Check Out the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Brooklyn, NY

Look Into the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Plaza Hyundai
If you’re torn between choosing a pickup or an SUV, you’re in luck. The Hyundai Santa Cruz offers the best of both worlds. It offers the comforts of an SUV and the functionality of a pickup, all wrapped up in a unique body design.
It debuted in the U.S. in 2021 and has since evolved significantly. For the 2026 model year, the Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with exciting updates. The pickup truck introduces two new trims: the rugged XRT and the SEL Activity, which is designed for off-road adventures.
Drivers can now choose from the following five trims:
- SE
- SEL
- SEL Activity
- XRT
- Limited
The base SE model offers all the essential features, while those who love the uncharted trail would love the SEL Activity and XRT trims. If you're looking for a more luxurious ride, the Limited model, with its refined features, will suit you perfectly.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz compares favorably against the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, Ford Maverick, and Chevrolet Colorado. The Santa Cruz stands out for its unique configuration as a half-SUV, half-pickup truck, ideal for drivers who seek both comfort and muscle in one reliable ride.
Interior Review of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The cabin of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz spells comfort and practicality. You’re surrounded by convenient amenities and the latest technologies, making every trip an exciting and comfortable journey.
You'll immediately notice the generous passenger space, and you'll feel utmost comfort wherever you sit. For instance, there is ample legroom of 41.4 inches in the front and 36.5 inches in the back.
The base trim features premium cloth upholstery, while the higher models feature H-Tex® leatherette. The Limited model offers leather-covered seats, giving you a luxurious vibe. Additionally, the dual-zone automatic climate control allows passengers in each row to set their desired cabin temperature.
There is more than enough room for your haul on the truck bed, while you can also keep other stuff and valuables in the cabin’s compartments. There are USB ports everywhere, ensuring your electronic devices will be working even on long trips. Other practical amenities include rain-sensing windshield wipers and an acoustic-laminated windshield.
The Santa Cruz also features an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and optional ventilated and heated front seats. If you love fresh air and sunlight, you’ll appreciate the power sunroof.
Exterior Review of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz stands out among pickup trucks with its unique body design. It appears to be an SUV from the front but resembles a pickup truck from the rear. From the side, it's half SUV and half pickup truck.
Overall, the 2026 Santa Cruz sports an updated front fascia and bold body lines. It sits on 18- or 20-inch wheels, ensuring utmost stability on any road condition. Meanwhile, drivers who frequently drive off-road would appreciate the all-terrain capabilities of the SEL Activity and XRT.
Other functional exterior features of the Santa Cruz include a 115V power outlet, auto headlights, a power liftgate, roof rails, high-beam assist, and heated side mirrors.
The pickup truck is available in a wide array of colors that include the following hues:
- Phantom Black
- Hampton Gray
- Sage Gray
- Atlas White
- Blue Stone
Power and Performance of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two powertrain options. The first is a standard 2.5-liter inline-4 engine, which delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The other one is a turbocharged version of the same engine. Incorporated in the XRT and Limited models, the more powerful powerplant produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It offers a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload of up to 1,411 pounds.
Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTTRONIC®. This innovation allows you to manually shift in an automatic setup, giving you a free hand in how fast you want to go at any given moment.
Front-wheel drive is standard on the SE, SEL, and SEL Activity trims, while the XRT and Limited models feature HTRAC AWD. Also known as Hyundai TRACtion, this technology automatically channels additional torque to the rear wheels when roads are slippery, terrain is steep, or other challenging driving conditions arise.
Key Technology Features
- 12.3-inch Touchscreen Display
- 12.3-inch Gauge Cluster
- Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ Compatibility
- Available Bose® Premium Audio System
- Wireless Smartphone Charging Pad
- Bluetooth® Connectivity
Key Safety Features
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane-Keeping Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Driver Attention Warning
- Lane-Following Assist
- Smart Cruise Control 2 with Stop and Go
Shop the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Brooklyn, NY
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the ideal ride for drivers wanting the muscle of a pickup truck but the comfort of an SUV. It checks out all your boxes for convenience, technology, style, and performance.
See us at Plaza Hyundai to test drive a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz for sale in Brooklyn, NY. While here at the dealership, ask our team about special offers and financing options. We’ll make it easy for you to drive away in a Hyundai that meets your needs and budget.
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Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.