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  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Adds an XRT Trim and Meaner Looks

      Hyundai's compact pickup gets a meaner grille, dual 12.3-inch screens, and a new trail-ready XRT trim with all-terrain tires and 5,000-lb towing.

    2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited front three-quarter viewToday at the New York International Auto Show, Hyundai unveiled an update to its little truck, the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

    Bolder Grille and Updated Interior

    The refresh to the exterior is relatively mild, though it features a more menacing grille with bolder verticle lines. Updated running lights and new wheel designs add to the fresher look.

    Inside, there is a new steering wheel, infotainment system, and instrument panel. on upper trims, an optional panoramic curved display houses dual 12.3-inch displays for driver and entertainment.

    Two Engines, Up to 5,000 Pounds of Towing

    2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT front three-quarter view in olive greenThe plenty-capable powertrains carry over with either a 191-horsepower direct injected 2.5-liter 4-cylinder or a turbo-charged version of of the same engine with 281 horsepower. The transmission for the entry-level engine is a traditional 8-speed automatic, while the turbo-charged model gets an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Santa Cruzes with the turbo engine gain a new tow mode for enhanced towing control. Both powertrains are towing capable with a 3,500 lb rating for the entry engine and a stout 5,000 lb rating for the turbo models when equipped with all-wheel drive.

    New XRT Trim for the Trail-Minded

    New for 2025 is an XRT trim geared even more towards outdoor adventure. It features a trim-specific front fascia and grille, special 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, an increased approach angle, front tow hooks, and surround-view monitoring.

    Check out the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz photo gallery for a look at the XRT, Limited, and other trims.

    The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz goes on sale this summer.

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    G. David Felt

    Decent upgrade to the aging 2024 model. Nice to see they are reducing costs of the curved screen in the EVs by pushing it out across the Hyundai Family and into Kia.

    The one thing I do not like is all the Chrome. ? ?

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    smk4565

    Plastic cladding = off road.  Instead of killing the Sonata, they should just put plastic body cladding down the side and raise the price by $10k and call it the Sonata HD Overlander X.  Instant hit.

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    • Facepalm 1
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    Drew Dowdell
    20 hours ago, David said:

    Decent upgrade to the aging 2024 model. Nice to see they are reducing costs of the curved screen in the EVs by pushing it out across the Hyundai Family and into Kia.

    The one thing I do not like is all the Chrome. ? ?

    Well, the chrome is the Limited trim.

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