- The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two engine options including a 281-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
- With fuel economy ratings up to 30 mpg highway and a starting price of around $30,000, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers exceptional value in the compact truck segment.
- Every 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, comprehensive safety features, and Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz continues to redefine what a compact pickup truck can be. This unique vehicle stands out in today’s automotive market by offering the refined driving experience of an SUV combined with the practical utility of a pickup bed. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in five distinct trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited. Each trim offers its own blend of features and capabilities, ensuring there’s a 2026 Santa Cruz configuration for every buyer’s needs and budget.
Vehicle Overview
The 2026 Santa Cruz maintains its distinctive position as a compact sport adventure vehicle built on the Tucson SUV platform. For 2026, Hyundai has made minimal changes to this already impressive truck, with the primary update being the discontinuation of the dark green interior color option that was available in 2025. The vehicle retains the bold styling refresh it received last year, featuring an aggressive front grille with intricate mesh patterns, modern LED headlights, and a confident stance. This unibody pickup truck measures just right for urban maneuverability while providing surprising capability. The bed features an integrated lockable tonneau cover that keeps cargo secure and weather-protected, plus there’s a hidden storage compartment beneath the bed floor that provides additional protected space for valuables or gear you want to keep out of sight.
Performance
Under the hood, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two engine options depending on the trim level you choose. The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity trims come equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This base engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available as an option. The base engine delivers reliable performance for daily driving and can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped. XRT and Limited trims feature a turbocharged version of the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. This boosted powerplant generates an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. For 2026, Hyundai has replaced the previous dual-clutch transmission with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission on these turbo models. The turbocharged engine comes exclusively with all-wheel drive and can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
MPG
Fuel efficiency is one area where the 2026 Santa Cruz shines in the compact pickup segment. The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at up to 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, with a combined rating of 25 mpg for models equipped with the base engine and front-wheel drive. In independent highway testing at a steady 75 mph, a turbocharged 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz achieved 30 mpg. While the turbocharged models with all-wheel drive see slightly lower fuel economy numbers, they still deliver excellent efficiency compared to traditional mid-size and full-size pickups.
Top Speeds
Acceleration testing has shown the turbocharged 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6 seconds. This provides more than enough power for highway merging and passing maneuvers. The base engine takes around 9 seconds for the same sprint. This is adequate for most driving situations though noticeably less spirited than the turbo variant.
Interior
Step inside the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and you’ll find a cabin that feels more like a well-appointed SUV than a traditional pickup truck. For 2026, buyers can choose between two interior color schemes: black or medium gray. The entry-level SE trim features stain and odor-resistant cloth upholstery that’s perfect for active lifestyles. Moving up to the SEL and SEL Activity trims, you’ll find seats upholstered in H-Tex leatherette, a synthetic material that offers the appearance and feel of leather with enhanced durability.
The top-tier Limited trim coddles occupants with genuine leather-trimmed seats that include ventilation for the front passengers, providing luxury-level comfort. Seating space is surprisingly generous for a compact truck. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz only comes with a four-door crew cab configuration, and the rear seats offer competitive legroom and headroom compared to other compact and even some mid-size trucks. The 60/40 split-folding rear bench provides flexibility when you need to carry longer items inside the cabin while still accommodating passengers.
Technology
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes loaded with technology features that keep you connected, entertained, and informed. The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen is one of the largest in the compact truck segment and serves as the hub for all infotainment functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. The base audio system features six speakers that deliver clear sound throughout the cabin. Hyundai’s Blue Link connected services integrate with the infotainment system, offering features like remote start, vehicle diagnostics, stolen vehicle tracking, and emergency assistance. You can check your vehicle’s status, lock or unlock the doors, and even set climate control schedules through the Blue Link smartphone app.
Safety
Safety is a top priority in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, and every trim level comes equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. These technologies include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Following Assist
- Surround View Monitor
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Blind Spot Collision Warning
- Smart Cruise Control
- High Beam Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
Price of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at a base MSRP of around $30,000 for the SE trim with front-wheel drive. This competitive starting price makes the Santa Cruz accessible to a wide range of buyers who want the utility of a truck without the premium pricing often associated with pickup trucks. The value proposition becomes even more attractive when you consider what’s included at that price point. You can expect the price of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz to be between $30,000-$45,000.
Price by Trim
The prices listed below are starting MSRPs. We highly recommend that you visit your local Hyundai dealer in person to ensure 100% accurate pricing for the specific 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim and package options.
SE: $29,500
SEL: $31,150
SEL Activity: $34,200
XRT: $41,100
Limited: $43,450
Hyundai Warranty
One of the most compelling reasons to choose a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the exceptional warranty coverage that comes with every new vehicle. Hyundai offers a five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship. The powertrain limited warranty extends to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, providing long-term peace of mind about the engine, transmission, and drivetrain components. It’s worth noting that for 2026 models, Hyundai has discontinued the complimentary three-year/36,000-mile maintenance program that was included with 2025 and earlier vehicles.
Test Drive a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Edmond Hyundai
Ready to experience the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz for yourself? There’s no better way to appreciate its unique blend of SUV comfort and pickup utility than getting behind the wheel. At Edmond Hyundai, we have a full selection of 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz models in stock, representing all trim levels and configurations.
Our Hyundai cars for sale include the Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai Kona, and the Hyundai Venue. We’re here to answer any questions you have about our vehicles! Visit Edmond Hyundai today and discover how the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz can transform your daily driving experience.
Contact Edmond Hyundai
Contact Edmond Hyundai today to learn more about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Phone
Address
14137 N. Broadway Ext., Oklahoma City, OK 73013
Edmond Hyundai
Address
14137 N. Broadway Ext.
Oklahoma City, OK 73013
Phone
- Sales 405-696-4932
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Disclaimer last updated: May 8, 2024
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