The New Hyundai Santa Cruz Is Barely Truckier
All trims get a truck-like facelift and a digital makeover inside.
Say hey to the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, mildly refreshed on the surface with a bit extra taking place within the cockpit. The small pickup truck retains its acquainted powertrain selections, however specific consideration falls on the XRT trim. When it debuted in July 2023, it was purely an look package deal. Now, issues have modified, albeit barely.
For starters, all 2025 Santa Cruz fashions profit from a small however important facelift. A brand new grille made up of rectangular cutouts sits above a barely revised decrease fascia. The swooping V-shaped grille is gone, changed with straight strains and symmetrical shapes that, frankly, give the Santa Cruz a extra truck-like look. We won’t assist however surprise how a lot the Ford Maverick’s squarish nostril influenced Hyundai designers, but it surely was clearly a focus for the Santa Cruz replace. Apart from new wheels and a particular rear fascia on the XRT, the entrance clip is the one revision you will discover on the surface.
Talking of XRT, Hyundai installs all-terrain tires to assist the truck’s grip off the crushed path. Beforehand, the XRT rode on the identical avenue tires as different trims, however there is a bit extra taking place than simply tires. The grille will get a particular sample, and the entrance and rear fascias are XRT-specific for a greater strategy angle when off-roading. Outstanding purple tow hooks are added to the entrance, and it rides on XRT-specific 18-inch wheels.
As for the within, adjustments listed here are way more distinguished. The brand new greenhouse borrows a web page from the not too long ago up to date Tucson with a curved panoramic display incorporating driver and middle infotainment shows. Every one is offered as much as 12.3 inches in dimension, nestled in a brand new sprint with a shelf above the glove field. A financial institution of tactile controls for audio and local weather settings lives within the center, with a distinguished shift stalk nonetheless in place for the transmission. A brand new Tucson-esque steering wheel is added as properly.
The inside improve comes with extra know-how. Over-the-air updates at the moment are doable, and you will find wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on all trims. Bluelink+ linked automotive tech is plugged in, together with Hyundai Pay in-car fee programs. Hyundai’s Digital Key 2 Contact helps you to lock or unlock the truck together with your smartphone, and within the security division, Ahead Consideration Warning is added. Go for the XRT and you will get standard-issue surround-view and blind-spot cameras, too.
Beneath the pores and skin, you continue to have a alternative of two engines. The 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder is normal, driving both the entrance wheels or all 4. The burly model is the two.5-liter turbo making 281 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque. It is linked to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and on XRT or Restricted trims, the turbo provides you a brand new towing mode good for five,000 kilos.
The 2025 Santa Cruz reaches dealerships this summer season. Pricing might be introduced nearer to its on-sale date. For reference, the 2024 Santa Cruz begins at $28,275 with vacation spot included. The opposite finish of the size is the Santa Cruz Restricted with a sticker value of $42,695.