monitoring – which extends its vision to include whatever is being towed behind the truck – and the Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker Audio System are two of our favorite options. Co-Pilot360 safety suite is available on all models; optional on the XL, standard on XLT and Lariat trim levels.
A new Ranger Splash option is also available with exclusive orange-and-black side graphics and black 18-inch wheels. Inside, orange accent stitching, steering wheel, shifter knob, and parking brake boot help you put some color in your life.
Similarities
Available AWD; smaller than full-size trucks; easily customizable.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Advantages
Pricing; engine choices; compact size; stellar 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Ford Ranger Advantages
Tremor package increases Ranger’s off-road chops; cargo-carrying capability.
Which One is Right for Me?
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact, fun-to-drive vehicle with the utility of a pickup truck with all the amenities you expect from a small SUV. First-time buyers may find Santa Cruz appealing because of its fresh styling and long warranty.
The 2022 Ford Ranger is a bonafide body-on-frame pickup. It’s larger than the compact pickups of yore but offers nearly as much cargo-carrying and towing capability as a full-size model.
Ready to buy a Hyundai Santa Cruz or Ford Ranger? Shop now for one on sale near you.
| 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | 2022 Ford Ranger | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter I4 | 2.3-liter Turbo I4 |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 270 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 310 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-spd automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 23 mpg (21 city/26 hwy) | 23 mpg (21 city/26 hwy) |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbo I4, AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | n/a | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 118.3 inches | 126.8 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.7 inches | 210.8 inches |
| Width | 75.0 inches | 77.8 inches |
| Height | 66.7 inches | 71.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.0 feet | 42.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.7 inches | 41.0 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 40.1 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.4 inches | 43.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 36.5 inches | 34.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.6 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.1 inches | 56.3 inches |
| EPA Passenger Volume | n/a | 97.6 cubic feet |
| Max Payload | 1,568-1,906 pounds | 2,128 pounds |
