2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz debuts at New York International Auto Show

Key Highlights

• The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz receives an aggressive-looking front fascia.
• The pickup truck is available in two powertrain options.
• It is unlikely that Hyundai will bring the SAV to India.

Hyundai has had an eventful showing at the ongoing New York International Auto Show. The automaker showcased the updated Tucson and Santa Cruz at the auto show earlier this week. Both vehicles will be headed to US dealerships this summer. Like the 2025 Tucson, the new Hyundai Santa Cruz also gets significant updates to the cosmetics, interior, and features.

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2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: What’s new?

The front fascia of the new Hyundai Santa Cruz exudes a bold and aggressive look. The updated design creates a wide and menacing stance. The updated grille and LED DRLs follow the ‘parametric jewel design’ theme. The wheel design has also been reworked. The XRT trim of the pickup truck gets some exclusive changes. These include XRT-exclusive front and rear bumper design, front grille, front tow hooks, wrench-inspired 18-inch wheels, and more.

Inside, the new Hyundai Santa Cruz shares a lot of similarities with the Tucson. The curved panoramic display unit comprises two 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and the touchscreen infotainment system. There’s physical switchgear onboard for HVAC and audio controls. The glovebox gets an additional shelf to increase the storage space and the rear seat armrest is now equipped with two cupholders.

Powering the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a 2.5-litre direct-injected in-line four-cylinder engine that can produce a maximum power output of 191hp and 245Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Also available is a 2.5-litre direct-injected turbocharged engine that can produce a maximum power output of 281hp and 420Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an 8-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

José Muñoz, President and Global COO, Hyundai Motor Company and President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America, said, “The development goal for freshening Santa Cruz was to give it an even bolder, stronger design. We also wanted Santa Cruz to be more capable, and the available XRT trim delivers with all-terrain tires, front tow hooks and improved off-road capability. Customers are going to appreciate all the new design details and enhancements inside and out. Santa Cruz is a true sport adventure vehicle.”

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Conclusion

Hyundai is also offering two new paint schemes for the 2025 Santa Cruz – Rockwood Green and Canyon Red. The upholstery gets a Medium Gray colour theme. On the safety front, the ADAS package has been updated with a Forward Attention Warning (FAW) feature. In the US, the Hyundai Santa Cruz will go on sale in the summer. It is unlikely that the SAV will be launched in India.