Hyundai Santa Cruz

Overview: Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a Good Truck?

As its first entry into the U.S. compact pickup segment, Hyundai’s Santa Cruz combines an open bed with a crossover-inspired body style. Available all-wheel drive, generous safety equipment, and thoughtful features bring additional refinement. Optional turbocharged power and Hyundai value help further set it apart. However, limited configurations compromise maximum utility for some buyers. Yet for personal and professional use alike, the Santa Cruz marks the return of a compact pickup truck to the marketplace (along with the Ford Maverick). For many, a pickup with good fuel economy is the ideal vehicle.

Note: As a relatively new model, features are still expanding. Always confirm details on any used Santa Cruz for sale.

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Related: Here Are The Hyundai Santa Cruz Years To Avoid

Key Features

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has:

• Compact crew cab pickup body style
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder power, including a turbocharged option
• Eight-speed automatic transmission (a dual-clutch version when paired with the turbo engine)
• Front-wheel drive or HTRAC all-wheel drive

Trims

The Santa Cruz truck's core trims are the SE, SEL, and Limited. The Night edition joined the lineup in 2023, followed by the XRT in 2024.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

With seating for five passengers, the Santa Cruz offers car-like accommodations. However, its four-foot bed limits utility compared to midsize and larger pickups. Given the relative newness of the Santa Cruz model, it’s not surprising that there are numerous standard tech features like advanced driver-assist systems and touchscreen entertainment.

How It Drives

Driving the Santa Cruz can be described as confident and capable, especially when all-wheel drive is in play. However, the ride comes across as firmer than the Hyundai Tucson. The Santa Cruz’s base 191-horsepower engine gets the job done, but the 281-horsepower turbocharged powerplant injects fun into the equation.

Safety

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz passed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing with flying colors, receiving a perfect five-star overall safety rating. The results were identical in specific crash tests (front and side impact). The Santa Cruz’s four-star rating for rollover resistance is typical of crossovers and trucks with an elevated ride height.

Reviews

According to owners posting via Kelley Blue Book, Hyundai Santa Cruz reviews are predominantly positive. With an average 4.5 rating (out of 5.0), consumers are quite favorable about their Hyundai pickup trucks. Reliability and styling are among the highest-scoring categories for the Santa Cruz.

Learn More: Do Hyundais Hold Their Value? What To Know About Resale & Depreciation

FAQs: Used Hyundai Santa Cruz

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz Hybrid?

There is no Hyundai Santa Cruz hybrid; electrified variants don’t exist yet. But Hyundai’s Tucson-related architecture could allow a hybrid or plug-in hybrid Santa Cruz in the future.

What car is the Hyundai Santa Cruz based on?

The unibody Santa Cruz derives its chassis and mechanical components from the similar-sized Hyundai Tucson crossover SUV.

Is the Santa Cruz a 4x4?

No, all-wheel drive Santa Cruz versions use an on-demand system dubbed HTRAC that shifts power forward and back based on road conditions. No low-range gearing exists for serious off-roading.

How many Santa Cruz models are there?

For 2024, Hyundai offers the Santa Cruz in SE, SEL, Night, XRT, and Limited trims. However, the passenger and bed configurations remain the same among these editions. Trim offerings vary by model year.

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