FYI: Hyundai has unveiled the 2025 Santa Cruz with significant updates, including new tech features and increased prices, notably at this year’s New York Auto Show.
Hyundai Debuts the 2025 Santa Cruz: A Comprehensive Rundown
Hyundai has officially presented the 2025 Santa Cruz at the New York Auto Show, setting the stage for dealer deliveries expected later this summer. As anticipated, the new model comes with a higher price tag compared to its predecessor. But what exactly do buyers get for their money?
Fresh Exterior and Interior Design
The 2025 Santa Cruz sports a host of cosmetic upgrades:
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Exterior Enhancements:
- Reimagined front grille and bumper.
- Redesigned daytime running lights.
- New wheel designs.
- Interior Upgrades:
- Hyundai’s panoramic curved screen setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring the latest Hyundai software.
- A shift from touch-haptic controls to traditional buttons and switches for improved usability.
- Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
- Redesigned steering wheel, air vents, instrument panel, and rear seat armrests.
Advanced Technology and Features
The 2025 Santa Cruz borrows several tech advancements from the refreshed Tucson:
- Fingerprint scanner for vehicle access.
- Digital Key 2 technology, which allows your smartphone to function as a key.
- Over-the-air updates for the infotainment system.
- Enhanced USB-C ports.
- New driver attention monitoring system.
The Rugged XRT Off-Road Trim
The XRT trim for the Santa Cruz has been upgraded from a mere appearance package to a more capable off-road vehicle. Key features include:
- Exclusive grille and red tow hooks for a better approach angle.
- Repainted front bumper.
- New rear bumper and all-terrain 245/60R tires on 18-inch "wrench-style" wheels.
- Standard surround-view monitor for better off-road visibility.
- Interior adorned with XRT branding.
Powertrains: A Familiar Lineup
Hyundai has retained its reliable powertrain lineup for the 2025 Santa Cruz:
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Standard Engine:
- Naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
- 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque.
- Eight-speed automatic transmission with front or all-wheel drive options.
- Turbocharged Engine:
- 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder.
- 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
- Eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, all-wheel drive.
- Tow mode added to the drive selections on Limited and XRT trims, maintaining a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
- Non-turbo variant still capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds.
Price Breakdown and Comparison
Here are the 2025 Santa Cruz pricing details minus the $1,395 delivery charge:
- SE: $29,895 (up by $1,910 from 2024)
- SEL: $31,595 (up by $1,220)
- SEL Activity: $34,595 (new trim)
- XRT: $41,395 (up by $210)
- Limited: $43,895 (up by $1,490)
Market Context and Competitors
A clearer understanding of Hyundai’s price hike can be seen when comparing to 2023 and 2024 prices. For instance, the 2023 model started at $26,745 (including delivery), while the 2024 model was at $27,985 (including delivery). The base price for 2025 now starts from $28,295, reflecting a gradual increase to better manage consumer perception.
Key Competitors:
- 2025 Honda Ridgeline starting at $41,545.
- 2025 Ford Maverick starting at $27,890.
Conclusion
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz introduces a blend of new technologies, design refreshes, and strategic price adjustments. Despite the price hikes, the upgrades and expanded feature set aim to offer greater value and enhanced driving experience. Whether it can surpass its competitors remains to be seen, but it promises to be a strong contender in its segment.
Lawrence Jacobs, Editor at Automotive.fyi
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