Hyundai Santa Cruz 2026 Review, Specs, Price and Mileage (Brochure)
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a unique compact pickup that combines SUV comfort with pickup utility. This review covers its key specs, mileage, features, and price. Perfect for daily commuting or weekend adventures, this guide provides all the essential details to help you understand what makes the new Santa Cruz a versatile choice.
Pricing
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| SE | $31,100 |
| SEL | $32,750 |
| SEL Activity | $35,800 |
| XRT | $42,700 |
| Limited | $45,050 |
Previous 4 Years Sales Chart of Hyundai Santa Cruz
What’s New for the Hyundai Santa Cruz 2026
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz carries over its recent styling refresh with no major changes. The compact pickup remains largely the same as last year, offering the same features and design. The only update is the removal of the dark green interior color, narrowing the available interior options for buyers.
Colour Availability of Hyundai Santa Cruz 2026
- Sage Gray
- Phantom Black
- Blue Stone
- Canyon Red
- Rockwood Green
- Atlas White
- Hampton Gray
Specifications
Dimensions
| Measurement Category | Value |
| Wheelbase | 118.3 in |
| Overall Length (XRT) | 195.7 (195.9) in |
| Overall Width | 75.0 in |
| Overall Height (with roof side rails) | 66.7 (66.9) in |
| Minimum Ground Clearance | 8.6 in |
| Headroom – front / 2nd row with sunroof | 38.2 / 39.6 in |
| Headroom – front / 2nd row without sunroof | 40.2 / 39.6 in |
| Legroom – front / 2nd row | 41.4 / 36.5 in |
| Shoulder Room – front / 2nd row | 57.7 / 56.1 in |
| Passenger Interior Volume | 101.8 cu ft |
| Bed Length – upper / lower / tailgate open | 48.4 / 52.1 / 74.8 in |
| Bed Width – maximum / between wheelhouse | 53.9 / 42.7 in |
| Bed Depth | 19.2 in |
| Ground Clearance – Bed Gate | 50.8 in |
| Ground Clearance – Bed Floor | 31.6 in |
| Rear Bumper Step – lower / upper / side | 18.1 / 25.2 / 18.9 in |
Exterior Features
| Feature | SE | SEL | Activity | XRT | Limited |
| Automatic headlights with High Beam Assist | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| LED Daytime Running Lights and LED taillights | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Low- and high-beam projector-type LED headlights | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Dark chrome accent front grille and tailgate handle trim | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Dark chrome front and rear lower fascias | — | — | — | ● | — |
| Wider fender cladding and black lower door accents | — | — | — | ● | — |
| Side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators | — | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Bodycolor door handles | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Roof side rails and heated side mirrors | — | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Power tilt-and-slide sunroof | — | — | ● | — | ● |
| Rear sliding glass window with defroster | — | — | ● | ● | ● |
| Sheet molded composite bed | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Integrated multi-level rear bumper steps | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Heavy duty cargo D-rings | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Sidewall & underbed storage compartments and open stake pockets | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| LED bed lighting and 115V AC power inverter in bed | — | — | ● | ● | ● |
| Roof-mounted LED cargo light | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Rain-sensing windshield wipers | — | — | — | — | ● |
Interior & Convenience
| Feature | SE | SEL | Activity | XRT | Limited |
| Proximity Key w/ push-button start and remote engine start | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| 12.3˝ digital instrument cluster | — | — | ● | ● | ● |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Heated steering wheel and ambient LED interior lighting | — | — | — | — | ● |
| 8-way power driver seat with 2-way power lumbar support | — | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| 6-way power front passenger seat | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Heated front seats | — | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| H-Tex™ seating surfaces | — | ● | ● | ● | — |
| Leather-trimmed seats and ventilated front seats | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Integrated Memory System for driver seat and side mirrors | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Dual automatic temperature control and auto-defogging windshield | — | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Floor console-mounted 2nd-row air conditioning vents | — | — | ● | ● | ● |
| 2nd-row center armrest with dual cupholders | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Smart Cruise Control 2 with Stop & Go | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Front and 2nd-row LED interior lights | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® | — | — | — | — | ● |
| 60/40 split tip-up 2nd-row seat cushions and under-seat storage tray | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Advanced Safety Features
| Feature | SE | SEL | Activity | XRT | Limited |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Basic) w/ Pedestrian Detection | ● | ● | ● | — | — |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (Advanced) w/ Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction-Turning Detection | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Driver Attention Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Highway Driving Assist | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Blind-Spot View Monitor and Surround View Monitor | — | — | — | ● | ● |
Audio & Connected Car Technology
| Feature | SE | SEL | Activity | XRT | Limited |
| 12.3˝ color touchscreen display w/ AM/FM/HD Radio™ | ● | ● | ● | — | — |
| 12.3˝ navigation system | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| SiriusXM® Satellite Radio | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Bose® premium audio | — | — | — | — | ● |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Wireless phone charger | — | — | ● | ● | ● |
| Digital Key 2 Touch | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Bluelink+ Connected Car System | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| USB-C ports (Front: 1 data/charge + 1 charge; 2nd row: 2 charge) | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Power & Handling
| Feature | SE | SEL | Activity | XRT | Limited |
| Base Engine: 191 hp/181 lb-ft, Smartstream 2.5L GDI/MPI 4-cylinder | ● | ● | ● | — | — |
| Upgrade Engine: 281 hp/311 lb-ft, Smartstream 2.5L Turbo GDI/MPI 4-cylinder | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Transmission: 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Drive Mode Select | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Terrain Mode Select (Snow, Mud, Sand) | — | — | — | ● | ● |
| Self-leveling multi-link rear suspension | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Hillstart Assist Control and Downhill Brake Control | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| HTRAC All Wheel Drive | ○ | ○ | ○ | ● | ● |
| Electronic Parking Brake with Automatic Vehicle Hold | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Towing Capacity (with trailer brakes): 3,500-lb | 5,000-lb | ●|— | ●|— | ●|— | —|● | —|● |
Tires & Wheels
| Wheel Size (Front) | 18 X 7.5 (inches) |
| Wheel Material (Front) | Aluminum |
| Tire Size (Front) | P245/60HR18 |
| Wheel Size (Rear) | 18 X 7.5 (inches) |
| Wheel Material (Rear) | Aluminum |
| Tire Size (Rear) | P245/60HR18 |
| Spare Wheel Size | Compact (inches) |
| Spare Wheel Material | Steel |
| Spare Tire Size | Compact |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $31,100 for the SE trim, with the top-tier Limited trim priced at $45,050.
What are the new features in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 model carries over the styling refresh from previous years with no major changes. The only update is the removal of the dark green interior color, narrowing interior color options for buyers.
What engine options are available in the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
It comes with a base 191 hp / 181 lb-ft 2.5L GDI/MPI 4-cylinder engine and an upgraded 281 hp / 311 lb-ft 2.5L Turbo GDI/MPI 4-cylinder engine in higher trims.
What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Santa Cruz delivers an estimated 21–22 MPG in the city and 25–27 MPG on the highway, depending on the trim and drivetrain. The turbocharged engine offers more power but slightly lower fuel efficiency.
