Hyundai Santa Cruz
Key Features
- Starting at $28,500 MSRP*
- 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine offered either naturally aspirated with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, or turbocharged with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque
- Available HTRAC All Wheel Drive (AWD)
- Max towing capacity of 5,000 pounds
- Standard 18-inch alloy wheels
- Projector Bi-LED headlights
- Lockable under-bed storage compartment
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay®
- Multi-functional tailgate (assisted open/close)
- Available 115V power outlet (in sidewall storage)
About The Hyundai Santa Cruz
Pickup trucks that are actually useful and affordable for regular people were in danger of becoming a thing of the past before the introduction of the Hyundai Santa Cruz. This highly functional and versatile truck is built for your everyday hauling needs, while still being a reasonable enough size that parallel parking or fitting in the garage is still possible. There are two engines available, and the Santa Cruz can easily out-tow what little competition there is. But the Santa Cruz is great for other day-to-day activities as well, and is a comfortable commuter vehicle that handles better than you ever knew a pickup could. It's also packed with all kinds of additional storage, including a locking under-bed compartment, to keep your belongings safe and dry.
What the Critics Say
"The Santa Cruz benefits by having one of the nicest cabins among both the compact and mid-size pickup segments. It's the first truck in its class to offer a fully digital gauge cluster, and we appreciate that it has a traditional shifter on the center console instead of a rotary knob or pushbuttons." - Car & Driver
"The Santa Cruz derives from the excellent Hyundai Tucson compact SUV, only with a pickup bed - a rare combination. What makes it doubly unusual is its unibody construction, instead of the more traditional body-on-frame approach of the aforementioned midsize trucks. We think Hyundai has done a great job with the Santa Cruz. Our owner reviews praise the comfortable heated front seats, fuel economy, and smooth ride. We also praise the excellent warranties." - Kelley Blue Book
What's New For 2025
The look of the 2025 Santa Fe isn't a huge departure from the 2024 model, yet there have been a ton of small tweaks to the design all over, a fine-tuning of this still fairly new model. The most noticeable change is the reworked front fascia, particularly the new grille. Inside, you'll find a redesigned dash, and with the new design, the infotainment screen is joined together in a single piece with the digital gauge cluster, for those who opt for it.
Hyundai Santa Cruz Features
Capable Utility
Since a big part of the appeal of the Santa Cruz is that it doesn't force you to buy more truck than you need, there are a number of configuration options to choose from. To start with, there are two engines offered, although both are 2.5-liter four cylinder engines. The base engine is naturally aspirated, and produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. For the XRT and Limited trims, there is a turbocharged version of this engine, which makes 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is an option. Unless you go for the XRT or Limited, where AWD is standard. That's enough power that the 27 cubic foot bed can carry up to 1,411 pounds worth of payload.
Incredible Versatility
Hyundai packed a surprising amount of capability into the compact Santa Cruz, but what's most impressive is the variety of tasks it's up to. Depending on how it's equipped, the Santa Cruz can tow either 3,500 or 5,000 pounds. That's not just a higher maximum capacity than you'd expect from a compact, but a higher minimum as well. The remote-release multi-functional tailgate comes standard, and there is an available integrated tonneau cover as well. There is an available 115-volt outlet that's tucked into a sidewall storage compartment, to power air pumps, lights, or whatever else might need powering at the campsite, beach, or wherever else you need to go. And to help you get anywhere you need to go, the XRT trim comes with unique wheels and tires, meant for a wider variety of terrain, as well as standard all-wheel drive, navigation, and a whole lot more standard equipment.
Comfortable Interior
The practical size of the Santa Cruz makes it a truck you can live with every day, and as such, Hyundai made sure it was a comfortable place to be while you commute to work or head for a night out. Seats are available in cloth, H-Tex® leatherette, or leather, and both heating and ventilation are available. Tech features include available Hyundai Pay, which allows you to pay for things like tolls and parking without an ugly and view-obstructing third-party transponder. Available rain-sensing wipers reduce frustration in unfavorable weather, and the 64-color ambient lighting creates a soothing atmosphere. The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard, along with wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®. HD Radio™ and a SiriusXM Satellite Radio trial come standard, and audiophiles will be happy to hear that there is an available Bose® Premium Audio System.
Trims & Specs
SE
- Starting at $28,650 MSRP*
- 191-hp 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Projector Bi-LED headlights
- Lockable under-bed storage compartment
SEL
- Starting at $30,350 MSRP*
- Roof side rails
- Heated front seats
- H-Tex® leatherette-trimmed seats
- Dual automatic temperature control
- Heated side mirrors
SEL Activity
- Starting at $33,350 MSRP*
- Power sunroof
- Integrated tonneau cover
- Wireless device charging
- 115V power outlet (in sidewall storage)
- Rear sliding glass window
XRT
- Starting at $40,150 MSRP*
- 281-hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine
- HTRAC All Wheel Drive
- 18-inch XRT alloy wheels
- XRT front dark grille
- 12.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation
Limited
- Starting at $42,650 MSRP*
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch
- Integrated Memory System (IMS)
- Bose® Premium Audio System
- Ventilated leather-trimmed front seats
*MSRP excludes freight charges, tax, title, and license fees. Freight charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost. Accessory items shown may vary according to model and illustration.
