Billed as a rare compact pickup truck, the 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ blends the everyday comfort of an SUV with the versatility of an open truck bed. Not only does this give you the functionality you need for commuting in Knoxville, but it also makes it ideal for adventures. Allow our team at Twin City Hyundai to show you the design, tech, and performance elements of this vehicle!

Exterior

When looking at the outside of this model, you’ll immediately be impressed by its sleek silhouette and sporty curves. The 2026 SANTA CRUZ offers an assortment of colors from which to choose, like Phantom Black, Blue Stone, and Sage Gray, so you’ll have the option to select one that you enjoy. The pickup truck’s standard 52.1-inch bed is long enough to load with a variety of tools, home improvement purchases, or your golf clubs. Protecting your investment is a standard sheet molded composite material that can handle the rigors of a vacation or your day at work. You’ll also benefit from the standard multi-functional tailgate with an assisted open and close feature, making it easier to load or unload the truck at a moment’s notice.

Performance

Your 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ comes outfitted with a standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, and it produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft. of torque. Owners can get an even more forceful unit inside the truck by upgrading to the available 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder feature. That will unleash up to 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque on I-275, helping you reach the speed limit quickly. Another way that you may put this compact pickup truck to use is through its 5,000-lb. maximum towing capacity1, so you can haul a few ATVs or a load of firewood back to your home on a trailer. The size of this vehicle enables it to balance its output with economical gas consumption in the form of an EPA-estimated 22/30/25 MPG city/hwy/combined2 fuel efficiency rating when equipped in the standard FWD.

Technology

A total of four standard USB ports await you and your family in the cabin of this truck, letting you charge your mobile devices while you’re out at Ijams Nature Center. A standard 12.3-inch touchscreen display acts as your entry point for many other facets of the vehicle’s tech tools. For example, through that screen, you’ll be able to use your smartphone’s apps after connecting it to the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ with either the standard wireless Apple CarPlay®4 or Android Auto™4 compatibility. If you’re interested in increasing your visibility of the truck’s gauges, upgrade to the available 12.3-inch instrument cluster and see your speed, mileage, and gas level on a large, bright monitor. Get a complete look at this vehicle by scheduling a test drive with us!