Discover What's New in 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Features and Trims
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz represents the next evolution of Hyundai's innovative sport adventure vehicle, blending pickup truck utility with crossover comfort. As this unique vehicle enters its second generation since its 2021 debut, Hyundai has introduced several notable upgrades to keep it competitive in the growing compact pickup segment. The refreshed Santa Cruz builds upon its distinctive foundation with enhanced technology, refined styling elements, and improved capability while maintaining its urban-friendly dimensions.
What Major Design Changes Define the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz receives a thoughtful exterior refresh that enhances its bold, adventure-ready appearance. The front fascia features redesigned LED headlights with a more distinctive lighting signature, complemented by an updated grille that creates a more commanding presence. The vehicle’s profile maintains its distinctive unibody silhouette, but with more defined character lines and wheel arch treatments that emphasize its rugged capabilities.
Around back, the tailgate design has been refined with new taillight graphics and integrated features that improve functionality. New exterior color options have been added to the palette, giving buyers more ways to customize their Santa Cruz. The truck bed, one of the vehicle’s most distinctive features, maintains its versatile design with integrated lockable storage, adjustable tie-downs, and available tonneau cover, though Hyundai has added improved lighting and power options for 2025.
How Have the Interior and Technology Features Been Upgraded?
Inside the cabin, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz receives a substantial technology upgrade with a new infotainment system featuring a larger standard touchscreen. The dashboard layout has been optimized for improved ergonomics, with a redesigned center console offering enhanced storage solutions. Material quality has improved across all trim levels, with more soft-touch surfaces and premium accents, particularly in higher-tier models.
The digital instrument cluster now comes standard across more trims, offering customizable displays and improved graphics. Hyundai’s latest generation of driver assistance features comes standard, including enhanced versions of forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2025 is an improved surround-view monitor system with higher resolution cameras and additional viewing angles, making parking and off-road maneuvering easier than ever.
Connectivity features have been expanded to include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims, complemented by multiple USB-C charging ports and available wireless charging with increased power output.
What Performance Enhancements and Powertrain Options Are Available?
The 2025 Santa Cruz continues to offer two engine choices, but with notable refinements. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine receives calibration updates for improved efficiency and slightly higher output figures. The turbocharged 2.5-liter option remains the powerhouse of the lineup but now delivers enhanced torque at lower RPMs for better everyday drivability and towing capability.
Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that has been retuned for smoother shifts and better fuel economy. The all-wheel drive system, available across all trims and standard on higher-end models, has been enhanced with improved traction management settings tailored for various terrains and driving conditions.
Hyundai has also refined the suspension tuning to better balance on-road comfort with off-pavement capability. The result is a more composed ride quality during daily driving while maintaining confidence when venturing onto rougher surfaces. Towing capacity remains competitive for the segment, with properly equipped models capable of handling typical weekend adventure gear with ease.
What Are the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels and Features?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz lineup has been streamlined and restructured to offer better value proposition across the range. The trim hierarchy now includes:
SE: The entry-level trim offers a strong foundation of features including the updated infotainment system, wireless smartphone integration, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and the full suite of Hyundai SmartSense safety features. The standard engine is the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
SEL: The mid-level trim adds heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity key with push-button start, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL also opens up access to more option packages.
XRT: This adventure-oriented trim, new for 2025, features unique styling elements including special cladding, all-terrain tires, raised suspension, and exclusive interior materials designed for durability. It comes standard with the turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive.
Limited: The premium trim includes leather seating surfaces, ventilated front seats, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, premium Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, and advanced driver assistance features like Highway Driving Assist.
Night: This special edition trim features blacked-out exterior elements, unique wheel designs, and exclusive interior accents for a more distinctive appearance. It shares most equipment with the Limited trim but offers a more aggressive aesthetic.
How Does the 2025 Santa Cruz Compare to Other Compact Pickups?
The compact pickup segment has grown increasingly competitive, with the 2025 Santa Cruz positioning itself as a lifestyle-oriented option that prioritizes versatility, technology, and comfort. Compared to more traditional body-on-frame competitors, the Santa Cruz offers superior handling dynamics and fuel efficiency thanks to its unibody construction.
In terms of capability, the Santa Cruz strikes a balance between everyday utility and weekend adventure readiness. While its bed is smaller than some competitors, its innovative storage solutions and city-friendly dimensions make it ideal for urban dwellers who occasionally need pickup functionality. The updated powertrain options provide competitive performance within the segment, particularly with the turbocharged engine.
The technology package now stands among the best in class, with features typically found in more premium vehicles. Hyundai’s warranty coverage continues to be a significant advantage, with the comprehensive 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty outpacing most competitors.
Vehicle Upgrades That Enhance Overall Value
The 2025 Santa Cruz introduces several practical upgrades that enhance its overall value proposition. The improved bed utility features include an available integrated 115V power outlet, making the truck more functional as a mobile workspace. New storage compartments throughout the vehicle increase its everyday practicality.
Fuel efficiency improvements across both powertrains help reduce operating costs, while the enhanced structural rigidity contributes to better crash protection and a quieter cabin. The expanded Hyundai Digital Key functionality now allows compatible smartphones and smartwatches to serve as vehicle keys with the ability to share access digitally with family and friends.
Hyundai’s complimentary maintenance program continues for 2025 models, covering oil changes and tire rotations for 3 years or 36,000 miles, adding to the vehicle’s value equation and helping to ensure proper maintenance through the initial ownership period.
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz builds on its innovative foundation with thoughtful updates that enhance its appeal as a versatile lifestyle vehicle. By refining its distinctive formula with improved technology, enhanced capability, and more premium features, Hyundai has strengthened the Santa Cruz’s position in the growing compact pickup segment while staying true to its unique crossover-pickup identity.
