2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Is Truckier On The Outside, Classier On The Inside

Hyundai may have only introduced the compact Santa Cruz pickup truck three years ago as a 2022 model, but it’s already being refreshed. It isn’t a major overhaul that makes the truck completely unrecognizable, but it still comes with several updates that make the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz more desirable and enjoyable to live with.

Starting with the styling, if you look closely, you can tell the new Santa Cruz isn’t quite the same as the previous version. The front end that it shares with the refreshed Tucson is boxier and slightly more truck-like but we doubt most people on the street will notice. You can, however, get the Santa Cruz in two new colors — Rockwood Green and Canyon Red — which is always nice. The last thing the automotive industry needs right now is more grayscale paint options.

Hyundai would probably claim the biggest news regarding the 2025 Santa Cruz is probably the updated off-road-focused XRT version. It now has its own more distinctive grille and front bumper design, front tow hooks, new 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, a better approach angle and a couple more features that previously weren’t standard. We’re sure the improved approach angle and new tires will help in some light off-roading situations, but you still won’t be chasing down Subaru Foresters, much less Jeep Wranglers in your Santa Cruz XRT.

Inside, the driver display and infotainment screen are both 2.0 inches wider, bringing each to 12.3 inches. There are also updated controls, air conditioning vents and storage options. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and you now get a new driver monitoring system to ensure you’re paying attention from behind the wheel. The rest, though, including the powertrain options, appear to all be the same as they were before.