Used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 8.64% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,695 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Santa Cruz options to compare.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

Generally — the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a 4.3/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating, which points to broad appeal for shoppers who want pickup utility in a compact, quirky package. The Santa Cruz stands out for its stylish design, strong powertrain, and useful everyday versatility, and it is especially appealing if you want something that feels more carlike than a traditional truck.

The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy and a cramped back seat. That means you should think of it as a lifestyle truck for light-duty hauling, weekend projects, and city-friendly use rather than a family-first hauler.

34.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Santa Cruz also benefits from a strong warranty and free maintenance coverage, which helps reduce early ownership costs. Its powertrain is described as peppy, and the ride quality is praised for soaking up rough pavement well, both of which support a reassuring ownership experience. The model’s compact footprint and easy maneuverability also make it a practical daily driver.

The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, and that adds a little extra peace of mind for the first stretch of ownership.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that fuel economy and rear-seat space may become more frustrating over time if your needs grow beyond light-duty use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example or one that has been used for weekend hauling. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, and signs of hard use, since this model’s appeal often comes from versatility rather than heavy-duty toughness.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE, SEL, Night, XRT, and Limited trims differ in equipment, and the base trims are the most stripped-down. The cabin is described as high-quality for the price, but the upper trims bring a more complete feel.
• Powertrain: Lower trims use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged setup delivers 282 hp and 311 lb-ft. The non-turbo engine may feel underpowered, while the turbo version is notably peppy.
• Safety package: Hyundai’s driver-assistance suite includes forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. XRT and above add adaptive cruise control and forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian-, cyclist- and junction-turning detection.
• Infotainment: SE and SEL trims get an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims get a 10.25-inch display, but smartphone compatibility is wired only. Wireless charging is standard on the top three trims and available on the SEL.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD tester is rated at 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, and it averaged 23.3 miles per gallon over 589 miles.

Which 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered in 5 trim levels: SE, SEL, Night, XRT, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Santa Cruz formula at the lowest price. It makes the most sense if you want the truck’s style and utility without paying for extra equipment.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience while keeping the more useful 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Night: This trim is for you if you want a darker appearance and a more distinctive look without jumping all the way to the top of the range.
• XRT: This is the trim to consider if you want the added driver-assistance content and the more adventure-oriented setup described in the safety and performance notes.
• Limited: This is the most fully equipped version, with the strongest mix of comfort, tech, and safety features. It suits you best if you want the most complete Santa Cruz experience and are willing to pay for it.

The XRT and above trims add adaptive cruise control and forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian-, cyclist- and junction-turning detection.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,695 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.64% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 89.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $26,559, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

The current average of $26,559 sits slightly below last year's $29,070.

That decline suggests the market has become more favorable for buyers, but it also means future sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy now, you are entering at a lower average cost than last year, which can help cushion depreciation if the market stays steady. The Santa Cruz’s distinctive styling and broad appeal should still support demand among shoppers who want a compact truck alternative.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns five-star ratings in front crash and four-star ratings in rollover from NHTSA.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai’s standard safety suite includes forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. XRT trim and above add adaptive cruise control and forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian-, cyclist- and junction-turning detection. The Limited trim adds Highway Drive Assist and a blind-spot view monitor, which gives you a clearer look at what is beside the vehicle when you signal.

Should I buy a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2024 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2024 if:

• 34.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 89.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.64% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2024 brings a few new additions while largely staying true to the formula that made it distinctive.

Consider the 2025 if:

• At $29,201, the 2025 costs more than the current year's $26,559 average.
• It adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

The bottom line: The 2024 is the better value if you want the Santa Cruz formula at a lower entry price and with a healthy used-car market to shop from. If you are willing to spend more for the newer model’s updates, the 2025 is the better path; if price matters most, the 2024 is the smarter buy.

How does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz compare to the 2024 Ford Maverick?

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.