Key Points
- The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is priced from $31,100 (all prices include $1,600 destination charge).
- No major changes
- Up to 25 mpg combined in EPA-estimated fuel economy
Introduced for the 2022 model year and having received a mild face-lift for 2025, Hyundai’s compact crew-cab pickup truck enters 2026 with no major changes. The turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the XRT and Limited trim levels is now paired with a traditional torque-converter automatic transmission instead of the dual-clutch unit it was mated to before, but the transmission gearing remains an eight-speed. Additionally, the adventure-oriented XRT trim now features a standard Terrain Mode that optimizes various vehicle settings for driving in mud, snow and sand.
Related: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT Quick Spin: A Touch (More) Truckish
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is on sale now. Full line pricing is as follows:
- SE: $31,100
- SEL: $32,750
- SEL Activity: $35,800
- XRT: $42,700
- Limited: $45,050
Trim Levels
The entry-level SE has keyless entry and start, 18-inch wheels and LED exterior lighting. Inside are manually adjustable cloth seats, six speakers, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety tech on the Santa Cruz includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver attention monitor and automatic high beams.
One step up, the SEL gains heated side mirrors, synthetic-leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. The SEL Activity builds on that with a moonroof, integrated tonneau cover, LED bed lighting, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless phone charger.
In addition to its more powerful engine and standard all-wheel drive, the XRT gets all-terrain tires, unique bumpers and front tow hooks. It also adds navigation, voice recognition and Hyundai’s Digital Key 2, which allows owners to use their phone or smartwatch as a key and to remotely monitor the vehicle.
At the top of the Santa Cruz lineup sits the Limited. It rides on 20-inch wheels and features rain-sensing windshield wipers, genuine leather seating, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, a heated steering wheel and ambient lighting. The XRT and Limited add adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, front cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, blind spot cameras and road-sign recognition.
Read More About the Hyundai Santa Cruz:
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- 2025 Cars.com Affordability Report: Best Value New Cars
- Research the Hyundai Santa Cruz
Powertrain Specs and MPG
The 2026 Santa Cruz SE, SEL and SEL Activity are powered by a 191-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 pounds-feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and AWD is available on all three trim levels for $1,500. The naturally aspirated Santa Cruz is EPA-rated at 22/30/25 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 21/29/24 mpg with AWD.
In the XRT and Limited, the 2.5-liter gains a turbocharger, which boosts output to 281 hp and 311 pounds-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic remains, but AWD is standard with the turbocharged engine. It is rated at 18/25/20 mpg.
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