2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD: The Brand’s Lifestyle Car-Like Truck Receives A Major Update

 

Highlight: The Santa Cruz is the like the Chevy El Camino, which was produced between 1959 to 1987.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $44,680 (Base SE Trim MSRP): $30,200

Seating Capacity: 2 passenger seating (3 passengers rear seating with extremely limited legroom)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist; a forward collision assist system; a vehicle stability system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Limited): 20-inch wheels; heated outside mirrors; dark chrome accent grille and tailgate handle; body color door handles; privacy glass; solar glass; trailer pre-wiring; a power sunroof; roof side rails; lockable under bed storage compartment; leather seats; power front seats; heated/ventilated front seats; 60/40 tip up lower seat cushions; navigation system; a dual automatic temperature control system; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel

Options: sage gray paint

Other Trim Levels:

SEL

SEL Activity

XRT

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Bose audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes (test model)

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 2.5-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder /281-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/27-hwy (test model)

Towing: 5,000 lbs  (test model)

What’s New: For the 2025 model year, the Santa Cruz receives a fascia update and a combined larger driver cluster and infotainment center.

Why:

Best of both worlds, offering utility with a bed and car-like ride

20-inch wheels

A stylish design

Depending on trim, front wheel drive or an AWD

A four-door compact-like truck

A roomy five-seater vehicle

Two powertrains available

A high-level of safety driving aids

A dual zone automatic climate control system

A new 12-inch infotainment system

A navigation system

Wireless phone charger

Heated and ventilated front seats

One of the best new car warranties and powertrains in the industry

Power sunroof available

SiriusXM available with a clear-sounding audio

A lockable cargo bed and locking rolling sliding cover

5,000 towing capacity truck, when outfitted with the larger engine

More towing and horsepower than the Ford Maverick

Co-pilot steering with radar active cruise control

A manual operated rear sliding glass window

Power front seats

Leather seats

 

But:

No hybrid powertrain available

The Limited trim is only available in an AWD configuration

Limited rear legroom…. Designed more for young kids or small adults

Verdict:  The newly refreshed unibody Hyundai Santa Cruz offers the best of both worlds for those seeking a car-like handling utility vehicle with a bed. The stylish truck-like compact crossover utility vehicle is reminiscent of Chevy’s El Camino of yesteryear.

The Cruz is available in a front wheel drive or an AWD configuration. At a starting price of $30,000, the crossover-like truck is available in two powertrains, with a 5,000-pound towing capacity for those who opt for the larger engine.

Yet, despite the vehicle being outfitted with the latest comfort and convenience features ranging from leather seats to a power sunroof to a radar activated cruise co-pilot assist highway driving system, there were some drawbacks.

For instance, the Cruz lacks a fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, and the rear seat legroom is extremely limited and more so designed for small kids.

Outside of those gripes, the Santa Cruz is a worthy contender to consider for those who don’t need a rugged body-on-frame truck.

Competition: Ford Maverick

Non Competition: Honda Ridgeline