Used Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the Hyundai Santa Cruz cost in today's market?

Used Hyundai Santa Cruz prices span a wide range depending on model year. Here's what the market looks like right now:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz's current nationwide average price is $26,266, and its nationwide average price reached a low of $26,032 over the past year. Recently, prices have come down for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 models, making now a good time to shop recent model years.

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

Yes — the Hyundai Santa Cruz earns strong owner approval across the lineup.

The all-generations owner rating is 4.6/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners consistently praise the Santa Cruz for its smooth ride, modern technology, and versatile interior space. They also highlight its unique design and everyday usefulness, with fuel economy and comfort coming up often in positive feedback.

Expert reviews rate the 2025 and 2022 models among the highest across all years.

The main trade-offs center on the back seat, cargo space, and some driving dynamics on versions fitted with all-terrain tires. Those compromises are part of the Santa Cruz's character as a compact sport truck that leans into style, tech, and easygoing utility.

34.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Hyundai Santa Cruz models reliable?

Owners consistently describe the Santa Cruz as comfortable, modern, and easy to live with, while expert reviews reinforce its strong warranty and useful everyday character. Across the model years, it comes across as a well-liked small truck with broad appeal.

• Owners rate the Hyundai Santa Cruz between 4.3 and 4.9 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk looks manageable if you verify condition carefully and focus on well-kept examples with clean history reports.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is solid at 89.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: SmartSense with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist.
• Infotainment: 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, and fingerprint scanning.
• Fuel efficiency: the SEL Activity with all-wheel drive (AWD) is EPA-rated to return 24 mpg in combined driving, while the Limited AWD promises 22 mpg. The XRT is the least efficient version of the Santa Cruz, at 21 mpg. We averaged 21.1 mpg while driving the XRT on our mountainous Southern California evaluation loop.

Which Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers these trims:

• SE: This entry trim gives you the Santa Cruz's core utility and the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder setup.
• SEL: A step up for shoppers who want a more equipped daily driver while staying close to the value end of the lineup.
• SEL Activity: The best-value trim for many buyers, adding more equipment while keeping the Santa Cruz's everyday versatility.
• XRT: The off-road-themed trim adds an improved approach angle, standard all-terrain tires, 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.
• Limited: The most upscale trim adds the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and Highway Driving Assist, making it the choice if you want the strongest mix of performance and premium features.

What Hyundai Santa Cruz do most buyers choose?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz years with the most listings are 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Higher-volume model years usually give you more choices, which can make it easier to compare prices, trims, and condition. They also tend to be the years shoppers cross-shop most often, so you may find a broader mix of listings and deal opportunities.

What is the Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

The table shows broad downward movement across the model years, which can work in your favor if you're shopping used. The declines are meaningful but not extreme, and they suggest that recent Santa Cruz models have become more approachable without losing their appeal. The 2023, 2025, and 2022 model years have held their value best, with the smallest year-over-year price changes.

Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

• 2025: 9/10
• 2024: 8/10
• 2022: 7/10

Like other Hyundai models, the Santa Cruz comes standard with several driver-assistance features under SmartSense branding.

For the safest used buy, the 2025 model posts the highest confirmed score of 9/10.

Should I buy a used Hyundai Santa Cruz now or wait for the next model?

Buy now if:

• Price trend: The 2025 model is at −5.83% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −8.64%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 35.5% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 34.7%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2023 model has the most listings at a current average price of $24,724. The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a distinctive sport-truck personality that blends everyday usefulness with a comfortable, easygoing character.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: Driving a turbocharged Hyundai Santa Cruz is fun because the engine produces a robust 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,000 rpm. Those represent increases of 90 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque over the standard engine. Better yet, the turbo-four makes its power on regular gas instead of premium.
• Tech: Every 2025 Santa Cruz includes a sophisticated 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay technology, a digital key system, fingerprint scanning, and more.
• Safety: Starting with the XRT trim level, the Santa Cruz features an intersection collision-braking system, a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves.
• Starting price: Prices range from $30,245 to $44,245, including the $1,450 destination charge.

If you're buying used today, the 2023 model year offers the best mix of value and availability. If you want the latest tech and features, it may be worth waiting for the next model year's inventory to build up.

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 brings stronger tech and a more upscale-feeling feature set, while the Maverick counters with a standard hybrid powertrain and better fuel economy. If you want the more playful, tech-forward trucklet, the Santa Cruz stands out; if efficiency and a lower starting price matter more, the Maverick makes a strong case.

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.