Are compact trucks worth it? 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz edition

This is our third time in the Hyundai Santa Cruz over the last few years, and we’ve gotten pretty well acquainted with this quirky little truck — or “ute,” as some like to call it. It’s Hyundai’s answer to the popular and growing compact truck segment.

We spent a week with the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, which came in at just over $44,000. That price honestly surprised us. We expected something closer to the mid-30s, especially considering this is supposed to be a smaller, more accessible pickup. But, with that price tag you’re getting a lot of features: heated and ventilated front seats, all-wheel drive, a powerful turbo engine, a dual-screen digital cockpit and even wireless Apple CarPlay.

So, is it worth it? Or should you just buy something full-size?

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

A tech savvy interior with smart storage solutions 

Hyundai has updated the dash layout this year, giving the Santa Cruz a much more modern and refined look. The dual-screen setup looks sharp, and we especially appreciated the dash shelf. It’s a small thing, but surprisingly handy for storing sunglasses or a phone, or even as a brace when you’re using the touchscreen. Speaking of which, the screen does feel a little far away, but the layout is generally intuitive.

One area we’d love to see improved is the HVAC controls. They’re capacitive touch buttons, which are sleek looking, but not particularly easy to use on the go. We miss good old physical buttons, and we wouldn’t be surprised if we see a return to that trend soon.

Storage in the cabin is decent, especially with the door pockets and wireless phone charging area. The center console is also roomy and, overall, the interior is well thought out.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Back seat? Meh.

The rear seats, however, are more cramped than we remembered. While there’s enough room for smaller kids, taller passengers — especially teens or adults — will likely feel cramped. An average 9 year old is just about the maximum size to ride back there comfortably.

Zippy, but it feels front-wheel drive

The Santa Cruz Limited packs a punch with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It accelerates quickly — 0 to 60 mph in just over six seconds — and feels quite sporty, thanks in part to the dual-clutch transmission. That said, the Santa Cruz still feels very much like a front-wheel-drive vehicle most of the time.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

It’s not a dealbreaker, but these driving characteristics are something to be aware of if you’re expecting it to behave like a traditional all-wheel-drive truck. On the bright side, the ride is very car-like. It handles well, parks easily and feels comfortable around town and on the highway.

Fuel economy and versatility

Over about 130 miles of mostly highway driving, we averaged 24 mpg — right in line with expectations for this turbocharged all-wheel-drive compact truck. On one particularly long commute, we even achieved 26 mpg. For something this powerful and non-hybrid, that’s a solid result.

The bed is where the Santa Cruz really shines. The standard retractable hard tonneau cover is a fantastic feature, and the underbed storage is a nice touch. It’s a perfect setup for people who want to haul bikes, camping gear or other messy items without driving a full-size truck.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Styling: Bold, or just odd?

Let’s talk styling. Hyundai took a risk with the Santa Cruz design, and we respect that. It’s distinctive and modern, but it hasn’t really caught on. In the last few years, we’ve seen maybe a handful on the road. We’re not saying it’s bad, just polarizing. It might be time for a refresh to help the design evolve a bit and attract more buyers.

Is it worth $44,000? 

While $44,000 feels a bit steep for this little truck, you are getting a fully loaded vehicle with Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty — 5 years/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain. For people who want peace of mind and aren’t looking to deal with out-of-warranty repairs, that’s a big selling point.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Still, for the same money you could buy a lightly used full-size truck such as a Ram 1500 or Ford F-150 with more space, power and traditional truck capability. But that’s not really who this is for. If you're looking for something new, well-equipped, fuel-efficient and super easy to live with, the Santa Cruz is a smart choice.

Final thoughts

We enjoyed our time in the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited. It’s fun to drive, cleverly designed and packed with useful features. It may not be the best choice for families with older children, but for singles, couples or empty nesters who want some utility without sacrificing car-like comfort, it’s a great option. 

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*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.