Used 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearSanta Barbara, CA

How much does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 4.84% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,316 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare. If you find a listing below $29,815.40, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

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

The standout strength is Technology at 10/10.

The Santa Cruz’s strengths are clear: it is fun to drive, packed with technology, and backed by a great warranty. The trade-offs are just as important: the back seat is cramped, cargo space is limited, and all-terrain tires hurt on-pavement handling. If you want a compact truck with personality and everyday versatility, it fits that brief well. 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market gives you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is presented as a well-supported ownership choice, with a great warranty, roadside assistance, and complimentary scheduled maintenance for the first three years on new purchases. Its turbocharged engine also runs on regular gas, which helps keep day-to-day ownership simpler and less costly.

From a dependability standpoint, the turbo model is described as lively and enjoyable, while the transmission and all-terrain tire setup can introduce quirks in everyday driving. Hyundai’s complimentary Bluelink+ ownership period adds another practical benefit, and the truck’s standard tech and driver-assistance systems are broad for the class.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that the Santa Cruz’s compact packaging and more complex features may be less forgiving if you need maximum utility or low-maintenance simplicity.

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

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a truck that may have seen rougher use. Focus on tire condition, brake feel, and how the truck drives on pavement, since the all-terrain setup can affect road manners. If you plan to use it like a small pickup, check the bed, cabin wear, and any signs that the truck has been asked to do more than light-duty work.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base trims use an underpowered naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while the XRT and Limited get the more satisfying turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The XRT adds an off-road-themed look, improved approach angle, and standard all-terrain tires, but those tires hurt on-road handling.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is paired with a traditional eight-speed automatic and is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine makes 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, runs on regular gas, and is quicker, but the dual-clutch automatic can feel quirky.
• 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 intersection collision-braking, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, and Highway Driving Assist.
• 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.

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 extra equipment. It makes sense if you mainly want the truck’s compact footprint and everyday versatility.
• SEL: This is the value-oriented step up if you want a better balance of equipment and price. It keeps the Santa Cruz’s practical mission intact while giving you a more appealing middle ground than the base trim.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want more capability and a stronger feature mix without jumping to the pricier turbo models. It is a smart pick if you want a well-rounded daily driver with available all-wheel drive.
• XRT: Choose this if you want the turbocharged engine and the most rugged-looking Santa Cruz. It adds the off-road-themed treatment, all-terrain tires, and extra driver-assistance hardware, but the on-road trade-offs are real.
• Limited: This is the trim to buy if you want the most polished Santa Cruz experience. It pairs the turbo engine with the more upscale feel and better on-pavement driving dynamics than the XRT.

Starting with the XRT trim level, the Santa Cruz adds several safety and driver-assistance upgrades, 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 disciplined.

• Deal availability: 31.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,316 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.84% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 93.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,815.40, 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 $29,812 sits slightly below last year's $31,329.

That price movement suggests the Santa Cruz has softened enough to help you buy more selectively today. If you sell later, you should expect resale value to depend heavily on trim, condition, and mileage, especially because the truck’s appeal is tied to its features and personality more than broad mainstream demand. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment should hold up better than trucks that show heavy use or wear.

Is the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

The 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. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it five-star ratings in each collision evaluation, along with a four-star rollover resistance rating.

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

SmartSense is the standard driver-assistance suite, and it 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 intersection collision-braking, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, and Highway Driving Assist.

The main caveat is the IIHS frontal-impact result, which is worth weighing if safety is a top priority for you.

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 93.2% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.84% compared with last year.
• It adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

Consider the 2024 if:

• At $27,287, the 2024 costs less than the current year's $29,812 average.
• It blends truck utility with a compact, quirky personality.

The bottom line: Choose the 2025 if you want the most up-to-date Santa Cruz with stronger tech and the latest updates. If your priority is saving money, the 2024 is the better value path, especially if you can find one in good condition with the equipment you want.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.