2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT AWD test drive review

Though it be but little, it is fierce. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of those compact pickup trucks that straddles the line between a midsize SUV and an actual truck. No one buys it for heavy-duty hauling or towing needs, and it’s not the brawniest thing to drive. But, boy does this small pickup have a cult following. And for good reason, too. Apart from its impressive fuel economy, nice interior features and smooth ride quality, it’s pretty fun to drive — and it can haul a few things that might be too big to cram into the back of an SUV. 

It’s a compact pickup you can’t help but love, quirks and all. KSL Cars spent a week driving the new, more rugged XRT trim, and we wouldn’t mind doing it all over again. Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models 

Price and Value 

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in five different trims with an MSRP ranging from $26,650 for the base SE to $41,070 for the top-level Limited. The SE and SEL trims come standard with an inline 4-cylinder engine that makes 191 horsepower; the Night, XRT and Limited trims have an inline 4-cylinder turbo that bumps horsepower to 281. Front-wheel drive is also standard on the bottom two trims, while all-wheel drive is an option for $1,500. All-wheel drive is standard on the top three trims. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below. 

• SE: $26,650 See listings

18-inch wheels

8-inch color touch screen

Six-speaker audio system

• SEL: $29,400 See listings

Heated front seats

Remote start

Proximity key with push button start

• Night: $38,210 See listings

20-inch wheels

Premium LED lights

Black H-Tex seating surfaces

• XRT: $39,850 See listings

Leather steering wheel and shift knob

Adaptive cruise control

Fender flares

• Limited: $41,070 See listings

Surround-view camera system

Rain-sensing wipers

Bose premium audio system

Our XRT tester came in the premium Sage Gray color, which brought the total price to $41,635, including freight fees. That may feel like a big jump from the $26,650 cost for the base SE, but multiple reviewers agree — the turbocharged engine is worth it. Plus, it increases the towing capacity to 5,000 pounds and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The XRT replaces the SEL Premium trim, which includes a host of tech and style upgrades. And if you’re a fan of rugged design elements, that’s a bonus. Definitely worth the investment! Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models 

Performance 

One of the few complaints leveled against the Santa Cruz is its underpowered base engine — which, again, is why it makes sense to spring for the turbocharged version found on the three highest trims. The Santa Cruz’s car-like driving makes it easier to maneuver and handle.

Engine and drivetrain

You have two engine options for the Santa Cruz: a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder. The former puts out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque while the latter bumps up to 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard on the SE and SEL trims, though all-wheel drive is an option for $1,500. All-wheel drive is standard on the Night, XRT and Limited trims. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard; an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic is available. 

Driving the turbocharged Santa Cruz XRT was surprisingly fun. It’s not exactly a high-performance vehicle, but it’s got a lot of pep for a little pickup. 

Fuel economy 

Fuel economy is pretty good on the Santa Cruz. The front-wheel drive models get an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the 4-cylinder engines get 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. For the higher trims with the turbocharged engine and standard all-wheel drive, the numbers change to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Our real-world testing was pretty consistent with these estimates.

Acceleration and handling 

In Car and Driver’s testing, it found that the Santa Cruz Limited trim went from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds. Since it drives more like a car than a truck, handling is nice and light. It’s easy to drive.

Braking

The brakes on our XRT tester worked great in both wet and dry conditions. One thing we noticed was that it seemed eager to lurch forward when we were in stop and go traffic — almost like a dog pulling on a leash. But it wasn’t bothersome. 

Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models 

Interior comfort and convenience 

Another benefit to this car/truck crossover is a cozy cabin. Hyundai has done a good job of setting itself apart by making affordable, upscale interiors that nearly rival higher end cars. The higher trims on the Santa Cruz certainly have a lot to brag about on the inside.

Seats 

The heated leatherette front seats were comfortable and roomy, but the second row was on the tighter side; our kids’ feet touched the back of the front seats while sitting in their boosters. This may be the one and only complaint we have about an otherwise family friendly compact pickup.

Climate control 

Dual automatic climate control was nice to have, though we did miss having a heated steering wheel in the colder weather. For that, you have to get the Limited trim.

Cabin storage

There were plenty of side pockets and storage compartments to house all of our knick-knacks and devices inside our XRT. That’s another feature that felt more car-like than truck-like, and we weren’t complaining.

Infotainment system 

Our XRT tester came with the larger 10.25-inch center touchscreen, as well as a 10.25-inch digital gauge display. The graphics were crisp and the screen was responsive and easy to navigate. Our biggest complaint was that the bigger screen also requires a USB connection to use Apple CarPlay. Once Hyundai makes the connection wireless on higher trims, we’ll give it a 10 out of 10. Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models 

Exterior appearance and functionality 

In case you haven’t caught on to the theme, the Santa Cruz definitely does not look like a traditional pickup truck. However, Hyundai’s inclusion of a more rugged looking trim with darker styling elements gives it an aesthetic boost.

Bed

One of the highlights of our experience with the Santa Cruz XRT was using it to transport a big, cushiony reclining chair that seemed tailor-made for just such an occasion. The chair fit perfectly and snugly in the 4-foot-3-inch bed, which we secured with the included tether. And just in case you have a little extra toting to do, you can take advantage of the under bed compartment for smaller items.

Towing capacity and payload

The Santa Cruz is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds in the Night, XRT and Limited trims, with a 1,568 to 1,749-pound payload capacity, depending on the trim. That’s respectable for a compact pickup truck.

Wheels 

The 18-inch alloy wheels on the XRT trim look delightfully funky and complement the Santa Cruz’s unique exterior styling nicely.

Lights and turn signals 

Night driving was no problem in the Santa Cruz with the automatic LED headlights and taillights. And just in case you’re hauling something around in the back, there’s also an LED bed light.

Front and rear windshield 

It’s the same story as most newer vehicles these days — visibility out the front is good, but rear visibility is lacking. But that’s where the camera system comes into play.

Cameras and side mirrors 

There was no surround-view camera system on our XRT trim (that’s another Limited trim exclusive), but the backup camera was sufficient. Since it’s not a very large pickup, we were less concerned about a 360-degree view. Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models 

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with several standard safety features. These include:

• Forward collision warning

• Forward automatic emergency braking

• Rear cross-traffic alert

• Lane departure warning

• Lane keep assist

• Lane centering assist

• Blind spot monitoring

• Rearview camera

• Pedestrian detection

Our XRT tester was also equipped with adaptive cruise control and rain sensing windshield wipers. For a full list of safety features, click here.

Awards and ratings 

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not reviewed the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz as of this writing.

Final impression 

Overall, the Hyundai Santa Cruz was a pleasure to drive. No, it doesn’t really feel like a truck — but that’s part of the appeal. If you have light-duty hauling needs and want an almost truck that gets pretty decent gas mileage, you’ll likely love this unique compact pickup. 

Shop 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz models on KSL Cars 

FAQs 

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a reliable compact pickup truck? 

J.D. Power gave the Santa Cruz a quality and reliability score of 84 out of 100. A score of 91-100 is Best, 81-90 is Great.

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz worth the price?

With a $26,650 starting price, the Santa Cruz is definitely on the lower end of the cost spectrum for a compact pickup. Bumping up to the turbocharged engine trims does raise the price to nearly $40K — but most reviewers agree that it’s worth it. You get a comfortable ride that’s loaded with interior luxuries and driver assistance features, and it’s great for hauling things around that might not fit inside a regular SUV.

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.