DecodedCars2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2024 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr Pickup
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 191–281 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 22 city / 27 hwy
- Length
- 195.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,101 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 19% below the 2024 small SUV average of 28.3 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2024 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 196 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,101 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (22 city / 27 highway), 19% worse than the 2024 small SUV average of 28.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2024
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2023 Santa Cruz — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2023; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2023 Santa Cruz →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2024 Santa Cruz configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Pickup | 195.7 in | 75.2 in | 66.5 in | 118.5 in | 64.6 / 65 in | 4,101 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 26 / 23 | -19% | $2,900 | 381 |
| Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 25 / 23 | -8% | $2,900 | 390 |
| Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -12% | $3,050 | 403 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2024 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz PU/CC FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 16.4% |
Similar 2024 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2024 Toyota 4Runner | 17 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2024 Ford Explorer | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 10 |
| 2024 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2024 Kia Telluride | 22 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Jun 5, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V412000 · 795 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 261.
Not every 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 11 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 6 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 4 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 1,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Santa Cruz years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Santa Cruz | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Santa Cruz | 25 | – | Not rated | 3 | 5 |
| 2025 Santa Cruz | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 21 |
| 2023 Santa Cruz | 23 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 79 |
| 2022 Santa Cruz | 23 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 185 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →