2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Overview: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT & Limited

Q: Does the Santa Cruz SE include wireless Apple CarPlay?

Yes—wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim, including the base SE.

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle at Ontario Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz occupies a category of its own — a Sport Adventure Vehicle that pairs crossover comfort with a genuine open cargo bed and available all-wheel drive, in a footprint that fits a suburban driveway as easily as a weekend trailhead. This guide walks the full five-trim lineup — SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited — covering powertrains, cabin features, towing, safety tech, and destination-inclusive pricing, so you can settle on the right configuration before visiting Ontario Hyundai at 1307 Kettering Dr, Ontario, CA 91761.

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Why Inland Empire Drivers Choose the 2026 Santa Cruz

Built on a car-derived unibody platform shared with the Tucson, the Santa Cruz seats five in a quiet, refined cabin while offering an integrated open bed with a locking under-bed trunk and a payload rating of 1,411 lbs. That combination is rare.

Midsize body-on-frame trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger out-tow it, but at the cost of a stiffer ride and a larger footprint; the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline compete more directly. The Santa Cruz answers with a broad trim ladder, off-road styling on the XRT, and a turbocharged powertrain on the top two trims making 281 hp and 311 lb-ft.

For drivers logging real miles on I-10 and I-210, the car-like ride, standard Projector Bi-LED headlights, and available dual-zone automatic climate control make the daily commute pleasant rather than merely tolerable. It is a truck that does not drive like one.

Powertrains: Two Engines, One Key Decision

The lineup splits cleanly into two powertrain tiers, and that split is the most important choice in the buying process.

The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity use a naturally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder producing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is available as an option on these three trims. With front-wheel drive they return an EPA-estimated 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG (21 / 29 / 24 with all-wheel drive).

The XRT and Limited step up to a turbocharged 2.5L making 281 hp and 311 lb-ft, paired with the same 8-speed automatic and standard HTRAC all-wheel drive, rated at an EPA-estimated 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG. For 2026, Hyundai replaced the turbo trims’ previous dual-clutch transmission with this conventional automatic — the headline change this model year, and one reviewers credit for a smoother, more crossover-like drive.

All trims ride on a four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson front, multi-link rear) with self-leveling rear shocks that keep the truck level under a loaded bed or trailer. The XRT adds Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Sand, and Mud modes plus a Tow Mode with Trailer Sway Control.

EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.

Trim-by-Trim Specs

Feature	SE	SEL	SEL Activity	XRT	Limited
Starting MSRP	$31,350	$33,000	$36,050	$42,950	$45,300
Engine	2.5L I4	2.5L I4	2.5L I4	2.5L Turbo I4	2.5L Turbo I4
Horsepower	191 hp	191 hp	191 hp	281 hp	281 hp
Torque	181 lb-ft	181 lb-ft	181 lb-ft	311 lb-ft	311 lb-ft
Drivetrain	FWD (AWD opt.)	FWD (AWD opt.)	FWD (AWD opt.)	HTRAC AWD std.	HTRAC AWD std.
EPA-Estimated MPG (city / hwy / comb)	22 / 30 / 25	22 / 30 / 25	22 / 30 / 25	18 / 25 / 20	18 / 25 / 20
Max Towing	3,500 lbs	3,500 lbs	3,500 lbs	5,000 lbs	5,000 lbs

All trims share an 8-speed automatic transmission, seating for five, an approximately 27 cu ft open bed, and a 1,411 lb payload rating. EPA-Estimated MPG figures shown are for front-wheel-drive standard-engine trims; naturally aspirated all-wheel-drive models are EPA-estimated 21 / 29 / 24.

The jump from 3,500 to 5,000 lbs of towing on the turbo trims matters for anyone pulling a small boat or a utility trailer. Payload holds at 1,411 lbs across the lineup, so bed-carrying ability does not change as you climb the ladder.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

Style, Cabin & Cargo

The exterior balances urban polish with outdoor capability: a wide sculpted grille flanked by Projector Bi-LED headlights and LED running lights, LED taillights, and heated mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators. Roof side rails support the available Cross Rails accessory ($375) for bikes, kayaks, or cargo boxes, and a Camera Mount with Fender Flares accessory ($590) adds an action-camera mount within rugged wheel-arch flares. Premium paint options include Blue Stone and Sage Gray ($500 each).

The XRT reads more aggressive — wide fender cladding, a darkened grille, satin-black handles and mirrors, red front tow hooks, and 18-inch alloy wheels on 245/60R18 all-terrain tires. The Limited rides on 20-inch wheels (245/50R20).

Inside, the Santa Cruz leans SUV, not work truck. The SE opens with stain-and-odor-resistant cloth and a 6-way manual driver seat. The SEL adds H-Tex leatherette, heated front seats, and an 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar, and the SEL Activity layers on dual-zone automatic climate and rear vents.

The Limited tops it with genuine leather, heated and ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat, a memory driver seat, a heated leather-wrapped wheel, 64-color ambient lighting, and an auto-dimming mirror with HomeLink. Every trim uses a 60/40 split tip-up rear seat with under-seat storage, and the roughly 27 cu ft open bed adds a lockable under-bed trunk across the lineup.

Connected Tech

Every trim includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The SE and SEL pair that with a smaller driver display, while the SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited get the panoramic dual 12.3-inch curved-display setup.

Wireless charging and a 115V bed-mounted AC outlet are standard from the SEL Activity up. The XRT and Limited add Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch (phone-as-key), and the Santa Cruz offers an available fingerprint reader for biometric start. Bluelink+ provides remote start and over-the-air updates lineup-wide, and the Limited adds a Bose premium audio system.

Safety

Every 2026 Santa Cruz ships with a standard Hyundai SmartSense suite: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction detection), Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Occupant Alert, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, and Driver Attention Warning. The XRT and Limited add a Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor, plus Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go for semi-automated highway driving.

The 2026 Santa Cruz is an IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick — the only small pickup in its segment to earn the 2025 designation.

Safety and driver-assistance features are supplemental and do not replace safe, attentive driving; review system limitations in the Owner’s Manual. Safety awards apply to specifically equipped models — see the source for full ratings details.

2026 Santa Cruz Pricing

Each step up the ladder brings meaningfully different equipment, not just trim:

SE ($31,350) — the accessibility point: cloth seating, 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, full standard SmartSense safety, and the naturally aspirated engine.
SEL ($33,000) — H-Tex leatherette, heated front seats, 8-way power driver seat, heated power mirrors with LED signals, and remote start.
SEL Activity ($36,050) — the dual 12.3-inch cluster, wireless charging, the 115V bed outlet, a power sunroof, and the integrated lockable tonneau. The first trim where the bed utility feels fully realized.
XRT ($42,950) — turbocharged engine, standard HTRAC AWD, all-terrain tires, Terrain Mode Select, and the aggressive styling package. The value pick for 5,000-lb towing and off-road capability without full luxury content.
Limited ($45,300) — full leather, ventilated front seats, Bose audio, the panoramic display, Highway Driving Assist, and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control.

Hyundai also backs the Santa Cruz with one of the segment’s strongest warranties — a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ready to see one in person? You can browse the current Santa Cruz inventory at Ontario Hyundai to check availability across all five trims.

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Warranty coverage depends on the specific terms of your vehicle’s warranty agreement. Consult your owner’s manual or a qualified legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.

Awards & Recognition

The Santa Cruz has earned credible third-party recognition: the 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick noted above, a 2025 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice award for Compact Pickup Truck, and the 2021 Newsweek Autos Award for Best Small Pickup Truck. Reviewers consistently single out its upscale cabin and car-like manners as what set it apart in the segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2026 Santa Cruz come standard with all-wheel drive?

No. The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity are front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available as an option; the XRT and Limited include standard HTRAC all-wheel drive along with the 281-hp turbocharged engine.

What is the maximum towing capacity?

Properly equipped, the XRT and Limited tow up to 5,000 lbs; the SE, SEL, and SEL Activity are rated at 3,500 lbs. All trims share a 1,411-lb payload rating.

How much cargo space does the bed offer?

About 27 cu ft across all five trims, plus a lockable under-bed storage trunk on every trim.

Which trim is the best value for towing plus daily comfort?

The XRT ($42,950) delivers the turbocharged all-wheel-drive powertrain, 5,000-lb towing, all-terrain tires, and Terrain Mode Select. Shoppers who also want ventilated seats, Bose audio, and Highway Driving Assist should step to the Limited ($45,300).

Does the SE include wireless Apple CarPlay?

Yes — wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim, including the base SE.

Is the 115V bed power outlet available on all trims?

No. It is standard on the SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited; it is not included on the SE or SEL.

Find Your 2026 Santa Cruz at Ontario Hyundai

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz solves a problem neither a compact SUV nor a conventional midsize truck addresses cleanly: five-passenger comfort, real bed utility, and available all-wheel drive in a vehicle that fits a driveway and handles a freeway commute with equal composure. Whether the SE’s price point fits your budget or the XRT’s turbocharged all-wheel drive matches your weekend plans, there is a configuration built for your routine. For more model guides, explore our Hyundai research hub.

Ontario Hyundai is located at 1307 Kettering Dr, Ontario, CA 91761. Call our sales team to check trim availability, or browse the lineup online before you visit.