We recently tested the Ford Maverick Lobo, and loved the fun and practicality you can enjoy in a small pickup truck – it reminded us of the days in the ‘70’s when the sport compact truck was hugely popular.
Well Ford isn’t the only player in the small truck game – Hyundai has a very different take with the Santa Cruz, swapping out some of the Ford’s truckiness for car/SUV-like comfort and design. And with a recent glow-up to make it more competitive, it’s time for a test drive!
A Bit Bolder for the Boulders
Hyundai said last year’s redesign was to make the ‘Cruz a bolder stronger design, and we say it’s met that goal – although it was pretty bold and strong to begin with. Built on the same chassis as the Tucson SUV, it also carries much of the Hyundai DNA.
Up front, there’s a new front grille and fascia – Hyundai has traded off the high-cheekbones look for a slightly squared off grille area that looks larger and more cohesive. Same goes for the lower grille which looks larger and more aggressive. Redesigned headlights look larger and blockier, and we’re glad they’ve kept the hidden headlight design that looks like part of the grille until illuminated. It’s part of Hyundai’s new design language and we think it gives a very unique, identifiable look.
Little is changed with the profile – and that’s good because it’s one of the Santa Cruz’ best angles. It’s clearly not an SUV, but not as blocky as a small pickup truck. It looks like something a custom shop would do to create a small beach-ready surf-style vehicle. It still looks plenty muscular, and shares Hyundai’s love for sharp creased lines, especially in the lower door panels. You get some off-road ruggedness with cool black fender liners that have a neat little design, including a Santa Cruz baked in. Who doesn’t love a cool little Easter egg!
And we just love, love, love the 5-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels on the Limited model.
The rear looks unchanged, but it’s handsome with horizontal LED taillights that wrap around, and S A N T A C R U Z in big block letters stamped in the tailgate. There’s some great thinking on display too, from roof side rails to a rear sliding glass and LED bed lighting. A super cool feature is the integrated tonneau cover that easily slides forward for open access to the bed and pulls back with a little cable when you want to close it up and keep your gear locked up.
Finishing off what is one great looking truck is the Rockwood Green paint – a rich, dark green that looks outdoorsy, and gives a tasty backdrop for that bold front end and those big 20-inch alloys.
Hyundai Sleek Inside
The interior is state-of-the-art Hyundai.
Last year’s refresh took a major step forward from a somewhat disjointed design to one that looks elegant and in the higher trims, could easily be found in a BMW and Audi. The exterior may say truck, but inside this looks like a luxury SUV!
Open the door and the feeling is flowing and wide, thanks to dual 12.3-inch screens that create a wall of digital goodness. We’d also mention the new 3-spoke steering wheel is a simpler and more elegant design than before, and fits right in. We’re thankful that Hyundai has decided to keep a traditional shift lever here – it suits the rugged vibe.
The show starts with a 12.3-inch, digital driver instrument cluster, and we like the simple dual circular graphics that remind of analogue speedometer and tachometers. But like many upscale Hyundai and Kia products, turning on the turn signal will give you a camera image inside the circle to show what’s behind on the side you’re indicating – super useful!
Info-tainment comes courtesy of a 12.3-inch touchscreen that covers audio/video and navigation, and our apps looked terrific – we could really dig deep into maps for detail, and the 360-degree parking monitor looked great – and with the high rear window and limited rear visibility common in trunks, it’s really appreciated.
Tech is up to date, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over the air software and firmware updating, Hyundai Pay in-car payment system, Digital Key 2 touch, and even a fingerprint scanner! (We’re not too sure about that one….) The Bose premium audio system sounded great as well, surrounding you in audio excellence while ambient interior lighting surround you in your choice of soothing ambience.
And while some screen systems make you fish everything out of the screens, the Santa Cruz has dedicated switchgear below for key audio and nav features, and yes, dedicated knobs for volume and tuning. Yay.
Below that is a dedicated display for climate control and we like the individual knobs for temp for the dual zone climate control, but haptic-style controls and a gloss black background for many of the features make a hard read, especially in bright daylight.
Front seat comfort is superb, with heated and cooled leather-appointed seats, heated leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped shift lever and driver’s memory seat system.
The rear seats are spacious, and our 5’9” test passenger fit in there, but the very vertical nature of the seatback makes this best for shorter trips, but at least you do get a handy flip-down center armrest with cupholders.
The bottoms of the seats flip up, giving a nice hidden storage area to keep things out of sight, and we also like the sliding rear window that gives added ventilation, and maybe room to stretch something super skinny into the cabin.
You might need that, as we mentioned the truck bed is on the short side, at only 4 feet, (the Maverick is only marginally larger at 4.5-ft.) but it’s plenty versatile, with a sliding and locking hard tonneau cover, bed protection, sliding side cleats, tie-downs and 115-volt power outlet. ‘
We especially liked the hidden in-bed covered storage space, similar to Honda’s Ridgeline – a great place to keep more items out of sight or even better, fill it with ice and use it as a cooler! Flip down the tailgate and you’ve even got dedicated drink holders molded into the inside of the gate.
Turbo Truck!
Driving the Santa Cruz is plenty of fun – especially with the optional turbo engine!
The ‘Cruz is offered in several trims from SE to Limited. Lower levels feature standard front wheel drive and a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder producing 191 horsepower. For just getting around, it’s a smooth, efficient powertrain – more of a work horse.
We’ll go for the racehorse thanks, and that means stepping up to the XRT or Limited models, which run a much more exhilarating turbo 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder pumping out an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque.
Teamed with a new 8-speed automatic for 2026 (replacing a DCT transmission), power is impressive, smooth and responsive, with 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds. It really suits the nature of the sporty looks and makes this a grin machine.
Considering the power and performance, we think the EPA estimated 25 mpg combined is quite good, and the turbo also has plenty of grunt, yielding a 5,000 lb. towing rating.
Helping put that power down on turbo models is standard all-wheel-drive, and it helps you with loads of grip, whether that’s off the line, in the turns or in slippery conditions. If you plan to do more off-road work, we’d lean towards the XRT which has a more rugged look, and some added goods to help in the rough stuff.
The drive is quick, and the handling is notably responsive with a very smooth ride. Those used to noisy trucks will be surprised on the freeway, where the little Hyundai serves up an impressively quiet ride – much more like a luxury crossover than truck.
Sharing the Tucson platform lets the Santa Cruz enjoy the impressive standard safety and assist features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep and Following Assist, Driver Attention and Forward attention Warning, and ones you’ll appreciate every day – Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Blind-Spot View Monitor Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist and Safe Exit Warning.
How much to Cruise a Santa Cruz?
There’s good news here, with an affordable lineup. The SE model starts at just $29,750, with loads of tech and safety features, unique style and utility, that’s a great value.
Our Limited AWD tester is the top-of-the-line model and starts at $43,700. Fully loaded, the only option on ours were carpeted floor mats ($240). Add in $1,600 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $45,540.
The most direct competitor is the Ford Maverick, comparably equipped at $42,980. We like the Ford, and while the 4.5-ft. bed is marginally longer than the Santa Cruz, the overall experience is more trucky, so it’s more of a style choice. Definitely worth a test drive!
If you’re looking for a car-like experience in a larger package, we’d also check out the Honda Ridgeline, with a standard powerful V6. It’s also bit more at $49,345.
Great looks, handsome interior with loads of tech, turbo power and car-like ride and comfort, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of the coolest – and useful – vehicles on the road!
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