2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA
Meet the Sport Adventure Vehicle that blends weekend-ready utility with city-smart tech. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz brings a confident stance, a versatile open bed with molded-in supports, standard tie-downs, and a sealed underfloor bin that drains, plus available bed upgrades like an integrated retractable tonneau cover and a 115V power inverter. Inside, a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen anchors a clean cockpit with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Choose the efficient 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder or step up to the turbocharged 2.5L that pairs with HTRAC All Wheel Drive for assured traction on varied surfaces. Advanced driver assistance runs deep through Hyundai SmartSense, with standard features like Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and enhanced systems on upper trims such as Highway Driving Assist, Surround View Monitor, and Blind-Spot View Monitor. If you are considering the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA, our team at CardinaleWay Hyundai is ready to help you match your routine, your gear, and your sense of adventure with the right trim and features.
SE
The SE trim launches your 2026 SANTA CRUZ journey with a strong foundation. It’s powered by a 191-hp 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine and offers the confidence of available HTRAC All Wheel Drive. In the bed, you’ll appreciate standard tie-down points, molded-in slots that accept cross planks to create a raised shelf, and a sealed underfloor bin that drains for stowing wet gear after a beach day. Inside, the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen makes daily life easier, with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ that connect quickly and keep cords off the console. Hyundai SmartSense driver assistance also comes standard, including Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert. For shoppers near Irvine, CA who want clarity and capability without complexity, SE nails the brief. At CardinaleWay Hyundai, we make it easy to explore colors like Hampton Gray, Blue Stone, Phantom Black, Atlas White, Sage Gray, or Rockwood Green and to compare FWD vs. AWD to fit your lifestyle. This is the right starting point if you want everyday comfort, smart safety, and true truck-bed utility in one well-balanced package.
SEL
The SEL trim builds on SE with thoughtful upgrades that lift comfort and convenience for busy weeks and spontaneous getaways. You keep the responsive 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder with your choice of FWD or available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, while the bed remains a standout with standard tie-downs and clever molded-in features, plus the opportunity to add the lockable retractable tonneau cover for added peace of mind. Up front, heated front seats help on cool mornings, and H-Tex® leatherette-trimmed seating delivers a refined, durable feel that’s easy to clean after trail runs or soccer practice. Roof side rails expand cargo possibilities for bikes, boards, and camping gear. The standard 12.3-inch touchscreen keeps your maps, playlists, and calls crisp and intuitive, while wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ streamline every drive. Hyundai SmartSense technologies, such as Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, and Driver Attention Warning, support you on crowded commutes and longer interstates. If you’re eyeing a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz that leans into comfort and utility without overcomplicating the cabin, SEL offers exactly that balance—an easy upgrade path that feels tailored to daily life near Irvine, CA, and beyond.
SEL Activity
With SEL Activity, the 2026 Santa Cruz turns up the adventure dial with style and tech you’ll feel every day. You’ll still enjoy the smooth 191-hp 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder and the choice of FWD or available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, while the bed gains a major advantage—an integrated tonneau cover that helps protect and conceal cargo when the truck is parked or weather shifts on the fly. Above, a power sunroof brightens road trips and weekend escapes, and in front of the driver, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster delivers crisp, modern readouts that complement the standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen. Wireless device charging helps keep your phone topped off, while Bluelink+ remote features bring on-demand convenience from your compatible smartphone. Safety and driver assistance remain comprehensive with Hyundai SmartSense, including Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. For shoppers searching for a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA, SEL Activity is a sweet spot—adding the right gear-carrying solutions and cabin upgrades for active routines. Our team at CardinaleWay Hyundai can help you compare SEL Activity to other trims and dial in the accessories that match your bikes, boards, and camping kit.
XRT
Purposeful and rugged, XRT is the trim for drivers who want confident capability and premium tech in one well-sorted package. It’s powered by the 281-hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder, teamed with standard HTRAC All Wheel Drive for poised traction in rain, gravel, or on graded fire roads. You’ll spot the difference right away—18-inch XRT alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, an XRT front dark grille, exclusive XRT cladding, and exposed front tow hooks underscore this trim’s adventurous edge. Newly available Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Mud, and Sand modes helps optimize power delivery and stability for changing surfaces, while the bed’s smart storage, tie-downs, and available 115V power inverter support everything from campsite lights to trail tools. Inside, the 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation brings a big-map view to every outing, and advanced Hyundai SmartSense features step up with Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control. Considering the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA, for trailheads on Saturday and errands Monday through Friday? XRT threads that needle beautifully. At CardinaleWay Hyundai, we’ll help you equip it for the family, the dogs, and the dirt without sacrificing weekday comfort or easy maneuverability.
Limited
Limited is the premium expression of the 2026 Santa Cruz, elevating materials, tech, and driver assistance for an upscale take on adventure. Under the hood, the 281-hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder and standard HTRAC All Wheel Drive supply smooth, confident acceleration and traction when roads turn slick or your weekend turns spontaneous. Distinctive 20-inch alloy wheels and a refined exterior stance meet an interior crafted for everyday luxury. The Integrated Memory System (IMS) helps you and a co-driver save ideal seat and mirror settings, while Hyundai Digital Key 2 Touch adds convenient access and start functions with a compatible smartphone. The available panoramic curved display design seamlessly pairs the 12.3-inch center touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, so maps, driver data, and driver-assistance views feel intuitive and modern. On the safety front, Limited includes top-tier Hyundai SmartSense tech such as Surround View Monitor, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Highway Driving Assist, Forward Attention Warning, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection. For drivers comparing a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA, who want capability without giving up premium comfort, Limited checks every box. Our CardinaleWay Hyundai team can walk you through features, colors, and accessories to tailor a Limited that feels uniquely yours.
Request more 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels near Irvine, CA information
Ready to sort through which trim fits your routine best? Whether the SE’s smart value, SEL’s comfort upgrades, SEL Activity’s trail-friendly additions, XRT’s rugged capability, or Limited’s premium tech draws your eye, we can walk you through the details and set up a side-by-side drive. Our product specialists will help you compare powertrains, available HTRAC All Wheel Drive, Terrain Mode Select on XRT, and advanced Hyundai SmartSense features like Surround View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist. If you’re shopping for a 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz near Irvine, CA, we make the process straightforward—ask us to demonstrate bed storage solutions, the integrated tonneau cover, and connectivity like wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. We proudly assist customers from Lake Forest and Mission Viejo, and we can customize accessories around bikes, boards, or camping gear. Connect with CardinaleWay Hyundai today to learn more, schedule a test drive, and see why our approachable, expert team near Irvine, CA, makes all the difference.
*Images may not show trim level described