The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz continues to carve out its personal area of interest within the compact truck section, providing a compelling different to conventional pickups and SUVs. Constructed on a unibody platform relatively than the body-on-frame building typical of most vans, the Santa Cruz delivers a driving expertise that feels extra like a crossover SUV than a standard pickup, which can be precisely what many patrons are looking for.
Behind the wheel, the Santa Cruz instantly impresses with its refined journey high quality. The unbiased rear suspension setup, unusual within the truck world, interprets to a clean and composed journey that absorbs highway imperfections with ease. Freeway cruising is sort of fulfilling, with minimal highway noise and a secure, planted really feel that instills confidence at velocity. The steering is well-weighted and responsive, making the Santa Cruz really feel surprisingly nimble for a truck, particularly when navigating tight parking tons or city environments.
The powertrain choices for 2025 proceed to focus on two turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The bottom 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder produces enough energy for every day driving, however the optionally available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is the place the Santa Cruz actually shines. With 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, this engine gives spirited acceleration and assured passing energy. The eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is usually clean and responsive, although it will possibly often hunt for gears in stop-and-go site visitors.
Inside area is without doubt one of the Santa Cruz’s strongest fits. The cabin feels genuinely spacious, with comfy seating for 4 adults and enough room for a fifth passenger within the rear heart place for shorter journeys. The supplies high quality has improved for 2025, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas and an total design that feels fashionable and well-executed. The infotainment system is intuitive and responsive, that includes wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
The 4.3-foot mattress, whereas compact by conventional truck requirements, proves surprisingly helpful for every day duties. The progressive tonneau cowl system and adjustable tie-down factors make securing cargo simple, and the mattress’s composite building resists dents and scratches higher than conventional metal beds. Nevertheless, these needing critical hauling functionality will discover the 5,000-pound towing capability and modest payload ranking limiting in comparison with bigger vans.
All-wheel drive is offered and performs admirably in numerous situations. The system routinely sends energy to all 4 wheels when wanted, offering confidence on moist roads and light-weight off-road conditions. Whereas the Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t designed for critical off-roading, it handles hearth roads, tenting journeys, and average path driving with competence.
Gasoline financial system stays a spotlight, with the turbocharged all-wheel-drive mannequin attaining round 21 mpg in mixed driving. This effectivity benefit over bigger vans is critical and can attraction to patrons acutely aware of gas prices and environmental impression.
Security know-how is complete, with commonplace options together with automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise management. The programs work unobtrusively and successfully, contributing to the Santa Cruz’s total attraction as a sensible every day driver.
The outside styling continues to polarize opinions. Some admire its daring, angular design that clearly differentiates it from conventional vans, whereas others discover it too unconventional. The entrance finish is especially distinctive, with sharp LED lighting components and an aggressive grille design that instructions consideration.
Professionals:
- Glorious journey high quality and dealing with for a truck
- Spacious, well-appointed inside with fashionable know-how
- Sturdy gas financial system in comparison with conventional pickups
- Revolutionary mattress options and sensible design components
- Complete security know-how suite
- Aggressive pricing throughout the compact truck section
- All-wheel drive system performs effectively in numerous situations
Cons:
- Restricted towing and payload capability in comparison with bigger vans
- Twin-clutch transmission may be jerky in site visitors
- Polarizing exterior styling received’t attraction to all patrons
- Rear seat entry requires folding entrance seats ahead
- Street noise can intrude at freeway speeds regardless of total refinement
- Restricted off-road functionality in comparison with extra rugged opponents
- Mattress dimension could also be too small for some truck patrons’ wants
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz succeeds in its mission to offer truck-like utility with car-like refinement. It’s a really perfect alternative for patrons who need the flexibility of a pickup mattress with out sacrificing every day driving consolation or gas effectivity. Whereas it received’t fulfill these needing most towing capability or critical off-road functionality, it gives a compelling bundle for city and suburban drivers who often must haul greater than an SUV can accommodate. The Santa Cruz represents Hyundai’s considerate strategy to creating one thing genuinely totally different within the automotive panorama, and it largely succeeds in that formidable purpose.