Remember when pickup trucks came in all shapes and sizes and then all of a sudden the market only had big full-size pickups? While the big trucks are still the cash cow in the industry, slowly but surely smaller trucks have re-emerged and I’m here for it.
It’s good to see trucks like the Santa Cruz, Maverick and even the Ridgeline available to consumers who may want a truck but don’t need all that size, power and big price tags of the dominating full-size pickups. Automakers are wise to listen to the market. There’s a need. There’s always been a need for trucks like this.
Thus, we have the Hyundai Santa Cruz which fulfills a need. And for 2025, this small truck receives a refresh with a wider stance and more aggressive grille as well as several other updates.
Aesthetically the designers likely listened to the critics who felt the Santa Cruz looked a little too “frilly” which didn’t help it win over serious pickup truck buyers. Now with a more aggressive grille and that wider stance the Santa Cruz looks as “truck” as it ever has.
Yes it still has the sloped C-pillar and stubby bed which makes it stand out. Some still compared the looks to the failed Chevy Avalanche. There is a similarity for sure. But I really like the rectangular LED headlights as part of the redesigned grille. The Santa Cruz always had personality and continues to stand out on the road. How could that be a bad thing?
All of this is part of a small rebranding of the Santa Cruz as an “adventure” vehicle rather than a pickup truck. That might be semantics, but José Muñoz, president and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company alluded to the rebrand during the launch of the 2025 model.
Customers are going to appreciate all the new design details and enhancements inside and out. Santa Cruz is a true sport adventure vehicle,” Munoz said.
From a power standpoint, the engine options carry over from the previous model year. They include a 2.5-liter direct-injected in-line four-cylinder engine and a 2.5L direct-injected turbocharged engine. The turbo makes all the difference as it has 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, compared to the somewhat pedestrian numbers of the non-turbo (191 hp and 181 pound-feet). An eight-speed automatic transmission does a great job handling the turbo. Front-wheel drive is standard but my tester had all-wheel drive (AWD).
For the 2025 model year, there’s a new tow model for the turbocharged powertrain. The 2.5L Turbo AWD model boasts a generous 5,000 lbs. of towing capability. I’d say that kind of towing capability is “truck enough.”
The Santa Cruz has the smallest bed of any truck on the market with a bed of about four feet. Hyundai sites the length of the bed as 52.1 inches long at the head and 48.4 inches long at the foot. This is where the “not truck enough” discussion comes in.
Inside passengers will quickly realize that this is most definitely a compact truck. While it’s rated for five passengers, I would only recommend two adults in the back seat. As such, with two adults, the legroom is enough as is the headroom.
There are some noticeable improvements inside including a redesigned dashboard that features a curved panoramic display, making it more driver-focused. Additionally wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard. The entire infotainment system is intuitive.
My tester was the top-of-the-line Limited trim with AWD. The price tag for this Santa Cruz is $42,500. The base trim SE with AWD is just under $30,000. Fuel economy for the turbocharged variant is 19 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway.
I’m not getting into a machismo discussion about pickup trucks. I will merely state the fact that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is categorized as a compact pickup truck. It possesses many truck-like qualities and otherwise fills a need among consumers, even if it’s a niche market. It’s a nice niche!
Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist. Email him at jimmydinsmore73@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @driversside.
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD
Price/As tested price................................................ $42,500/$42,500
Mileage.......................................... 19 mpg/city; 27 mpg/hwy
Engine............................................. 2.5-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged
Horsepower................................. 281 hp/311 lbs./ft.
Transmission................................. 8-speed automatic
Drive Wheels................ All-wheel drive
Final Assembly Point................ Montgomery, AL
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