Mar 24, 2025
2025 Santa Cruz parked in the snow with a customized roof rack.

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ combines the comfort of an SUV with the utility of a pickup truck. This vehicle has been redesigned for 2025, boasting a new front design and various customization options. In this article, our team at Dublin Hyundai explores the various ways in which you can personalize your car to your preference.

Exterior Customization Options

The 2025 SANTA CRUZ adds two new colors — Rockwood Green and Canyon Red — and a bolder front end, with new headlights, vertical lines, and a more robust grille. The lower trims come with 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Limited features 20-inch wheels. The XRT is perfect for your adventures, offering all-terrain tires, custom bumpers, a unique grille, front tow hooks, and better approach angles for off-road challenges.

Interior Customization Options

Inside, the 2025 SANTA CRUZ features a completely redesigned dashboard with a curved display for vehicle information and entertainment, with easily accessible controls that make the system more intuitive. Hyundai has also added a new armrest with cup holders to the rear seat and smart under-seat storage solutions to keep your small items organized. Higher trims offer heated and ventilated front seats and a dual-zone climate control system.

Performance and Functional Upgrades

The SANTA CRUZ has a standard 2.5-liter engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, which is ideal for daily commutes and light loads. If you need more power, you can opt for the 2.5-liter turbo that generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, offering a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The SANTA CRUZ has a 1,753-pound payload capacity with any drivetrain.

Transmission options include an eight-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC or an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. The HTRAC all-wheel-drive system is perfect for wet roads and unpaved trails.

Technology and Safety Features

The 2025 SANTA CRUZ offers several advanced safety features. All models include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, while the optional 12.3-inch display provides driving information and user-friendly navigation. The SmartSense suite of safety technologies includes features such as forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and safe exit warning as standard. The XRT and Limited trims add a blind-spot view monitor and surround-view cameras to simplify parking. These systems provide peace of mind, allowing you to focus on your journey.

Bed Utility and Cargo Solutions

The SANTA CRUZ’s truck bed features a hidden lockable storage compartment under the bed floor with drains, as well as a 115-volt outlet for convenient charging of tools or a small cooler.

If you want to protect your truck’s bed, you can use an original manufacturer equipment bed liner that fits perfectly and has a clever fold-up section, allowing you to access the under-bed storage. There are several tonneau cover options to safeguard your cargo, and adjustable tie-downs and organizers for smaller items are also available.

How To Choose the Right Customizations for Your Lifestyle

Consider how you intend to use your SANTA CRUZ before selecting customization options. If you mainly drive in the city, opt for the standard engine and prioritize technology and safety. If you need a robust truck for work equipment, the turbo engine with a 5,000-pound towing capacity makes more sense, while all-wheel drive is beneficial for wet or unpaved roads. If you need innovative, convenient solutions for charging tools and storage, the power outlet and organizers in the truck bed make a lot of sense. Dublin life means both city commutes and weekend escapes, so versatility matters.

Getting Started With Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Customizations

If you’re ready to customize your SANTA CRUZ, explore and compare the standard features of the different trims. This may save you from paying extra for features already included in a slightly higher trim. At Dublin Hyundai, we know which combinations work well and can guide you based on real customer feedback.

Consider the timing of any modifications. Certain add-ons are easier and cheaper to incorporate during the truck’s construction than to install later. It’s also important find out which changes may affect your warranty. If money’s tight, consider including the expense of essential changes in your auto loan. You can also explore SANTA CRUZ forums and Facebook groups to review the opinions of actual owners and avoid common mistakes.

Shop the SANTA CRUZ at Dublin Hyundai

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is incredibly flexible. With various options, including functional bed features, two engine options, and advanced technology that enhances convenience and safety, you can customize your vehicle to your specific requirements. If you’re in Dublin, California, visit us at Dublin Hyundai to experience this exceptional vehicle firsthand. Contact us today and schedule a test-drive to help you decide whether the 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is right for you.