2023 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ consumer reviews

Good pick up truck over all but I would have some changes. 1st - Exterior. Front grill has too big opening spaces. It has potentially hazard to damage radiator with flying stones or debris get into it. Hyundai need to figure it out how to place electric plug for towing in the are next to license plate. I had to install under rear bumper and if i would have to put my boat in the water all the time, electric plug would submerge under the water and it would have it short it and potentially get on fire. 2- Interior. I believe sunroof 95% of the owners are not using it, instead i would like to have automatic window in the rear windshield instead of sunroof. Rear seats could be a inch shorter and it would gave a little more leg room to get in 3rd - Power train. I have SEL Premium trim with 2.5 Turbo engine AWD with 5K towing capacity. Excellent power train but would be nice to have hybrid or fully electric with same capacity.

I really love my new truck...feel price was pretty much on the mark, the features are great, I have had it a month & still getting used to all its offeres. Back seat is a little tight, but I can fit and I don't really carry passengers, I did get an 'after market' bed cover for it ( which I feel I paid to much for the less than 100% quality) Over all I like the truck. (* I traded a 2021 jeep compass , which I thought 'per KBB' was worth more than the dealer allowed me) *

I have had my 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz for two years now. It has 52,000 miles on it because I do Home Health for a living. It is not uncommon for me to put 30,000 miles a year on a vehicle. I am still riding on two of the original four tires the vehicle came with. Two tires had to be replaced roughly a year ago due to road debris. I purchased a monthly car wash club membership and 98% of the time after I wash it I use Meguires Quick Spray Wax to do a quick 10 minute wax on wipe off which keeps the paint job looking like new. I get oil changes roughly every 7500 miles although the dealership says that is too soon. With all the stopping and starting multiple times a day, I feel it necessary. I used up all my free oil changes in one year instead of two. I’ve had absolutely no issues with the vehicle. I am so glad I bought it. It rides and drives like an SUV but with the benefit of having the small 4 foot truck bed. It’s a perfect height and size. It is the standard four-cylinder engine which, once you get used to it, is not so bad. It has enough get up and go when needed, although if I would have been exposed to the turbo engine, I may have spent the extra money. It’s not uncommon for me to get 32 mpg on the freeway when my cruise control is set. One time driving slower than speed limit I got 39 mpg! I purchased a black SEL model. Sunroof does not leak and works just fine. I did take the dealership up on their offer to tint windows which has definitely made the vehicle cooler. Ability to clean the interior in the seats is relatively easy and does not take long for the seats to dry after using a upholstery cleaner for weekly light spot checks.The only things I would change would be the rims, and possibly put 20 inch tires instead of 18, and the stereo system. (And the color- It was supposed to be blue). The rims coming on the newer Santa Cruz’s have a much more desirable design, and I believe there is an upgraded stereo system available. Leather seats would be nice. 😊 I am frequently asked how I like my 23 Santa Cruz . I have owned over the years; Veloster, Santa Fe, and Accent. Them, along with a 1990 Suzuki Samurai and a 86’ Toy 4-Runner, were the best vehicles I have ever owned in my life. As long as I can keep it out of flood waters, or avoid approaching 90° turns on country roads in the middle of the night with no street lights, driving 45 miles an hour, this will be the last vehicle I own.

Our 2023 SEL PREMIUM santa cruz has been a blast. Drives smooth/quiet. The bed with the factory sliding cover is perfect for tools and secure. I throw a tarp over the tools in heavy rain/snow because it's not totally water proof. The turbo is nice, mileage respectful.

The vehicle rides great. We now take it on our trips instead of my wife's Honda because it rides so much better. It quickly warms up, which is important to us as we live in a harsh winter environment area. The interior is roomy making it easy to secure items in an inside environment. But they are still easy to access from inside the vehicle. It has a lot of power, allowing me to tow a trailer on interstates without a problem. Two drawbacks: 1. The electronic touch lock/unlock is problematic. The dealer replace the driver side door handle and will have to do it with the passenger side. 2. The tonneau cover lock mechanism freezes up sometimes in the winter making the pickup truck bed difficult to access. Overall, I like the vehicle very much and would purchase another one.

Great gas mileage, comfortable, love the driver assist, turbo is a fast truck and just enough room for golf clubs, ebikes, and whatever else I need to haul around. Not a single problem after 20,000 miles. A lot of these negative reviews are competing dealerships leaving garbage reviews.

I absolutely love my Santa Cruz. As the sole driver, I knew we needed a truck, but I didn't want to drive a truck. We saw the Santa Cruz on the highway and I loved it. I did some research. I just wanted to get behind the wheel--no intention of buying. We took Genie home with us that day. Genie, because she's everything I wanted in a vehicle. Love the safety features, the taneau cover, the footsteps in the bumper are great as I am 5' 1/2" and 74 years young. I have no trouble getting into the truck bed. She's pretty peppy, too!

I have spent $1600 within the first year and again $800 yesterday to replace the fuel injectors. There’s four on the car and two have gone bad on a brand new truck with the extended warranty bumper-to-bumper 120,000 mile coverage if you injectors are not covered the truck is not waterproof so you can’t put anything in the back without it getting soaking wet the whole reason I bought the truck as a fireman and nurse to keep my gear dry

The car is okay for what it is but could be so much better. They should have spent more time and effort on the practical than on the “tech glitz.” The emphasis on the Hyundai “tech” is a big let down for me: it’s not user friendly and; it’s both annoying and downright unsafe. You have to take your eyes off the road to make the often multiple step things happen. It’s intrusive to your need to drive. The car is a “nanny car” and nanny is a big pain.

Love the styling and features of the car and the over all experience at the dealer was a positive one. If anything just was bit disappointed after driving the vehicle with its performance. I still love my new Santa Cruz and will enjoy this for many years to come.