Hyundai Santa Cruz (2025)

Alexander Stoklosa from MotorTrend highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a unique blend of SUV comfort and pickup utility, emphasizing that it remains more of a lifestyle vehicle than a traditional truck—and that’s largely by design. He praises the new XRT trim for addressing previous off-road shortcomings, notably through beefier all-terrain tires, improved approach angle, and added features like hill-descent control and surround-view cameras. While the XRT doesn’t fully match the off-road prowess of competitors like the Ford Maverick Tremor, it significantly enhances the Santa Cruz’s rugged appeal without sacrificing its smooth, car-like driving dynamics. Stoklosa appreciates the refined interior, crisp displays, and roomy rear seats, positioning the Santa Cruz as a more polished, cosmopolitan option in the compact pickup segment. Though the turbocharged engine’s sound and some off-road limitations temper enthusiasm, the review conveys a cautiously positive tone, recognizing the XRT’s success in “toughening up” the Santa Cruz while preserving its everyday usability and style.

Drew Dorian from Car and Driver highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a standout compact pickup that blends practical truck utility with the comfort and refinement of a crossover. Praising its manageable size, versatile four-foot bed, and strong turbocharged engine option that boosts towing capacity to 5,000 pounds, the review emphasizes the Santa Cruz’s appeal for buyers seeking a smaller, more affordable alternative to larger pickups. The refreshed styling and upgraded dual-screen infotainment system add modern flair and tech sophistication. While the base engine is noted as underpowered, the turbocharged variant delivers lively acceleration and competitive fuel economy. The cabin impresses with upscale design, digital instrumentation, and generous tech features, complemented by Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty and complimentary maintenance. The only notable drawback is a slightly higher price compared to rivals like the Ford Maverick. Overall, the Santa Cruz earns an Editors’ Choice nod for its unique blend of capability, comfort, and value in the compact truck segment.

Christian Wardlaw from J.D. Power highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a versatile and fun-to-drive small pickup truck, especially when equipped with the turbocharged engine. He praises its modernized interior featuring a panoramic digital display, intuitive infotainment, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The Santa Cruz’s unique styling and practical features, such as the locking in-bed trunk and metal tonneau cover, add to its appeal. Wardlaw appreciates the XRT trim’s improved off-road capabilities and strong towing capacity, which surpasses rivals like the Ford Maverick Tremor. However, he notes some drawbacks, including the less-than-ideal steering feel on the freeway, brake fade on mountain descents, and limited usefulness of certain driver aids in heavy traffic. While the Santa Cruz is not perfect, Wardlaw’s balanced and enthusiastic tone conveys that it offers excellent value, refinement, and personality in the compact truck segment, making it a compelling choice for lifestyle buyers seeking capability and tech in a small package.

Adam Ismail from The Drive highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a unique and thoughtfully designed compact pickup that blends the practicality of a truck with the comfort and refinement of a modern car. He praises its upmarket interior, featuring tasteful materials and clever storage solutions, which set it apart from typical pickups. The Santa Cruz’s driving dynamics impress with nimble handling and a fun-to-drive turbocharged engine, making it feel more like a sporty crossover than a traditional truck. However, Ismail notes some quirks, such as limited rear passenger space, a finicky tonneau cover, and a somewhat awkward HVAC control layout. While it may not suit serious truck enthusiasts due to its unibody construction and smaller bed, the Santa Cruz offers a compelling option for buyers seeking a stylish, comfortable, and capable small pickup. Its competitive pricing and balanced fuel economy further enhance its appeal as a “gateway truck” for those who want utility without sacrificing everyday drivability.

Nathan Adlen from Autoblog shares a thoughtful and largely positive long-term perspective on the Hyundai Santa Cruz, highlighting its unique blend of car-like comfort and practical pickup utility. He praises the 2022 model’s efficient 2.5-liter engine, self-adjusting rear suspension, and impressive handling in challenging conditions like snow and mud. The under-bed storage and tow package add to its versatility, though the limited bed size and occasional brake heating under heavy loads are noted drawbacks. Adlen appreciates the 2025 updates, especially the rugged styling, upgraded interior materials, and significantly improved infotainment system, which address prior complaints. However, he expresses mild frustration over the unresolved tow package wiring recall and questions Hyundai’s decision not to offer a hybrid variant, which competitors like the Ford Maverick provide. Overall, he finds the Santa Cruz a logical, fun, and practical choice for those who want a smaller, commuter-friendly pickup, concluding with a warm personal sentiment of missing his own Santa Cruz.

Zac Palmer from Road & Track (Hearst Autos) highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a compact pickup that excels in personality and driving enjoyment, thanks to its potent turbocharged engine and agile, crossover-like handling. He praises the refined transmission, sporty chassis dynamics, and generous luxury features in the top-tier Limited trim, including heated seats and a premium audio system. However, Palmer also points out significant limitations: the Santa Cruz’s small bed and cramped rear seating restrict its utility, and its price is high compared to competitors like the Ford Maverick. While the truck’s unique design and off-road capability (especially in the new XRT trim) appeal to a niche audience seeking a refined commuter with occasional outdoor use, it may not satisfy traditional truck buyers prioritizing capability and space. Overall, Palmer’s review balances enthusiasm for the Santa Cruz’s driving experience and style with measured criticism of its practicality and value proposition.

Joe DeMatio from Hagerty highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a charming and well-rounded small pickup that successfully blends retro inspiration with modern utility. Drawing a nostalgic parallel to the Subaru Brat, he appreciates Hyundai’s boldness in carving out a niche with this sporty “Sport Adventure Vehicle.” The review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the Santa Cruz’s attractive styling, intelligent features like the lockable sliding bed cover, and its capable turbocharged engine paired with all-wheel drive, which delivers confident performance on both gravel roads and highways. While praising the roomy, comfortable cabin and thoughtful updates such as the oddments tray, DeMatio notes some drawbacks, including the somewhat clumsy digital speedometer and the questionable value of the fully loaded Limited trim compared to lower-priced versions. Overall, he sees the Santa Cruz as a nimble, practical alternative to full-size trucks, ideal for buyers seeking a versatile, fun-to-drive utility vehicle without excess bulk.

Jana Askeland from AutoGuide highlights the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz as a unique blend of SUV and pickup, describing it as a “cruck” that offers practicality without the bulk of a full-size truck. She appreciates its functional features like the composite truck bed with underfloor storage, 5,000-pound towing capacity, and modern tech amenities including a well-integrated infotainment system and multiple storage compartments. While she admires the interior comfort and thoughtful design touches, Jana is candid about the vehicle’s unconventional styling and tight rear seating, noting it’s not a perfect fit for everyone—herself included. Her tone is balanced and conversational, mixing genuine appreciation for Hyundai’s innovation with personal reservations about the Santa Cruz’s niche appeal. Ultimately, she presents the Santa Cruz as a practical, well-equipped option for those seeking a compact, versatile vehicle, though she acknowledges it may not satisfy traditional truck enthusiasts or those wanting more space.