Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT

Hyundai introduced the Santa Cruz at the right time. With another small SUV-based, unibody constructed pickup truck hitting the showroom about the same time, the opportunity was to show that the automaker from the Republic of Korea can make a similar vehicle. 

They needed a pickup truck. Instead, they added the capability of one onto the Tucson platform and call it a CUV+. However, there are those who call it a pickup truck. Some categorize it as an SUV. The shoulders shrugged multiple times.

To make matters more interesting, Hyundai added their ruggedized XRT trim to the mid-cycle refresh of the 2025 Santa Cruz. It was needed to help boost the vehicle’s profile by giving consumers what they desire – an off-roady-like model to induce fun and frolic for them.

A 2025 Santa Cruz XRT was delivered to us so we could see if it fulfills a niche. After all, it’s a trend among automakers to create a vehicle that looks like it can go way off the highway. 

Hmmm…isn’t XRT a Chicago radio station? Nevermind…

Based on the last Santa Cruz we reviewed; the 2025 mid-cycle refresh reshapes the front end with a new grille texture and revised driving lights/turn signals. The rest is as familiar as we remember – a truck-like profile that is sportier, along with distinctive elements. One such is the sledgehammer-looking taillamps that go almost across the tailgate. 

The bed is only 52.1 inches deep. The lockable tonneau cover rides on rails, which protrude into the bed itself. Usability could be maximized if the cover and rails can be removed. For extra practicality, there is an in-bed truck that offers more hidden storage. By the way, the in-bed trunk has a drain plug, so you use it for tailgates to throw some ice in and your favorite beverages.

The XRT trim adds a blacked-out grille, a lower front fascia that increases the approach angle, extended wheel arches, red tow hooks up front, cladding along the side and and a more aggressive rear bumper. The finishing touch is a set of specific 18-inch wheels and a set of Continental TerrainContact tires for the XRT trim. 

It is where you step inside where you find the biggest change – the new dashboard. Actually, it is a conversion to Hyundai’s new cockpit design. The centerpiece is a flat panel across two-thirds of the dashboard housing two 12.3-inch screens. The left one is a customizable instrument cluster with a black background. Would be nice if the brightest setting was much brighter, but that’s the only complaint about this instrument panel. 

The other screen is the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system is also upgraded for wireless smartphone mirroring. In all, it works quickly. Yet, finding the radio seems to be a chore. There is not a button or a screen prompt for the radio, unless you hit the Mode button on the steering wheel. Six standard speakers emit sound throughout the cabin. 

In the cab itself, you have space for five, but four is more realistic. The seats are comfortable both front and back, offering some support up front. There’s plenty of stowage front and back, including underneath the rear seat cushion. It worked well for the rollator being upright behind the passenger front seat. 

Our XRT tester is powered by a 281 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 311 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive finishes out the driveline.

It had plenty of power to handle the Santa Cruz’s 1,411-pound maximum load limit and vehicle capacity weight. Power comes on smooth with good highway cruising is good and solid acceleration for passing. The transmission sometimes delivers some rough shifts. Once it is motivated at higher speeds, it will smooth itself out. In terms of fuel economy, we averaged 25.1 MPG. 

The ride quality was solid with no pitching or feedback from rougher road surfaces. Once on smooth highway and street surfaces, it just feels nice. It also handles quite well, even with a raised ride height – at 8.6 inches of ground clearance. 

The steering system was fine with good on-center feel overall. We really wished it had a tighter turning radius for its relative size. You can tighten up the steering feel by putting the Drive Mode toggle to either Sport or Smart. Brake pedal feel was solid, sending a quick response down the wheels. We experienced decent stops in normal and panic situations. 

There are five different trim levels available on the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Pricing starts at $28,750. Our XRT tester had a sticker price of $42,075.

In the past, I felt that the Hyundai Santa Cruz was different enough for consumers to consider what they want out of it. Can they use it as a pickup truck? Of course! How about just an adventure-based vehicle that you can take on a camping trip or a hike? You can do that, too!

Between this and a certain recent #VOTY winner, the 2025 Santa Cruz is made for active lifestyle folks who may not remember that Subaru twice (or more) had such a vehicle that was practically fun to run. Then again, the Santa Cruz is aimed you’re the younger crowd who never seen such a Subaru – let alone care about that other competitor in its size class.

About the XRT trim itself, it certainly would inspire some to take it far from a highway. It looks the part, but you might not go far on a gravel or dirt road. You could. There are ways to modify it further towards specifying one to go further afield. 

On a personal note, after weeks in the hospital and rehabilitation, that 2025 Santa Cruz XRT was the first vehicle I drove for work. It felt so good to get behind the wheel again!

Still, the Santa Cruz is fun-loving CUV+ that offers the capability of a small pickup truck and the traction of a modern SUV. Th looks alone is an invitation to have some fun somewhere out there. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America – Our opinions are of our own.

Al photos by Randy Stern