Used Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

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 $26,360, and its nationwide average price reached a low of $26,033 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, anchored by an all-generations user rating of 4.6/5.

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 rear-seat room, cargo space, and some driving dynamics on versions fitted with all-terrain tires.

31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Hyundai Santa Cruz models reliable?

Owners consistently describe the Santa Cruz as comfortable, easy to live with, and well suited to daily use. Expert coverage also points to a strong warranty and a generally polished ownership experience.

• 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 choose carefully and inspect the truck’s condition, electronics, and service history.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is excellent at 90.5% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

Key things to evaluate:

• Safety package: SmartSense driver-assistance features, including 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, and a digital key system.
• Fuel efficiency: the turbocharged engine produces 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,000 rpm, while the SEL Activity with AWD is EPA-rated to return 24 mpg in combined driving, the Limited AWD promises 22 mpg, and the XRT is the least efficient version at 21 mpg.

Which Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers these trims:

• SE: The entry trim starts the lineup with the base naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder and suits you if you want the most affordable path into the Santa Cruz.
• SEL: This trim adds a step up in everyday equipment while keeping the base engine, making it a sensible value choice.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want a more appealing mix of equipment and usability, and it can be paired with AWD and the base engine.
• XRT: This off-road-themed trim adds the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, 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: This top trim also gets the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and Highway Driving Assist, and it suits you if you want the most upscale version in the lineup.

What Hyundai Santa Cruz do most buyers choose?

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

Those higher-volume years tend to be popular because they give you more inventory to compare and more chances to find the right price and condition. They also line up with the model years many shoppers focus on when balancing value, features, and availability.

What is the Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

Used Santa Cruz prices are moving lower across every model year shown here, which is good news if you want to buy at a softer point in the market. The biggest drops are concentrated in the newer and mid-cycle years, while the smaller declines suggest some versions are easing down more gradually.

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

The 2025 Santa Cruz includes SmartSense driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-centering assist.

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 −5.92% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −8.81%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 31.6% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 31.4%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2023 model has the most listings at a current average price of $24,814. The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a distinctive sport-truck character with everyday versatility and easygoing utility.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: the turbocharged engine produces 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 4,000 rpm, while the XRT is the least efficient version at 21 mpg.
• Tech: every 2025 Santa Cruz includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay technology, and a digital key system.
• Safety: the latest model adds 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.
• Starting price: the 2025 Santa Cruz ranges 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 technology and a great warranty, while the Maverick counters with a standard hybrid powertrain and better fuel economy. If you want the more playful, tech-forward trucklet, the Hyundai stands out; if efficiency and a more traditional small-truck value proposition matter more, the Ford makes a strong case.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.