2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Are you ready for the changed-up, updated, and refreshed 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz? This compact truck carries an SUV-like chassis. As a result, it delivers the ruggedness of a pickup with the accommodations of a crossover. Truly, the Hyundai Santa Cruz boasts the best of both worlds. But the big question that's most likely on your mind is: is this the right vehicle for you?

The main competitor of the Santa Cruz is the Maverick, and with that kind of competition, your question is valid. So, in this post, we'll explore everything you need to know about the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz so you can make a well-informed decision. Keep reading to learn more.

What's New for 2025?

One of the new attributes of the Hyundai Santa Cruz for model year 2025 is its stylish refresh. This update gives the Santa Cruz a more rugged appearance. It boasts a restyled front bumper and grille; however, the off-road XRT trim takes things up a notch. It receives a redesign of all-terrain styling with its distinct treatment on the front end.

This includes new daytime running lamps, a more robust tire setup, tow hooks, exclusive 18-inch wheels, and a reshaped, flat black front grille.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior

When you enter the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, you'll notice that the optional dual-screen infotainment monitor has been revamped with Hyundai's newest tech. The individual infotainment and gauge monitors have been replaced by a single panel boasting two 12.3-inch monitors and an advanced software screen that retains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Other interior features include the following:

• High-resolution camera
• Physical knob volume controls
• Plush leather heated seats
• Wireless charging pad
• Center console traditional shifter

Another impressive interior feature of the Hyundai Santa Cruz is its refined design quality. For example, the clean yet simple design of the door panels communicates refinement and class. This styling continues to the dash and conventional steering wheel with soft-touch materials. All in all, the interior offers a spacious and well-laid-out cabin experience for the driver and passenger.

Exterior Design

The exterior of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz powerfully displays its new and rugged design and dimensions. It receives an all-new daytime running lamp arrangement that smoothly flows into the front grille, creating a distinct design language that makes the Santa Cruz stand out. But that's only the beginning. A few other impressive exterior design elements of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz include the following:

• LED projector beam headlights
• Forward-facing camera
• Machine aluminum accent 18-inch off-road wheels
• Large black fender flare wheel arches
• Flat black mirror caps with 360-degree cameras

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz also delivers bold indentations on the front grille and side profiles. This model also comes equipped with updated taillights, rear bumper corner steps, and dark chrome accents on the lower rear bumper.

Performance and Powertrain

When you pop open the hood, you'll be greeted by a simple yet tasteful engine cover. But what's underneath that unassuming cover? It's a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Moreover, the engine is connected to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that helps it jump from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.9 seconds and deliver a top speed of 133 mph.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz also retains four drive modes, each offering a different ride quality and overall driving experience when it comes to the Santa Cruz's performance. The drive modes include Sport, Normal, Smart, and Snow.

Santa Cruz Towing Capacity and Payload

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz boasts a robust towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. Its payload capacity (the maximum amount of weight it can carry, including passengers and cargo) is pegged at about 1,400 pounds, with the bed being able to carry between 1,700 and 1,900 lbs of cargo.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is at the top of Hyundai's list of automotive best practices, and that's why the Santa Cruz is loaded with the latest safety and driver-assistance technology. So you can feel at ease knowing you and your passengers are well-protected. Some of the safety features of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz include the following:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: This system is designed to assist you with monitoring vehicles ahead of you or help sense cyclists or pedestrians on the road. It then alerts you of imminent collisions using a notification message and an audible alert to apply emergency brakes.
• Adaptive Cruise Control: This system uses a network of radars and cameras to monitor traffic in front of you. It then modifies the speed of your vehicle to keep a safe distance between you and other cars.
• Automated Emergency Braking: AEB is an automotive safety system with a group of sensors that detects obstacles and instantly applies the brakes on your behalf in the case of a probable collision. Moreover, the system is designed to help minimize collision severity or (better yet) prevent one altogether.
• Blind-spot Monitoring: Blind-spot view monitoring is a safety attribute that uses sensors and advanced, state-of-the-art technology to sense objects and vehicles outside of your vision. The system helps you avoid accidents by alerting you with audible or visual cues.

This array of safety features increases the security of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. As a result, you'll be guided and protected by some of the most advanced automotive technology.

Hyundai SmartSense

Hyundai SmartSense is a network of safety features that facilitates roadway safety with its advanced (and convenient) technologies. It uses cameras, sensors, and up-to-the-minute software to help you avoid possible accidents or hazards. Some of its safety features include Lane-Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, and more.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with two 12.3-inch monitors. One is a digital gauge cluster, and the other is the infotainment system. Both screens are positioned parallel to one another, creating a streamlined, user-friendly, and driver-centric experience. As a result, the ride quality is more convenient and enjoyable. A few other connectivity features include the following:

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Hyundai BlueLink
• Amazon Alexa
• 360-degree camera
• Two USB-C ports

With its suite of connectivity features and advanced technology, the Santa Cruz is a pickup that doesn't skip a beat. It goes the extra mile to ensure you and your passengers remain well-connected to create a streamlined driving experience.

Fuel Economy and MPG

The auto industry is moving more toward electrification with each passing year. In the fight against climate change and sustainability, this has become a bigger issue for not only auto manufacturers but many other industries across the globe. And Hyundai is no exception. So, how does the 2025 Santa Cruz stack up in this essential category? It delivers an mpg rating of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels and Pricing

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has five trim levels, each with a set of features that also determine its price point. Let's explore each in more detail.

SE

The SE is the base trim. It comes equipped with many impressive standard features. Some of these include a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more. It comes with an MSRP of $29,895.

SEL

The SEL trim is next in the Santa Cruz pecking order. It boasts flat black side roof rails, heated (leatherette-trimmed) front seats, and many other must-have features. As a result, it has an MSRP of only $31,595.

SEL Activity

As we climb up the Santa Cruz hierarchy trim ladder, we arrive at the SEL Activity. This trim is where we begin to see a bit more of the lap of luxury-style design. The SEL Activity delivers a power sunroof, an integrated tonneau cover, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It comes with a price of $33,200.

XRT

The XRT is the off-road spec. It retains a more aggressive exterior design with bolder elements and a more rugged look all around. It has a signature XRT blacked-out front grille, 18-inch XRT alloy wheels, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation. The XRT comes with an MSRP of $41,395.

Limited

The pinnacle of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim lineup is the Limited trim. You get everything with this first-rate, premium model. Enjoy HTRAC all-wheel drive capabilities, an integrated memory system, 20-inch alloy wheels, a Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch, and much more. The Limited has an MSRP of $43,895.

Get Your Hyundai Santa Cruz at Granite Hyundai

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pickup that leaves no stone unturned. Its robust performance and advanced technology make it both capable and practical. For this reason, this is a truck everyone can enjoy. And the best part is that we at Granite Hyundai are here to help pair you with one of your own!

Our expert team of automotive specialists can answer any of your questions. So, if you're ready to get your Hyundai Santa Cruz, contact us today to learn more.