The Hyundai Santa Cruz makes a striking return for the 2025 season, showcasing significant updates in the face of growing competition. While the Ford Maverick remains the truck to chase in the compact pickup market, other manufacturers are eager to grab their slice of the pie too. To stay competitive, Hyundai must address these nine Achilles’ heels on the Santa Cruz for the 2025 model year.
1. Loss of Power Transmission
Hyundai’s first pickup truck has experienced relatively few issues, with only minor recalls since its debut. However, some owners have been annoyed by a loss of power transmission, particularly in models built before 2022. While the 2023 and 2024 models have been largely unaffected, this remains a concern.
Hyundai insists this issue is in the past, but if you experience a sudden loss of power in your 2025 Santa Cruz, consider all possible causes before assuming the worst. It could be something as simple as the speed limiter being activated via the steering wheel controls, or a quick restart of the truck might resolve the issue.
2. Compromised Rear Visibility
While praised for its unique design and versatility, the Santa Cruz has faced some criticism regarding rear visibility. The truck’s coupe-like sloping roofline and thick rear pillars contribute to a somewhat restricted view, particularly during reversing or lane changes when smaller objects or pedestrians might be hard to spot.
For the redesigned 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, these issues have been addressed, making the truck much safer. The vehicle now includes a suite of visibility-enhancing technologies, such as a rearview camera and blind spot monitoring, with additional features like rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera available on higher trims.
3. Tight Rear Seats
The 2025 Santa Cruz has been updated with a fresh front fascia and a new dashboard, but the truck hasn’t become more comfortable in the rear. Previous owners complained about cramped back seats and a lack of driver’s bucket memory settings, and unfortunately, the new model doesn’t offer much improvement in this area.
Taller adults might find the rear legroom and headroom somewhat cramped, especially compared to traditional midsize trucks. However, the front seats remain spacious and comfortable, and depending on the trim level, the truck comes equipped with features like dual-zone climate control and leather upholstery to enhance the overall experience.
4. Availability of Replacement Parts
As a global automaker, Hyundai produces a wide range of vehicles, which can make finding replacement parts challenging, especially outside of South Korea. For the Santa Cruz, which is a newer model, this issue has been more pronounced, with some owners reporting delays in obtaining specific parts.
This can be frustrating for those who rely on their vehicle for daily transportation. However, as the popularity of the Santa Cruz increases, so does the availability of parts and aftermarket support, which could make the 2025 model a game-changer.
5. Base Headlights Remain Subpar
Despite the official release stating that the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz features new daytime running lights, the main problem remains: the base package still comes with halogen, not LED, lamps. These headlights are less bright and provide poor visibility compared to modern LED headlights, particularly in low-light conditions.
While Hyundai has made adjustments to the design, the effectiveness of these halogen lamps will only be confirmed once the new Santa Cruz is available for purchase and testing.
6. Lack of Features
The Santa Cruz is innovative and receives much praise, but the lack of some features leaves a bad taste for some owners. Notably, features like a panoramic sunroof and driver memory seat, available in the Tucson crossover, are missing in the 2025 Santa Cruz.
However, Hyundai has listened to feedback and introduced a revamped dashboard that enhances functionality and aesthetics, along with new switchgear for audio and climate controls.
7. Underwhelming Standard Engine
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz sticks to a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine as the base choice, producing 191 horsepower. However, according to owners, this powertrain underperforms when the truck is fully loaded or towing.
The towing capacity is limited to 3,500 lbs, which pales in comparison to competitors like the Ford Maverick, which offers a more capable base engine. Unfortunately, Hyundai has not introduced a hybrid option for the 2025 model, leaving fans disappointed.
8. Poor Fuel Efficiency
The lack of a hybrid engine not only affects power output but also fuel efficiency. The Santa Cruz returns 22 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, which is acceptable but falls short compared to competitors like the Ford Maverick.
The Maverick’s hybrid version achieves an impressive 42 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, making it a more efficient option. Hyundai’s decision not to introduce a hybrid for the 2025 model could put the Santa Cruz at a disadvantage.
9. Off-Road Ready
Hyundai has enhanced the XRT grade for the Santa Cruz to improve its chances in the off-road market. The 2025 Santa Cruz XRT features an advanced suspension system designed to handle rough terrain better, offering improved ground clearance and better articulation over obstacles.
It also comes equipped with all-terrain tires, underbody protection, and special off-road driving modes. The XRT model is powered by a turbocharged 2.5L engine producing 281 horsepower, making it competitive with other off-road-oriented compact trucks like the Ford Maverick Tremor.
In conclusion, while the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers notable updates and improvements, it still faces challenges in areas like power transmission, visibility, and fuel efficiency. As competition in the compact pickup market intensifies, Hyundai will need to address these issues to keep the Santa Cruz competitive.
