2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz ute updated with tougher looking XRT variant and more tech to take on Ford Ranger's smaller Maverick sibling

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, a small ute built for the American market, has been updated for 2025 with a tougher variant that would be right at home on Aussie roads.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz now features an off-road tyre-clad, tow hook-equipped XRT variant that brings function as well as more rugged looks.

The overall changes to the Santa Cruz also affect the rest of the range, which was revealed alongside the updated Tucson at the New York International Auto Show.

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Brad Arnold, Senior Design Manager of Exteriors at Hyundai Design North America, said the goal for the updated Santa Cruz was to create an “even bolder, stronger design”.

“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.”

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz now features an off-road tyre-clad, tow hook-equipped XRT variant.

New multimedia equipment is the other key addition to the Santa Cruz, with a new optional 12.3-inch curved screen for the driver display, a 12.3-inch screen for the multimedia, and physical switches and buttons for the climate control and navigation.

A new steering wheel, USB-C ports, restyled air vents, and the addition of a driver attention warning are also new.

New multimedia equipment is the other key addition to the Santa Cruz, with a new optional 12.3-inch curved screen for the driver display, a 12.3-inch screen for the multimedia, and physical switches and buttons for the climate control and navigation.

The Santa Cruz is all-wheel drive in both its drivetrain options - a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder either naturally aspirated or turbocharged, and mated to an eight-speed automatic.

The Hyundai ute remains unavailable in Australia.