If you’ve been looking for something that doesn’t fit neatly into one category, the Hyundai Santa Cruz might be exactly what you need. At Ray Skillman Hyundai West, we carry Hyundai’s Sport Adventure Vehicle, a pickup that drives like an SUV and hauls like a truck, all in a size that makes city driving feel easy.
The Santa Cruz fills a gap that a lot of drivers feel. You want the open bed for hauling bikes, mulch, or weekend camping gear, but you don’t want the bulk of a full-size truck in parking garages and neighborhood streets. That’s the sweet spot this vehicle hits, and it does it with a confident look that turns heads.
Under the hood, Hyundai gives you two solid engine choices. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. It handles daily driving with ease and returns up to an EPA-estimated 22 city and 30 highway mpg with front-wheel drive. HTRAC all-wheel drive is available for extra grip during Indiana’s unpredictable weather.
Step up to the turbocharged 2.5-liter and things get more exciting. You’ll get 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. That’s enough muscle to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, so whether you’re pulling a small boat or loading up for a weekend project, the Hyundai Santa Cruz keeps up without breaking a sweat.
Inside, the cabin keeps things clean and intuitive. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display comes standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ready to connect as soon as you get in. Hyundai’s Bluelink connected system adds remote start, vehicle diagnostics, and the ability to lock or unlock from your phone. The available Digital Key lets you skip the fob entirely and use your smartphone to start the engine.
Upper trims bring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that replaces the traditional gauges with a display you can customize to your liking. Navigation, voice controls, and a Bose 8-speaker audio system round out the tech package for drivers who want a connected, comfortable ride.
The lineup offers five trims, each building on the last. Here’s how the key features compare.
| Feature | SE | SEL | SEL Activity | XRT | Limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L I-4 | 2.5L I-4 | 2.5L I-4 | 2.5L Turbo | 2.5L Turbo |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 191 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp |
| Max Towing | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | Up to 5,000 lbs* | 5,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD opt.) | FWD (AWD opt.) | FWD (AWD opt.) | Standard AWD | Standard AWD |
| 12.3″ Touchscreen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 12.3″ Digital Cluster | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Front Seats | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Charger | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tonneau Cover | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Terrain Mode | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
| 360-Degree Camera | – | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leather Seats | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
| Bose Audio | – | – | – | – | ✓ |
*AWD required for 5,000-lb towing on SEL Activity. When properly equipped with trailer brakes.
Whether the value of the SE fits your budget or the fully loaded Limited calls your name, our team can walk you through each option and help you find the right match.
Hyundai SmartSense comes standard on every Santa Cruz, covering the basics that genuinely help in real-world driving. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist monitors the road ahead and can apply brakes if it detects a potential impact. Lane Keeping Assist nudges you back toward center if you start drifting, and Blind-Spot Collision Warning watches your sides during lane changes.
On the XRT and Limited, you’ll also get Highway Driving Assist, which pairs adaptive cruise control with lane centering for longer trips. The Surround View Monitor provides a bird’s-eye view for tight parking, and the Blind-Spot View Monitor displays a live camera feed right in the instrument cluster when you activate a turn signal. The XRT adds Terrain Mode with mud, snow, and sand settings for those times when the pavement ends.
The Santa Cruz bed stretches just over four feet, and every inch is designed with purpose. A sealed, lockable storage compartment beneath the bed floor comes with its own drain plug, so it doubles as an ice chest or a secure hideaway for tools. Sidewall compartments keep smaller items organized, an available retractable tonneau cover protects whatever you’re hauling, and a 115-volt power outlet lets you charge equipment right from the truck.
We’ve been helping drivers in Indianapolis find the right Hyundai for over a decade, and the Santa Cruz is one of the most exciting vehicles in our lineup. At Ray Skillman Hyundai West, we take a no-pressure approach because we’d rather build a relationship than rush a sale. Our finance team works with a wide range of lenders to find terms that work for you, and we back every purchase with Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty: 5 years and 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper plus 10 years and 100,000 miles on the powertrain.
Stop by and see the Hyundai Santa Cruz in person, or browse our inventory online. Schedule a test drive, fill out our quick finance application, and let us show you why so many drivers keep coming back to Ray Skillman.
