Meet the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Laredo, TX
Meet the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Charlie Clark Hyundai in Laredo, TX
If you’re searching for a pickup truck that blends SUV comfort with truck versatility, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is ready to impress. Designed for modern drivers who want adventure without sacrificing efficiency or everyday usability, the Santa Cruz brings together athletic performance, a well-appointed cabin, and Hyundai’s award-winning technology.
Whether you’re exploring Laredo’s backroads, hauling weekend gear, or navigating city streets, this compact pickup truck delivers capability with a confident, refined touch. Every Hyundai Santa Cruz review praises its premium feel and flexible cargo solutions – ideal for both professionals and families.
For 2026, the Santa Cruz lineup continues with the SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited trims – each offering distinct combinations of features, drivetrain options, and style. From the value-packed SE to the adventure-ready XRT, there’s a Santa Cruz for every lifestyle. Visit us at Charlie Clark Hyundai in Laredo, TX, to find the perfect Hyundai Santa Cruz for you.
Interior: Comfort and Utility Meet
Inside the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, comfort and functionality come together seamlessly. The layout provides two spacious rows of seating for up to five passengers, with an impressive 38.4 inches of front headroom, 39.6 inches in the rear, 41.4 inches of front legroom, and 36.5 inches in the rear. Cloth upholstery comes standard, while the higher trims offer available H-Tex® leatherette, Black H-Tex® leatherette, and leather-trimmed seating. Power-adjustable front seats are available for extra comfort.
This cabin isn’t just about comfort – it’s designed with thoughtful convenience and safety features for everyday life. Available dual-zone automatic climate control keeps everyone at the right temperature, while parents will appreciate the LATCH child safety seat anchors.
Interior Specs:
- Remote Start
- Six-Way Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat with Lumbar Support
- 60/40-Split Folding Rear Seats with Under-Seat Storage
Additional touches include ambient lighting, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
With 27 cubic feet of cargo‑box volume and clever under‑seat storage, the 2026 Santa Cruz balances comfort and capability for both weekday commutes and weekend projects.
Exterior: The Stylish Side of Strength
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz turns heads with its bold stance, signature LED lighting, and sculpted body lines. It’s a pickup truck designed to look as good at the job site as it does downtown. The rear step bumper, cargo lights, and available tonneau cover bring convenience and utility, while the rear cargo access and integrated bed cubbies make loading gear effortless.
Every trim rides on stylish alloy wheels – 18-inch on the SE and SEL, up to 20-inch on the Limited – and offers a modern, aerodynamic silhouette. The available power sunroof, heated mirrors, and hands-free liftgate add sophistication.
Available Exterior Colors:
- Atlas White
- Hampton Gray
- Blue Stone
- Sage Gray
- Phantom Black
The cargo box features a composite liner resistant to scratches and dents, a spare tire stored under the bed, and cargo tie-downs that make it easy to secure your load. The cargo box width and cargo box length are optimized to fit everyday tools, sports equipment, and camping gear.
Whether you choose the Santa Cruz SEL or Santa Cruz XRT, expect standout details like skid plates, roof rails, dark finish wheels, and body cladding for an off-road attitude.
Performance: Built for Work and Play
Under the hood, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers two confident powertrains to match your lifestyle. The standard 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque – ideal for everyday drives and light-duty towing. For those who crave more power, an available 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder cranks out 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for rapid, responsive shifts.
The Santa Cruz offers both front-wheel drive and H-TRAC all-wheel drive configurations, giving you the traction and control you need in any condition. Whether you’re on the highway or a dirt trail, multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson struts provide a smooth, composed ride.
This compact pickup offers an estimated towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine and all-wheel drive in select trims, and a payload capacity of around 1,411 pounds, depending on trim. Drivers will appreciate the balance between performance and practicality.
Technology: Innovation in Every Drive
Inside the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, technology takes center stage. Every trim features a clear, intuitive display and user-friendly layout to make driving more connected and convenient. The base SE includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, while upper trims feature integrated navigation.
Top Technology Features:
- HD Radio™/SiriusXM®
- Bluelink+
- 4.2-inch Gauge Cluster
- Bluetooth® Hands-Free Connectivity
- First and Second Row USB ports
Other available tech includes wireless device charging, Hyundai Digital Key, a Bose® premium audio system, a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, and voice recognition.
Safety: Confidence on Every Route
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz keeps you protected with Hyundai SmartSense driver-assistance technologies. Every trim includes advanced safety systems designed to monitor, warn, and help prevent collisions, whether you’re navigating busy city traffic or open highways.
Key Safety Features:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
- High Beam Assist
Additional standard safety systems include Safe Exit Warning and Rear Occupant Alert. Upgrade to available safety options like Forward Collision Avoidance assist with Pedestrian/Cyclist/Junction Turning Detection, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and a Surround View Monitor.
Every model comes backed by Hyundai’s renowned 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, along with complimentary maintenance and roadside assistance for peace of mind.
Experience the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Charlie Clark Hyundai in Laredo, TX
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t just another pickup – it’s the perfect mix of truck toughness and SUV comfort. Whether you’re comparing it to other vehicles in its class or exploring premium options across trims, the Santa Cruz delivers on performance, design, and value.
Visit Charlie Clark Hyundai in Laredo, TX to shop our latest offers, explore pricing, and enjoy dealership amenities – free car washes, a complimentary shuttle, loaner vehicles, and Car Care Express maintenance. Take advantage of Hyundai Rewards, HMF Dealer Choice Finance, and our monthly car subscription service to make your new car buying experience smooth and rewarding.
Schedule your test drive today and see why drivers across Texas are making the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz their next new car.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Other Vehicles
When compared to other compact pickups and small SUVs, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz easily stands out. Competing models like the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline may offer similar size or towing capability, but none match the Santa Cruz’s perfect balance of refinement, tech, and value. While the Maverick focuses on work-truck simplicity, the Santa Cruz delivers a premium interior, advanced safety systems, and a more engaging drive thanks to its available 281-horsepower turbo engine.
The Santa Cruz also pulls ahead of small SUVs like the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona when it comes to utility. With an open cargo box, lockable storage compartment, and 5,000-pound towing capacity, it offers versatility that SUVs can’t match. Add in Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, cutting-edge tech, and rugged style, and it’s clear the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers more – whether you’re hauling gear, commuting, or exploring off-road trails.
*Bluetooth® word marks and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by Hyundai is under license. A compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone must first be paired. Phone performance depends on software, coverage, and carrier.
Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.
