“This Santa Cruz Limited is so sweet. Love driving her, yet you can put your foot into it and the turbo will kick in and give you a ride. Boze stereo system is wonderful and room for 5 of us girls to go to the casino, with room in the bed for luggage, who could ask for more! I'm almost 70 and I LOVE my truck!”
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the new XRT trim, which replaces the SEL Premium with a rugged-looking body treatment, a turbo engine, and AWD. Otherwise, this is a light equipment update rather than a redesign.
About the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
1st generation (introduced for 2022), third model year and final year before the 2025 exterior/interior refresh
Hyundai positions the Santa Cruz as a compact “sport adventure vehicle” combining SUV-like comfort and maneuverability with an open cargo bed. Its core appeal is everyday urban usability, a five-seat cabin, hidden bed storage, and enough hauling or towing ability for recreation and home projects without the size and truck-like ride of a traditional midsize pickup. The short footprint, distinctive shape, and stronger turbo trims separate it from conventional pickups and compact SUVs.
The SE remains the practical starting point, while the SEL adds everyday comforts such as heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Night and new XRT pair a 281-hp turbo engine and AWD with distinct styling, while the Limited tops the range with leather seating, ventilated front seats, Bose audio, and surround-view cameras.
What changed, by category
Styling
The new XRT replaced the SEL Premium and added wider body cladding and a more adventure-themed exterior. Projector-type LED headlights also became standard across the lineup, and the Night gained H-Tex synthetic leather seating.
Safety
Every trim gained steering-wheel vibration alerts for lane-keeping and blind-spot warnings. The new XRT also brought adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability to its place in the lineup.
Tech
The 10.25-inch navigation touchscreen expanded to the SEL Activity Package, Night, XRT, and Limited. Dual-zone automatic climate control with automatic windshield defogging became standard on SEL and higher trims, and the XRT added Digital Key hardware.
2024 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 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 21 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26 mpg | 26 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 mpg | 25 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
Was the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz redesigned?
No. The 2024 Santa Cruz remains part of the first generation introduced for 2022. Its changes center on the new XRT trim and added equipment rather than a new body, cabin, or chassis.
What replaced the SEL Premium in the 2024 Santa Cruz lineup?
The new XRT replaced the SEL Premium. It combines the 281-hp turbocharged engine and AWD with wider body cladding, H-Tex synthetic leather seating, adaptive cruise control, navigation, and Digital Key hardware.
Does the 2024 Santa Cruz XRT have unique off-road hardware?
No. The XRT is mainly a styling, comfort, and technology upgrade. It has adventure-themed body hardware, but no unique suspension or additional ground clearance.
What became standard on every 2024 Santa Cruz trim?
Projector-type LED headlights and steering-wheel vibration alerts became standard on every 2024 Santa Cruz. The vibration alerts support the lane-keeping and blind-spot warning systems.
Did the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz get a new engine?
No. The engine lineup carried over. The SE and SEL use a 191-hp non-turbo 2.5-liter engine, while the Night, XRT, and Limited use a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with AWD.
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
4.5
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
(122 reviews)
“Enjoy having the flexibility of the truck bed for things you may not want to put inside the vehicle. It drives more like a car than a truck and is comfortable to drive.”
“My partner is 6 ft tall and has a hard time getting into drivers and passenger seats.”