The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz stands out with its refreshed design, advanced technology, and robust engines. Sporting bold styling and a refined interior with integrated displays, it offers wireless connectivity, over-the-air updates, and Hyundai’s Digital Key 2 Touch system for convenience.
Safety features include Forward Attention Warning and a comprehensive suite of standard safety systems. With its blend of style, performance, and innovative features, the 2025 Santa Cruz embodies Hyundai’s commitment to excellence in the automotive industry.
| Specification | Standard Engine | Turbocharged Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5-liter inline-four | 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharged |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 281 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive (FWD) standard, | All-wheel drive (AWD) available |
| All-wheel drive (AWD) available | ||
| Towing Capacity | Up to 3,500 lbs | Up to 5,000 lbs |
| Fuel Economy (estimated) | TBD | TBD |
Table of contents
Exterior Design: Bold, Dynamic, and Rugged
| Exterior Design Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Redesigned Front Fascia | A bold and assertive front fascia that enhances the Santa Cruz’s road presence. |
| Updated Grille | A redesigned grille that adds to the vehicle’s commanding look. |
| Striking Daytime Running Lights | Eye-catching daytime running lights that contribute to the Santa Cruz’s distinctive appearance. |
| Exclusive XRT Trim Enhancements | Unique upgrades for the XRT trim, including redesigned grille, front and rear bumper fascias, and distinctive wheels. |
| All-Terrain Tires | Specially designed tires for the XRT model, offering enhanced performance on rugged terrain. |
| Increased Approach Angles | Improved approach angles to tackle challenging off-road conditions with ease. |
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has been given a fresh exterior design that reflects confidence and rugged sophistication.
Taking cues from Hyundai’s latest design trends, the Santa Cruz features a more assertive front look with a redesigned grille, updated bumper, and striking daytime running lights.
For those who desire a more adventurous appearance, the XRT trim offers exclusive enhancements such as a redesigned grille, front and rear bumper fascias, and unique 18-inch wheels inspired by rugged terrain.
With improved approach angles and all-terrain tires, the XRT model is tailored for off-road enthusiasts seeking exceptional performance and capability.
Trim Levels & Pricing
| Trim Level | Features | Starting Price (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| SE | Standard features | $29,000 |
| SEL | Additional features | $32,000 |
| Night | Premium features and styling | $40,000 |
| XRT | Enhanced off-road capabilities | $42,000 |
| Limited | Luxury features | $43,000 |
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in a variety of trim levels, each designed to cater to different preferences and lifestyles. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable option, the SE trim offers essential features without breaking the bank. Stepping up to the SEL adds extra conveniences and comfort for a more enjoyable driving experience.
For those who want to make a statement on the road, the Night trim brings a touch of luxury and style with its premium features and sleek design.
If you’re the adventurous type who loves off-roading, the XRT trim is the way to go, offering specialized features for tackling rugged terrain. And if luxury is your top priority, the Limited trim delivers with its upscale amenities and advanced technology.
Engine & Transmission
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two engine choices. The standard one is a 2.5-liter inline-four with 191 horsepower, providing a good balance of power and fuel efficiency.
If you want more power, there’s a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower. Both engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth driving.
Interior
The interior of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz has been upgraded to complement its more capable exterior, offering a blend of high-tech features and enhanced functionality.
The centerpiece is a new panoramic curved display that can house an optional 12.3-inch driver information cluster and an available 12.3-inch audio-video navigation (AVN) system, providing an immersive digital experience.
The center stack controls have been redesigned for improved ergonomics, with additional physical switchgear for commonly used audio and HVAC functions.
The instrument panel features strong horizontal and vertical shapes consistent with the Santa Cruz’s refreshed exterior, while also offering additional storage, including a new shelf above the glovebox.
Other interior updates include a new steering wheel design, updated air vents, and a rear seat center armrest with two cupholders.
Infotainment System Features
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz introduces several new infotainment and convenience technologies to enhance the driving experience:
- Bluelink+ Connected Car technology offers enhanced connectivity features, including remote start, remote climate control, and vehicle tracking via a smartphone app.
- Integrated Memory System remembers driver preferences for seating position, mirror adjustments, and audio settings, ensuring a personalized driving experience for each driver.
- A fingerprint scanner adds an extra layer of security by allowing authorized users to access certain vehicle functions or settings.
- The Hyundai Pay in-car payment system allows for convenient transactions directly from the vehicle, such as paying for parking or ordering food, without needing to use a physical credit card.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™ integration is now available on all trim levels, allowing seamless smartphone connectivity for accessing apps, music, and navigation.
- Over-the-Air (OTA) software and firmware update support has been added, enabling convenient updates to the vehicle’s software and systems without requiring a visit to the dealership.
- Digital Key 2 Touch allows for keyless entry and ignition using a smartphone, providing added convenience and security.
- USB-Type-C ports are included for charging and connecting devices, providing faster data transfer and compatibility with modern devices.
- A new towing drive mode is available for vehicles equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged powertrain on Limited and XRT trims, optimizing performance and stability while towing heavy loads.
Is 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD?
Yes, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) capability. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) on both the 2.5L four-cylinder and 2.5L four-cylinder turbo models, ensuring confidence in various driving conditions.
HTRAC AWD actively distributes torque between the front and rear axles using an electronic clutch. The Sport mode boosts agility by sending extra torque to the rear wheels for a dynamic driving experience.
This system is versatile, adapting to different driving situations like acceleration, cornering, and hill starts.
Towing Capacity
The towing capacity of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is impressive, making it a versatile option for those who need to haul trailers, boats, or other recreational equipment.
The Santa Cruz is equipped with two engine options: a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an available turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.
With the standard 2.5-liter engine, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 3,500 pounds, making it suitable for towing smaller trailers or lightweight recreational vehicles.
For those needing even more towing power, the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
This increased towing capacity allows the Santa Cruz to handle larger trailers and heavier loads with ease, making it a practical choice for those who require additional hauling capabilities.
Color Choices
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz introduces new color choices to its lineup, including Rockwood Green and Canyon Red for the exterior.
These vibrant hues offer customers additional options to personalize their vehicle and stand out on the road. Additionally, the interior gets an update with Medium Gray seating surfaces, providing a stylish and modern look to the cabin.
Fuel Economy
| Configuration | City MPG | Highway MPG |
|---|---|---|
| Base engine with front-wheel drive | 22 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Base engine with all-wheel drive | 21 mpg | 25 mpg |
| Turbocharged engine with front-wheel drive | 19 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive | 18 mpg | 26 mpg |
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with varying fuel economy ratings based on engine and drivetrain options. With the base engine and front-wheel drive, it gets 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.
Adding all-wheel drive reduces these figures by 1 mpg. The turbocharged version offers 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.
Real-world testing saw a turbocharged model achieving an impressive 30 mpg on the highway at 75 mph.
Warranty and Maintenance
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with an impressive warranty and maintenance coverage, reflecting Hyundai’s commitment to customer satisfaction and peace of mind. The warranty plan is among the best in the industry and includes:
- Limited warranty: Covers five years or 60,000 miles, providing comprehensive protection for your vehicle against defects and issues.
- Powertrain warranty: Offers extensive coverage for 10 years or 100,000 miles, ensuring that major components like the engine and transmission are protected for an extended period.
- Complimentary maintenance: Includes scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, providing added convenience and savings for routine service needs.
With this robust warranty and maintenance package, Hyundai aims to provide drivers with confidence and reliability, setting the Santa Cruz apart from its competitors and ensuring a worry-free ownership experience.
What We Think?
Neftin Mazda’s team thinks highly of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. They like its updated design, improved interior features, and advanced technology.
They also appreciate the new safety additions like Forward Attention Warning. The team recognizes Hyundai’s reputation for offering great warranty coverage, making the Santa Cruz a reliable choice for customers.
Overall, they see the 2025 Santa Cruz as a strong competitor in the compact pickup truck market, offering style, performance, and value.
