Choosing the trim level is the hardest part of getting a new car. Most of the time, budget is a deciding factor, but not when it comes to our 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz small pickup. We just wanted to look at a popular trim level. However, we wish that the top-of-the-line 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited had some of the tools and extras that our SEL Premium doesn’t have. When a $41,905 Santa Cruz Limited showed up for a few days at the MotorTrend Detroit office, it was the perfect chance to study and discover what we had been missing. We thought the ride and driving would be the same. Both cars have a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four 281-hp, 311-lb-ft engine, and an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but the Limited also has paddle shifters. We don’t need this function; this kind of car is either manual or nothing. Various Wheel Sizes Even though the wheels on the Limited are more significant (20 inches), the wheels on our Santa Cruz SEL with the Premium package ($38,935 for 2023) are smaller (18 inches). They both look good and are similar in style, but the bigger wheels make them look fancier at the cost of a better ride. In this case, the more prominent tires did not make the tires or the road much noisier. On a smooth sidewalk, it was hard to tell the difference. The shorter side walls may be felt and heard on bumpy roads, but most people will only notice much change if they drive the two Santa Cruz models back-to-back at the dealer. The Santa Cruz Limited’s best feature is that it comes with Highway Driving Assist and adaptive cruise control with stop/start. Our SEL Premium is happy with essential cruise control and lane assist. This means that the higher trim keeps you in your lane and keeps you safe between you and the car ahead. We missed Santa Cruz’s usual adaptive cruise control on long trips. The look of both cars is the same. Hampton Gray was a temporary pet, but Sage Gray will stay with us for good. Both vehicles stand out on the road because the door handles match the body colour. The seats in the Santa Cruz Limited are now made of leather. There are many different kinds within. First, the seats are given out. The Limited steps it up with leather and chrome details. Like our Santa Cruz, the front seats heat and cool. Both have steering wheels and gear knobs that are wrapped in leather. We like that Santa Cruz Limited has a row of buttons in the centre panel that heats or cools front seats. It also heats the steering wheel, which may be essential in colder regions. The rain-sensing wipers on the Limited are a nice touch, but we don’t need them. On cold days, however, a heated steering wheel is a must. The screen is more significant, but you can only touch it now. The other significant change is that the screen is now more prominent. The 10.3-inch infotainment screen in the Limited can only be handled by touching it. There must be a dial for the volume or a toggle switch for the radio. We like that our Santa Cruz SEL Premium with an 8-inch screen has strong buttons and switches. The Limited has air vents and USB charge ports for people in the back seats. Our $38,000 Santa Cruz SEL Premium is well-equipped, but we would rather have smaller wheels and an infotainment screen that is smaller and has physical volume and tone controls. Only if the higher model came with adaptive cruise control and a heated steering wheel would we consider getting it whether these extras are worth an additional $2,970. Given that the car is made in Detroit and we drive a lot, it is.
