Baby’s First Face-Lift: Updated 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Starts at $28,895

Having debuted for the 2022 model year, Hyundai’s Santa Cruz gets its first face-lift for 2025, with a fresh grille, front bumper and lighting, as well as new wheel designs. The XRT trim level gets all-terrain tires and is now more differentiated from the rest of the lineup thanks to a unique grille and bumpers, front tow hooks and an improved approach angle. Hyundai has now released pricing for the pickup truck, which will start at $29,895 (all prices include $1,395 destination charge).

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The Santa Cruz’s center stack is redesigned with physical knobs and rocker switches for audio and climate controls, and the SEL Activity, XRT and Limited trim levels get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster seamlessly integrated with the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen under a single piece of curved glass. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, previously standard on lower trim levels but incompatible with the range-topping Limited trim’s infotainment system, are now standard across the line.

Nothing New Under the Hood

Mechanically, the 2025 Santa Cruz is unchanged. The SE, SEL and SEL Activity trim levels are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower and 181 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available for $1,500. The XRT and Limited get a 281-hp, turbocharged version of the same engine that puts out 311 pounds-feet; it’s mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and AWD.

With the base engine, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 3,500 pounds, while the turbo is good for 5,000. Hyundai says the base engine gets 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 21/29/24 with AWD (official EPA figures for the 2025 model are not yet available). The turbocharged Limited returns 19/27/22 mpg, while the XRT lands at 18/26/21 mpg.

Availability and Pricing

The 2025 Santa Cruz is set to go on sale this summer. Full line pricing is as follows:

• SE: $29,895
• SEL: $31,595
• SEL Activity: $34,595
• XRT: $41,395
• Limited: $43,895

Safety Features and Trim Levels

Standard safety features on the updated Santa Cruz include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, a rear-seat reminder, safe-exit assist, driver attention warning and automatic high beams.

The Santa Cruz SE rides on 18-inch wheels and features LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and starting, and remote start. It gets manually adjustable front seats, six speakers, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and satellite radio.

The SEL upgrades to synthetic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents. The SEL Activity adds a moonroof, an integrated tonneau cover, a sliding rear window, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charging.

In addition to its styling upgrades and turbocharged engine, the XRT gets numerous additional safety features, including enhanced forward collision warning that can alert the driver to oncoming traffic during left turns, Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 1 (which combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering steering), blind spot cameras, traffic-sign recognition and a 360-degree parking camera. The XRT also features Digital Key 2 Touch, which allows the owner to use a paired smartphone as the vehicle key, and navigation that will communicate with the cruise control to slow the vehicle ahead of upcoming curves.

The range-topping Limited forgoes the XRT’s off-road gear but keeps its tech and comfort upgrades. It also adds 20-inch wheels, a dark-chrome grille and exterior trim, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Limited’s interior boasts leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and a Bose premium audio system.

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