Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. the Pack: Top Lifestyle Truck in '25?
The pickup scene is changing, and the '25 Hyundai Santa Cruz is leading the way as what some call a lifestyle truck. It's not just a work truck; it's for folks who want something cool, comfy, and able to handle both city life and weekend getaways. But there are other good trucks out there, so which one's really the best in 2025? Let's check out the Santa Cruz and see how it stacks up against the Ford Maverick, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, and Honda Ridgeline.
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Hyundai Santa Cruz: The New Do-It-All Truck?
The Santa Cruz is like a mix between a small SUV and a mid-size truck. You get a truck bed, but it's also easy to drive and feels comfy like an SUV. For 2025, Hyundai's tweaked the Santa Cruz with a fresh look, better tech, and engines that don't guzzle gas.
Cool Stuff:
- Power That Doesn't Waste Gas: The '25 Santa Cruz has a turbo 4-cylinder engine. The 2.5-liter option makes up to 281 horsepower. It's a smooth ride and won't kill you at the pump, which is great for driving to work or going on trips.
- Nice Inside: Hyundai didn't skimp on the inside. It's got good materials, a big touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital display for the driver. The seats are comfy for long drives.
- Handy Bed: Instead of a big, open bed, the Santa Cruz has a smaller, 4-foot bed with a secret trunk underneath. It's safe for storing stuff in the city and keeps things dry. The bed also has tie-downs and a tailgate that makes loading easy.
- Safe and Sound: Hyundai gives the Santa Cruz a bunch of safety features like warnings for crashes, automatic emergency brakes, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitors, and cruise control that adjusts to traffic. It's one of the safest in its class.
The Competition: How They Compare
Ford Maverick
The Maverick is a popular, affordable, small pickup with a hybrid option that gets great gas mileage.
- Engine: The hybrid makes around 191 horsepower but shines with gas mileage, getting over 40 mpg in the city.
- Utility: The bed is a little bigger than the Santa Cruz, at 4.5 feet, and it's a standard open bed.
- Interior: It's not as fancy as the Santa Cruz on the inside; it's more about being useful.
- Price: The Maverick is cheap, which appeals to buyers who want a practical truck without spending a ton.
If you want a truck that's cheap and saves gas, the Maverick's a good pick, but it's not as high-end or techy as the Santa Cruz.
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma's a classic mid-size truck that's known for being tough and good off-road.
- Engine: It's got a V6 for towing and off-roading.
- Ability: The Tacoma's made for serious off-road trips and hard work. It can tow and carry more than the Santa Cruz.
- Interior: It's not as nice inside as the Santa Cruz, but it's durable.
- Price: It costs more, especially the off-road models.
If you need a truck that can go anywhere and last forever, the Tacoma's a solid choice, although it's not as comfy every day.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Colorado's a mid-size truck that can do regular truck stuff.
- Engine Choices: It has a turbo four-cylinder, a V6, and even a diesel for towing and long trips.
- Ability: It can tow and carry a lot of weight.
- Interior: It's useful and comfy but not as fancy as the Santa Cruz.
- Price: It's in the middle, but options can make it expensive.
The Colorado is for people who need a truck that can do work, but it's not as focused on lifestyle features as the Santa Cruz.
Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is similar to the Santa Cruz; it mixes SUV comfort with truck ability.
- Ride: It's known for riding smoothly like a car.
- Interior: It has lots of space, comfort, and nice materials.
- Bed: Like the Santa Cruz, it has a trunk in the bed and a tailgate that does a lot.
- Power: It's got a V6 that performs well but uses more gas.
People like the Ridgeline for its comfort and usefulness, but it's bigger and harder to drive in the city than the Santa Cruz.
Lifestyle Truck Face-Off: Which One's Right for You?
| Feature | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Ford Maverick | Toyota Tacoma | Chevrolet Colorado | Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | Up to 281 hp (turbo I4) | 191 hp (hybrid) | 278 hp (V6) | Up to 308 hp (V6) | 280 hp (V6) |
| Gas Mileage | ~21-26 mpg combined | 37-40+ mpg (hybrid) | 18-20 mpg combined | 18-25 mpg combined | 19-24 mpg combined |
| Bed Length | 4 feet | 4.5 feet | 5 feet+ | 5 feet+ | 5.3 feet |
| Interior | High-end | Basic to decent | Tough but basic | Useful | High-end |
| Safety | Lots of standard tech | Good safety features | Basic to decent | Good safety features | Lots of standard tech |
| Price (roughly) | $35,000 - $45,000 | $23,000 - $35,000 | $30,000 - $45,000 | $32,000 - $45,000 | $38,000 - $45,000 |
| Best For | City life, techy folks | Saving money, gas mileage | Off-roading, towing | Work, towing | Comfort, family |
So, is the Hyundai Santa Cruz the Best Lifestyle Truck?
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a great lifestyle truck because it's perfect for cities and suburbs. It's comfy, has cool tech, and can carry stuff, which makes it different from regular trucks. It might not tow or off-road as well as the Tacoma or Colorado, but it's good enough for most people who want a truck for light hauling, gear, and weekend fun.
Find out more about the Hyundai Santa Cruz and see all the details here:
https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/models/hyundai-santa_cruz-2025-santa_cruz_xrt/releases