A practical truck for the outdoorsy set
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz might not be ready to haul a bunch of lumber, but it’s able to take on plenty of outdoor gear for a weekend away. The Santa Cruz is what’s called a lifestyle truck, one that drives nimbly like a car but has the ability to toss in mountain bikes and backpacking gear, all the while able to be parked in spaces full-sized trucks just can’t manage. It’s a niche segment, and the Santa Cruz hits the right notes.
Hyundai
The Santa Cruz received a facelift this year, including a new grille and headlights, along with a revised center stack that features physical controls for audio and climate. There’s also a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a digital instrument cluster, with higher trims receiving a configurable cluster. The Santa Cruz’s primary competitors are just the Ford Maverick and the Honda Ridgeline, but September’s lease deal may have them beat.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz lease deal for September
Hyundai is offering a great lease deal on the Santa Cruz SE this month at $319 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. There is a $0 security deposit, and the total amount due at signing does not include registration, tax, title, license, processing or documentation fees, insurance, or any emission charge. The annual mileage limit is 10,000 miles, and a $400 disposition fee is due at the end of the lease, except for CO, IN, IA, KS, ME, OK, SC, WI, WV, & WY, where the disposition fee is subject to the limitations of state laws. Not all lessees will qualify, and higher rates may apply for those with lower credit scores or in other areas. The lease offer ends on September 30, 2025. Learn more here.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE feature highlights
The Hyundai Santa Cruz SE is the base model in the lineup. The engine is a 191-hp four-cylinder driving the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Higher trims get a more powerful 281-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds. All-wheel drive is optional. EPA estimates are 22 city, 35 highway, and 25 combined for FWD models, while upgrading to all-wheel drive drops the mpg to 24 combined.
Standard features on the SE trim level are plentiful and include 18-inch alloy wheels, 245/60 R18 all-season tires, projector Bi-LED headlights and DRLs, LED taillights, automatic headlights, high beam assist, an LED cargo bed light, satin black door handles, lockable under-bed storage, sidewall bed storage compartments, multi-function tailgate with remote release, proximity key, remote start, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 4.2-inch driver information display, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a proximity key with push button start.
The Santa Cruz SE also comes with numerous safety features, including blind spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, parking distance warning, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, and lane following assist, all of which are standard equipment. For additional peace of mind, the Santa Cruz won the IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2025.
The Santa Cruz’s total passenger volume is 101.8 cubic feet. Front row occupants get 41.4 inches of legroom, while the second row offers 36.5 inches of legroom. There’s a 4-foot truck bed that can handle a maximum payload of 1,411 pounds, and the smart storage compartments in the bed help increase its utility. The Santa Cruz SE can tow up to 3,500 pounds with its base engine and front-wheel drive.
Final thoughts
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a brilliant lifestyle pickup truck that mates great style with utility and excellent driving manners. It’s also easy to drive, park, and maneuver, not something you can say about most trucks these days. The low monthly lease payment only makes it more accessible and appealing to prospective buyers. Before signing the lease agreement, understand the costs due at signing, including taxes and registration fees, potential dealer costs, etc.
*Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.
About the author
Amos Kwon
Contributing Writer, Autoblog