Hyundai’s spruced-up Santa Cruz is available in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited. The standard powerplant is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque) that you’ll find in the SE, SEL, and SEL Activity. The XRT and Limited get the superior performance of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder (281 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque). Both engines pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the XRT and Limited get a more engaging wet dual-clutch version. While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is standard in the XRT and Limited, is an option for the lower trims.
The Santa Cruz’s crossover-inspired nature really shines when it comes to fuel economy, since the FWD SE, SEL, and SEL Activity return an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. With AWD, these trims pull off 21 city/29 highway. The XRT is good for 18 city/26 highway, while the Limited carries out 19 city/27 highway.
As for its towing capability, that varies depending on the trim and drivetrain. With the SE and SEL, the maximum capacity is 3,500 pounds. This is also the case with the SEL Activity with FWD, but its towing limit increases to 5,000 pounds with AWD. Since the XRT and Limited are only made with AWD, they too have a 5,000-lb. towing maximum.
The SE is an attractive entry-level option, with a great grouping of features that includes remote start, proximity keyless entry, automatic bi-LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, rear privacy glass, rear bumper assist steps, a 4.2-inch gauge cluster, 18-inch wheels, push-button ignition, a 60/40-split rear seatback with tip-up lower seat cushions, four USB ports (two in each row), and an acoustic-laminated windscreen that works to keep out road noise. The sheet-molded composite cargo bed, which you’ll access via a multi-functional remote-release tailgate, features multiple storage compartments, heavy-duty cargo D-rings for securing equipment, and an overhead LED light offering enhanced nighttime visibility.
The SEL is upgraded with H-Tex leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear AC vents, roof rails, and heated side mirrors with LED turn indicators. The SEL Activity has a more decked-out cargo bed with additional LED lights, a factory-installed tonneau cover with T-slot utility tracks, a dual C-channel adjustable utility track rail and cleat system, and a 115-volt sidewall power outlet. This trim also receives a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a rear sliding glass window.
While the sunroof doesn’t carry over to the XRT, it does get black H-Tex upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, Digital Key 2, all-terrain tires, fender flares, and black exterior trim. The range-topping Limited lacks the XRT’s black furnishings, all-terrain tires, and fender flares, but it inherits Digital Key 2 and the leather-wrapped steering wheel/shift knob combo. It gets the sliding sunroof plus genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, 64-color ambient interior lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and 20-inch wheels.
Every trim level of the ’25 Santa Cruz is equipped with the extensive SmartSense safety suite. This advanced technology bundle consists of forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. The XRT and Limited step up with an improved forward collision system featuring cyclist and junction turning detection, an active blind-spot view monitor, adaptive cruise control, highway driving assist, and speed limit assist. The Limited also receives a surround-view monitor.
For 2025, the Santa Cruz unveils a new standard infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, replacing the default 8-inch unit from the 2024 model. All trims get wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a sound system, Bluelink+, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming. The XRT and Limited both receive integrated navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Hyundai Pay, but while the XRT retains the basic audio system, the Limited is upgraded with a swankier Bose audio setup.
