The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz occupies an interesting bit of territory between a conventional pickup and an SUV, and on Oahu, that combination has some obvious advantages. Its open bed gives you somewhere to put sandy beach gear, camping equipment, or anything else you'd rather keep outside the cabin, while its dimensions remain manageable for regular driving around Kaneohe. Add available AWD and a Turbocharged engine, and the Santa Cruz becomes more than an SUV with the back chopped off. Two Engines, One with Considerably More Urgency The standard Santa Cruz uses a Smartstream 2.5L 4-cylinder producing 191 hp, giving drivers a straightforward option for commuting and carrying gear. XRT and Limited are rather different propositions, using a Turbocharged 2.5L engine with 281 hp and 311 lbs. ft. of torque. Turbo AWD models can tow up to 5,000 lbs., providing useful capacity for a trailer, boat, or other recreational equipment. Available HTRAC AWD adds traction when pavement gets wet or surfaces become loose, while the XRT's Terrain Mode Select includes Snow, Mud, and Sand settings. The latter two have obvious relevance for an island where outdoor recreation doesn't always end where the pavement does. The Bed Is Small, but Hyundai Has Used It Well The Santa Cruz's bed isn't trying to compete with a full-size pickup for sheer volume. Instead, Hyundai has packed useful storage into the space available. Its sheet-molded composite construction is joined by sidewall and underbed storage compartments, heavy-duty cargo D-rings, and a roof-mounted LED cargo light. SEL Activity, XRT, and Limited add an integrated lockable tonneau cover and LED bed lighting, allowing equipment to be covered rather than simply left exposed. Dual C-channel bedside utility tracks provide adjustable tie-down options, while a 115-volt AC power inverter in the bed can supply power for compatible equipment away from home. It's a clever use of a relatively compact footprint. Technology You Might Use Beyond the Driveway Every 2026 Santa Cruz includes Bluelink+, giving new-vehicle purchasers access to Hyundai's connected services. Through the MyHyundai with Bluelink app, owners can remotely start the vehicle, adjust cabin temperature, and check vehicle information from a compatible smartphone or smartwatch. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard across the lineup, along with SiriusXM®. XRT and Limited add a 12.3-inch navigation system, Digital Key 2 Touch, and Dynamic Voice Recognition. These aren't substitutes for the Santa Cruz's mechanical capability, but they can make it easier to manage navigation, vehicle access, and everyday tasks when you're moving between work, home, and whatever you've strapped into the bed. Driver Assistance for the Less Adventurous Miles The Santa Cruz carries a substantial collection of standard driver-assistance equipment, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Warning. XRT and Limited expand the list with Highway Driving Assist, Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Blind-Spot View Monitor. Those systems are arguably most valuable during the ordinary miles between adventures, particularly in heavier traffic and on longer drives. They remain driver-assistance features, so the person behind the wheel stays responsible for controlling the vehicle and paying attention to the road. A Pickup Without the Full-Size Commitment The Santa Cruz makes sense for buyers who want a pickup bed but don't necessarily want everything that comes with owning a larger truck. Its compact proportions suit everyday use, while the available 281 hp Turbocharged engine, HTRAC AWD, 5,000 lb. maximum towing capacity on properly equipped Turbo AWD models, and XRT's additional terrain capability give it some substance beyond its unusual shape. Oahu drivers can compare available Santa Cruz trims and inventory at Windward Hyundai to see how the standard and turbocharged configurations differ. See What the Santa Cruz Can Do at Windward Hyundai The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz doesn't fit neatly into the traditional pickup category, which is precisely why it works for certain drivers. It combines an adaptable cargo bed, available AWD, useful towing capability, and a passenger-friendly cabin in a package suited to life around Kaneohe and Oahu. Visit Windward Hyundai to explore available trims, financing options, Santa Cruz inventory, or schedule a test drive online.
