Archived model-year dossier
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz adds a new Night trim with dark exterior details, the 281-horsepower turbo engine and standard all-wheel drive, makes AWD standard on the SEL Premium and Limited, and adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on the SE. Used prices start at $20,500 at Kelley Blue Book. NHTSA lists two recalls and 79 complaints.
Configurations3
Model/option labels2
Combined efficiency22–23 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers5
What changed on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Carvana (opens in a new tab) says the biggest change for 2023 is the new Night trim, which pairs dark exterior details with the 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and standard AWD, and that AWD also becomes standard on the SEL Premium and Limited. Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says there are no other notable changes, with the 10.3-inch touchscreen now extending down to the SEL Premium and blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert now standard.
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts used 2023 Santa Cruzes at $20,500 for the SE to $24,800 for the Limited at a dealership. EPA rates the 2023 Santa Cruz at 22 to 23 mpg combined and $2,700 to $2,850 a year in fuel, with front- or all-wheel drive.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists two recall campaigns for the 2023 Santa Cruz. 23V038000 covers roof moldings that may detach, and dealers inspect and replace or secure them, and 23V181000 covers a tow hitch harness where water on the circuit board may cause an electrical short and fire. Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA: power train with 25, engine with 20, electrical system with 14 and unknown or other with 10. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) keeps a record for the year, and Consumer Reports (opens in a new tab) keeps a reliability page.
2023 Santa Cruz against the Maverick, Ridgeline and Tacoma
EPA rates the 2023 Santa Cruz at 22 to 23 mpg combined and $2,700 to $2,850 a year in fuel. The Ford Maverick lists 21 to 37 at $1,700 to $2,950 including its hybrid, the Honda Ridgeline 21 at $2,950, and the Toyota Tacoma 18 to 21 at $2,950 to $3,450. The Santa Cruz is ahead of the Ridgeline and Tacoma and behind the Maverick hybrid.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 5 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (GDI) | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | FWD | 191 | 181 | 22 / 26 / 23 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| SEL | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (GDI) | Automatic, 8-Spd w/Shiftronic | FWD | 191 | 181 | 22 / 26 / 23 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| SEL Premium | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | AWD | 281 | 311 | 19 / 27 / 22 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Night | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | AWD | 281 | 311 | 19 / 27 / 22 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Limited | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | Automatic, 8-Spd DCT w/Shiftronic | AWD | 281 | 311 | 19 / 27 / 22 mpg | 5 | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Ground clearance | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Towing | Payload | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | 3,708 lb | 195.7 in | 66.7 in | 118.3 in | 8.6 in | 39.6 ft | 17.7 gal | 40.7 in | 41.4 in | 3,500 lb | 1,748 lb | P245/60R18 |
| SEL | 3,724 lb | 195.7 in | 66.7 in | 118.3 in | 8.6 in | 39.6 ft | 17.7 gal | 40.7 in | 41.4 in | 3,500 lb | 1,732 lb | P245/60R18 |
| SEL Premium | 4,126 lb | 195.7 in | 66.7 in | 118.3 in | 8.6 in | 39.6 ft | 17.7 gal | 38.4 in | 41.4 in | 5,000 lb | 1,606 lb | P245/60R18 |
| Night | 4,164 lb | 195.7 in | 66.7 in | 118.3 in | 8.6 in | 39.6 ft | 17.7 gal | 41.4 in | 5,000 lb | 1,568 lb | P245/50R20 | |
| Limited | 4,164 lb | 195.7 in | 66.7 in | 118.3 in | 8.6 in | 39.6 ft | 17.7 gal | 38.4 in | 41.4 in | 5,000 lb | 1,568 lb | P245/50R20 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | SE | SEL | SEL Premium | Night | Limited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | |||||
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hill-descent control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hill-start assist | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Pedestrian detection | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Surround-view camera | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | |||||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | – | Std | – | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Real-time traffic information | – | – | Std | – | Std |
| Satellite radio | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | |||||
| Heated front seats | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Heated mirrors | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | – | Std | – | Std |
| Front and rear climate zones | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | |||||
| Alloy wheels | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Privacy glass | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Roof rails | Opt | Opt | Std | Std | Std |
| Power liftgate or trunk | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote liftgate or trunk release | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| 12-volt power outlet | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Push-button start | – | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | – | Std | – |
| Integrated garage-door opener | Opt | Opt | Opt | Opt | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std | Std | Std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | – | – | – | – | Std |
| Dual-clutch automatic transmission | – | – | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
3 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45552Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8) | Regular | 21 | 25 | 23 | N/A |
| 45553Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S8) | Regular | 19 | 27 | 22 | N/A |
| 45537Santa Cruz FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFIConventional | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S8) | Regular | 22 | 26 | 23 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
5 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz versus the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Model year
Nothing in the certification data changed, so the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz carries the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz's figures forward: 3 certification records labelled Santa Cruz AWD, Santa Cruz FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI & PFI, all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive on regular, rated 22-23 combined MPG/MPGe and an EPA annual fuel cost of $2,700 to $2,850. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 4 for the 2022 to 2 for the 2023.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02How did the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz do in NHTSA's side crash and rollover tests?
Safety record
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz earned 5 stars in the side crash test (5 stars driver side, 5 stars passenger side) and 4 stars for rollover resistance, a 16.4% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash. Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, read 2026-09-20.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
Q03What size wheels does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
Wheels and tires
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz's wheel diameter is 18 inches on the SE, SEL and SEL Premium and 20 inches on the Night and Limited. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04How do the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz trims differ from one another?
Trims
The SEL has heated front seats, heated mirrors, a power driver's seat and 4 more as standard equipment over the SE. The SEL Premium has 281 hp against 191 and AWD instead of FWD and a dual-clutch automatic transmission, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a navigation system and 2 more as standard equipment over the SEL. The Night has cruise control as standard equipment over the SEL Premium. The Limited has front and rear climate zones, a heated steering wheel, an integrated garage-door opener and 7 more as standard equipment over the Night.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05How long is the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz's cargo bed?
Capability
The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz's cargo bed length is 4 feet on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2022 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz across model years.
Ownership desk
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