Hyundai Santa Cruz named the Best Small Pick-Up Truck in Canada for 2022 by AJAC

• Successful first entry for Hyundai in an AJAC CCOTY truck category

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the 2022 Santa Cruz, Hyundai’s first Sport Adventure Vehicle, the “Best Small Pick-up Truck in Canada for 2022” as part of the Canadian Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards. This marks the first win for Hyundai in this category and the second win for the brand in AJAC’s 2022 annual award program. The voting members of AJAC praised the all-new Santa Cruz for its build quality, powertrain performance, vehicle dynamics and safety features.

 “We are thrilled that the esteemed judges of AJAC recognize the all-new Hyundai Santa Cruz as a class-leading vehicle,” says Steve Flamand, director of product and corporate strategy at Hyundai Auto Canada. “Hyundai took a bold step in new segment territory with Santa Cruz, with the intention of satisfying a combination of needs for customers, namely those looking for the capability of a truck, but the efficiency and versatility of an SUV.”    

AJAC’s jury is comprised of more than 50 top Canadian automotive journalists from coast-to-coast who select winners by testing over 250 vehicles on the same road and weather conditions experienced by Canadian drivers. The AJAC organization brings together seasoned independent journalists who write for newspapers, magazines, digital columnists, and freelance contributors.

About the Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz has bridged a market gap by offering a vehicle that combines open-bed flexibility with everyday driving comfort. The vehicle’s lockable tonneau cover, hidden bed storage and smart design has opened up new possibilities for buyer needs. The Santa Cruz’s highly manoeuvrable all-wheel drive platform and state-of-the-art technologies offers a true sport-adventure vehicle for the Canadian market.

Santa Cruz was developed to be the ultimate Sport Adventure Vehicle, a moniker confirmed in Hyundai’s early consumer research. It features a secure, open bed which includes a lockable tonneau cover and hidden bed storage. Customers also value the comfort, passenger space, fuel efficiency and parking ease. Santa Cruz, with its unique design, created an entirely new segment that meets these buyer needs like no vehicle before it.

In 2021, The all-new Sport Adventure Vehicle was recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and awarded a TOP SAFETY PICK (TSP) designation. The 2022 Santa Cruz was met all six IIHS crash-worthiness evaluations and headlight performance.