What's It Feel Like Driving the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Does the Hyundai Santa Cruz feel like a truck, or more like an SUV? Ready to find out? We’ve gone on enough test drives to describe how this sport adventure vehicle feels under the gas pedal, and we want to share with you all of its secrets! Take a trip with us as we describe what it’s like to drive the latest 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Eager for the real deal? Visit Hyundai of Bedford for your test drive or reach out to ask about our selection of new 2026 Hyundai vehicles near you!
Here’s What Drives the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
To feel the drive, you must first know how it drives. Plot twist: There’s more than one way to drive this popular SAV.
The standard engine packed inside the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Bedford is a rather decent 2.5L 4-cylinder with an output of 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission gives you the familiar feeling of riding a pickup, and the available HTRAC AWD system connects you to the brand’s take on SUV capabilities.
Hungry for more? Drivers around Cleveland like to opt for the XRT and Limited trims for the Hyundai Santa Cruz’s 2.5L turbocharged engine. This upgraded powertrain pumps out 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque on standard HTRAC AWD.
Pickup Truck Demeanor, SUV-Like Refinement
So, you know the specs, but what does that mean for your drive? Our praises seem to align with many reputable car critics who have meticulously reviewed the 2026 Santa Cruz from top to bottom.
Driving around Bedford in the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a pleasant experience, to say the least. It’s clear that this ride pumps out the reliable power of a pickup truck, but what makes Hyundai’s Santa Cruz model unique is that it simultaneously delivers the smooth and comfortable feel of a high-end SUV. Responsive handling on one side, a hush-hush interior on the other. It’s like adding salt to your sweet, or hot to your honey.
Stable and Comfortable. Just How We Like the Hyundai Santa Cruz!
How does Hyundai pull off such a unique ride that has yet to be beat (if ever)? It’s all in their craft. Try out the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz for yourself in Bedford and feel the difference in this ride’s unibody construction and independent suspension system. While competitors would adopt a body-on-frame design, incorporating the unibody method ensures your ride’s stability and limits body roll. This is the foundation of a secure feeling as you take the Santa Cruz in and out of town!
Is It Worth Getting HTRAC All-Wheel Drive?
Hyundai’s iconic HTRAC AWD system is the perfect match for the 2026 Santa Cruz’s unibody construction. It enhances traction on nearly any terrain, adding to the heightened sense of stability that you already get standard. This upgrade is a must-have for those who go off-roading around Bedford.
Learn more > Is The Hyundai Santa Cruz Good For Off-Roading?
Pickup? SUV? Sport Adventure Vehicle. Try Out the One-of-a-Kind 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz at Hyundai of Bedford!
There’s nothing quite like it, and all the more reason to take it for a spin. Test drive the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz when you visit Hyundai of Bedford for new Hyundai SUVs near you! Call (440) 745-7469 today.
