2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SEL

The 2026 Santa Cruz is a compact pickup that blends SUV comfort with a small truck bed, a niche few rivals occupy. Its main competitors are the Ford Maverick and the Honda Ridgeline, though the Santa Cruz leans more toward car-like manners. The Santa Cruz drives more like a crossover than a truck, with responsive steering and a composed ride on pavement. The cabin offers comfortable seating for five and a practical bed with a locking tailgate and under-bed storage. Standard SmartSense safety tech includes forward collision avoidance and lane keeping assist, with an available 10.25-inch touchscreen. Its 2.5L I4 makes 191 horsepower, routed through an eight-speed automatic that shifts smoothly to help the Santa Cruz earn 24 mpg combined. The SEL's self-leveling rear suspension is standard here but not on the cheaper SE, which helps the truck bed stay composed under a load.