Hyundai Santa Cruz: a car-chassis pickup that makes the bed work like a cargo box, not a truck bed

The Santa Cruz steps into a small but growing segment of unibody pickups — vehicles that skip the body-on-frame ladder chassis in favor of a passenger-car platform. That design choice keeps it lighter and more fuel-efficient than traditional trucks while still offering an open composite bed. Its closest rival is the Ford Maverick, which launched around the same time with similar car-like ambitions, while the larger Honda Ridgeline competes one size up, priced well above. For buyers who occasionally haul gear but daily commute in comfort, the Santa Cruz is among the most car-oriented pickups sold in the United States today.

Why consider Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz brings distinct advantages over both the Ford Maverick and body-on-frame trucks. Its unibody structure and self-leveling multi-link rear suspension produce a ride closer to a midsize SUV than a pickup, which sets it apart from bumpier ladder-frame rivals. The bed uses a sheet-molded composite instead of traditional sheet metal, with a sealed underfloor bin, sidewall storage compartments, tie-down points, and an available 115-volt AC power inverter.

Towing tops out at 5,000 lbs with the turbo engine and trailer brakes, matching the Maverick's Turbo output while offering more standard driver-assist tech per dollar.

• Available 281-hp turbo 2.5L with 311 lb-ft of torque
• HTRAC all-wheel drive on upper trims with Terrain Mode Select
• Composite bed with drainable underfloor bin and lockable tonneau cover option
• Self-leveling multilink suspension for stable load handling
• Trailer pre-wiring and up to 5,000 lbs towing capacity with trailer brakes

Specifications and powertrains

2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder (SE, SEL, SEL Activity): This engine produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic. EPA figures are 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for front-wheel drive; AWD versions drop to 21/29/24 mpg.

2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder (XRT, Limited): Coupled with standard HTRAC AWD, it delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, with EPA estimates of 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

Both engines run on gasoline; there is no hybrid or EV variant, so the Ford Maverick Hybrid is the efficiency play in this segment. The bed measures 48.4 inches at its upper length on standard models, with a 118.3-inch wheelbase and 8.6 inches of ground clearance.

Payment reality

The 2026 Santa Cruz opens at an estimated net price of $29,750 before freight, tax, and fees, per Hyundai USA (hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles/2026-santa-cruz). Your actual monthly payment depends on trim, AWD option, trade-in, term, and interest rate — factors our payment calculator works through per configuration. Depreciation matters here: compact unibody pickups have shown respectable retention, but the turbo engine and HTRAC AWD carry a price premium that raises both the loan amount and potential resale value. Lease residuals tend to favor the popular front-drive base trims.

Warranty and maintenance

Hyundai USA backs the Santa Cruz with a 5-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 7-year anti-perforation coverage, with roadside assistance for 5 years. Scheduled maintenance follows 7,500-mile intervals. The 2.5L engines are shared across Hyundai's US lineup, so parts availability is broad at both dealers and established independent shops; the main caveat is that Bluelink telematics and ADAS calibration require dealer-level diagnostic tools that typical independents may lack.

Who Hyundai Santa Cruz suits

The Santa Cruz fits buyers who need an open bed every week or two but live with the vehicle daily — commuters, weekend campers, boaters, and small crews who want secure cargo without a full-size truck footprint. It suits drivers who prefer car-like steering and brake feel over off-road hardware. If you want the same unibody idea with a hybrid powertrain, the Ford Maverick is the honest alternative; for more bed length, rear-seat space, and towing headroom, the Honda Ridgeline steps up; and if you rarely haul dirty cargo at all, a Subaru Outback covers the ground-clearance and storage case with better fuel economy.