The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Muscular little truck
- Good ride quality
- Great warranty
- Wireless smartphone compatibility
- Climate and tuning dials return
Dislikes
- Where’s the hybrid option?
- Small but smart bed
- XRT and Limited get expensive
Buying tip
features & specs
Better for weekend adventuring than traditional truck duty, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz shines as not being a crossover.
This preview of the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be expanded once we test it late this spring.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz small pickup truck builds off the Tucson compact crossover but swaps out a cargo hatch for a bed. It’s similar in size and attitude to the Ford Maverick.
Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good truck?
It’s a good car, with crossover comfort but with pickup truck versatility. Small improvements could make big differences in everyday usability for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, and should boost last year’s TCC Rating of 6.5 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
It’s the small things, such as adding wireless smartphone compatibility and introducing climate and tuning dials to the interface of the refreshed Santa Cruz. The basic style and shape of the Santa Cruz carries over, but Hyundai stepped out the grille to differentiate it in rearview mirrors from the related Hyundai Tucson crossover. It’s more rectangular and blocky, with the running lights integrated into the grille pattern mimicking the broad and vertical faces of classic American pickup trucks. Deep headlight and fog light recesses, as well as a pronounced lower grille sitting above a fake skid plate further it’s truck-like look. Off-road intended XRT trims tack on front tow hooks and ride on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 245/60-sized all-terrain tires. Hyundai says the XRT has an improved approach angle. The wrench-like spokes on XRT exaggerate the already standout wheel designs on the Santa Cruz.
Bigger changes await inside. Most models now have a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster running into a 12.3-inch touchscreen panel that curves toward the driver. The old slab of touch surfaces that reflected fingerprint smudges like a crime scene has been put to rest. Instead, Hyundai brings back a panel of climate knobs and tuning dials to limit reliance on the touchscreen. Not only is it a safer and more functional interface, it makes for a more attractive design, with a shelf above the glove box for small items like phones, and a thin band of vents that stretch the dash low and wide. It complements the blocky utility of the exterior design.
The powertrains carryover, with SE and SEL grades using a 2.5-liter inline-4 rated at 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is an option. It can tow 3,500 pounds, and the payload can handle about 1,900 pounds.
The XRT and Limited grades spool up with a 2.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. It employs an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters, and adds a Tow mode this year. Towing tops out at 5,000 pounds with the turbo.
Unlike most other small or midsize trucks, the Santa Cruz has crossover-like space for five passengers and comfy rear seats that don’t stick up as vertically as a church pew. It also has flip-up rear seats with underseat storage, and a power sliding rear window. The real action happens behind the cab in a bed that is smaller and narrower than any other pickup bed on the market, but has clever features such as an integrated tonneau cover and a hidden drainable storage bin.
How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?
Expect it to start at about $30,000 for the base SE model, and it should peak at just below $45,000 for the loaded Limited model. Pricing will be announced closer to the summer sale date.
Every Santa Cruz comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, a safe exit warning, and a driver attention monitor.
Tech and convenience features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, power features, keyless entry and start, and USB ports. Hyundai backs the Santa Cruz with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties, as well as three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary oil changes and tire rotations.
Where is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz made?
In Montgomery, Alabama.
