Electric Cars

Unlock Adventure: Your 2025 Santa Cruz Journey Starts Now

The Ideal Companion for the Adventurous Spirit

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz redefines the compact truck segment, catering specifically to individuals who lead an active outdoor lifestyle. While it may not be engineered for heavy-duty hauling of construction materials, its bed is perfectly sized for transporting bicycles, camping equipment, and other recreational gear. This 'lifestyle truck' offers the effortless maneuverability of a car, making it easy to navigate urban environments and park in spaces where larger trucks struggle, yet it retains the essential utility needed for weekend getaways. It occupies a distinct niche, executing its role with impressive precision.

September's Unmissable Lease Opportunity for the 2025 Santa Cruz

For the month of September, Hyundai presents a particularly attractive leasing option for the Santa Cruz SE model. Prospective lessees can secure this versatile vehicle for an affordable monthly payment of $319 over 36 months, with an initial payment of $3,999 at the time of signing. This offer is notable for its zero security deposit requirement. It's important to remember that the upfront amount excludes additional charges such as registration, taxes, title, licensing, and any processing fees. The lease agreement includes an annual driving limit of 10,000 miles. A disposition fee of $400 is applicable at the lease's conclusion, though this may vary in certain states due to local regulations. Eligibility for this favorable rate depends on creditworthiness, and regional differences may apply. This special promotion concludes on September 30, 2025. Further details are available directly from Hyundai.

Enhanced Design and Modern Amenities for the Latest Model

The 2025 Santa Cruz boasts a significant refresh, featuring a newly designed grille and updated headlights that give it a bolder presence. Inside, the cabin has been thoughtfully redesigned with a revised center console, now incorporating tactile controls for audio and climate settings, enhancing user experience. A prominent 12.3-inch infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster come standard, with higher trim levels offering a customizable digital display. This blend of updated aesthetics and user-centric technology positions the Santa Cruz competitively against rivals like the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline.

Power and Efficiency: Performance Specifications of the Santa Cruz SE

Under the hood, the base Santa Cruz SE model is equipped with a 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine, channeling power to the front wheels via an efficient 8-speed automatic transmission. For those seeking more robust performance, upgraded trims feature a potent 281-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds. All-wheel drive is an available upgrade across the lineup. Fuel economy estimates for front-wheel-drive models are commendable, at 22 MPG in the city, 35 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG combined. Opting for all-wheel drive adjusts the combined rating to 24 MPG, offering a balanced blend of power and efficiency for various driving conditions.

Comprehensive Features and Advanced Safety Systems

The Santa Cruz SE comes generously equipped with a host of standard features designed to enhance comfort, convenience, and safety. These include stylish 18-inch alloy wheels paired with 245/60 R18 all-season tires, projector Bi-LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and automatic high beam assist for improved visibility. Practical elements like an LED cargo bed light, satin black door handles, and innovative storage solutions such as lockable under-bed compartments and sidewall storage bays contribute to its utility. Keyless entry, remote start, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 4.2-inch driver information display complete the modern cabin experience. Furthermore, the Santa Cruz prioritizes safety with standard features like blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, parking distance warning, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, and lane-following assist. Its commitment to safety is underscored by its recognition as an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2025.

Spacious Interior and Practical Cargo Capabilities

Inside, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a comfortable and accommodating environment for all occupants, boasting a total passenger volume of 101.8 cubic feet. Front-row passengers enjoy ample legroom at 41.4 inches, while those in the second row benefit from a generous 36.5 inches of legroom. The vehicle features a practical 4-foot truck bed, capable of handling a maximum payload of 1,411 pounds. The inclusion of smart storage compartments within the bed significantly enhances its versatility for various cargo needs. With its standard engine and front-wheel drive configuration, the Santa Cruz SE is capable of towing up to 3,500 pounds, making it a capable partner for light towing tasks.

Making an Informed Decision on Your Next Vehicle

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz stands out as an exceptional lifestyle pickup, perfectly merging appealing aesthetics with practical utility and refined driving dynamics. Its user-friendly nature, including ease of driving, parking, and maneuvering, distinguishes it from many contemporary truck offerings. The current low monthly lease payment further amplifies its appeal and accessibility for potential buyers. Prior to finalizing any lease agreement, it is crucial for individuals to thoroughly understand all associated costs at signing, including taxes, registration fees, and any potential dealer charges, to ensure a transparent and satisfactory acquisition process.

Rivian is undertaking a recall of over 24,000 electric SUVs and pickup trucks due to a software flaw in its advanced Hands-Free Highway Assist system. This defect could hinder the system's ability to accurately identify preceding vehicles, raising concerns about potential safety hazards. The company has already rolled out a software patch to rectify the problem, with the majority of the affected vehicles having received the update wirelessly. This proactive measure follows a reported minor collision attributed to the system's malfunction.

Beyond addressing immediate safety concerns, Rivian is also strategically planning for future expansion and technological advancements. The company recently introduced significantly upgraded second-generation R1S and R1T models, featuring extensive improvements beneath their familiar exteriors. Furthermore, Rivian is committed to broadening its product range with more affordable electric vehicle options and aims to launch hands-free driving capabilities for urban environments by 2026. This ambitious roadmap is significantly bolstered by a substantial $5.8 billion investment from the Volkswagen Group, providing Rivian with crucial resources and a strategic partnership for future innovation.

Rivian's Proactive Recall for Enhanced Safety

Rivian has initiated a recall affecting more than 24,000 of its R1S electric SUVs and R1T electric pickup trucks. This action is a direct response to a software anomaly within the Hands-Free Highway Assist system. The identified glitch could impede the system's capacity to detect vehicles directly in front, thereby posing a collision risk. This recall highlights Rivian's commitment to vehicle safety and its responsiveness to potential technical issues.

The core of the issue lies in the software's inability to consistently track preceding vehicles, which is critical for the Hands-Free Highway Assist system's function of maintaining lane centering and safe distances. In a documented incident, the system failed to identify a lead vehicle, resulting in a low-speed collision. Rivian has since deployed an over-the-air software update to rectify this flaw, with an impressive 99% of the affected vehicles already upgraded. Owners can contact Rivian customer service or await official recall notifications to ensure their vehicles receive the necessary update, underscoring the company's diligent approach to customer safety and technical remediation.

Future Innovations and Strategic Growth for Rivian

In addition to addressing the recent software recall, Rivian is actively pursuing an aggressive strategy for future growth and technological advancement. The company has recently unveiled substantially upgraded versions of its R1S and R1T models, which, despite retaining a similar external appearance, incorporate significant under-the-hood enhancements aimed at boosting efficiency and performance. These second-generation models signal Rivian's continuous drive for product improvement and innovation in the competitive EV market.

Looking ahead, Rivian's CEO has publicly stated plans to introduce a hands-free driving system specifically designed for city streets by 2026, marking a significant step towards more autonomous urban mobility. The company is also dedicated to diversifying its product lineup with more accessible models, including the upcoming R2 SUV and the smaller R3, alongside exploring other affordable EV options. These future initiatives are strongly supported by a substantial $5.8 billion investment from the Volkswagen Group, a partnership that not only provides Rivian with vital capital but also grants Volkswagen access to Rivian's cutting-edge software and electrical architecture, positioning Rivian for sustained leadership and innovation in the electric vehicle industry.