2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Preview
With its first refresh since debuting in 2022, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a little more rugged. Along with some styling updates inside and out, the XRT trim level gets more attention and is more off-road capable than ever.
Two engines are available on the 2025 Santa Cruz: the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder or the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are available, depending on the trim.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Exterior - Find the best Hyundai Santa Cruz deals!
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a facelift with a new grille, eight large daytime running lights, and a more aggressive front and rear fascia. Most of the changes, however, appear on the rugged XRT trim. Along with XRT-specific front and rear fascias and grille, the truck will have front tow hooks, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and a higher approach angle, making it more adept at off-roading.
Additionally, there are two new color choices: Rockwood Green and Canyon Red.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior - Find the best Hyundai Santa Cruz deals!
Inside the Santa Cruz, a large panoramic digital display blends increased functionality with a crisp, high-tech screen. This new display dramatically alters the dashboard's layout, similar to the also-refreshed-for-2025 Hyundai Tucson. The new display houses an optional 12.3-inch digital driver information cluster and an available 12.3-inch infotainment system.
New air vents, along with audio, video, navigation, and heating/cooling controls, reside in the center stack between the display and the center console. There’s also a new steering wheel and a rear-seat center armrest with two cupholders.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs - Find the best Hyundai Santa Cruz deals!
Powertrains carry over from the 2024 Santa Cruz. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Properly equipped, it can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The optional turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates a robust 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. It works with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Towing capacity with this powertrain increases to 5,000 pounds.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety and Technology - Find the best Hyundai Santa Cruz deals!
The refreshed Santa Cruz offers a wide range of tech and safety features. For the 2025 model year, Hyundai adds a standard driver monitoring system, which helps prevent drowsy or otherwise distracted driving.
Regarding infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, viewed on the 12.3-inch panoramic display. New for 2025, over-the-air updates ensure you have the latest vehicle software.
Every 2025 Santa Cruz comes with complimentary Bluelink+ connected services, allowing you to start the vehicle, lock and unlock the doors, adjust climate settings, and activate seat heating and cooling, all via your smartphone.
Paying for parking is a breeze with the automaker’s Hyundai Pay in-car payment system. When you park at a Hyundai-affiliated parking lot, you can automatically pay for parking with your stored credit card.
Additionally, Hyundai equips the 2025 Santa Cruz with a fingerprint scanner, allowing the driver to start the car using biometric data without an intelligent key present.
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