2025 Santa Cruz and Tucson Debut At New York Auto Show

The 2024 New York Auto Show has come and gone, but it was important for Hyundai to show off some important updates to the 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz. While both vehicles received some styling updates, the interiors and engines have been given a good freshening up. 

A New Santa Cruz

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz receives a new front fascia, grille, wheel designs, and daytime running lights on the outside. Buyers get two extra color choices: Rockwood Green and Canyon Red. The inside, however, gets a lot of tweaks. There is a new 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and 12.3-inch infotainment screen, updated audio, video, navigation, and HVAC controls with buttons and switches, an updated steering wheel design, new air vents, and a rear seat center armrest with two cup holders. Medium Gray seats are also now an option. 

Special Tech Upgrades

With the updated infotainment screen, the Santa Cruz also gets:

• Wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto integration on all trim levels
• Over the Air (OTA) software and firmware update support added
• USB-Type-C ports
• Bluelink+ Connected Car technology
• Hyundai Pay in-car payment system
• Integrated Memory System
• Digital Key 2 Touch
• Fingerprint scanner
• New towing drive mode (2.5L turbocharged powertrain on Limited and XRT only)

XRT Trim

The Santa Cruz XRT gets changes that help to make it more unique and capable, including:

• New XRT-exclusive front and rear bumper fascia designs
• New XRT-exclusive front grille
• Front tow hooks
• Wrench-inspired XRT-specific 18-inch wheels
• 245 / 60 R 18 all-terrain tires
• Increased approach angle
• XRT trim adds Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor
• XRT logo debossing on front upper seatbacks

A Word From Hyundai

“The development goal for freshening Santa Cruz was to give it an even bolder, stronger design. We also wanted Santa Cruz to be more capable, and the available XRT trim delivers with all-terrain tires, front tow hooks and improved off-road capability. Customers are going to appreciate all the new design details and enhancements inside and out. Santa Cruz is a true sport adventure vehicle,” said José Muñoz, President and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America.

Design Information

“More vertical lines and redesigned headlamps bookend a menacing new grille incorporating larger chambers. These changes give the 2025 Santa Cruz a more planted, robust stance,” said Brad Arnold, Senior Design Manager of Exteriors at Hyundai Design North America. “On the Santa Cruz XRT, we’ve augmented the model’s off-road capability by increasing the approach angle, adding all-terrain tires and unique wrench-inspired alloy wheels.”

Tweaks For A Fresher Face

Like the Santa Cruz, the 2025 Tucson gets modest exterior styling upgrades, such as a revised front and rear fascia, new daytime running light style going from 10 lighting areas down to 8 larger lights, new roof rails, new wheels, anodized aluminum badges, and a rear wiper that is now 75 mm longer for better usability. 

A Word From Hyundai

“The refreshed 2025 Tucson SUV expands the appeal of our full-spectrum eco-powertrain approach, offering internal combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models in a popular compact SUV design,” said José Muñoz, President and Global COO, Hyundai Motor Company and President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “With all-wheel drive offered on gas and hybrid models, customers can enjoy all-road, all-weather capability coupled with outstanding efficiency and an attractive variety of trims, including outdoor-focused XRT and sporty N Line models.”

New Tech Features

New dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment screen give drivers and passengers better technology, along with new buttons and switches, including the HVAC controls. The steering wheel, center console, and door panel accents have all been redesigned to give a fresher feel to the cabin. A tray on the dashboard is now above the glovebox to give the front passenger more storage space. The wireless charger has moved to an area that is more easily accessible to the driver. 

Thoughtful Changes

Tucson models with the shift-by-wire function will have a column-mounted gear selector, giving a more open feeling in the center console area. Limited models will now have acoustic laminated front and side windows for less interior noise, and heated steering wheel and seats offer extra temperature control. XRT models will have the XRT logo printed on the front seatbacks. 

OTA Updates

The infotainment and navigation system, powertrain, and safety systems can now be updated via over-the-air (OTA). All models will now have standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A new 12-inch head-up display will even display turn-by-turn navigation from Apple CarPlay. 

Fingerprint Scanner

Perhaps the most unique feature that both the 2025 Santa Cruz and Tucson will have is a new biometric fingerprint scanner that allows owners to start and drive their cars without a key being present. 

Availability 

Look for both vehicles to start arriving at Hyundai of Mankato in June and July of 2024. 

At Hyundai of Mankato, we take great pride in offering some of the most reliable and safest vehicles on the market today. With dozens of new and used vehicles for sale, our sales team and finance department will help you find the right vehicle for your needs. And our outstanding service department will work tirelessly to ensure your vehicle stays in the best possible condition. If you are looking for winter tires, our service technicians will take great care of you and provide all the relevant information you need.

We look forward to serving you.