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 $26,748, and its year-round low is $26,049.68. That gives you a useful snapshot of what shoppers are seeing across this model line right now. 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 4.65/5.

The all-generations owner rating is 4.65/5 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 coming up as another recurring strength.

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

The main trade-offs center on towing and payload expectations, along with some concerns about electronic feature durability and, on some years, rear-seat space and cargo room.

28.7% 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 equipped, and expert commentary reinforces its strong ride quality and useful everyday character. Across the model years, that combination points to a truck that feels thoughtfully designed for daily use.

• Owners rate the Hyundai Santa Cruz between 4.25 and 4.88 out of 5 stars across all model years in the data.

For used buyers, long-term ownership risk looks manageable if you prioritize well-kept examples and pay attention to electronics and usage history.

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

Across all model years, accident-free inventory is excellent at 90.2% — 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 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.
• Fuel efficiency: 24 mpg in combined driving, 22 mpg, 21 mpg, and 21.1 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 Santa Cruz's core utility and is the least expensive way to get into the model.
• SEL: This trim adds more everyday comfort and convenience, making it a smart value pick for many shoppers.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim if you want a stronger mix of features and capability, and it is the least expensive way to get the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder.
• XRT: This 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, and adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves.
• Limited: This top trim pairs the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder with the most upscale equipment in the lineup and is the best choice if you want the most polished Santa Cruz experience.

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 the easiest places to shop because you get more inventory to compare and more chances to find the right price, mileage, and equipment mix. They also tend to be the years most shoppers cross-shop first when looking for a used Santa Cruz.

What is the Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

Prices are moving lower across every model year shown, which is good news if you're shopping used. The declines are strongest on the newer years, while the older years are also trending down at a steadier pace. That creates a favorable setup for buyers who want to compare recent-model Santa Cruz trucks without paying new-vehicle pricing.

The 2025, 2023, 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 −4.99% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −8.28%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 29.2% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 28.2%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2023 model has the most listings at a current average price of $25,276. The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a distinctive mix of compact-truck utility, comfort, and personality that makes it easy to live with every day.

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.
• 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 2028 inventory to mature.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.