CardinaleWay Hyundai - Trail-to-Boardwalk Ready - 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT for Laguna Niguel, CA Drivers
If your weekends flow from hiking trailheads to the Pacific boardwalk without missing a beat, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT is the trim that keeps pace. It looks the part with exclusive XRT cladding, an XRT front dark grille, and 18-inch XRT alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber. Under the hood, the 281-hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder pairs with HTRAC All Wheel Drive for poised traction across varied terrain. New Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Mud, and Sand modes helps you dial in confident response as conditions change. Inside, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation puts maps, apps, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ one tap away, while the available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster keeps critical data in your line of sight.
Beyond the rugged stance, the XRT already has the features you want for daily reassurance and weekend detours. Hyundai SmartSense upgrades include Highway Driving Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection and Forward Attention Warning help you stay alert in crowded parking lots or along winding coastal roads. Out back, the Santa Cruz bed still steals the show with molded-in shelving slots, multiple tie-downs, and a sealed, drainable underfloor bin—perfect for muddy boots or wetsuits. Add available accessories like the integrated, lockable tonneau cover and 115V bed outlet, and you’re ready for sunrise hikes and sunset cruises with equal ease.
- Powertrain and Control: 281-hp 2.5L turbo engine, HTRAC All Wheel Drive, Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Mud, and Sand
- Trail-Tuned Visibility: Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor help with tight trails and tight lots
- Bed Utility: Standard tie-downs, molded-in slots, sealed underfloor bin, and available integrated tonneau cover
- Cabin Tech: 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation plus wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
- Driver Assistance: Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control
For shoppers weighing the XRT against more road-oriented trims, it comes down to how much your routine values capability without sacrificing comfort. The XRT steps into gravel lots and trail pull-outs with confidence, yet it remains smooth, quiet, and connected in everyday traffic. Better still, the Santa Cruz format offers right-sized dimensions for city parking while giving you a true open bed with serious organizational flexibility. If your gear list changes by the hour, the XRT’s storage solutions and traction tools keep you one step ahead.
CardinaleWay Hyundai can walk you through the XRT’s hardware and software advantages in detail, from how Terrain Mode Select adjusts throttle mapping and torque distribution to how the integrated bed system streamlines hauling tasks. You’ll also learn how features like Highway Driving Assist and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control help reduce fatigue on longer drives to the mountains or the coast. Our showroom is serving Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, and Costa Mesa, making it easy to compare trims and take a drive that mirrors your day-to-day and weekend routes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the XRT include All Wheel Drive?
Yes, HTRAC All Wheel Drive is standard on the XRT, working with Terrain Mode Select for Snow, Mud, and Sand.
What driver-assistance upgrades does the XRT add?
The XRT adds Highway Driving Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Forward Attention Warning, and Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Curve Control.
Is the XRT’s bed different from other trims?
The bed architecture is consistent across the lineup with molded-in shelving slots, multiple tie-downs, and a sealed underfloor bin; the XRT can be equipped with available bed accessories like a retractable, lockable tonneau cover and 115V power outlet.
Can I get navigation and a digital instrument cluster on the XRT?
Yes. The XRT includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, and you can equip an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster for a cohesive, high-tech cockpit.
When you’re ready to size up the XRT’s capability and comfort firsthand, schedule a drive that includes a mixed loop—some highway, some hills, and a quick stop to load the bed. It’s the simplest way to confirm that the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT is the right fit for your everyday-crossover, weekend-adventure lifestyle.
*Image may not be actual model