Representative photo — may show another model year
Truck
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$25,744–$32,217
Fuel Economy25 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategoryTruck
Est. Annual Fuel$2,100/yr
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 8.0/10 at Carivo, ranking #1 of 515 trucks, with 3 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,100/year fuel cost.
Scored by Carivo·Updated: August 15, 2026·How we score →
Key Specifications — 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Seating Capacity
5 passengers
Body Style
Truck
Base Price
$25,744–$32,217
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Our scoring places the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at 8.0/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 7.1/10 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. We score reliability at 8.3/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The 8.5/10 safety score puts it near the top of the class on this dimension; the official trim-level results at nhtsa.gov are worth a final check.
Performance scores 7.1/10 — competent for everyday use. Acceleration and handling are adequate for commuting and highway driving, though enthusiasts will want to look at higher-rated alternatives. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $25,744–$32,217, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Santa Cruz sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.4/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Our take: The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a solid, well-rounded truck that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz ranks #1 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 100% of the segment. Its 8.0/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $25,744 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 27%.
$0 — 3 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Santa Cruz Year Should You Buy?
Across the Santa Cruz model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Above-average reliability record with solid owner satisfaction data
Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
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 — 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz (3 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Air bags / Side/window / Curtain 21/11/2025 · 25V809000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as…
Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 27/01/2026 · 26V047000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a…
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?
We rate the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz's reliability 8.3/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz worth buying?
It scores 8.0/10 overall, ranking #1 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 100% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
How much does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $25,744 and ranges up to $32,217 across trims (MSRP when new). At 25 MPG, expect roughly $2,100/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Santa Cruz years should you avoid?
No standout weak years: across the 5 Santa Cruz model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (8.0/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.
What problems does the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
The documented issues for the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Hyundai Santa Cruz
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More Hyundai Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year