The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz doesn’t need to be massive to grab your attention. This compact pickup blends crossover comfort with real truck capability, perfectly suited for both city driving and weekend getaways. The refreshed styling mirrors the Tucson, while upgraded dual-screen technology and a potent 281-horsepower turbocharged engine option show that Hyundai has completely rethought what a small truck can be.
- Unibody construction provides car-like handling and fuel economy while maintaining a 5,000-pound towing capacity
- Redesigned interior showcases curved dual 12.3-inch displays with wireless smartphone connectivity
- XRT trim brings serious off-road capability with all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and better approach angles
Built Different from the Start
The Santa Cruz takes a completely different approach than most trucks on the market today. While everyone else keeps building bigger, heavier, and pricier vehicles, Hyundai went smaller and smarter. Built on the same unibody platform as the Tucson crossover, this compact pickup puts everyday usability first.
That four-foot bed might look tiny next to a full-size truck, but it works better than you’d expect. You get a built-in lockable tonneau cover, a hidden storage compartment about six inches deep with a drain plug, and available bed extending accessories. Six tie-downs, four D-rings, and adjustable cleats secure everything from mountain bikes to camping gear.
Drive one and you’ll immediately notice how different it feels. Body-on-frame trucks can feel bouncy and disconnected, but the Santa Cruz rides smoothly like a crossover. No jittery feeling or truck-like harshness. Perfect for daily commuting and still capable enough for weekend projects.
Fresh Style and Smart Tech
The 2025 model year brings welcome updates to keep the Santa Cruz competitive in the growing compact truck market. The restyled grille and front bumper match the 2025 Tucson SUV’s look, while the all-terrain XRT model adds off-road personality with a unique front end, tow hooks, exclusive 18-inch wheels, and chunkier tires.
Inside, Hyundai completely redesigned the tech setup. Gone is the old slab of touch surfaces that collected fingerprint smudges. The new curved display houses two 12.3-inch screens, one for gauges and another for infotainment. Physical climate knobs and tuning dials return to reduce touchscreen reliance.
The updated system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, a fingerprint scanner for security, and Hyundai Pay for vehicle payments. These practical improvements make daily life easier without adding complexity.
Power Options That Make Sense
Two engine choices let you pick your priorities. The SE and SEL trims come with a 2.5-liter, 191-horsepower four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic transmission. This base engine handles daily driving well while delivering solid fuel economy.
The turbocharged option changes everything. This 2.5-liter four-cylinder pumps out 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, it transforms the Santa Cruz into something genuinely fun to drive.
Towing capacity jumps significantly with the turbo engine. The standard powertrain handles 3,500 pounds, while all-wheel drive bumps that to 5,000 pounds. Enough for a decent boat, travel trailer, or loaded utility trailer.
XRT Gets Serious About Adventure
The biggest news for 2025 is the XRT trim, which answers critics who said the original Santa Cruz looked too soft. Multi-tone wheels with orange anodized center caps and all-terrain tires give the XRT a much tougher appearance.
The changes go deeper than cosmetics. New bumper covers improve approach angles for better off-road capability. The XRT runs 18-inch wheels with 245/60R18 all-terrain tires instead of the street-focused rubber on other trims. This setup provides better traction on loose surfaces and increased ground clearance.
Practical additions include a 360-degree camera system and blind-spot view monitor for navigating tight trails or parking lots. Those integrated front tow hooks actually work for vehicle recovery when you need them.
Finding Its Place in the Market
Compact trucks are having a moment, with vehicles like the Ford Maverick proving real demand exists for smaller, affordable pickups. Truck sales data shows growing interest in light-duty vehicles, though the Ford Maverick still dominates while the Santa Cruz works to gain traction.
Most Maverick owners describe their truck as lovable and useful. The Santa Cruz takes a more upscale approach to what compact pickup buyers want. It excels in refinement and daily usability, offering a better driving experience than most midsize trucks, even if it can’t match their work capability.
This positions the Santa Cruz perfectly for buyers who want truck versatility without giving up car-like comfort. Think weekend warriors who haul bikes and kayaks but still want a nice interior for the daily commute.
How It Performs
Behind the wheel, the Santa Cruz feels more like a well-equipped crossover than a traditional truck. The turbocharged XRT accelerates from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds during testing. That’s genuinely quick for any truck, let alone a compact one.
Fuel economy varies by engine choice. The front-wheel drive base engine achieves 25 mpg combined according to EPA ratings. That beats midsize trucks like the Chevy Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and Honda Ridgeline. The XRT with all-terrain tires drops to 18 city/26 highway, which makes sense given the more aggressive rubber.
Living with the Santa Cruz daily is remarkably easy. Parking takes no effort compared to full-size trucks. The ride stays comfortable even with cargo in the bed. You can slip in and out of parking spaces without the stress that comes with larger trucks.
Pricing and Value
The 2025 Santa Cruz starts at $28,750 for the base SE trim with front-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated engine. Five trim levels are available: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited. The top Limited trim costs around $42,750.
Even the base model comes well-equipped with safety and tech features. Every Santa Cruz includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, safe exit warning, and driver attention monitoring.
Hyundai’s warranty coverage adds real value. The Santa Cruz comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. That coverage beats most competitors by a wide margin.
Who Should Buy One
The Santa Cruz works best for people who occasionally need truck capability but don’t want to live with a full-size truck daily. Think suburban families who haul bikes and camping gear on weekends but commute in city traffic during the week.
The refreshed styling, improved technology, and available XRT package address most complaints about the original model. Sure, the bed is smaller than midsize or full-size trucks. And yes, the unibody construction limits extreme towing or payload duties.
But most truck buyers use their vehicles primarily for daily transportation with occasional hauling needs. The Santa Cruz delivers exactly what they need in a more manageable, efficient package. Sometimes the smartest solution focuses on what people actually do rather than theoretical maximum capability.
The truck market keeps evolving, and vehicles like the Santa Cruz prove there’s room for different approaches. The best truck for you might not be the biggest or most powerful one. It might be the one that fits your actual life best.
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