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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review
Hyundai’s light pickup returns with a new adventure focused XRT trim. We look at powertrain options, interior quality and more.
What’s New for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the perfect vehicle for folks who want crossover handling with the utility of a pickup truck bed. Sharing a platform with the Tucson, the Santa Cruz tacks on a 4-foot cargo bed, pours in Hyundai’s trademark stack of value, and mixes well.
The result is a uniquely useful vehicle with eye-catching looks. The 2024 Santa Cruz replaces the SEL Premium trim found on 2023 models with the XRT setup found across the automaker’s SUV lineup that adds adventure-y looks. Other updates include are limited to trim-level feature shuffling.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
8.5/10
Powertrain
Score
8.5/10
Interior
Score
9/10
Technology
Score
8.75/10
Value
Score
8/10
The Breakdown
Powerful turbocharged engine
Semi-autonomous driving tech
Head-turning looks
Small second-row windows
Android-only digital key
Can get expensive
Another Hyundai home run
2024 Santa Cruz Specs
- 191 horsepower from base engine
- 181 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 48-inch truck bed
- Towing capacity of 5,000 lbs
- Safety Highlight: 5-Star NHTSA rated
- Dual 10.3-inch screens
- Three years of complimentary service
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Powertrain 8.5/10
The lower two trim levels of the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz – SE and SEL – are powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5L inline-4 rated for 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with an 8-speed automatic to spin the front wheels with AWD optional for $1,500.
The $9,000 jump in price from an SEL to a Night model is largely due to these models – and above – being fitted with a turbocharged 2.5L four-cylinder that is far more potent with 281 horses and 311 torques. AWD is standard here and the 8-speed transmission is upgraded to a wet dual-clutch unit.
Base models earn the best fuel economy of 22 mpg in city driving and 26 on the highway, while both figures drop by 1 mpg with AWD. The turbocharged Santa Cruz comes in with EPA estimates of 19/27 mpg in city/highway driving.
Fortunately, 87-octane is the recommended grade of fuel regardless of powertrain. What Santa Cruz can’t do is match the Ford Maverick’s hybrid powertrain fuel economy. As we look at in this 2023 Maverick review, that little truck can squeeze 40 miles out of a gallon of gas around town and 33 on the highway.
As for towing, the 2024 Santa Cruz stands tall with a maximum rating of 5,000 pounds. To get there requires a Night model or above with the bigger motor and AWD. And though Trailer Sway Control and a 4/7-pin wiring harness are included, a trailer brake controller – which Hyundai notes is needed to hit the 5,000-lb mark – is not. FWD models with the smaller motor can handle 3,500 pounds but also require an aftermarket trailer brake controller to do so.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior 9/10
As we note in this pickup truck myth-busting article, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is proof that a rough ride is not a given for a pickup. Unlike its larger ladder-framed, stick-axled cousins, the Santa Cruz rides on a unibody chassis shared with the Tucson. That, combined with a fully independent suspension, means ride comfort for passengers is quite nice. As for cabin comfort, the Santa Cruz comes with heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control from the SEL model and above.
An acoustic laminated windshield is standard across the Santa Cruz lineup, but leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel are reserved for the top-spec Limited model. It’s certainly a far more nicely finished cabin versus the rest of the midsize pickup truck market, but it’s also a sea of black. Aside from available gray upholstery on lower-end models and the orange accents offered on Limited trim, the Santa Cruz cabin is quite dark.
The Santa Cruz excels when it comes to storage and cargo space. The rear seat cushions flip up to reveal an under-seat cargo box and the ability to load awkward gear like a mountain bike. Which is perhaps the better use of this space as the rear windows are quite tiny and legroom is just 36 inches.
The bed is about 4 feet long and can be had with an integrated hard tonneau cover to keep valuables out of sight. It too features a hidden under-floor compartment that includes a drain and plug making it ideal for wet gear or cooler duty.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Technology Features 8.75/10
The Santa Cruz SE and SEL models come with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the rest of the lineup gets a 10.3-inch unit and same-sized digital gauge cluster. However, Apple and Android mirroring software is wireless only with the smaller screen, it’s wired on the larger setup.
The SE and SEL keep a handful of physical knobs and buttons, while the Night trim and above are strictly touch-based. Only the Limited model comes with the 8-speaker Bose audio system, the rest of the lineup features an unbranded 6-speaker setup.
As ever, Hyundai includes a high degree of standard advanced driver aids on the 2024 Santa Cruz that outdoes the Ford Maverick by a large margin. All models come with forward collision mitigation, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assist, a driver-attention warning, and a lead vehicle departure alert. Though the latest model has not yet been tested, the NHTSA gave last year’s Santa Cruz a 5-star overall crash-test rating.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trims & Pricing
SE – $27,895
Entry-level SE trim comes with 18-inch wheels, all-LED exterior lighting, and a multi-level tailgate. The cabin is trimmed in black or gray patterned cloth and includes rear seat heater ducts. An 8-inch touchscreen manages the infotainment system, which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software, a 6-speaker stereo, and dual front USB ports.
SEL – $30,735
SEL models add heated side mirrors and remote engine start along with heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an automatic de-fogger. Hyundai’s Bluelink+ connectivity software – which allows for app-based control of the door locks, climate system, and engine start – is also included. For $3,660, the optional Activity package brings an integrated sliding tonneau cover, dual 10.3-inch cabin screens, a wireless charging pad, and more.
Night – $39,545
The Santa Cruz Night model is only offered in black or gray paint to go with the blacked-out design. A sunroof and sliding rear glass window are added along with side steps, roof rails, a tonneau cover, and a rail-and-cleat cargo system for the bed. Black H-Tex leatherette dresses up the cabin as does the 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.3-inch infotainment screen. Other tech features include navigation with live data, dynamic voice recognition, and a wireless phone charger.
XRT – $41,185
XRT trim comes with satin black accents and, like the Night and Limited models, is only available with the more powerful motor and AWD. Leather wraps the steering wheel and shifter, while the Hyundai Digital Key, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist are added to the tech roster.
Limited – $42,405
Top-spec Limited models feature rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, an ambient lighting system, and a heated steering wheel. Also included is an 8-speaker Bose stereo, dual backseat USB ports, a surround-view monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and a live feed of blind spots. Be sure to check out the latest new car incentives before shopping for this priciest 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Overall Value 8/10
Though it’s considerably more expensive than an SE or SEL, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Night trim is the one to aim for. It looks sharp in the dark duds, but more importantly, it comes with a more powerful engine, more impressive technology, and helpful cargo bed features. It is $10,000 more than a fully loaded Ford Maverick, but the Santa Cruz is on a whole different level from powertrain to technology and amenities, making it worth your consideration.
The Santa Cruz comes with Hyundai’s excellent warranty that includes a 5-year/60,000-mile basic term, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain term, and three years of complimentary maintenance.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.5/10
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz – hyundaiusa.com | Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz on Carsforsale.com
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is squarely aimed at the urban demographic that likes to get outside on the weekend by delivering carlike maneuverability with just enough pickup truck utility. The back seat is on the small side and Hyundai makes you pay for the good stuff, but that stuff is well worth the extra cash. If you’re on a tight budget, an SE or SEL has all the basics covered, but if you can swing it, we recommend one of the three models with the turbocharged AWD powertrain.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz FAQ
How big is the Hyundai Santa Cruz bed?
It is 54 inches wide above the wheel houses and 75 inches long with the tailgate down. Total volume measures 27 cubic feet.
Does the Hyundai Santa Cruz come in a hybrid?
No, the Santa Cruz only offers traditional gas-powered engines.
Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD?
Base models are FWD with the option for AWD, while the Night, XRT, and Limited Santa Cruz come standard with AWD.
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