2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance

Hyundai strikes gold with the 2025 Santa Cruz, a cutting-edge pickup that fuses truck-worthy capability with SUV-inspired comforts. If you want a city-friendly, five-passenger, four-door pickup, this is the ride for you. It successfully combines ruggedness with refinement for a well-rounded driving experience.  Our team at Hanford Hyundai created this comprehensive guide to give you an in-depth look at the highly-anticipated 2025 Santa Cruz and what makes this versatile compact pickup a great choice. 

Overview of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Hyundai’s reimagined 2025 Santa Cruz brings a fresh spin to the compact pickup segment. This compelling package is the perfect urban warrior and weekend adventurer in one capable package. With its enhanced performance and exceptional features, this vehicle is ready for anything. 

Performance

The 2025 Santa Cruz is known for its dynamic handling, robust engine options, and a suite of modern features that ensure a smooth driving experience across various terrains.

Engine Options and Powertrain Specifications  

Hyundai equips the 2025 Santa Cruz with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder packing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. You have the option to upgrade to a gutsy 2.5-liter turbo variant with 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both pair with a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite being compact, this pickup can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped, and you can expect a respectable 25 mpg on the highway.

Acceleration, Handling, and Driving Modes  

The 2025 Santa Cruz is available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (AWD). Hyundai TRACtion, or HTRAC AWD, is an intelligent multimode system that delivers outstanding traction on slippery roads and enhances grip on diverse terrain. The Sport setting sends additional torque to the rear wheels for a responsive, dynamic driving experience. 

The 2025 Santa Cruz features a unibody construction, similar to the Ford Maverick. This makes the pickup lighter and improves agility. A finely tuned suspension balances comfort and control and its precise steering makes navigating tight spaces and narrow city streets easier. The latest Santa Cruz offers various driving modes, including off-road and towing, for optimum handling.

Towing Capacity and Payload Capabilities  

The Santa Cruz is a capable vehicle. Standard models with the 2.5-liter direct-injection engine can tow a hefty 3,500 pounds. If you opt for the turbocharged setup, that figure soars to 5,000 pounds, enabling you to pull a travel trailer or boat with ease. The pickup bed can handle between 1,753 and 1,905 pounds of cargo. This means you can bring your tools, materials, and toys along for the ride, whether traveling to a worksite or embarking on a weekend adventure.

Off-Road Features and Terrain Management  

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz boasts several off-road features designed to enhance its capability on rugged terrain. It includes an improved approach angle for navigating steep inclines and rough landscapes. Equipped with all-terrain tires, the XRT model offers superior grip and stability across various off-road surfaces. Its front-end treatment features tow hooks and exclusive 18-inch wheels with robust tires, enhancing its rugged appeal. The vehicle’s off-road performance is further supported by a strut/multilink suspension system and vented disc brakes. Standard all-wheel drive ensures traction on uneven and slippery terrain, complemented by a powerful turbocharged engine that not only enhances acceleration but also increases the tow rating  

Safety and Driver Assistance Technologies  

The 2025 Santa Cruz stands apart with cutting-edge safety and driver-assistance tech that provides confidence and peace of mind. Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control reduces stress on long trips. The system uses radar and cameras to monitor traffic flow and make automatic speed adjustments. Lane monitoring, collision avoidance, and driver attention warnings keep you focused on the road ahead.

Enhancing Performance Comparison: 2025 Santa Cruz vs. Other Compact Pickups

 The Santa Cruz has received several updates to enhance its appeal in the competitive small truck segment. Here’s how it compares to other compact pickups, particularly its main rival, the Ford Maverick.

• Ford Maverick: The Maverick is praised for its affordability and fuel efficiency, especially with its hybrid option. However, it lacks the towing capacity and some of the rugged features of the Santa Cruz.
• Honda Ridgeline: Although not a direct competitor, the Ridgeline offers a more traditional truck feel with greater towing and off-road capabilities but at a higher price point.
• Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger: These midsize trucks offer more traditional truck capabilities and off-road prowess but are larger and more expensive than the Santa Cruz.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz stands out in the compact pickup segment with its blend of car-like handling, practical features, and enhanced rugged styling. While it is more expensive than the Ford Maverick, it offers superior towing capacity, a more refined interior, and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for those looking for a versatile and stylish compact truck.

Test-Drive the 2025 Santa Cruz at Hanford Hyundai Today

Words fall short of capturing the all-new Santa Cruz’s remarkable capabilities. The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz redefines expectations and sets new standards in its segment. We invite you to explore this exceptional pickup at our Hanford Hyundai dealership. We will guide you through every innovative feature so you can discover what makes the Santa Cruz one of this year’s most hotly anticipated vehicles. Our finance team is also here to help you get the best monthly payment possible. You can even fill out a finance application easily from the comfort of your home. The 2025 Santa Cruz has arrived at our Hanford Hyundai dealership. Schedule your test drive today.

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