Which 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should you buy?
$29,750 to $43,700. What each step up the ladder costs and what becomes standard for the money, cheapest first, from Hyundai's own press kit — so you can see where the price goes before a dealer walks you up it.
Most standard equipment per dollar: XRT AWD → Limited AWD, +$2,350 for 17 features made standard.
Cheapest all-wheel or four-wheel drive: SE AWD at $31,250.
SE $31,250
+$1,500 over the SE FWD. No added standard equipment listed in the press kit.
MPG comb 25 mpg → 24 mpg
SEL $31,400
+$1,650 over the SE FWD.
Standard here, not on the SE FWD: 8-way power driver's seat, Dual automatic temperature control with Auto Defogger (full capacitive-touch controls), H-Tex® seating surfaces (leatherette), Heated front seats, Heated outside mirrors, Power Window Switches - Front auto down/up, Power driver's lumbar support, Roof side rails, Side mirrors with turn signal indicators, Sunvisors w/ Illumination
SEL $32,900
+$1,650 over the SE AWD.
Standard here, not on the SE AWD: 8-way power driver's seat, Dual automatic temperature control with Auto Defogger (full capacitive-touch controls), H-Tex® seating surfaces (leatherette), Heated front seats, Heated outside mirrors, Power Window Switches - Front auto down/up, Power driver's lumbar support, Roof side rails, Side mirrors with turn signal indicators, Sunvisors w/ Illumination
SEL Activity $34,450
+$3,050 over the SEL FWD.
Standard here, not on the SEL FWD: 115V power outlet (in sidewall storage), 12.3" Digital Instrument Cluster, Center console-mounted rear A/C vents, Dual C-channel adjustable utility track rail and cleat system, HTRAC AWD, Active On-Demand, Integrated tonneau cover with two built-in T-slot accessory tracks (factory installed), LED bed lighting (2), Power sunroof - Conventional-type, Rear sliding glass window with defroster, Wireless Device Quick Charging 15W
SEL Activity $35,950
+$3,050 over the SEL AWD.
Standard here, not on the SEL AWD: 115V power outlet (in sidewall storage), 12.3" Digital Instrument Cluster, Center console-mounted rear A/C vents, Dual C-channel adjustable utility track rail and cleat system, HTRAC AWD, Active On-Demand, Integrated tonneau cover with two built-in T-slot accessory tracks (factory installed), LED bed lighting (2), Power sunroof - Conventional-type, Rear sliding glass window with defroster, Wireless Device Quick Charging 15W
XRT $41,350
+$5,400 over the SEL Activity AWD.
Standard here, not on the SEL Activity AWD: 12.3" Audio-Video-Navigation (AVN) color touchscreen (ccNc) with onboard Navigation, AWD Lock, Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), Dynamic Voice Recognition, Forward Attention Warning (FAW), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection (sensor fusion-type), Front recovery hooks (2), Highway Driving Assist 1 (HDA), Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch, Hyundai Pay, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Leather-wrapped shift knob, Leather-wrapped steering wheel, Lower door garnish (POM) and 8 more
HP 191 hp → 281 hp · Torque 181 lb-ft → 311 lb-ft · MPG comb 24 mpg → 20 mpg
Limited $43,700
+$2,350 over the XRT AWD.
Standard here, not on the XRT AWD: 6-way power passenger's seat, Ambient interior lighting - Upper center console & front door pockets (64-color), Auto-dimming Mirror (with HomeLink®), Body color door handles, Bose® Premium Audio System, Dark chrome accent grille and tailgate handle, Fingerprint scanner (infotainment + engine start), Glove compartment - Illuminated, Heated steering wheel, Integrated Memory System (IMS) for Driver (Seat + Side Mirrors), Integrated Memory System (IMS) for Driver - Driver seatback map pocket, Leather-trimmed seats, Power sunroof - Conventional-type, Rain-sensing Wipers and 3 more
Wheels 18 in → 20 in
Each trim is measured against the nearest cheaper trim with the same drivetrain and powertrain, so a step shows equipment rather than the price of all-wheel drive. "Standard here" means the press kit lists it as standard on this trim and not as standard on the one below — it may have been an option there. MSRP excludes destination. Confirm a specific car against its window sticker.
Compare two trims side by side → Back to the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Common questions about the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz trims
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim is the best value?
On standard equipment per dollar, the step from the XRT AWD to the Limited AWD: $2,350 more for 17 features the press kit lists as standard on the Limited AWD and not on the XRT AWD. Whether those features are worth it to you is the real answer — the list is on this page.
How much do the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz trims cost?
8 trims, from $29,750 for the SE FWD to $43,700 for the Limited AWD. Manufacturer MSRP, excluding destination, options, taxes and dealer fees.
What is the cheapest 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz with all-wheel drive?
The SE AWD, at $31,250 MSRP.