Used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 3.66% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,303 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns an 8.17/10 expert rating, and it’s aimed at you if you want a sport truck for weekend DIY projects, big-box-store runs, and day-trip gear hauling rather than heavy towing or serious off-road use.

The standout strength is Technology at 10/10.

It also brings a fun-to-drive character, a great warranty, and meaningful 2025 updates to styling, tech, and off-road capability. The main trade-offs are a cramped back seat, limited cargo space, and less composed on-pavement behavior when equipped with all-terrain tires.

With 31.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

The 2025 Santa Cruz leans into everyday usefulness with a strong warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years on 2025 purchases, and Bluelink+ included for the original owner for the life of the vehicle.

Its turbocharged version is described as especially enjoyable, and the truck’s tech and packaging make it appealing for light-duty ownership. At the same time, the turbo model’s lower fuel economy and the dual-clutch transmission’s quirks are worth keeping in mind if you plan to own one long term.

For used buyers, the biggest long-term risk is that the truck’s strengths are best suited to light-duty use, so hard use can expose its limits quickly.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and pay close attention to how the truck has been used and maintained. Focus especially on the condition of the tires, brakes, and cabin space, since this model’s compromises show up most clearly in everyday wear and comfort.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The first three trims use the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, while the XRT and Limited get the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. The XRT adds an off-road-themed look, improved approach angle, and standard all-terrain tires, while the Limited is the better pick if you want better on-pavement driving dynamics.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is less satisfying, 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, but it also comes with lower fuel economy and a quirky eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
• 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. The XRT and Limited add intersection collision-braking, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves.
• Infotainment: Every trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, wireless charging, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay, and a digital key system.
• 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 XRT test truck averaged 21.1 mpg in evaluation driving.

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, and it gives you the Santa Cruz formula at the lowest price, but it uses the less powerful naturally aspirated engine.
• SEL: This is the value-oriented step up if you want more equipment without jumping to the turbocharged trims.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want a stronger mix of equipment and efficiency, especially with AWD.
• XRT: Choose this if you want the turbocharged engine and the off-road-themed appearance and hardware, but expect less polished on-road behavior.
• Limited: This is the most appealing choice if you want the turbo engine with the best on-pavement driving dynamics and the most upscale feel.

Starting with the XRT trim level, the Santa Cruz adds the intersection collision-braking system, surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves. Highway Driving Assist is also standard on the XRT and Limited.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,303 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.66% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,824, 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 $29,828 sits slightly below last year's $30,960.

That price movement suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. If you sell later, you may face some depreciation pressure unless your truck is especially well equipped or lightly used.

For a future seller, the current trend points to a market that still values the Santa Cruz, but not at last year’s level. That means condition, trim choice, and mileage will matter a lot when it’s time to resell.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns Marginal ratings from IIHS in the latest moderate overlap frontal-impact assessment and for SmartSense crash-prevention effectiveness, while NHTSA gives it five-star ratings in each 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. The XRT and Limited add intersection collision-braking, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves.

The main caveat is the IIHS Marginal result, so you should weigh that carefully if crash performance is a top priority.

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:

• 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.1% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.66% compared with last year.
• The 2025 adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $27,184, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $29,828 average.
• It blends pickup utility with a compact, quirky personality.

The bottom line: If you want the latest updates and a broader set of reasons to shop the 2025, it’s the better primary target. If your priority is saving money and you’re comfortable giving up the newer updates, the 2024 is the smarter price-sensitive alternative.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.