What’s a Santa Cruz? The Santa Cruz is a compact crossover pickup truck constructed within the Montgomery, Alabama, meeting plant and offered in North America by Hyundai. The Santa Cruz is constructed on a unibody platform, the identical because the Hyundai Tucson SUV, which provides it a smoother, extra car-like journey than a standard physique on body truck. Hyundai markets the Santa Cruz as a SAV, a Sport Journey Automobile, focusing on consumers who need the comfort of a compact, snug car, with the added utility of a small truck mattress for weekend adventures, biking, sports activities and hauling stuff from Dwelling Depot.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small pickup truck with vital options. The updates for mannequin 12 months 2025 embody a brand new entrance fascia and a brand new entrance grille, and a redesigned inside centered round a panoramic curved show with two 12.3″ digital screens for the motive force show and the infotainment system. Consumers can select between 2 engine choices: a typical 191 HP 2.5L 4 cylinder fuel engine, or a extra highly effective 281 HP turbocharged 2.5L 4 cylinder on greater trims, which comes with normal all wheel drive (AWD) and a 5,000 pound towing capability.
Listed below are 6 key options on the brand new 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Pickup Truck:
New inside tech: A curved panoramic show with two 12.3″ inch screens is the centerpiece of the redesigned cabin, which additionally features a new middle stack with extra bodily switches, buttons and dials. Hooray!
Exterior styling updates: The 2025 mannequin encompasses a new entrance fascia, grille and street wheel designs. The XRT trim will get a rugged trying entrance and rear bumper design.
Powertrain: The bottom engine is a 2.5L 191 HP 4 cylinder fuel engine with an 8 velocity computerized transmission in entrance wheel drive (FWD) or non-obligatory AWD.
Turbocharged: Or choose the 281 HP 2.5L turbocharged 4 cylinder fuel engine with an 8 velocity twin clutch computerized transmission after which AWD is included.
Towing and hauling: With the turbocharged engine, the Santa Cruz can tow as much as 5,000 kilos and it features a lockable, beneath ground storage bin within the composite cargo mattress.
Driving traits: The Santa Cruz prioritizes car-like dealing with, agility and a cushty journey, making it a good selection for metropolis driving for individuals who want some truck mattress functionality with out the majority of a bigger conventional sized pickup truck.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a beginning value of solely $28,750 for the bottom SE trim. This value consists of the usual 2.5L fuel engine and FWD with choices for AWD, or the extra highly effective turbocharged fuel engine and different options out there in greater trims.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup truck now is available in 5 fashions with 5 completely different beginning costs, and they’re: The bottom SE trim begins at $28,750. Subsequent up is the SEL version and it begins at $30,450, and the brand new SEL Exercise mannequin begins at $33,450. The XRT mannequin, which is as we speak’s evaluation truck, begins at $40,250 and the highest of the road Restricted Version begins at $42,750.
To current this new up to date truck, this week Hyundai despatched me a Santa Cruz compact pickup to check drive and evaluation. The bottom window sticker value for this XRT AWD version is $40,250. The choices on the take a look at truck are: the particular paint for $500 and the carpeted ground mats for $225. The producer’s instructed retail value (MSRP), together with the $1,450 supply cost is: $42,425.
After including within the state and native gross sales tax, plus the DMV and seller charges, the out the door and in your storage whole buy value got here to $47,728. At simply 272 bucks beneath $48 Grand, you get a properly optioned turbocharged pickup truck that will get 18 MPG metropolis, 26 MPG freeway, and 21 MPG in mixed driving. It could possibly tow as much as 5,000 kilos of a camper, boat or utility trailer and do it in model, grace and luxury all day lengthy.
So, who’s the client for a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Compact Pickup Truck? The client for a Santa Cruz is usually somebody who needs the utility of a small pickup truck for life-style wants, akin to hauling bikes or weekend venture supplies, but in addition prefers the consolation, car-like journey and fashionable expertise of an SUV. This purchaser is usually an city or suburban resident who prioritizes security, model and flexibility, over heavy responsibility truck functionality.
Right here is the profile of a typical Hyundai Santa Cruz purchaser:
Life-style centered: They need a car to move gear for hobbies, like tenting or mountain biking, however not essentially for work.
SUV and truck hybrid: They recognize the performance of a truck mattress, with out the worth, measurement, and the heavy driving expertise of a full measurement truck.
Tech Savvy: They’re involved in fashionable options, like a bigger middle stack digital display, wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and superior security options, which at the moment are included on the XRT and Restricted Version fashions.
Urbanites: They might be metropolis dwellers who desire a car that’s straightforward to park, use and maneuver, with the pliability of a lined and lockable truck mattress for infrequent use.
Aesthetically minded: They’re drawn to the Santa Cruz’s distinctive, smooth and fashionable styling; which differs vastly from conventional boxier pickup truck designs.
XRT particular: The XRT trim is for individuals who need the usual all wheel drive and turbocharged engine in a extra rugged, off street and funky trying package deal.
Why they select the Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup over the opposite manufacturers of small vans:
Versatility: It serves as each a cushty each day driver and a succesful car for gentle responsibility hauling and weekend adventures.
Refined expertise: The driving dynamics are extra like an SUV, than a standard physique on body truck, and this compact PU truck is extra enjoyable to drive, take a look at and stay with.
Comfort options: The smaller measurement and options akin to, a lockable mattress cowl and the beneath the ground storage space provide a number of sensible advantages.
Functionality: Whereas not a heavy responsibility hauler, the XRT has a 5,000 lb towing capability, and with the AWD system supplies confidence, stability and traction in all driving circumstances.
So name, click on or go to your native Hyundai seller for a take a look at drive, and a Backside Line value evaluation, on the brand new and up to date 2025 Santa Cruz XRT AWD Compact Pickup Truck. And keep in mind that the bottom value for a brand new Santa Cruz begins at solely $28,750. Hyundai Santa Cruz – Now bolder, higher, and extra succesful then ever, for all of your adventures.
The important thing to life is to study one thing new day-after-day, and by studying my Backside Line evaluation, I hope you probably did simply that, discovered about one thing new and thrilling. So, be sensible, keep protected, and simply breathe. Keep in mind, You Are What You Drive, and perhaps, only for these causes alone, you need to Drive one, Purchase one, In the present day. Drive safely, have an excellent day, and benefit from the journey, as the longer term seems to be good and shiny – Tony the Automobile Man.
