“If you want a truck that drives like a sports car and rides like an SUV, then the Santa Cruz is the vehicle for you.”
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the new Night trim, which pairs dark exterior details with the turbo engine and standard AWD. Otherwise, this is a quiet second year with few changes.
About the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
1st generation (2022-present), second model year
Hyundai positions the Santa Cruz as a compact pickup for people who want truck usefulness without moving into a full-size, work-first vehicle. Its core appeal is the mix of a comfortable four-door cabin, easy city size, and a short bed with smart built-in storage. Compared with traditional pickups, it leans more toward everyday driving, tech, and lifestyle versatility; compared with compact crossovers, it offers open-bed cargo flexibility and stronger towing on turbo trims.
The Santa Cruz range spans from the practical SE and comfort-focused SEL to three turbocharged AWD trims. The Night emphasizes dark styling and useful bed equipment, while the Limited adds leather seats, premium audio, extra camera views, and more advanced driver assistance.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The new Night trim uses the 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and standard AWD. AWD also becomes standard on the SEL Premium and Limited, giving both a 5,000-pound towing rating with trailer brakes.
Styling
The new Night trim adds a dark chrome grille and tailgate trim, along with its own dark lower styling at the front and rear.
Safety
The base SE gains standard blind-spot collision assistance, rear cross-traffic collision assistance, and Safe Exit Warning.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, GDI, 2.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg | 27 mpg |
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 191 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp | 281 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 181 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 3500 lb | 3500 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in | 36.5 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||
| Alarm System | |||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||
| Cruise Control | |||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||
| 360 Camera | |||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||
| LED Headlights | |||||
| Power Moonroof | |||||
| Roof Rails | |||||
| Side Steps | |||||
| Navigation System | |||||
| Premium Audio | |||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||
| Leather Seats | |||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||
| Remote Start | |||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The biggest change is the new Night trim. It combines the 281-hp turbo engine and standard AWD with dark exterior trim, a sunroof, roof rails, a digital instrument display, and a household-style power outlet in the bed.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz a redesign?
No, the 2023 Santa Cruz is not a redesign. It is the second model year of the first-generation Santa Cruz, and most of the lineup carries over from 2022.
What safety equipment changed on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE?
The 2023 Santa Cruz SE gains standard blind-spot collision assistance, rear cross-traffic collision assistance, and Safe Exit Warning. These features help watch for nearby traffic when changing lanes, backing up, or opening a door.
Did AWD become standard on more 2023 Santa Cruz trims?
Yes. AWD is standard on the new Night trim and becomes standard on the SEL Premium and Limited for 2023. Those three trims also use the stronger 281-hp turbocharged engine.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz worth considering over the 2022 model?
The 2023 is most appealing if you want the Night trim, the SE’s added safety equipment, or standard AWD on an SEL Premium or Limited. Otherwise, the two model years are very similar because there was no broad redesign or major technology update.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
4.4
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
(320 reviews)
“Very compact, great gas mileage, very tech-savvy and has a truck bed with a compartment under it and the back seat. Great truck altogether.”
“You will love driving it, short or long distances, very comfortable and fun to drive”