The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT is a bold evolution of Hyundai’s compact pickup, blending the practicality of a truck with the refined manners of a crossover SUV. Positioned as a “Sport Adventure Vehicle,” the Santa Cruz has carved out a unique niche in the automotive market since its debut in 2022. For 2025, Hyundai has given the Santa Cruz a mid-cycle refresh, with the XRT trim leaning further into rugged aesthetics and off-road capability while retaining the urban-friendly dynamics that make it a standout. In this first test, we explore what makes the 2025 Santa Cruz XRT a compelling choice for buyers seeking a versatile, stylish, and capable compact truck.
A Refreshed Design with Rugged Appeal
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT sports a bolder, more assertive look compared to its predecessors. Hyundai has revamped the front fascia with a blockier grille featuring larger LED rectangles, giving it a tougher, truck-like presence. The XRT trim takes this rugged aesthetic further with exclusive features like red tow hooks, matte black lower body trim, and 18-inch wrench-inspired wheels wrapped in 245/60R18 all-terrain tires. These tires address a key criticism of earlier models, which were hindered off-road by street-biased tires. The redesigned front and rear bumpers improve approach angles, enhancing the XRT’s ability to tackle light off-road challenges.
The Santa Cruz’s exterior updates are subtle but effective. The grille’s chrome accents (or blacked-out finish on the XRT) add a touch of sophistication, while new daytime running lights and wheel designs modernize the look. The truck’s compact dimensions—shorter and lower than midsize rivals like the Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado—make it ideal for urban environments, fitting easily into tight parking spaces or garages. Yet, the four-foot bed, complete with a lockable tonneau cover and underfloor storage, provides enough utility for weekend adventures, from hauling mountain bikes to carrying camping gear.
Inside, the Santa Cruz XRT feels like a premium crossover. The cabin features a panoramic curved display housing dual 12.3-inch screens—one for the digital instrument cluster and another for the infotainment system. The interface is intuitive, with crisp graphics and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Hyundai’s decision to retain physical buttons and dials for audio and HVAC controls is a welcome nod to ergonomics, avoiding the frustration of capacitive touch interfaces found in earlier models. The seats, upholstered in H-Tex synthetic leather, are comfortable and durable, with heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat standard on the XRT.
Powertrain and Performance: Turbocharged Confidence
Under the hood, the 2025 Santa Cruz XRT is powered exclusively by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard HTRAC all-wheel drive, this powertrain offers lively acceleration and smooth, precise shifts. In testing, the Santa Cruz XRT sprints from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 6.0 to 6.3 seconds, competitive with the turbocharged Ford Maverick and quicker than many compact SUVs.
The XRT’s performance shines in urban settings, where its compact size and agile handling make it a breeze to navigate through traffic. The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up road imperfections without the harshness typical of traditional trucks. On the highway, the cabin remains quiet, thanks to solid sound insulation, and the all-terrain tires don’t compromise ride quality. Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, slightly less efficient than the Ford Maverick’s hybrid option but respectable for a turbocharged AWD pickup.
Off-road, the XRT is more capable than its crossover roots might suggest. The all-terrain tires and improved approach angles allow it to handle dirt trails, gravel paths, and moderate inclines with confidence. Features like hill-descent control and a lockable center coupling enhance its off-road prowess, though it lacks dedicated off-road drive modes, sticking with Normal, Sport, Smart, and Snow settings. While it’s not built for extreme off-roading like a Jeep Gladiator, the XRT is well-suited for light adventures, such as exploring backcountry trails or accessing remote campsites.
Practicality and Utility
The Santa Cruz XRT’s bed is a key selling point, measuring just over four feet long and equipped with a durable, scratch-resistant composite construction. It includes adjustable tie-downs, sidewall storage bins, and a lockable underbed storage compartment that doubles as a cooler with a drain plug. While the bed’s size limits its capacity compared to midsize trucks, it’s perfect for hauling smaller loads like sports equipment or landscaping materials. The XRT’s 5,000-pound towing capacity (with the turbo engine) is impressive for its class, surpassing most crossovers and rivaling some midsize pickups.
Inside, the cabin offers seating for up to five, though rear legroom is tighter than in competitors like the Ford Maverick due to the prioritization of bed length. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, even for taller drivers, and the interior materials feel upscale, with a modern design emphasizing horizontal lines for an open, airy feel. Practical touches like a wireless charging pad, USB-C ports, and a small ledge above the glovebox add convenience for daily use.
Technology and Safety
Hyundai has packed the 2025 Santa Cruz XRT with advanced technology. The dual 12.3-inch displays are a highlight, offering sharp visuals and easy configurability. The infotainment system supports over-the-air updates, Hyundai Pay for in-vehicle payments, and a digital key for smartphone-based access. A 360-degree camera and blind-spot view monitor enhance visibility, though some drivers report issues with the driver attention monitor’s sensitivity when wearing sunglasses.
Standard safety features include Hyundai’s SmartSense suite, with blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert. Higher trims add Smart Cruise Control 2 and Highway Driving Assist, which provide minor steering inputs for long-distance comfort. The Santa Cruz earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award for 2024, and the 2025 model is expected to maintain strong safety ratings.
Comparison with Competitors
The Santa Cruz XRT competes primarily with the Ford Maverick and, to a lesser extent, the Honda Ridgeline. Here’s how it stacks up:
|
Feature |
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT |
2025 Ford Maverick Tremor |
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Base Price |
$40,150 |
$36,000 (est.) |
$44,980 |
|
Engine |
2.5L Turbo I-4, 281 hp |
2.0L Turbo I-4, 250 hp |
3.5L V6, 280 hp |
|
Towing Capacity |
5,000 lbs |
4,000 lbs |
5,000 lbs |
|
Fuel Economy (Comb.) |
23 mpg |
26 mpg (non-hybrid) |
21 mpg |
|
AWD |
Standard |
Standard |
Standard |
|
Bed Length |
~4 ft |
~4.5 ft |
~5.3 ft |
|
Key Features |
All-terrain tires, dual 12.3-inch screens, lockable underbed storage |
Off-road tuned suspension, hybrid option available |
Larger bed, premium interior |
The Maverick offers a lower starting price and a hybrid option, making it more fuel-efficient, but its base trims lack the Santa Cruz’s tech and refinement. The Ridgeline, while more spacious and powerful, is pricier and less maneuverable in urban settings. The Santa Cruz XRT strikes a balance, offering a premium cabin, strong towing capacity, and a unique blend of style and utility.
Driving Impressions
Spending time behind the wheel of the 2025 Santa Cruz XRT reveals its dual nature. In the city, it drives like a refined SUV, with responsive steering and a smooth ride. The turbo engine provides ample power for merging onto highways or passing slower traffic. Off-road, the XRT handles light trails with ease, though it’s not designed for rock-crawling or extreme conditions. The all-terrain tires grip well on loose surfaces, and the hill-descent control inspires confidence on steep descents. However, the lack of dedicated off-road modes limits its versatility compared to the Maverick Tremor.
One minor annoyance is the rearview mirror’s shape, which some drivers find obstructs visibility due to its wider top design. The driver attention monitor’s sensitivity to sunglasses can also be frustrating, occasionally disengaging cruise control unexpectedly. These are small drawbacks in an otherwise polished package.
Pricing and Value
The 2025 Santa Cruz XRT starts at $40,150, with fully loaded models reaching around $41,605. While pricier than the Maverick, it offers a longer warranty (5-year/60,000-mile basic, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain) and a more upscale interior. Discounts of up to $1,500 off MSRP are available, and incentives like military or college graduate programs can further reduce costs. For buyers prioritizing tech, comfort, and style, the XRT represents strong value in the compact truck segment.
Verdict
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT is a compelling choice for buyers who want the utility of a pickup without the bulk of a traditional truck. Its turbocharged engine, standard AWD, and rugged styling make it versatile enough for urban commutes and weekend adventures. While it’s not a hardcore off-roader, the XRT’s all-terrain tires and improved approach angles give it credible light off-road capability. The premium interior, advanced tech, and strong safety features further enhance its appeal. For those seeking a stylish, maneuverable, and practical compact truck, the Santa Cruz XRT is a standout option in a class of its own.
