Hyundai Santa Cruz trim levels explained

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes in five trims, excluding $1,600 freight. The SE ($29,500), SEL ($31,150) and SEL Activity ($34,200) use a 191-hp 2.5L, with AWD $1,500 extra. The AWD-only XRT ($41,100) and Limited ($43,450) get a 281-hp 2.5L turbo rated to tow 5,000 lb on the XRT.

Current Santa Cruz trim levels: First generation (2026 model year)

The 2026 Santa Cruz pickup pairs a 191-hp 2.5L or a 281-hp 2.5L turbo with an 8-speed automatic. The turbo trims, XRT and Limited, come only with AWD. Prices come from Hyundai's Sep 4, 2025 sheet and exclude $1,600 freight.[1][2]

Hyundai Santa Cruz First generation (2026 model year) trims in ladder order with 2026 model-year base MSRP (USD), engines and key standard equipment
Trim	Base MSRP (2026, USD)	Engines	Key standard equipment
SE	$29,500excl. $1,600 freight (2026 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl (191 hp, 181 lb-ft), 8-speed automatic	3,500-lb towing capacity Rear bumper side steps Remote start Self-leveling rear dampers [1][2]
SEL	$31,150excl. $1,600 freight (2026 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl (191 hp, 181 lb-ft), 8-speed automatic	H-Tex seats; heated front seats 8-way power driver's seat Dual-zone automatic climate control Roof side rails [1]
SEL Activity	$34,200excl. $1,600 freight (2026 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl (191 hp, 181 lb-ft), 8-speed automatic	Integrated tonneau cover 115V bed power inverter and LED bed lighting Sunroof and rear sliding glass 12.3-inch digital cluster [1]
XRT	$41,100excl. $1,600 freight (2026 MY); AWD only	2.5L turbo 4-cyl (281 hp, 311 lb-ft), 8-speed automatic	5,000-lb towing capacity 18-inch XRT wheels with all-terrain tires Black H-Tex seats; front recovery hooks Improved approach angle [1][2]
Limited	$43,450excl. $1,600 freight (2026 MY); AWD only	2.5L turbo 4-cyl (281 hp, 311 lb-ft), 8-speed automatic	20-inch alloy wheels Bose premium audio Highway Driving Assist Fingerprint scanner [1]

MSRP excludes destination unless noted. "—" means we could not confirm the price from a Hyundai pricing source.

Previous Santa Cruz trim levels: First generation (2022 launch)

The Santa Cruz launched for 2022 at $23,990. The SE, SEL and SEL Activity used a 2.5L four, and the AWD-only SEL Premium and Limited used a 2.5L turbo with an 8-speed dual-clutch. Prices excluded $1,185 freight.[3]

Hyundai Santa Cruz First generation (2022 launch) trims in ladder order with 2022 model-year base MSRP (USD), engines and key standard equipment
Trim	Base MSRP (2022, USD)	Engines	Key standard equipment
SE	$23,990excl. $1,185 freight (2022 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl, 8-speed automatic	18-inch alloy wheels Integrated rear bumper side steps Lockable underfloor bed storage [3]
SEL	$27,190excl. $1,185 freight (2022 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl, 8-speed automatic	Step up from SE FWD or AWD Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto [3]
SEL Activity	$30,460excl. $1,185 freight (2022 MY); AWD +$1,500	2.5L 4-cyl, 8-speed automatic	Activity-focused SEL FWD or AWD Molded composite bed [3]
SEL Premium	$35,680excl. $1,185 freight (2022 MY); AWD only	2.5L turbo 4-cyl, 8-speed dual-clutch	2.5L turbo AWD standard 8-speed DCT [3]
Limited	$39,720excl. $1,185 freight (2022 MY); AWD only	2.5L turbo 4-cyl, 8-speed dual-clutch	Top 2022 Santa Cruz 2.5L turbo AWD standard [3]

MSRP excludes destination unless noted. "—" means we could not confirm the price from a Hyundai pricing source.

Related Santa Cruz research

See which trim and packages a Santa Cruz was built with.

Trim names on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Hyundai build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Hyundai build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Santa Cruz trim?

The SEL Activity ($34,200 FWD for 2026) adds the integrated tonneau cover, a 115V bed outlet, a sunroof and a sliding rear window. For towing, the XRT ($41,100) brings the turbo engine and a 5,000-lb rating.

Which Santa Cruz trims have AWD?

All of them. The 2026 SE, SEL and SEL Activity offer AWD for $1,500 more, and the XRT and Limited come only with AWD.

How much can the Santa Cruz tow?

Hyundai's 2026 sheet rates the SE at 3,500 lb and the turbo XRT at 5,000 lb.

What's the difference between the Santa Cruz SEL and Limited?

The 2026 Limited ($43,450) swaps the 191-hp 2.5L for the 281-hp turbo and adds standard AWD, 20-inch wheels, Bose audio and Highway Driving Assist. The SEL costs $31,150.

Sources

Prices and equipment are as published by Hyundai for the model year shown; trim content changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz pricing sheet (effective Sep 4, 2025) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/68229-26MYSantaCruzPricingSheet4Sep2025.pdf)
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz specifications & features — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/67769-2026SantaCruzSpecsFeatures20250722A.pdf)
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz pricing release (Jul 12, 2021) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/46903-2022SantaCruzPricingRelease12Jul2021FINAL.pdf)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Hyundai Motor America, Hyundai Motor Company or Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai and the model names are trademarks of their owners.