New Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearAmes, 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 $26,432, and its nationwide average price reached a low of $26,034 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 its model years, and shoppers consistently respond to its comfort, technology, and distinctive utility. The all-generations owner rating is 4.65/5 across every model year in the data.

Owners repeatedly praise the smooth ride, modern technology, spacious interior, and versatile design. They also value the Santa Cruz's comfortable cabin and the way it blends everyday usability with a unique personality.

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

The main trade-offs center on towing capacity, payload capacity, back-seat space, and some electronic-feature durability concerns. For many used buyers, those are manageable compromises if you want a compact truck with a comfortable, well-equipped feel.

33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Are Hyundai Santa Cruz models reliable?

Owners consistently praise the Santa Cruz for its smooth ride, modern technology, and comfortable, versatile cabin. Expert feedback also points to a strong warranty and a well-rounded ownership experience.

• 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 the condition of the truck's electronics and overall wear.

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 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.

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 2.5-liter four-cylinder and is the most affordable way into the Santa Cruz.
• SEL: This trim adds a step up in everyday comfort and convenience while staying with the base engine.
• SEL Activity: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more equipment and keeps the lineup's practical, well-rounded character.
• XRT: This off-road-themed trim adds the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, an improved approach angle, standard all-terrain tires, blind-spot cameras, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control with automatic speed adjustment for curves, and Highway Driving Assist.
• Limited: This trim adds the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and the most upscale feel in the lineup, and it suits buyers who want the strongest mix of performance and refinement.

What Hyundai Santa Cruz do most buyers choose?

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

Higher-volume years usually give you more choices, which makes it easier to compare prices, trims, and condition. They also tend to be the most common picks because more shoppers can find the configuration they want without stretching into newer inventory.

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 biggest drops are in the older and mid-cycle years, while the newest year is also easing down from its prior level. That pattern gives you more room to find value without giving up the Santa Cruz's core appeal.

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

SmartSense comes standard on the 2025 Santa Cruz with 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 −4.1% versus a year ago, and the 2024 model is at −8.21%.
• Deal availability: The 2025 model has 33.6% good and great deals, and the 2024 model has 32.9%.
• Sweet-spot year: The 2023 model has the most listings at a current average price of $24,825. The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a smooth ride, modern technology, and a distinctive cabin that blends comfort with everyday utility.

Consider waiting if:

• Powertrain/efficiency: the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder produces 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, while the SEL Activity AWD is rated at 24 mpg combined and the Limited AWD at 22 mpg combined.
• Tech: the 2025 model includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluelink+ connected services, Hyundai Pay technology, a digital key system, and fingerprint scanning.
• 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: $30,245

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.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.