The updated 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup truck enters the new year with a $1,600 price increase and the inclusion of standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The starting price for the 2025 Santa Cruz SE is $29,895, which includes a $1,395 destination charge, as disclosed by Hyundai on Wednesday.
This compact pickup truck featuring a 4-foot bed showcases a more upright and wider front fascia to set it apart from the related Hyundai Tucson. The cabin replaces the smudgy touch panel for climate controls, reintroducing dials and knobs to operate the now-standard 12.3-inch touchscreen.
The price jump significantly overshadows the increment for the 2025 Ford Maverick, which now begins at $27,890 with the front-wheel-drive hybrid configuration. All-wheel drive elevates the cost to $30,090.
In our most recent evaluation, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz narrowly surpassed the Ford Maverick due to its sportier appearance and superior overall value, despite its inability to rival the lower ownership cost of the Maverick hybrid, which boasts 37 mpg combined.
The powertrains carry over, with the SE, SEL, and SEL Activity trims utilizing a 2.5-liter inline-4 generating 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It features an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Optional all-wheel drive adds an additional $1,500. Those variants have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.
All-wheel drive is standard on the off-road-focused XRT model and the premium Limited trim. These models utilize a 2.5-liter turbo-4 producing 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, coupled with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic featuring paddle shifters. A Tow mode enhances the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited
All Santa Cruz models are equipped with automatic emergency braking featuring pedestrian detection, active lane assistance, blind-spot monitoring, a safe exit alert, and a driver attention system. To further enhance peace of mind, Hyundai offers a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, in addition to three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary oil changes and tire rotations.
Standard equipment on the base SE includes the 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, keyless ignition, and four USB-C ports.
Upgrade to the $31,595 Santa Cruz SEL for a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated synthetic leather front seats, dual-zone climate control, and roof rails.
We suggest the $34,595 SEL Activity for its built-in tonneau cover, bed rail system, LED bed illumination, sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless smartphone charging. With AWD, it costs $36,095.
The $41,395 XRT equipped with standard AWD enhances power and towing capability with its more robust engine, and it includes front tow hooks while riding on 18-inch wheels fitted with 245/60-sized all-terrain tires. Additional conveniences feature a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, navigation, a more sophisticated hands-free driving system, and paddle shifters.
The $43,895 Limited enhances the experience with Bose audio, a fingerprint scanner replacing the key fob, leather seating, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Manufactured in Alabama, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz will be available for purchase in the coming weeks.
Image Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock
