Rank
Pros
Cons
What's New for 2025?
The Santa Cruz gets a refresh this year that includes tweaked front-end styling on all models and a more focused off-road feature set on the XRT. Inside, a revamped dashboard debuts with a curved display that houses a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and optionally a matching 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is now standard across the board, as are USB-C ports and OTA updates. The EPA has also raised its fuel economy estimates considerably for the non-turbocharged engine.
FAST FACTS
"The Santa Cruz has cool styling, a high-tech interior that's easily the classier of the two options here, and an available turbo engine that delivers quick acceleration. We also like its relatively adult-friendly backseat. All good stuff. Our main gripe is that the turbo starts at $40k, whereas the rival Maverick turbo can be had for well less than $30k. If Hyundai offered that zestier engine at a more accessible price point, the Santa Cruz could conceivably dethrone the Maverick. As things stand, you have to compromise in the engine room if you want a Santa Cruz at a more Maverick-like price."—Ranked #2 out of 2 Compact Trucks
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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The four-cylinder engine in the non-turbo Santa Cruz has the same displacement (2.5 liters) as the turbocharged four, but it's much less powerful. That would be fine if the turbo were an easy option to specify, but in fact, the turbo Santa Cruz commands a premium of over $11k versus the non-turbo lineup.
If you have to deal with crummy winter weather, we get the appeal of all-wheel drive, but it adds both cost and weight — and the base non-turbo engine struggles to accelerate anyway, so more weight is the last thing it needs.
The Santa Cruz's turbo engine is obviously the one to have, as it only docks you a single mile per gallon while adding 1,500 pounds of towing capacity and nearly 100 horsepower. Trouble is, you have to pony up for at least the XRT trim to get that engine, and the XRT's aggressive tires actually cost you another mpg. If you want to maximize fuel economy with the turbo, you'll need the Limited trim, which starts at $42,500. Meanwhile, the turbocharged Maverick AWD starts well under $30k.
What are the different versions of the 2025 Santa Cruz, and how much do they cost? Select a version below or just hit the button to see our full 2025 Santa Cruz specs and model data.
| Version | Price | Fuel | Power | MPG | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 2.5 Front-Wheel Drive | $28,750 | Gas | 191 hp | 25 | 3,500 lbs | 1,411 lbs |
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 2.5 All-Wheel Drive | $30,250 | Gas | 191 hp | 24 | 3,500 lbs | 1,411 lbs |
| 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 2.5T All-Wheel Drive | $40,250 | Gas | 281 hp | 22 | 5,000 lbs | 1,411 lbs |
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008. Prior to founding MotorDonkey, he spent 15 years shaping Edmunds' expert automotive content in various capacities, starting as an associate editor and ultimately serving as a senior editor before wrapping up with a five-year term as the company's first-ever director of content strategy. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has driven, compared and critiqued thousands of cars in his career. Helping people find their perfect car never gets old—seriously!
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