Big appeal for little Hyundai pickup
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, introduced in 2021 for the 2022 model year, is a small crew-cab pickup with a unique personality. It handles like a car but retains pickup flexibility without the usual bulk.
The Santa Cruz offers two engine choices and is available in SE, SEL, XRT and Limited trims. SE and SEL models have a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower, an eight-speed transmission, and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 option.
XRT and Limited trims feature a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 281 horsepower, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and standard all-wheel drive. The Santa Cruz tows 3,500 pounds with the base engine or 5,000 pounds with all-wheel drive.
As the Santa Cruz enters its fourth year, Hyundai has refreshed the vehicle inside and out. The exterior now appears more rugged, featuring a grille and front bumper echoing the 2025 Hyundai Tucson SUV. The XRT trim adds bold front tow hooks, 18-inch wheels and modern daytime running lights.
Upper trims now feature a single-panel design with two 12.3-inch screens and an upgraded interface offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system also provides over-the-air updates and includes USB-C ports. In contrast, lower trims have one 12.3-inch display with analog gauges. Additional updates comprise a redesigned dashboard, center console, steering wheel, and a new climate-control button panel.
The Santa Cruz comes exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a standard four-foot bed. It extends to 6 feet 2 inches with the tailgate lowered. A lockable tonneau cover is included.
Further supporting its versatile cargo options, the compact truck includes an in-bed trunk; similar to what’s found in the Honda Ridgeline. Although the bed is smaller than that of a standard pickup, it still offers valuable cargo capacity. This presents a key decision: prioritize a smaller pickup that’s nimble and easy to park, or opt for a traditional size with daily drivability compromises?
Inside, the Santa Cruz has a triple appeal: comfort, a keen design and good visibility. It has a fully digital gauge cluster and a classic shifter. Black leather seats give it a car-like feel, and the high seating position adds to the fun driving experience. Second-row seating is touted as seating for three. Two passengers ride comfortably; three’s a crowd.
Safety and technology are Hyundai’s strengths. The Santa Cruz offers standard driver-attention warning, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking. Lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard. Adaptive cruise control is optional.
One major disappointment: The Santa Cruz XRT with all-wheel drive is EPA-rated at only 18 miles per gallon in city driving, 26 mpg on the highway.
The Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick lead the compact pickup market. Both offer a car-like driving experience and have distinct strengths and weaknesses, but each provides a legal joy ride overall.
With a $500 charge for its too bright canyon red exterior paint, a $225 charge for carpeted floor mats and a $1,45o addition for freight and handling, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, in its XRT trim, is priced at $42,425. It’s worth it for the fun of it.
James Raia, a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento, also contributes business, lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications. E-mail: james@jamesraia.com.