Trims and Powertrains

Those who want to cruise in the Santa Cruz can choose from five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited. The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity come with the default powertrain: a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on these trims, with all-wheel drive an option.

The XRT and Limited get a considerable upgrade, as they step up to a 281-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). In a new development this year, these two trims use an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of last year’s dual-clutch unit.

Properly equipped, the Santa Cruz can tow as much as 3,500 pounds with the standard configuration and up to 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine and AWD. As for fuel economy, the naturally aspirated base engine achieves up to 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with FWD, and 21 city/29 highway with AWD. The two turbocharged trims are estimated to return 18 mpg around town and 25 mpg on the open road.

Standard Features

The SE has proximity keyless entry, push-button start, LED exterior lighting with automatic headlamps, fabric upholstery, a composite cargo bed with underbed and sidewall storage, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat with underseat storage. It also comes with a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, a 4.2-inch driver information display, cruise control, four USB ports (two in each row), rear privacy glass, remote start, and 18-inch wheels. The SEL builds on this with heated front seats, H-Tex leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, roof rails, and second-row air vents. The SEL Activity adds a power sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless device charging, a sliding rear window, and a 115-volt outlet in the bed.

Hyundai gives the XRT some ruggedized exterior styling elements, all-terrain tires, front tow hooks, LED bed lighting, a digital key, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and the new terrain mode system for mud, sand, and snow. The top-tier Limited trim reaches for luxury with leather upholstery, fingerprint vehicle access, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a driver’s memory system, a six-way power front passenger seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, ambient LED interior lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and 20-inch wheels.

Advanced Driver Aids and Safety Technology

Hyundai includes its SmartSense safety-tech suite as standard equipment. All trims feature forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision warning, lane-following assist, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, rear occupant alert, automatic high beams, safe exit warning, and driver attention warning. The XRT and Limited are enhanced with adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor, a blind-spot view monitor, highway driving assist, and upgraded forward collision avoidance with cyclist and junction-turning detection.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Santa Cruz’s infotainment system is based within a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a platform that supports wireless smartphone connectivity (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), Bluetooth, and SiriusXM radio. Navigation is standard on the XRT and Limited, while every trim comes with access to Hyundai’s Bluelink+ connected services. An unbranded six-speaker sound system is found on all but the Limited, which upgrades to an eight-speaker Bose setup.