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It is always great to get some quality time in a newly updated vehicle of any type; however getting into the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, a compact pickup that blurs the lines between SUV comfort and truck utility, is a unique experience indeed.

From running daily errands around Utah Valley to a couple of road trips up north, this stylish utility vehicle proved itself to be more than just a pretty face. With a number of updates for the 2025 model year, the Santa Cruz has become even more refined, capable and fun to drive.

Fresh for 2025: New looks, tech and comfort

Hyundai has given the Santa Cruz a refresh for 2025 that has brought it in line with the brand’s latest design language. The front fascia now features a more aggressive grille flanked by updated LED headlights that seamlessly integrated into the bodywork.

Additions of new wheel designs, bolder color options and a tweaked tailgate completed the exterior makeover. Our Limited trim tester came finished in a nice Rockwood Green with black accents.

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Inside, the biggest upgrade came in the form of the dual 12.3-inch panoramic digital displays that stretched across the dashboard — a setup lifted directly from Hyundai’s upscale IONIQ models.

These high-resolution screens handled everything from gauges to infotainment, and the new touchscreen interface was sleek, fast and intuitive. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard across all trims for 2025, a very welcome addition for those like us who live by our smartphones.

Other new features included improved seat materials, more sound insulation for a quieter ride and a new gear selector that freed up space in the center console. The cabin felt more luxurious than our last encounter with the Santa Cruz.

Around town

Our week started off with regular daily driving to and from our work places, and the Santa Cruz proved to be very adept in the city. Its compact size (compared to traditional pickups) made it easy to maneuver through traffic and parking lots, yet it still offered an elevated driving position and the cargo flexibility of a small truck.

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Our Limited trim test ride came with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. With 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, it had no problem getting up to speed on the freeway or merging with confidence.

The turbo engine’s power delivery was very smooth and quite strong, and the transmission shifted quickly and cleanly. Whether we were running errands in Provo or heading out to Spanish Fork for lunch, the Santa Cruz felt peppy and sure-footed.

Ride comfort proved to be another highlight. Hyundai’s engineers had done a fantastic job tuning the suspension to soak up bumps without feeling floaty. The Santa Cruz rode like an SUV but offered the practical benefits of a 4-foot open truck bed, complete with a lockable tonneau cover and an in-bed trunk with drain plug — perfect for hauling gear or even for use as an ice box for tailgating.

Road trip to Ogden with the Standard-Examiner

On Monday, Craig headed north to the Ogden Standard-Examiner office, this time to take new managing editor Jared Lloyd up for his first day in his new role. With Jared riding shotgun, he was able to show off the Santa Cruz’s tech and comfort features.

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The ventilated front seats were a hit, especially as the sun broke through the early spring clouds on in the afternoon. They also made good use of the onboard navigation system, which now included real-time traffic data and Google POI integration for 2025.

The premium Bose sound system kept the conversation flowing with good tunes in the background, and Jared was impressed with the refined and quiet cabin.

Once in Ogden, the Santa Cruz parked easily thanks to the surround-view camera system, which gives a 360-degree top-down view of the vehicle. The Santa Cruz may be a small truck, but it’s packed with features usually found in luxury SUVs.

Safety and confidence

Hyundai continued to impress us with its suite of safety features, and the Santa Cruz Limited offered the full package. For 2025, new enhancements included Intersection Collision Assist and Driver Attention Warning 2.0. These join existing systems like forward collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and safe exit assist.

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During the week, we had several times on the road where the blind-spot view monitor (which shows a live camera feed in the digital cluster) was incredibly useful when changing lanes on the freeway. The Santa Cruz constantly felt like it was looking out for us, proving it would be a great choice for families or anyone who prioritizes peace of mind.

Fuel economy and practicality

Over the course of 500 miles of mixed driving, including two trips up north, we averaged about 25 miles per gallon — right in line with EPA estimates for the turbo AWD version. Not bad at all for a vehicle with real truck capability and sporty performance.

The Santa Cruz was built for versatility. With 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, it would be a great companion for small trailers, boats or weekend adventure gear. The backseat area is roomy enough for adult passengers and also featured under-seat storage for added utility.

At the end of the week

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After spending a week behind the wheel of the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, it became clear that Hyundai had created something truly unique. It blended the best elements of an SUV and a pickup, added a generous helping of modern technology and comfort and wrapped it all in a bold design that would stand out in any driveway.

If you’re looking for an SUV but are needing some versatility similar to a small pickup, the Santa Cruz may just prove to be the perfect match!

Base price: $42,800

Destination charge: $1,395

Price as driven: $44,105