2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
Truck

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $24,995–$29,852
Fuel Economy 22 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Truck
Est. Annual Fuel $2,386/yr

Key Specifications — 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleTruck
Base Price$24,995–$29,852

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.3/10, while Performance at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.3/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.2/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.3/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.

Priced from $24,995–$29,852, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Cruz sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. Its value score of 8.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 2 years old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Trucks

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks #16 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $24,995 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 29%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $25k →

Which Santa Cruz Year Should You Buy?

Across the Santa Cruz model years we've scored, the 2024 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.0/10$25,744 Read review →
2025 8.0/10$25,744 Read review →
2024 (this review) 7.9/10$24,995
2023 7.9/10$24,245 Read review →
2022 7.9/10$23,495 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

✓ What it does well

  • Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra

NHTSA Recalls — 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz (1 on record)

The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Steering / Electric power assist system
05/06/2024 · 24V412000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Common Questions — 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

We rate the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz's reliability 8.3/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?

1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz worth buying?

It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #16 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.

How much does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $24,995 and ranges up to $29,852 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Owner Essentials — Hyundai Santa Cruz

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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