2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review
Ute? Compact pickup? The 2023 Santa Cruz has an impressive interior, superior trim levels, and crossover-inspired handling. Find out our full thoughts here.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
All-new last year, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a funky fresh midsize crossover with a 4-foot pickup truck bed. A spiritual successor to the so-called “ute” segment that we look back on here, the Santa Cruz is essentially a Hyundai Tucson – with which it shares a platform – plus an open cargo hold.
Largely a carryover from the 2022 model, updates are centered on expanding availability of the more desirable tech features like a larger touchscreen, navigation, and upgraded adaptive cruise control from Limited trim to include the SEL Premium. As well, a new Night model arrives with the black-out treatment, and blind spot collision and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance systems are now lineup standard.
The Breakdown
Head-turning style
Hyundai value proposition
Cargo bed lockbox
Could use a hybrid version
No physical infotainment controls
Tiny rear windows
A bold move from Hyundai
Hyundai Santa Cruz Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 181 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 27 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 4-foot of bed length
- IIHS Top Safety Pick award
- Simplicity of Hyundai Digital Key
- Standard Trailer Sway Control
- Warranty Highlight: Three years of complimentary service
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Powertrain
As ever, Hyundai makes choosing a trim line from out of a model lineup, in this case the 2023 Santa Cruz, cut and dry. Lower-price SE and SEL models are fitted with a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-4 making 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, while the other three trim lines come with a turbocharged version of this motor, punched up to 281 horses and 311 torques. Both setups pair with 8-speed automatic transmissions, though the turbocharged setup is of the dual-clutch variety.
Front-wheel-drive is standard on the SE and SEL with AWD optional for an extra $1,500, whereas the Night model and above that come only in AWD form. The 2023 Santa Cruz is fitted with a fully independent suspension consisting of MacPherson front struts with coil springs and a multi-link rear setup. Ground clearance is at 8.6 inches, nearly an inch and a half higher than its platform-mate Tucson.
Drivability highlights include a drive mode selector with three pre-programmed configurations to choose from, Hill Start Assist, and Downhill Brake control – all of which are standard equipment. Hyundai describes the Santa Cruz as a “Sport Adventure Vehicle” and given the chassis setup, owners can expect handling that leans more crossover than pickup truck with a bit of light off-roading capability for AWD versions.
Towing & Payload
The base 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz can tow 3,500 pounds as long as you have trailer brakes, otherwise that figure drops to 1,650 pounds. In turbocharged AWD guise, the Santa Cruz is rated for 5,000 pounds, which bests Ford’s Maverick by 1,000 pounds. Standard tow-prep equipment includes Trailer Sway Control, an auto-leveling rear suspension, trailer wiring harness, and a heavy-duty transmission oil cooler. Payload ranges from 1,500 to 1,700 pounds depending on trim and powertrain configuration.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Fuel Economy & MPG
With the base motor, a 2023 Santa Cruz is rated for 22/26 mpg in city/highway driving. Adding AWD drops both figures by one mile per gallon. The turbocharged powertrain, which is AWD-only, comes in at 19 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway.
These are reasonable efficiency figures but nothing impressive as we note in this list of Best Pickup Truck Fuel Economy. Makes you wonder why Hyundai didn’t fit a hybrid setup to compete more effectively with the Ford Maverick, which we compare here.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Inside the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz are five passenger seats, wrapped in cloth on all but the Limited trim that sports leather upholstery. Convenience features like Hyundai’s Digital Key make access a breeze – and keyless – with comfort amenities like dual-zone automatic climate control, fully climatized front seats, and a heated steering wheel all available. Backseat passengers will have 37 inches of legroom, which is about one inch more than a Ford Maverick.
Thoughtful cargo touches abound, from the removable bin that resides under the second-row seat to the lockable compartment found under the cargo bed floor. The latter even has a drain to double as a beverage cooler. Access is easy thanks to a remote-activated power tailgate feature and additional storage exists within the sidewalls of the 4-foot-long sheet-molded-composite cargo bed.
The SEL Activity package goes further by adding an integrated rollout tonneau cover to keep cargo secure. This bundle also adds C-channel utility tracks with a rail and cleat tie-down system, 115-volt outlet in the bed, and LED lighting for nighttime visibility.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Entertainment & Tech
Hyundai is an industry leader when it comes to infotainment and that rings true with the 2023 Santa Cruz, which comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an 8-inch touchscreen, and dual USB ports up front. SEL Premium and Limited models feature a 10.25-inch infotainment interface and digital gauge cluster of matching dimensions.
Perhaps the only knock here is the lack of redundant buttons or switches to control the various systems. A premium Bose stereo bumps the speaker count from six to eight and Hyundai’s Bluelink Connected Car System features app-based control of the door locks, engine startup, and cabin climate system, including the front seats.
Safety Features
The list of standard advanced safety nets on a 2023 Santa Cruz includes Forward Collision Warning with Automated Emergency Braking, Lane Following and Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, and a collision avoidance system for blind spots and rear cross-traffic situations.
Six airbags are standard and as you move through the trim ladder, high-end systems like the semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Intelligent Speed Limit Assist become available. IIHS gave the 2022 Santa Cruz its Top Safety Pick award, though the 2023 model has not yet been rated.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trims & Pricing
SE – $26,745
The entry-level Santa Cruz SE features 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting for the daytime-running lamps and taillights, as well as integrated rear bumper steps. Inside, wireless integration for Apple and Android devices is managed via an 8-inch touchscreen and buyers have a choice of black or gray cloth seating.
SEL – $29,085
Notable SEL upgrades include heated side mirrors and front seats, keyless access, and a 3-year trial to Hyundai’s Bluelink Connected Car system. The $3,270 Activity package adds an integrated tonneau cover, power-operated sunroof, roof rails, sliding rear window, wireless charging pad, and a lot more.
Night – $37,105
From here on up, all Santa Cruz’s are fitted with turbo-power and AWD. The Night model sports dark-finished 20-inch rims, a blacked-out exterior, and the tonneau cover package. A wireless charging pad and the digital gauge cluster are also on hand.
SEL Premium – $38,645
The SEL Premium is quite the value with LED headlights, Hyundai Digital Key control, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather wrapping on the steering wheel and shift knob. Additional amenities include navigation, the 10.25-inch infotainment screen, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Limited – $41,615
Fully loaded Limited models sit on 20s and boast leather upholstered seats that are heated and ventilated up front. An 8-speaker Bose audio system is included as is a Surround View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist. Have a look at our latest New Car Incentives rundown before heading to the dealership to look at this priciest Santa Cruz.
Warranties
Hyundai’s well-known warranty includes five years or 60,000 miles of basic vehicle coverage and a 10-year/100,000-mile term on the powertrain. Roadside assistance is on hand for five years with no mileage limit and the automaker offers three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary factory-scheduled maintenance.
What we think
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz on Carsforsale.com
Whether your lifestyle is of the Instagram-worthy variety depicted on Hyundai’s website with regular surfing, rock climbing, and camping adventures, or of the less glamorous shuttling kids around town variety, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is worth considering.
The five-passenger cabin is packed with all the latest amenities and gizmos, advanced driver aids are on point, and the small cargo bed is ideal for toting about everything from wetsuits to muddy kids’ soccer gear. A hybrid option would be nice to improve fuel economy but given the current options, I would choose the SEL Premium for its more potent powertrain and gobs of standard goodies.
