Used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 5.83% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,430 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 8.2/10.

The standout strength is Technology at 10/10.

It is aimed at you if you want a sport truck for weekend DIY projects, hauling bulky items, and carrying adventure gear on day trips rather than heavy towing or remote off-road travel. The Santa Cruz also brings a fun-to-drive character, impressive technology, and a great warranty, but you should weigh the cramped back seat and limited cargo space against those strengths. On-pavement handling with all-terrain tires is another trade-off if you are considering the XRT. Good and great deals account for 35.5% of listings, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is positioned as a practical, everyday-use sport truck with a strong warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance through 2025 on new purchases. Its tech and ownership perks add to the appeal, and the turbocharged version is described as zippy and enjoyable to drive. The standard powertrain is also paired with a traditional automatic, while the turbo model uses a dual-clutch setup that can feel less polished in some situations. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is accepting a truck that is more about light-duty versatility than heavy-duty durability or maximum utility.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are looking at a truck with the XRT package or higher mileage. Focus on condition details that matter for a light-duty truck: cabin wear, tire condition, brake feel, and whether the truck has been used in ways that exceed its intended weekend-hauling role.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The first three trims use the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the XRT and Limited add the more satisfying turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The XRT also brings an improved approach angle and standard all-terrain tires, but the base trims are the ones most likely to leave you wanting more power.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is described as underpowered, while the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivers 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbo setup is more fun to drive, but it gets slightly lower gas mileage and uses an 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. Starting with the XRT, you also get an intersection collision-braking system, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves, and Highway Driving Assist on the XRT and Limited.
• Infotainment: Every trim gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay technology, a digital key system, fingerprint scanning, and over-the-air software updates. Wireless smartphone charging is standard on all trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The SEL Activity with AWD is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined, the Limited AWD at 22 mpg combined, and the XRT at 21 mpg combined. The turbocharged engine gets slightly lower gas mileage than the standard setup.

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, but the standard naturally aspirated engine is the least compelling part of the lineup, so you should only choose it if price matters most.
• SEL: This is the trim to start with if you want the Santa Cruz’s core usefulness without jumping straight to the pricier turbo models.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want a stronger mix of equipment and everyday usability, especially if you want more capability without going all the way to the XRT.
• XRT: This is the off-road-themed choice, with an improved approach angle, standard all-terrain tires, and the turbocharged engine, but it is also the one most affected by on-pavement handling compromises.
• Limited: This is the most appealing pick if you want the turbocharged engine and better on-pavement driving dynamics, and it is the trim to choose over the XRT if road manners matter more to you.

Starting with the XRT trim level, the Santa Cruz adds the more advanced driver-assistance features and Highway Driving Assist.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you are selective and ready to move on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,430 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.83% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 92.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,201, 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 $29,201 sits slightly below last year's $31,010.

That decline suggests the Santa Cruz has softened in the used market, which can help you as a buyer today. If you plan to sell later, you should expect resale value to depend heavily on trim, condition, and whether the truck has the more desirable turbocharged setup. The strongest versions should hold up better than the base models, but the overall trend points to a market that is still adjusting downward.

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 its SmartSense technologies receive the same Marginal rating for front-crash prevention.

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

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 the XRT, you also get an intersection collision-braking system, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves, and Highway Driving Assist on the XRT and Limited. The NHTSA gives the Santa Cruz five-star ratings in each collision evaluation, coupled with a four-star rollover resistance rating.

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:

• 35.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 92.7% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.83% compared with last year.
• The 2025 adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $26,559, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $29,201 average.
• It blends pickup utility with a compact, quirky personality.

The bottom line: Choose the 2025 if you want the newer tech and updates and are comfortable paying more for them. If you are price-sensitive, the 2024 is the smarter value play because it delivers the Santa Cruz formula for less.

How does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz compare to the 2025 Ford Maverick?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Impressive technology, Great warranty.
• Cons: On-pavement handling with all-terrain tires, Cramped back seat, Not much cargo space.

2025 Ford Maverick:

• Pros: Standard hybrid powertrain, Charming and functional interior, Fun-to-drive Lobo model.
• Cons: Price has crept up, Advanced safety features are not standard, Excessive touchscreen controls.

Our experts score the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz 8.2/10 and the 2025 Ford Maverick 7.8/10. The Santa Cruz is the better pick if you value technology, warranty coverage, and a more playful driving feel. The Maverick has the edge if you want a standard hybrid powertrain and stronger fuel economy, but it also asks you to accept more touchscreen dependence and fewer standard safety features.

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