See all the features of the Hyundai Santa Cruz's tiny truck bed, from built-in steps to hidden cubbies

Tim LevinDec 8, 2021, 04:07 IST

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Hyundai's new pickup truck, the 2022 Santa Cruz, comes with a small but shockingly usable bed.
It's only four feet long, but comes packed with features that make it incredibly versatile.

Hyundai's charmingly weird new pickup, the 2022 Santa Cruz, has the smallest bed of any truck you can buy new in the US today.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Read Insider's full review of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz here.

It's at least a foot shorter than the bed on midsize trucks like the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

And it's several inches shorter than the bed of the upcoming Ford Maverick, which will be the only direct competitor to the Santa Cruz when it hits driveways in early 2022.

2022 Ford Maverick.Ford

And it's several inches shorter than the bed of the upcoming Ford Maverick, which will be the only direct competitor to the Santa Cruz when it hits driveways in early 2022.

But that doesn't mean the Santa Cruz isn't useful. Its surprisingly versatile bed is perfect for weekend adventures and all the gear that fuels them, like bikes, backpacks, tents, beach chairs — and probably a surf board if you tried hard enough.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

But that doesn't mean the Santa Cruz isn't useful. Its surprisingly versatile bed is perfect for weekend adventures and all the gear that fuels them, like bikes, backpacks, tents, beach chairs — and probably a surf board if you tried hard enough.

The company added lots of thoughtful touches — both standard and optional — that make the most of the Santa Cruz's four-foot bed. Most can be found in other trucks, but that doesn't make them any less handy.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

The company added lots of thoughtful touches — both standard and optional — that make the most of the Santa Cruz's four-foot bed. Most can be found in other trucks, but that doesn't make them any less handy.

Hyundai gave the Santa Cruz a damped tailgate — kind of like the truck equivalent of a soft-close kitchen cabinet. It smoothly descends to the open position, instead of just plopping open.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Hyundai gave the Santa Cruz a damped tailgate — kind of like the truck equivalent of a soft-close kitchen cabinet. It smoothly descends to the open position, instead of just plopping open.

The inside of the tailgate has a few indents stamped into it for beverages.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Moving inside the bed, there are small cubbies on either side.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

These are great for all the odds and ends that inevitably make their way into the bed, but that you don't want bouncing around.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

A household outlet comes as an option and could come in handy for charging a phone or powering some lights or speakers.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, there's a bonus cargo bin under the bed.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

While it isn't particularly huge or deep, it's the right size for a couple of backpacks. It's a convenient spot for things that you want locked away and out of the elements.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

While it isn't particularly huge or deep, it's the right size for a couple of backpacks. It's a convenient spot for things that you want locked away and out of the elements.

It has a drain plug, so you can hose it down or fill it with ice and use it as a mobile cooler.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Upper-trim Santa Cruz models come with a locking tonneau cover (industry speak for a bed cover).

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

It unfurls like a window shade and makes the Santa Cruz's bed usable like a regular, weather-protected trunk.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

It can also open part-way so you can reach into the bed or have a particularly long piece of cargo sticking out the back.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

There are a few steps cleverly built into the bumper for reaching into the bed.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

The bed also has a few lights — a couple on the walls and one pointing down from the roof.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

That's all neat. But you may be wondering: Does the Santa Cruz have what it takes for the most basic truck task of carrying large things?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Although its size is clearly limiting, the Santa Cruz's bed has all the expected features to make hauling big stuff easier, along with some more clever touches.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

It has no shortage of tie-down points for securing gear and materials, including several D-rings for hooking bungees.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

And there's a pair of rails with adjustable tie-down points.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup.Tim Levin/Insider

Four slots stamped into the bed are meant to hold 2x4 or 2x6 planks. That way, owners can create a second, upper level for loading things.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

The Ford Maverick has a similar feature, but way more slots for wood.

The 2022 Ford Maverick.Ford

While the Santa Cruz is undoubtedly more suited for recreational use, Hyundai made sure it can accommodate long, wide objects like sheets of plywood in a pinch.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Hyundai

To do that, you adjust the tailgate to a middle position between open and closed. Then, you can lay sheets of plywood across the tailgate and purpose-built grooves in back of the bed.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

To do that, you adjust the tailgate to a middle position between open and closed. Then, you can lay sheets of plywood across the tailgate and purpose-built grooves in back of the bed.

Sure, many of these features are available in other pickups. And clearly, if utility is your top priority and parking isn't a concern, you may be better off with something bigger.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

Sure, many of these features are available in other pickups. And clearly, if utility is your top priority and parking isn't a concern, you may be better off with something bigger.

But the Santa Cruz's city-friendly footprint, $24,000 starting price, and surprisingly usable bed make it a very appealing package for the right type of buyer.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.Tim Levin/Insider

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See all the features of the Hyundai Santa Cruz's tiny truck bed, from built-in steps to hidden cubbies

Hyundai's charmingly weird new pickup, the 2022 Santa Cruz, has the smallest bed of any truck you can buy new in the US today.

It's at least a foot shorter than the bed on midsize trucks like the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma.

And it's several inches shorter than the bed of the upcoming Ford Maverick, which will be the only direct competitor to the Santa Cruz when it hits driveways in early 2022.

But that doesn't mean the Santa Cruz isn't useful. Its surprisingly versatile bed is perfect for weekend adventures and all the gear that fuels them, like bikes, backpacks, tents, beach chairs — and probably a surf board if you tried hard enough.

The company added lots of thoughtful touches — both standard and optional — that make the most of the Santa Cruz's four-foot bed. Most can be found in other trucks, but that doesn't make them any less handy.

Hyundai gave the Santa Cruz a damped tailgate — kind of like the truck equivalent of a soft-close kitchen cabinet. It smoothly descends to the open position, instead of just plopping open.

The inside of the tailgate has a few indents stamped into it for beverages.

Moving inside the bed, there are small cubbies on either side.

These are great for all the odds and ends that inevitably make their way into the bed, but that you don't want bouncing around.

A household outlet comes as an option and could come in handy for charging a phone or powering some lights or speakers.

Plus, there's a bonus cargo bin under the bed.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup.

While it isn't particularly huge or deep, it's the right size for a couple of backpacks. It's a convenient spot for things that you want locked away and out of the elements.

It has a drain plug, so you can hose it down or fill it with ice and use it as a mobile cooler.

Upper-trim Santa Cruz models come with a locking tonneau cover (industry speak for a bed cover).

It unfurls like a window shade and makes the Santa Cruz's bed usable like a regular, weather-protected trunk.

It can also open part-way so you can reach into the bed or have a particularly long piece of cargo sticking out the back.

There are a few steps cleverly built into the bumper for reaching into the bed.

The bed also has a few lights — a couple on the walls and one pointing down from the roof.

That's all neat. But you may be wondering: Does the Santa Cruz have what it takes for the most basic truck task of carrying large things?

Although its size is clearly limiting, the Santa Cruz's bed has all the expected features to make hauling big stuff easier, along with some more clever touches.

It has no shortage of tie-down points for securing gear and materials, including several D-rings for hooking bungees.

And there's a pair of rails with adjustable tie-down points.

Four slots stamped into the bed are meant to hold 2x4 or 2x6 planks. That way, owners can create a second, upper level for loading things.

The Ford Maverick has a similar feature, but way more slots for wood.

While the Santa Cruz is undoubtedly more suited for recreational use, Hyundai made sure it can accommodate long, wide objects like sheets of plywood in a pinch.

To do that, you adjust the tailgate to a middle position between open and closed. Then, you can lay sheets of plywood across the tailgate and purpose-built grooves in back of the bed.

Sure, many of these features are available in other pickups. And clearly, if utility is your top priority and parking isn't a concern, you may be better off with something bigger.

But the Santa Cruz's city-friendly footprint, $24,000 starting price, and surprisingly usable bed make it a very appealing package for the right type of buyer.