As summer draws to a close, now’s the time to start really looking at the 2022 model year for a lot of car manufacturers to see what they have to offer. While we might not have all of the details on every model just yet, I’m quite impressed by Hyundai’s lineup of vehicles for 2022. It’s not necessarily huge, but there’s a lot on offer, with a number of great badges and some excellent variations on almost all of them.
A quick overview of this lineup is that there’s something for just about everyone here, with a clear focus on moving their brand forward. In particular, you’ll see a lot of hybrid and electric models starting to emerge this year, with even more to come in the future. There’s also a growing N Performance series across their lineup, which gives you a lot of flexibility while shopping with either performance or efficiency in mind. Let’s take a quick look at what’s on offer, though we’re not going to dig too deep into any one model right now, so keep that in mind.
The 2022 Tucson
Although it has been around for a while now, the 2022 model is an all-new, fully redesigned Hyundai Tucson with a lot to offer. Its sporty design and incredible performance are sure to be a huge hit with anyone looking for a compact crossover SUV that is a lot of fun to drive. There are plenty of compact models that offer a pretty good experience, but the impressive power of the Tucson’s standard 2.5L engine really makes a great immediate impression. Best of all, the Tucson is offered in numerous different models – so if you like its design, then you have a ton of choices available to you.
I don’t just mean standard trims like the Tucson SE and SEL or Limited. Beyond the trims that you expect from any vehicle, you can choose a hybrid model, with several trims available with a hybrid engine along with a plug-in hybrid option. There’s also an N Line option available that gives you a sportier look to go along with its impressive performance.
The 2022 Kona
Perhaps even more impressive than the array of configurations and options available for the Tucson is what you can choose from with the Hyundai Kona, which has also been refreshed significantly for the 2022 model year. There are tons of improvements inside and out for this subcompact crossover, including a new front-end with a stronger overall design, updated lighting, and an updated dashboard. The 7-inch infotainment system that was standard last year has been replaced by an 8-inch display, and a 10.25-inch screen is available.
The standard Kona is a great place to start, and there are numerous trims available, including the SE, SEL, and the Limited – as well as a performance-focused N Line trim. What really sets the Kona apart, however, is that it’s also available as a new Kona N model, which has even more power and has been tuned by Hyundai’s in-house performance group. Finally, a Kona Electric model will be available for 2022, featuring impressive style and performance with an all-electric power system that offers a range of more than 250 miles from a full charge.
The 2022 Santa Cruz
As great as the Kona and Tucson look – thanks in large part to their major updates this year – the real star of Hyundai’s lineup is probably the Santa Cruz. This is a compact pickup truck that’s sure to get a lot of attention and presents some solid competition to the likes of the Honda Ridgeline and Ford Maverick. It’s an entirely new model for 2022 and promises to be a great choice for anyone looking for a small truck that’s a lot of fun to drive.
Since this is a brand-new model for Hyundai, it doesn’t have the kinds of variety and options as something like the Tucson. That’s fine by me, however, as it’s available in four different trim levels to still give you plenty of room to get a truck that perfectly meets your needs. There are also two different engines to choose from: a standard 2.5L 191 hp offering (the same engine that’s found in the Tucson) and a more powerful turbocharged engine that delivers 281 hp. Both come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the small size of the Santa Cruz means it will be a lot of fun whether you’re driving around town or hitting the trail.
When properly equipped, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 lbs behind it, giving you plenty of weight to play with for whatever you need. Just to really round things out, the Santa Cruz also has one of the nicest interiors of any truck on the market, with a fully digital gauge cluster and very attractive materials and design throughout. If you’re interested in a small truck, then you need to check this one out.
The 2022 Ioniq 5
The Santa Cruz isn’t the only entirely new vehicle for 2022, however, as the Ioniq 5 is ready to take the stage as Hyundai’s premier EV model. This compact crossover is the first of many Ioniq vehicles from Hyundai (as many as 23 EV models are in development and will use the “Ioniq” name) and really shows off what Hyundai is looking to do with this market. It’s a stunning model with great features inside and out and a design that’s sure to get a lot of fans.
Two different configurations are available for the Ioniq 5: a rear-wheel drive model with a 225 hp rear motor or an all-wheel drive version with a pair of motors putting out 320 hp. The dual-motor setup can go from 0 to 60 in just 5.2 seconds and delivers instant torque that makes it incredibly fun to drive. Final numbers for range aren’t available just yet, though Hyundai has said they’re shooting for about 300 miles from a full charge with the rear-wheel drive model and about 270 miles with the all-wheel drive version.
The interior of the Ioniq 5 is arguably the star of the show, however, as it features a fully digitized dashboard and a sleek design that’s all its own. While driving, you can see everything you need on a pair of 12-inch displays, and there’s an available head-up display with augmented reality functionality to project information onto the windshield for you. It has a long wheelbase and two rows of seating, so all of your passengers will have plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the incredible comfort and luxury the Ioniq 5 has to offer.
The 2022 Elantra N
Although the standard Elantra doesn’t have a lot of new features for 2022, there’s a standout option for this familiar name: the all-new Elantra N. This is part of Hyundai’s new N series of performance-focused vehicles and creates an incredibly powerful version of their compact sedan. Learning from the popular Veloster N model, this version of the Elantra features a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers 276 hp, which can be boosted up to 286 hp for that extra push of speed. There’s an 8-speed automatic available, but a 6-speed manual transmission comes standard to put total control at your fingertips.
More Great Hyundai Vehicles
So far, these are the biggest changes and all-new models coming to Hyundai’s lineup this year, but these aren’t the only vehicles available. If you’re a fan of their other vehicles like the Accent, Sonata, Venue, Santa Fe, and more, then don’t worry – those great models are still available. The ones above are just the newest and most updated ones, with the most exciting features that Hyundai has to offer. No matter what you’re looking for, however, it’s clear that Hyundai’s lineup has something for just about everyone.
