2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Price Range: $28,750 - $42,750

Keith Buglewicz | Edmunds

Very Good

The 2025 Santa Cruz has a lot going for it. It feels upscale and fun to drive, and it delivers modest but useful pickup truck utility. The Santa Cruz costs more than its Ford Maverick rival, but a premium interior and plenty of standard features help justify the extra cost.Read full review

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Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale

Pricing

Select year

Edmunds suggests you pay

$28,711

Prices based on sales in NC thru 6/1/26

Final assembly in USA

Pros

Comfortable ride quality and agile handling
Powerful turbocharged engine option
Impressive assortment of tech features
Thoughtful cargo bed features

Cons

Flat seats and limited rear legroom
Compromised rear visibility
Pricey upper trim level

What's new

Redesigned grille and headlights
XRT trim gets enhanced off-road ability
Redesigned dash with a larger touchscreen
Part of the first Santa Cruz generation introduced for 2022

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

Updated: 6/8/2026

Leave it to Hyundai, a company that once made a small hatchback with three doors, to cook up a mini-truck crossover mashup and name it after a rural California coastal town (or same-named towns in dozens of other parts of the world, if you prefer). The Santa Cruz will remind some of a shrunken tech-age Chevrolet El Camino or maybe the iconic Subaru BRAT, as it offers truck-like capability in a footprint about the size of a compact SUV. Useful features such as optional all-wheel drive and lockable cargo bed storage also make the Santa Cruz a good partner for outdoor adventures.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Very Good

7.6

out of 10

We drove the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

7.9/10

How does the Hyundai Santa Cruz drive? The Santa Cruz's stiffer car-like chassis makes it more fun to drive than a truck on a conventional body-on-frame structure. Steering and handling are impressive, and you can have fun when the road gets curvy. The optional turbocharged engine makes excellent power, vaulting the Santa Cruz from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds in our testing. That's quicker than any midsize truck and comparable to the rival Ford Maverick. The dual-clutch automatic transmission shifts quickly and crisply too, increasing the Santa Cruz's fun factor.

Thanks to decent ground clearance and available all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz can handle most graded dirt roads and slippery surfaces, although it's no off-roader. On road, the Santa Cruz rides smoothly over nearly any surface, easily absorbing most road imperfections. Visibility out of the rear window is compromised, but the optional 360-degree parking camera and high-resolution screen are excellent additions. Many driver aids are standard on the Santa Cruz, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and forward collision warning. Most work well, but the warnings and alerts can be overly sensitive and annoying after a while.

Comfort

7.3/10

How comfortable is the Hyundai Santa Cruz? The Santa Cruz's cabin has good front legroom, plenty of headroom and a very adjustable driver's seat. Comfortable and supportive front seats make long highway journeys easier, and they're also heated and ventilated (on upper trims), a rarity in compact and midsize trucks. Adults will find the back seat a bit cramped, though. The rear seats are set upright and aren't nearly as comfortable as the fronts. Large child seats will be a squeeze in the back seat, but anchors are easily located for securing them. Wind noise over the side mirrors is noticeable at speed, as is road noise from underneath the body.

The big center touchscreen and digital driver's instrument panel highlight the cabin's distinct future-forward look, but the shortcut buttons below the touchscreen are too cute for their own good. They're touch-sensitive pads instead of regular buttons, and they're distracting to locate and use while driving. Otherwise, everything is well labeled and organized, and there are a number of redundant steering wheel controls too.

In-cabin tech

9.7/10

How’s the tech? The Santa Cruz's 12.3-inch touchscreen is about an inch smaller than the rival Ford Maverick's, but the high-resolution graphics are sharp, easy to read, and don't wash out in the sunlight. The optional Bose sound system is top-notch too, with good sound quality across most of the volume range. Four USB-C ports offer fast charging and data pass-through, while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging tray, allow you to ditch the cables altogether.

Storage & cargo

8/10

How’s storage and cargo? The Santa Cruz's bed is relatively short but almost dimensionally identical to the Maverick's. The tailgate can be adjusted to match the height of the wheelwells so that 4-by-8 sheets of plywood can be carried in the bed. The in-bed trunk features a drain, useful for storing wet or muddy gear or even ice for tailgating. The cupholders and center console storage are similar to something you'd find in a compact SUV.

Value

8.6/10

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a good value? The Santa Cruz's main rival, the Ford Maverick, costs less. But for the money, the Santa Cruz offers more equipment and one of the industry's best warranties. Our test model, a Santa Cruz Limited trim, cost more than $40,000 when new. That's a lot for a compact truck, but in general we think you're getting your money's worth.

Hyundai's five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty are both unrivaled. So are the rust coverage for seven years/unlimited miles, roadside assistance for five years/unlimited miles, and free maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.

Towing & hauling

7/10

How is the towing and hauling? The Santa Cruz's 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity is impressive. But towing that much weight requires a trailer brake controller, which the Santa Cruz lacks. You'll need to source one from an aftermarket company if you plan to tow a heavy trailer. The bed is rated to carry only about 600 pounds, but you can stuff the rest of the Santa Cruz cabin to reach the truck's 1,411-pound payload limit.

MPG

3/10

How’s the fuel economy? Our test vehicle had the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and all-wheel drive. The EPA estimates the Santa Cruz in this configuration gets 22 mpg combined. This isn't the most impressive stat when you consider that the Santa Cruz's main competition, the Maverick, gets 25 mpg with its turbocharged engine or the bigger Honda Ridgeline gets 21 mpg.

X factor

9/10

The Santa Cruz is fun to drive in ways you wouldn't expect from a pickup. Steering and handling are impressive, it's maneuverable in tight spaces, and it really scoots when you ask it to. Its funky design is a matter of personal taste, but the Santa Cruz certainly stands out. Factor in the cool in-bed trunk and a premium interior, and you have a unique car-truck mash-up that commands some attention.

Save as much as $2,087 with Edmunds

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz pricing in Greensboro, NC

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for June

Here are some key tips for negotiating the best deal on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Buyers are paying roughly 5.2% less than the sticker price, which can mean saving between $1,309 and $2,373, depending on the trim.
The XRT trim offers a notable savings of about 5.9% off MSRP, making it a smart choice for value-focused shoppers.
For used buyers, prices start at approximately $24,500 for the Santa Cruz, so keep this in mind when negotiating.
Nationwide, there are 337 new Santa Cruz vehicles available, which is a sizable inventory. Use this to your advantage to negotiate the price.
The Santa Cruz is taking over 300 days to sell on average, indicating slower demand and more room for negotiation. Make sure to leverage this when discussing price with dealers.

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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim level differences

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small crew-cab pickup available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT and Limited. The SE and SEL come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (191 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque) joined to an eight-speed transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. XRT and Limited trims get a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine (281 hp, 321 lb-ft) with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Compare the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim levels in-depth.

Which Santa Cruz trim does Edmunds recommend?

If your budget allows, we'd recommend the XRT. It comes not only with the more powerful turbo engine and all-wheel drive but also with desirable upgrades like black synthetic leather upholstery, navigation, advanced voice controls and a surround-view monitor. A higher tow rating and light off-roading ability mean the XRT can do more truck-like things than the lower trims, but without the cost of the top-trim Limited. If you can't stretch to the XRT, the SEL is still a solid choice.

Competitors to consider

The Santa Cruz is a unique party of one, though the similarly sized Ford Maverick shares many of the same capabilities (slightly higher payload, less towing capacity). It also offers an optional hybrid powertrain, comes in some wild colors, and looks more like a truck. The Honda Ridgeline is in another size and price class altogether — a larger base trim Ridgeline buys a fully loaded Santa Cruz — though there are more similarities between them than you might think. The Santa Cruz is actually a little roomier by some measures and shares some of the Ridgeline's distinctive cargo bed features.

Edmunds spotlight: Enough muscle for the mission

In the words of its parent, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a "sport adventure vehicle" and that's the best way to think about it. It's a small truck that doesn't do heavy lifting — its max payload rating is only about 1,400 pounds — but still offers plenty of utility. With the optional turbo engine and all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Its 8.6 inches of ground clearance nearly matches the trail-favorite Subaru Outback. Useful cargo bed features include a rail-track system, lockable storage and in-bed lighting. The bed itself is just 4.3 feet long but extends to 6.2 feet with a dropped tailgate. In the cabin, there's a new 12.3-inch standard touchscreen, USB-C charging ports and wireless smartphone connectivity. It's a compelling package for people who don't have a need for or an interest in "truckier" midsize trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger.

Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

52 reviews

5(75%)

4(9%)

3(5%)

2(7%)

1(4%)

Owners Say

The overall sentiment from owners about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is mixed. Many owners love its comfortable ride, quick acceleration, and unique style, as well as the numerous safety and tech features. However, some have experienced issues like software glitches, engine troubles, and leaky parts that affect their enjoyment. Despite the complaints, several owners still appreciate the vehicle's versatility and handling.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 52 reviews of the Hyundai Santa Cruz

Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Review

Loved so much got 2!

Happy one , 02/21/2024

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Night 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM)

Is it traditional? No. Do some think it’s ugly? Yes, but so many love it. I am constantly stopped and have people asking to “check it out”. I love that it’s different. I don’t consider it a truck, more of an suv with a small bed, that drives like a sports sedan. With all the bells and whistles and super comfy seats it’s had to find any negatives. There have been zero issues thus far. It …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, so we've included review for other years of the Santa Cruz since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz videos

Best Trucks Under $60K | Which Pickups Offer the Best Bang for the Buck? | F-150, Tacoma, Maverick

NOTE: This video is about the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, but since the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$28,750
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$180/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	3,500 lbs.
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls.

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 26V316000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 302
Manufactured from:: 2024-04-08 to
Number of vehicles affected:: 423062
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Defect Consequence:: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.

Recall Number:: 25V809000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 289 (H); 0
Number of vehicles affected:: 258
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
Defect Consequence:: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed January 19, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Recall Number:: 24V877000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 273
Manufactured from:: 2024-07-22 to 2024-11-07
Number of vehicles affected:: 42465
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
Defect Consequence:: A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. Dealers will reroute the console extension wiring assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 273.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz

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Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Ford Maverick

Perhaps the most obvious direct competitor to the Santa Cruz is the Ford Maverick. Similarly based on compact SUV underpinnings — in this case, the Ford Escape — the Maverick is the smallest Ford-branded truck you can get in the U.S. It's comfortable inside, and pleasant on the road, too. While capabilities differ between the two trucks, the biggest differentiating factor is that the Maverick is available with a hybrid engine. For more info, check out what we have to say about our long-term Ford Maverick hybrid.

Compare Hyundai Santa Cruz & Ford Maverick features

Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline

If the Santa Cruz is the right idea, but the wrong size, the Honda Ridgeline might be just right. Notably bigger than the Santa Cruz, it's also more capable, with higher towing and payload limits. It also has a lockable trunk in the bed — credit to Honda for having it first — and a tailgate that opens down or to the side. Not surprisingly, since the Ridgeline is more truck you'll pay more money, quite a bit more. But if you want a truck that's comfortable around town but bigger than the Hyundai, the Ridgeline's the only game in town.

Compare Hyundai Santa Cruz & Honda Ridgeline features

Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Toyota Tacoma

We're talking about trucks, so of course the venerable Toyota Tacoma is bound to enter the chat. With its redesign in 2024, the Toyota Tacoma is much more pleasant to drive on a daily basis than ever before. Fine, it's not as nice around town as the Hyundai, but in exchange you get all the ruggedness you could hope for in a midsize pickup, plus real off-road capability if you pick the right trim. If you keep your options in check, the Tacoma can still be had at a reasonable price, too. Check out our long-term logbook to see what we had to say about our long-term 2024 Toyota Tacoma.

Compare Hyundai Santa Cruz & Toyota Tacoma features

Safety

Key safety features on the Santa Cruz include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	16.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Marginal
Side Impact Test – Original	Good
Side Impact Test – Updated	Not Tested
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

Research other Santa Cruz years

2026
2025
2024

FAQ

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Santa Cruz both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 Santa Cruz gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 52 reviews) And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Santa Cruz. Learn more

What's new in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz:

Redesigned grille and headlights
XRT trim gets enhanced off-road ability
Redesigned dash with a larger touchscreen
Part of the first Santa Cruz generation introduced for 2022

Learn more

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

To determine whether the Hyundai Santa Cruz is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Santa Cruz. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Santa Cruz's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Santa Cruz and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 Santa Cruz gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 52 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Santa Cruz is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The least-expensive 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $28,750.

Other versions include:

SE 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $28,750
SE 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,250
SEL 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $30,450
SEL 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $31,950
SEL Activity 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $33,450
SEL Activity 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl 8A) which starts at $34,950
XRT 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $40,250
Limited 4dr Crew Cab AWD SB (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $42,750