• New, more aggressive front design creates a strong, wide stance
•Redesigned dashboard features a panoramic curved display that seamlessly combines driver information cluster and infotainment
•Standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
•New advanced safety technologies
•Exclusive functional enhancements to rugged XRT model
Hyundai today unveiled an enhanced 2025 Santa Cruz Sport Adventure Vehicle in a world debut at the New York International Auto Show. Brad Arnold, senior design manager of exteriors at Hyundai Design North America, walked the audience through the design upgrades. José Muñoz, president and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America discussed the importance of the refreshed Santa Cruz in Hyundai's lineup. Hyundai has a strong history of upgrading its advanced technologies and Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy for Hyundai Motor North America provided insights on how these features will exceed new Santa Cruz customers' expectations.
Santa Cruz offers redesigned exterior and interior surfaces along with new infotainment and additional advanced driver assistance systems. The 2025 Santa Cruz, designed in California arrives at Hyundai dealerships this fall.
'The development goal for freshening Santa Cruz was to give it an even bolder, stronger design. We also wanted Santa Cruz to be more capable, and the available XRT trim delivers with all-terrain tires, front tow hooks and improved off-road capability. Customers are going to appreciate all the new design details and enhancements inside and out. Santa Cruz is a true sport adventure vehicle,' said Munoz.
'More vertical lines and redesigned headlamps bookend a menacing new grille incorporating larger chambers. These changes give the 2025 Santa Cruz a more planted, robust stance,' said Arnold. 'On the Santa Cruz XRT, we've augmented the model's off-road capability by increasing the approach angle, adding all-terrain tires and unique wrench-inspired alloy wheels.'
2025 Santa Cruz New Enhancements and Available Features
XRT Trim (Specific Changes)
•New XRT-exclusive front and rear bumper fascia designs
•New XRT-exclusive front grille
•Front tow hooks
•Wrench-inspired XRT-specific 18-inch wheels
•245 / 60 R 18 all-terrain tires
•Increased approach angle
•XRT trim adds Surround View Monitor and Blind View Monitor
•XRT logo debossing on front upper seatbacks
Exterior Changes
•New front fascia
•New grille
•New wheel designs
•New daytime running lights
Interior Changes
In keeping with the more capable exterior, the upgraded Santa Cruz interior provides a high-tech image combined with increased functionality. The new panoramic curved display houses an optional 12.3-inch driver information cluster and standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen with available navigation. In addition, the center stack controls are more ergonomic, with additional physical switchgear for frequently used audio and HVAC functions. The strong horizontal and vertical shapes of the new instrument panel are consistent with Santa Cruz's refreshed exterior changes while offering additional storage including a new shelf above the glovebox.
•New instrument panel
•New panoramic curved display houses an optional 12.3-inch driver information cluster and standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen with available navigation on Ultimate trim
•New audio/video/navigation and HVAC controls with switches and buttons
•New steering wheel
•New air vents
•Rear seat center armrest with two cupholders
New Infotainment/Convenience Technology
•Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto™ integration on all trim levels
•Over the Air (OTA) software update support
•USB-Type-C ports
•Bluelink
•Integrated Memory System
•Digital Key
•Fingerprint scanner
•New towing drive mode
Safety Technology
•Forward Attention Warning (FAW)
New Color Choices
•Rockwood Green and Canyon Red exterior color choices
•Available Gray + Green two-tone interior with leather seating surfaces
Powertrain
Powerful and Efficient Powertrain
Santa Cruz offers a powerful, flexible and efficient powertrain. On the Canadian market, Santa Cruz is powered by a 2.5L direct-injected turbocharged engine with 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque linked to an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). This DCT includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual shifting control. The 2.5L turbocharged powertrain adds a new tow mode for the 2025 model year.
HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers standard HTRAC® all-wheel drive capability for complete confidence when pursuing adventures of all kinds or for that extra peace of mind when driving in an unexpected snowfall. HTRAC AWD was developed as a multi-mode system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles. The Sport setting gives Santa Cruz more agile feel by sending additional torque to the rear wheels, for a sporty, dynamic experience. This system has a wide range of torque distribution variability, tuned for conditions such as straight-line acceleration, medium- and high-speed cornering, and hill starts. For those customers who like to tow their weekend gear with them, the Santa Cruz boasts a generous 5,000 lbs. of towing capability.ii
About Hyundai Auto Canada
Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, was the first subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company outside of Korea. Hyundai offers Canadian consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles. Today, with over 250 dealerships across Canada, Hyundai is the official automotive partner of the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL®) in Canada. Hyundai has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Best Workplaces™ in Canada for the last six years by the Great Place to Work® Institute.
Photo credit: Hyundai posted on conceptcarz.com
