Key Points:
- The entry-level 2026 Hyundai SantaCruz SE now begins at $29,500, which is $750 more (+2.6%) than the departing 2025 model.
- No significant changes — 2026 models continue with the 2025 refresh, features and design unchanged.
- Against trims, the Santa Cruz is around $1,300 more compared to an equivalently equipped Ford Maverick.
- Ford Maverick provides a popular hybrid powertrain and solid utility, which should keep it popular in the compact truck segment.
- The Santa Cruz remains a “Sport Adventure Vehicle,” but now the 2026 model launches with an even more affordable price, and absolutely nothing is new.
No one noticed, but Hyundai came along and jacked up the prices of the 2026 Santa Cruz lineup. The lowest trim SE starts at $29,500 (not including destination charges), a $750 increase (a jump of 2.6% YoY from the 2024 model). There are no significant changes reported for the 2026 model year; the truck will carry over the styling, tech, and powertrain from the 2025 facelift, similar to what’s happening in other carryover 2026 models.
Hyundai is opting for market-based pricing changes rather than introducing new features. Unchanged for 2026 is the 2025 update, including interior and minor exterior revisions, making for a relatively terse refresh year.
According to Car and Driver, the Santa Cruz has consistently delivered a more SUV-like experience than its rivals — which explains why Hyundai feels confident upping the price without adding much.
What You Pay for vs. Maverick
The 2026 Ford Maverick, an essential competitor, also still brings it when it comes to good value, especially with its base hybrid model and lower starting MSRP. A Maverick with a similar build spec is $1300 cheaper than the Santa Cruz, which is the budget option for those not shopping specifically for a budget option.
The Maverick’s bed is a bit more workaday, but SantaCruz counters with a sporty, polished interior and exceeding towing capacity. While Edmunds concedes that Santa Cruz might have the upper hand in comfort, it also hammers on Maverick’s strengths: hybrid-like efficiency and offering more bang for the buck. If you’re after SUVs that tow 5000 lbs or more, SantaCruz may still be a decent fit.
No New Features, But You Keep
Even with the price increase, Hyundai delivers no standout upgrades for the 2026 Santa Cruz. Buyers are paying more for the same gear.
- Same platform, powertrains (base 2.5L four-cylinder, and an optional turbo V-6, but all-wheel drive).
- No adjustments to infotainment, safety tech, trim levels, or design since the 2025 refresh.
- The off-road-oriented XRT trim, the limited’s comfort-oriented interior, and the overall package are all the same.
The 2026 model is a carryover in everything but cost.
Read More:
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- 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Redesign: Changes, Specs, Colors, Release Date & Price Details
Market Position & Segment Dynamics
The car-truck niche doesn’t seem to grow, with cars like the Santa Cruz, Maverick, and, to a lesser extent, the Honda Ridgeline. With Maverick’s hybrid leading the segment’s efficiency game and Hyundai playing tight-assed in the profit margin department, perhaps the price hike is strategic—let’s call it lowering incentives to dealers without risking volume levels, or possibly improving profitability.
Maverick’s still ahead on combination fuel efficiency, but SantaCruz offers more towing and interior comfort. “It blurs the line between truck and SUV,” the Edmunds editor noted, adding, “You want it to be more comfortable, but you don’t want to sacrifice utility.”
Consumer Takeaway
If you’re eyeing a compact pickup in 2026:
- The Santa Cruz offers an SUV-like ride, stylish design, and decent capability. However, it has been recently priced at a premium of $1,300 above the Maverick, with no additional value.
- Maverick still has its value proposition in hybrid efficiency, lower cost, and reasonable utility.
- Shoppers will need to weigh whether the premium for SantaCruz’s comfort and style pays off against the up-front cost and the draw of a hybrid powertrain.
Bottom Line
For 2026, there is another update, free plus more expensive, for the Hyundai Santa Cruz to catch up on. If you’re chasing comfort, style, and a sporty image, it’s still worth considering — but be prepared to spend about $1,300 more. But if efficiency and price league dominance are the priority, Maverick is still a good package.
Sources: Hyundai, CarsDirect
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