2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Review

The Santa Cruz is a sports adventure vehicle from the Korean manufacturer Hyundai. With its SUV/truck configuration, it sits in a class of its own and is perfect for those who don’t follow the crowd.

What's Different From 2022?


There have been no significant changes to the Santa Cruz for 2023, but there have been a few.

This year, the 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment and navigation systems is now available in the Preferred trim instead of only in the top-level Ultimate trim.

The Santa Cruz range is no longer available in the Ice White and Mojave Sand colours, but the similar colours of Atlas White and California Sand have replaced these.

The Preferred trim also gets dual-zone climate control as an upgrade on the single-zone annual air conditioning found in the 2022 model.

The Ultimate trim for 2023 is very similar to the 2022 trim, but there are a few upgrades. This trim gets black front and rear skid plates and side steps. It also has a 10.25" full-colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation as standard features.

Both trims also gain a wireless charging system for smartphones.

Exterior Layout and Options

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Design

Interior Layout and Options

2023 Hyundai Santa Interior and Space


2023 Santa Cruz Model in Ontario


The 2023 line-up is as exciting as before. The Santa Cruz in the Preferred trim has an MSRP (in Ontario) of $42,956*, with the Ultimate trim starting at $49,756*.

The vehicle retains its quirky looks with a very comfortable cabin and a great load bed with a hard, sliding, lockable tonneau cover. The lockable, waterproof, under-bed storage compartment is a great storage option for valuables.

Both trims have a 2.5-litre turbo charge, gas-powered four-cylinder engine that puts out 281 horsepower. It's coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch SHIFTRONIC transmission with all-wheel-drive. These engines give the Santa Cruz a perky drive and return a frugal 12.1 L/100km around town and 8.7 L/100km on the highway.

The Santa Cruz has a very comfortable cabin with cloth seats in the Preferred trim and leather seats in the Ultimate trim. The cabin will seat adults comfortably, and the Ultimate provides rear air vents for added comfort.

The Santa Cruz has always enjoyed a modern design. The bold SUV front end and the practical truck bed are an exciting and versatile combination. This vehicle makes the most of its compact design, so it's a pleasure to drive in tight city confines, and parking is a breeze, but it is still large enough to be comfortable on a long trip. The hidden LED daytime running lights accentuate the bold grille, and the wheel arch accents give a board hint of its off-road capability.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trims

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Preferred

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Preferred


  • 5-litre Smartstream Turbocharged GDI engine
  • Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
  • HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Drive Mode Select
  • Paddle shifters
  • Cloth seats with six-way adjustable driver seat with height adjustment
  • Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • 2-inch colour multi-information display
  • 18-inch allow wheels
  • 25-inch colour touchscreen navigation
  • BlueLink connected services
  • Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
  • High Beam Assist (HBA)
  • Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
  • Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
  • Rearview Camera
  • Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control system (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Ultimate

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Ultimate


Includes all of the features of the Preferred, plus:

  • 25" full digital display instrument cluster
  • Wireless Charging Pad
  • Electrochromic rearview mirror with HomeLink
  • Second-row HVAC vents
  • Leather seating
  • Eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support
  • Bose premium audio system with eight speakers
  • LED headlights
  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Blind View Monitor (BVM)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Highway Driving Assist (HDA)

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Preferred


  • 5-litre Smartstream Turbocharged GDI engine
  • Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
  • HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
  • Drive Mode Select
  • Paddle shifters
  • Cloth seats with six-way adjustable driver seat with height adjustment
  • Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • 2-inch colour multi-information display
  • 18-inch allow wheels
  • 25-inch colour touchscreen navigation
  • BlueLink connected services
  • Lane Following Assist (LFA) and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
  • Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
  • High Beam Assist (HBA)
  • Rear Occupant Alert (ROA)
  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA)
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
  • Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
  • Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA)
  • Rearview Camera
  • Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronic Stability Control system (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
  • Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Ultimate


Includes all of the features of the Preferred, plus:

  • 25" full digital display instrument cluster
  • Wireless Charging Pad
  • Electrochromic rearview mirror with HomeLink
  • Second-row HVAC vents
  • Leather seating
  • Eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support
  • Bose premium audio system with eight speakers
  • LED headlights
  • 20-inch alloy wheels
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Blind View Monitor (BVM)
  • Surround View Monitor (SVM)
  • Highway Driving Assist (HDA)

Final Thoughts


This vehicle is a great family option and a fantastic car for anyone with an adventurous bent who enjoys wilderness areas. The different drive selections for mud, snow, or sand will assist with driving in hazardous conditions. The load bed will take any shopping or weekend camping kit for that camping trip to Echo Hill or Koertland Acres, and the cabin is spacious and comfortable.