Used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearBaton Rouge, LA

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 4.10% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,338 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns an expert rating of 8.17/10.

The standout strength is Technology at 10/10.

It fits you best if you want a sport truck for weekend DIY projects, big-box runs, and carrying adventure gear on day trips. The Santa Cruz also brings fun-to-drive character, strong tech, and a great warranty, but you should weigh the cramped back seat and limited cargo space against those strengths. The turbocharged version is the more enjoyable choice, though it is not as fuel-efficient. With 33.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz leans into everyday usefulness with a great warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance through 2025, which helps lower early ownership costs. Its turbocharged engine is described as zippy and enjoyable, and the truck’s tech and connected services add to the sense that Hyundai built this model to feel modern and easy to live with.

The performance notes also point to a regular-gas turbo engine, which is a practical plus if you want stronger output without premium fuel. At the same time, the dual-clutch transmission can feel quirky, with some turbo lag and uneven power delivery, and the all-terrain tires on the XRT can hurt on-road handling. For used buyers, that means long-term ownership risk is more about choosing the right trim and condition than worrying about the basic concept of the truck.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re looking at a truck that may have seen rough roads or light off-pavement use. Pay close attention to tire wear, brake condition, and how the transmission feels on a test drive. If you’re considering an XRT, make sure the all-terrain setup and added hardware still suit the kind of driving you actually do.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup starts with SE, SEL, and SEL Activity, which use the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while XRT and Limited add the more satisfying turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. The base trims are the ones most likely to leave you wanting more power, while the XRT adds an off-road-themed look and the Limited brings the most upscale feel.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque on regular gas. The turbo setup is quicker and more enjoyable, but it comes with lower fuel economy and, in XRT form, a dual-clutch automatic that can feel less polished.
• Safety package: SmartSense includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Starting with XRT, you also get an intersection collision-braking system, surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, and Highway Driving Assist on XRT and Limited.
• Infotainment: Every trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay, a digital key system, fingerprint scanning, and over-the-air updates. Wireless smartphone charging is standard across the lineup.
• Fuel efficiency: The SEL Activity with AWD is rated at 24 mpg combined, the Limited AWD at 22 mpg, and the XRT at 21 mpg combined. The turbocharged versions trade efficiency for stronger performance.

Which 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered in 5 trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point if you want the Santa Cruz’s core utility and standard tech without paying for extras. It makes sense if you mainly want the truck’s compact footprint and everyday usefulness.
• SEL: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a better balance of equipment and price. It keeps the Santa Cruz approachable while giving you more of the lineup’s everyday appeal.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want a stronger mix of equipment and capability without jumping to the pricier turbo models. It’s also the trim to watch if you want the better fuel economy figures mentioned in the performance notes.
• XRT: This is the choice if you want the turbocharged engine and the more rugged, off-road-themed look. It adds the improved approach angle, all-terrain tires, and extra driver-assistance hardware, but it also brings the handling compromises that come with those tires.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want the most polished version of the Santa Cruz. It pairs the turbo engine with the better on-pavement driving dynamics and the most upscale overall feel.

Starting with XRT, you get the expanded safety and driver-assistance package, including Highway Driving Assist.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you stay patient.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,338 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.10% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 92.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,661, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

The current average of $29,661 sits slightly below last year's $30,931.

That softer pricing suggests the Santa Cruz is giving up some value in the near term, which can help you as a buyer today. If you plan to sell later, the current trend means you should expect resale to depend heavily on trim choice, mileage, and condition. A well-kept turbo model with desirable equipment should be easier to move than a higher-mileage truck with the less appealing setup.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a Marginal rating in the latest IIHS moderate overlap frontal-impact assessment, and the SmartSense technologies receive the same Marginal rating for front-crash prevention. It earns five-star ratings in each NHTSA collision evaluation and a four-star rollover resistance rating.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

SmartSense comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist. Starting with XRT, you also get an intersection collision-braking system, surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, and Highway Driving Assist on XRT and Limited.

The main caveat is the IIHS frontal-impact result, which is worth keeping in mind if safety is a top priority. If you want the most complete driver-assistance setup, the XRT and Limited are the trims to focus on.

Should I buy a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.8% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.10% compared with last year.
• The 2025 adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $26,896, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $29,661 average.
• It blends pickup utility with a compact, quirky personality.

The bottom line: If you want the most up-to-date Santa Cruz with stronger tech and the latest updates, the 2025 is the better all-around pick. If your priority is saving money, the 2024 is the smarter value play and still delivers the Santa Cruz formula you’re shopping for.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.