I wonder if Hyundai would ever consider offering a hybrid version of the Santa Cruz?
I'd like to think that would catch the attention of some cross-shoppers–especially if they make the plug-in hybrid powertrain available in the Santa Cruz as well.
We’re experiencing a resurgence of smaller, car-based pickups–ones that follow the path blazed back in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s by pioneers like the Ford Ranchero, the Chevy El Camino and even the Subaru Brat.
Honda reinvented the segment in 2005 with the introduction of the 2006 Ridgeline. Ford and Hyundai followed suit with 2022 models of the Maverick and Santa Cruz.
We recently spent a week with the newly updated 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD. Since we’ve lived with many of its predecessors and contemporaries, we had one big question: How does the Santa Cruz stack up?
First impressions: We like the styling. It’s unique and distinctive while not being weird.
And behind the wheel? We were shocked at what a great chassis the Santa Cruz has and how fun it is to drive. After spending a week on twisty Colorado mountain roads, we were blown away with how nimble and agile this truck is.
Something we couldn’t ignore: The Santa Cruz is much smaller than our beloved Ridgeline. Its smaller size and light weight (around 200 pounds less than a similarly equipped Ridgeline) might account for some of the Santa Cruz’s nimbleness advantage.
While many (including us) might cross-shop the Santa Cruz against a Ridgeline, there’s a big difference: The Ridgeline is built on the larger Pilot SUV chassis, while the Santa Cruz is based on the smaller Tucson, which is a Honda CR-V competitor.
This accounts for the overall smaller size (especially in the back seat and bed areas) of the Santa Cruz. This smaller size also helps account for the lively driving characteristics of the Santa Cruz.
What about the Ford Maverick? When the Maverick was first introduced, the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder model carried an MSRP close to $20,000. Today, most Maverick trims still cost less than the Hyundai, but the gap is now closer to a few thousand dollars than $20,000.
The Santa Cruz, though, definitely feels a bit plusher. The Santa Cruz’s bed might be smaller, but this truck can be had with more power: 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque versus 250 horsepower and 280 lb.-ft. of torque. The Santa Cruz and the Ridgeline can also tow more than the Maverick: 5000 pounds compared to only 4000.
Side note that we have easily and often towed an open trailer with a 2000-3000-pound race car with a Ridgeline; it’ll tow a small, enclosed trailer with some difficulty. The transmission overheats when in overdrive, especially in warm weather, when pushing the Ridgeline too far or fast.
The Maverick and Ridgeline have payload capacities of about 1500 pounds. The Santa Cruz is rated slightly less at just over 1400 pounds.
The winner in today’s car-based truck wars? What do you want?
The Santa Cruz is a lovely, fun, small truck that has a small but usable back seat and under-bed storage compartments. It's easy to park and to get in and out of. Plus, it offers decent towing capacity and a covered bed to keep cargo relatively safe. It also has features that the others don’t have, like air-conditioned seats.
In a world with no competitors, we would buy one instantly and love it unconditionally. In the real world, the Maverick offers most of the practicality for less money. While we still would favor the more comfortable, better-driving Santa Cruz, the Maverick is an excellent option for those on a budget or looking for more of a work truck.
The Ridgeline offers a larger vehicle, a real back seat, a bigger bed, a trunk that can accept suitcases and not just a few tools, legendary Honda V6 smoothness, and only a slight penalty in fuel mileage.
While we loved the Santa Cruz and went in wondering if this could replace our aging Ridgeline, we might just wait another year to see what Honda has in store with the upcoming refresh before we make a move.
I wonder if Hyundai would ever consider offering a hybrid version of the Santa Cruz?
I'd like to think that would catch the attention of some cross-shoppers–especially if they make the plug-in hybrid powertrain available in the Santa Cruz as well.
We have followed the Maverick since introduction.
Looked at an AWD with towing package.
$38K plus fees, taxes and registration
NOPE
So the AWD Turbo will allegedly tow 5000lbs.
Anyone ever try that?
In reply to RacingComputers :
For 38k there are way better options. Good grief.
As a fan of the small, practical and functional trucks of yesteryear, I like the offerings from Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. The Santa Cruz, Maverick, and Ridgeline are about as close as we'll likely get to the return of the truly small truck in North America. (Meaning: these are about as small as the segment and modern consumer desires will allow.)
For my wants and needs, I lean towards the Hyundai, but any of the three would work just fine.
Thanks for the write-up.
In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
With rumours that Toyota is working on a small truck for North America, I can only hope more car makers follow suit.
Colin Wood said:In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
With rumours that Toyota is working on a small truck for North America, I can only hope more car makers follow suit.
I think with rising costs and tightening of the belts, maybe people will finally shift away from "needing" gigantic vehicles.
I've owned a home for 8 years, we've needed a truck one time. We just paid Home Depot to deliver it instead. $50 AND I don't have to load and unload it? That sounds like an all around win to me.
In reply to z31maniac :
I went the utility trailer & hitch for my existing car for a solution to this. I've just used it around town, though there's no reason I couldn't take it on the highway like state roads and other 55mph routes if there was a need. I wouldn't mind something like the Santa Cruz but if it's not either a hybrid or come with a manual trans I don't know how interested I am.
In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
The Hyundai has a less serious truck vibe than the Maverick, which hurts it in the sales department even though their capabilities are very comparable. Aren't we supposed to get a couple of proper single-cab pickups in the form of EVs shortly?
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
Aren't we supposed to get a couple of proper single-cab pickups in the form of EVs shortly?
I'm eager to see what kind of MSRP they arrive on the market with.
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