The Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s answer to a question a lot of people didn’t know they had: what if a pickup truck felt more like a car to drive, but still had a real bed? It seats five, hauls up to 1,574 lbs, and tows up to 5,000 lbs. For 2026, the biggest news is a transmission swap on the top two trims. Here at MotoPickers, we dug into every trim to help you figure out if this is the truck for you.
MotoPickers Rating
The Santa Cruz earns its keep by doing things most compact trucks won’t. The bed has lockable under-floor storage, the cabin is genuinely car-like, and the top two trims pack 281 hp with a new 8-speed automatic that fixes the one mechanical complaint owners had about the old dual-clutch setup. The value score reflects a starting price of $29,750 that undercuts most of the segment while still including features buyers actually use.
Where it falls short is performance at the base level. The 191-hp naturally aspirated engine feels adequate around town but runs out of enthusiasm on steep grades or when the bed is loaded. The fuel economy score reflects a real-world range of roughly 440 miles per tank on the highway with the turbo trims, which is decent but not exceptional for the class.
This is a truck for people who want pickup utility without the bulk of a traditional midsize. If you need to tow a boat on weekends, haul mulch on Saturdays, and still park in a normal garage, the Santa Cruz fits that life well.
| Category | Score (out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 5.3 |
| Comfort | 7.2 |
| Technology | 6.3 |
| Value | 8.2 |
| Fuel Efficiency | 7.0 |
What’s New / Updates Over Previous Version
The headline change for 2026 is the transmission on the XRT and Limited trims, both of which now use an 8-speed automatic instead of the previous dual-clutch unit. That swap matters more than it sounds, since the old dual-clutch was notchy at low speeds and drew consistent complaints from owners. The new setup should feel smoother in parking lots and stop-and-go traffic. See the Power and Performance section for how this plays out on the road.
Hyundai also updated trim pricing across the lineup, with the SE starting at $29,750 and the turbo trims repriced as well — the full breakdown is in the Trim Guide below. The XRT and Limited remain the trims where the 281-hp turbocharged engine is available, and both now come standard with HTRAC AWD.
Beyond the transmission and pricing updates, the 2026 Santa Cruz is largely a carryover, with the core design, dimensions, and feature set carrying over from the prior year.
Competitors
The Ford Maverick starts lower and offers a hybrid powertrain that the Santa Cruz doesn’t have. The Honda Ridgeline rides smoother on the highway and has a larger bed with comparable payload and towing numbers. The Toyota Tacoma is the pick if you want serious off-road capability and a wider range of trim configurations. The Chevrolet Colorado is a more traditional midsize truck with higher max towing and a longer bed for bigger loads.
Exterior Spotlight
The Santa Cruz looks more like a crossover that grew a bed than a shrunken pickup. The roofline flows into a short cab, the wheel arches are wide and pronounced, and the front end carries Hyundai’s current angular face. It reads as sporty rather than work-truck, which is exactly the point.
Color Options
Eight colors are available: Phantom Black, Atlas White, Sage Gray, Canyon Red, Rockwood Green, Ultimate Red, Pebble Blue, and Mojave Sand. The darker tones, Phantom Black and Rockwood Green, suit the Santa Cruz’s angular body well and hide minor scratches better than the lighter options. Mojave Sand and Pebble Blue give it a more casual, lifestyle-truck feel. Canyon Red and Ultimate Red are the bold choices that make the wide arches pop.
Wheel Options
The SEL, SEL Activity, and XRT trims roll on 18-inch alloys. That is a reasonable size for this truck, with enough visual presence without sacrificing too much ride comfort on rough pavement. The Limited steps up to 20-inch alloys, which look sharp but will transmit more road texture through the cabin on chip-sealed roads. If you’re buying the XRT for light off-road use, the 18-inch wheels also leave more room for a meatier tire if you ever want to swap.
Interior Analysis
The Santa Cruz’s cabin feels more like a compact SUV than a pickup. The dash is clean, the materials on upper trims are solid, and the layout keeps controls where your hands naturally fall. It doesn’t feel like Hyundai compromised the interior to make the bed work.
Features
The 12.3-inch touchscreen on SEL and above is the right size for this cabin. It responds quickly to touch inputs and the menu structure is logical enough that you’re not hunting for climate controls while merging. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work on lower trims too, so you’re not stuck with a cable just because you didn’t buy the top trim.
The wireless charging pad sits in a spot that’s easy to reach from the driver’s seat without looking down. Two USB-C ports up front handle the driver and front passenger, and two more USB-C ports in the rear mean back-seat passengers aren’t fighting over a single outlet on a road trip.
The Bose 8-speaker audio system on XRT and Limited sounds noticeably better than the 6-speaker setup on lower trims. On a highway cruise at 70 mph, the Bose system holds its own against road noise. The 6-speaker setup is fine for podcasts and calls but loses some detail at higher volumes.
Bluetooth 5.0 keeps phone connections stable, and the hands-free calling quality is clear enough for conference calls during a commute. Satellite radio is available if you spend time in areas with spotty streaming coverage.
Comfort
Front seat legroom comes in at 41.4 inches, which is enough for a six-foot driver to sit without the seat all the way back. The front headroom of 40.2 inches means taller drivers won’t feel cramped even with the panoramic moonroof overhead. The seats on the XRT and Limited add ventilation, which makes a real difference on a summer afternoon when the cabin has been sitting in the sun.
Rear legroom is 36.5 inches. That’s workable for adults on shorter trips but gets tight on anything over an hour. Two adults in the back on a two-hour drive will start shifting around. Kids have plenty of room. The rear hip room of 53.5 inches means three people can sit across the back without shoulder contact, though the middle position is the least comfortable of the three.
The panoramic moonroof on SEL and above opens the cabin up considerably. On a clear evening drive, it shifts the feel of the interior from practical to something you actually look forward to.
Climate control keeps the front cabin comfortable quickly. The heated steering wheel and heated front seats on SEL and above are the features you’ll reach for most on cold mornings, and they warm up fast.
Cargo
The Santa Cruz bed is approximately four feet long and about four and a half feet wide, which puts it in the range of a full-size mattress standing upright, though you’d want to strap it down. A standard mountain bike fits with the front wheel removed. Two large rolling suitcases lay flat in the bed with room to spare. The 1,574-lb payload means you can load the bed with mulch bags or a few hundred pounds of lumber without stressing the suspension.
The lockable under-bed storage is one of the Santa Cruz’s most practical features. It’s a weatherproof compartment that fits a large duffel bag, a set of jumper cables, and a folding camp chair without taking up any bed space. It locks with the key fob, so you can leave gear in there at a trailhead without worrying.
The rear seat area offers 27.0 cu ft of enclosed cabin storage behind the second row. That’s enough for a week’s worth of groceries or a medium dog crate for a mid-size breed. The hands-free tailgate opens with a foot kick, which you’ll appreciate when both hands are full of bags.
The cargo floor is not flat, so sliding large flat items from the cab into the bed isn’t seamless. Plan for that if you’re regularly moving long, flat loads.
Power and Performance
Performance Data (0-60)
The base 191-hp engine gets the Santa Cruz moving, but it’s not quick by any measure. Merging onto a busy highway from a short on-ramp requires planning. You’ll want to be at speed before the lane opens rather than relying on a burst of acceleration to close the gap. It handles normal traffic well but feels stretched when you ask for more. The 281-hp turbo changes the equation. With 311 lb-ft of torque on tap, the XRT and Limited pull hard from low speeds and stay strong through the mid-range. The new 8-speed automatic shifts smoothly and doesn’t hunt between gears the way the old dual-clutch did in slow traffic. Passing at highway speeds feels effortless. A quick press of the throttle and the truck surges past without needing to drop multiple gears. If you’re cross-shopping the Santa Cruz and performance matters to you, the turbo trims are the ones to consider.
Engine Specs
The base engine is a 2.5L naturally aspirated inline-4 making 191 hp, paired with an 8-speed automatic and available in either FWD or AWD. Around town it’s smooth and unobtrusive, pulling away from stops without fuss and cruising comfortably at highway speeds. Where it shows its limits is on steep grades with a loaded bed, where it needs to downshift and work harder than you’d expect from a modern engine. For daily driving and light hauling it’s enough, but for regular towing near the 5,000-lb limit, you’ll want the turbo.
That turbocharged 2.5L makes 281 hp and is exclusive to the XRT and Limited. For 2026, it’s paired with a new 8-speed automatic replacing the previous dual-clutch unit. Unlike the base engine, it pulls with real authority from a stop and carries enough reserve power to pass on a two-lane highway without needing to plan ahead — a noticeably different driving experience overall.
Fuel Economy
The base 191-hp engine returns around 22 MPG city and 30 MPG highway in FWD form. On a 17.7-gallon tank, that’s roughly 530 miles between fill-ups on a highway trip. The AWD version drops slightly to around 21/29 MPG. The turbocharged XRT and Limited return around 18 city and 25 highway, which works out to about 440 miles per tank on the highway. Driving style matters. A heavy right foot on the turbo will push you closer to 350 miles per tank in mixed driving. The base engine is the better choice if fuel costs are a priority.
Suspension, Braking, and Handling
The Santa Cruz handles normal traffic smoothly in everyday driving. The suspension soaks up road imperfections without unsettling the cabin, and braking feels predictable and well-weighted. It’s a truck that drives more like a car than most buyers expect.
Tech Overview
Features / Drive Modes
The Santa Cruz offers four drive modes: Normal, Sport, Eco, and Terrain. Most drivers will likely leave it in Normal for everyday use. Sport sharpens throttle response and holds gears longer, an effect that’s noticeably more pronounced on the turbo trims than on the base engine. Eco takes the opposite approach, softening throttle inputs and adjusting shift points to stretch fuel economy, making it a practical choice for long highway stretches. Terrain mode, available with HTRAC AWD on the XRT and Limited, rounds out the selection by distributing power more aggressively to maintain traction on loose surfaces like gravel or light mud.
On the turbo trims, adaptive cruise control handles stop-and-go traffic smoothly, braking gradually and accelerating back to speed without lurching. On the highway, it maintains the set following distance with consistent reliability.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Santa Cruz’s tech stack is modern and functional. The upper trims get a solid infotainment setup, and even the base trims include wireless phone integration. The one gap is the gauge cluster on lower trims, which lags behind what the XRT and Limited offer.
Safety Capabilities
The Santa Cruz earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and a 5-star NHTSA overall score. For a truck that also competes on lifestyle appeal, those are serious credentials that matter when you’re carrying passengers.
Safety Ratings
The IIHS Top Safety Pick+ is the organization’s highest designation. It requires strong performance across multiple crash test categories including small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, and roof strength. The 5-star NHTSA rating covers frontal, side, and rollover testing. Together, these ratings put the Santa Cruz among the better-protected vehicles in its class. The unibody construction, the same approach used in car-based crossovers, contributes to the structural rigidity that supports these scores.
Safety Features
Eight airbags cover the cabin with front, side, and curtain coverage. The curtain airbags extend across both rows, protecting front and rear passengers in a side impact. ABS and electronic stability control are standard across the lineup. The three LATCH anchor positions make installing car seats straightforward. The anchors are accessible without having to dig into the seat cushion gap, which matters when you’re doing this in a parking lot with a toddler on your hip. Traction control works alongside the stability system to manage wheel spin on slippery surfaces.
Driver Assists
The full ADAS suite includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. The automatic emergency braking responds to both vehicles and pedestrians, which is useful in urban environments where cyclists and pedestrians appear quickly. Lane keeping assist applies gentle steering correction when the truck drifts toward a lane line. It’s subtle enough that it doesn’t feel intrusive on a straight highway but catches inattentive drift. The driver attention monitor watches for signs of fatigue and prompts a break when it detects irregular steering patterns.
Additional Safety Features
Blind-spot monitoring covers the rear quarters and alerts with a light in the mirror when a vehicle enters your blind zone. On a multi-lane highway, it’s one of those features you stop noticing until it saves you from a lane change you shouldn’t have made. The surround-view monitor on upper trims stitches together a bird’s-eye view of the truck for tight parking situations. It is useful given the Santa Cruz’s 39.6-foot turning radius, which requires more maneuvering in compact spaces than a smaller car. Front and rear parking sensors add an audible layer to the camera system. There is no head-up display on any trim.
Trim Guide
The Santa Cruz lineup runs from a practical base at $29,750 to a well-equipped top trim at $43,700. The spread is wide, and the right trim depends heavily on whether you want the turbocharged engine and how much comfort equipment matters to you.
Trim and Price
The SE FWD at $29,750 is the entry point, with cloth seats, a 6-speaker audio system, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. It skips heated seats, wireless charging, and the larger screen. Buyers who need a capable work truck and spend little time in the cab will find it sufficient, but anyone commuting daily should step up.
The SEL FWD at $31,400 adds the 12.3-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, a moonroof, and wireless charging. That is a $1,650 jump that delivers a noticeably better daily experience. The SEL AWD is $32,900. This is our pick for most buyers choosing the naturally aspirated engine, covering the features you’ll actually use without crossing into $34,000-plus territory.
The SEL Activity FWD ($34,450) and AWD ($35,950) add activity-focused styling, a spray-in bed liner, and a tow hitch receiver over the standard SEL. If you actually use the bed for hauling gear or towing on weekends, the AWD version is the one to get.
The XRT AWD at $41,350 brings a turbocharged 281-hp engine, 8-speed automatic, HTRAC AWD, cooled leatherette seats, and a Bose audio system. It is a fundamentally different truck for about $5,400 more than the SEL Activity AWD. Regular towers or drivers who want the extra power should buy here.
The Limited AWD at $43,700 upgrades the XRT with leather seating and added refinements for $2,350 more. Buyers keeping the truck five or more years will find the premium worthwhile. Those prioritizing capability over comfort are better served by the XRT.
Warranty and Maintenance Information
Hyundai backs the Santa Cruz with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance runs 5 years with unlimited mileage. While Hyundai previously offered complimentary maintenance, this program does not apply to 2026 and newer models. The powertrain coverage in particular is one of the strongest in the segment and adds real peace of mind if you’re buying the turbocharged XRT or Limited and planning to keep it long-term.