Truck · Gas
Hyundai Santa Cruz 2022–2026 (1st gen)
- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $24,000–$40,000
- MPG
- 25
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Excellent value retention
- Watch-out: Below-average reliability
- Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
How it scores for you10 scores
A car-based compact pickup with agile handling and top safety scores, but powertrain complaints and a tight cabin temper its lifestyle-truck appeal.
Recalled about as often as cars of the same model years (over-the-air software recalls count half); 3 of its 9 recalls were serious. About 3% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -4 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4).
About $2,700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 48% of cars we track.
Cargo volume isn't published for this car.
Compact truck with a small crew cab; rear seat is tight and this is a 5-seater, below larger midsize/full-size trucks but adequate for the small-truck class.
Base 191hp is adequate but not thrilling; optional turbo (not listed here) is quicker. Car-based unibody gives it car-like, agile handling that reviewers praise for a truck, above segment average.
Modern Hyundai infotainment, available large touchscreen, and driver-assist features are competitive. Well-equipped for a compact pickup segment lacking strong rivals.
Car-derived platform delivers a smoother, quieter ride than body-on-frame trucks. Well-appointed cabin, though small trucks aren't luxury benchmarks.
Trucks have historically held their value best.
Rated to tow 3,500 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls13 recalls
13 recalls · 6 common complaint areas across 2022–2026
- Powertrain — 88 complaints (2022)
- Recall — Airbags: side/window: curtain (2026)
- Powertrain — 25 complaints (2023)
2026
- RecallAirbags: side/window: curtain25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel26V047000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display
- RecallForward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking26V316000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
2025
- RecallElectrical: wiring24V877000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.
- RecallAirbags: side/window: curtain25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
- RecallForward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking26V316000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance8 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The contact stated that after a month of owning the vehicle, while attempting to start the vehicle, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning
2024
- RecallSteering: electric power assist system24V412000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain10 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING ON I-81 UP A STEEP GRADE, TRUCK SUFFERED A SUDDEN POWER LOSS, WITH SPEED DROPPING TO 35 MPH FROM 65 MPH. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN SPEED FAILED AND IT FELT LIKE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR. 35 MPH CONTINUED UNTIL I DECIDED TO USE TRUCK CRUISE CONTROL TO ATTEMPT TO GAIN SPEED. I WAS WO
2023
- RecallStructure: body: roof and pillars; structure: critical fasteners23V038000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
- RecallTrailer hitches23V181000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water acc
- Complaint clusterPowertrain25 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Hyundai Santa Cruz with transmission problems. 5 attempts to repair and manufacture failed to. Last time, vehicle had a sudden transmission failure while driving. Car stop responding to acceleration and transmission was not switching gears, that could had cause loss of control, especially in high-sp
- Complaint clusterElectrical14 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The push-to-open fuel filler door repeatedly failed to release, preventing refueling. The door locks through an electronic actuator tied to the central locking system, and there is no interior lever or owner-accessible manual override. Beginning in August 2026, the door intermittently failed to open
- Complaint clusterEngine9 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
driving/pulling on interstate speed only went to 20 miles per hour, no more. Pulled off and turned truck off, waited and restarted. all fine. No warning was given. Short time later engine light came on. Called and got appointment at dealers.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission does not advance through its ranges fails to shift leaving stranded middle of intersection. Misses a whole range looses excelleration. You
2022
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger; engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: pipes, hoses, and fittings22V197000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission22V746000
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Santa Fe, Sonata, Veloster N, 2022 Santa Cruz, Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete l
- RecallStructure: body: roof and pillars; structure: critical fasteners23V038000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Tucson and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz vehicles. The roof moldings may detach.
- RecallTrailer hitches23V181000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Santa Fe, 2021-2023 Santa Fe HEV, 2022-2023 Santa Fe Plug-in HEV and Santa Cruz vehicles potentially equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Hyundai dealership. Water acc
- Complaint clusterPowertrain88 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
In approximately late 2024, at just under 30,000 miles, the vehicle lost motive power while driving on the interstate. Multiple warning lights illuminated and the vehicle lost drive shortly afterward, leaving me unable to accelerate in traffic. The vehicle was then serviced under Recall 236 (NHTSA 2
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other21 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2022 Santa Cruz Limited Edition keeps losing power intermittently. No accident yet but very risky to drive.
- Complaint clusterEngine17 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
My INTEGRATED THERMAL MANAGEMENT (ITM) module went bad in my 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. I notified Hyundai about it and found out there are several service bulletins related to this part. My truck was outside the bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I had to pay over $1000.00 to get it replaced. I think it's
- Complaint clusterElectrical15 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving my vehicle on a two-lane highway, I experienced multiple sequential electronic system failures (including the vehicle no longer detecting the smart key), and all electronic systems on the car became inoperative. I lost all instrumentation, including my speedometer and tachometer. At th
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting8 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle is equipped with automatic headlights. They constantly turn on and off during the day as soon as you enter any type of shadow. This causes the headlights to “flash” the driver in front of you. While traveling on the interstate at 75 mph if you go under an overpass they turn on, less than 1 s
Cost to own$23,500 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$24,000–$40,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,700/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
22
Highway MPG
30
Combined MPG
25
Horsepower
191 hp
Doors
4
Length
195.7 in
Width
75.2 in
Height
66.5 in
Wheelbase
118.5 in
Curb weight
4,101 lb
Towing capacity
3,500 lbs
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