# Hyundai Santa Cruz specs and mpg by year - **Latest year:** 2027 - **MPG (combined):** 20-25 - **Drive:** AWD, FWD - **Years covered:** 2022-2027 ## Quick answer The 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small SUV rated at 20-25 mpg combined. Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo. ## Every 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz version | Version | Engine | Drive | Transmission | City/Hwy | Combined | Fuel cost / year | CO2 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Santa Cruz FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | FWD | Automatic | 22/30 | 25 mpg | $2,700 | 356 g/mi | | Santa Cruz AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | AWD | Automatic | 21/29 | 24 mpg | $2,800 | 367 g/mi | | Santa Cruz XRT AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD | Automatic | 18/25 | 20 mpg | $3,350 | 435 g/mi | Each row is a version the EPA tested. Fuel cost assumes 15,000 miles a year (55% city) at national average prices; CO2 is tailpipe emissions. ## Hyundai Santa Cruz specs by year | Year | Engines | Transmission | Drive | MPG (combined) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2027 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 20-25 | | 2026 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 20-25 | | 2025 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 21-25 | | 2024 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 22-23 | | 2023 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 22-23 | | 2022 | 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic | AWD, FWD | 22-23 | EPA combined ratings. MPGe is the EPA efficiency measure for electric cars. Ranges cover every engine and drivetrain EPA tested for that year. ## How has the Santa Cruz changed over the years? - **2026:** combined mpg went from 21-25 to 20-25. - **2025:** combined mpg went from 22-23 to 21-25. ## What does it cost to run a Santa Cruz? The EPA puts the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz's fuel cost at **$2,700-$3,350 a year**, against about $2,229 for other current small SUVs: roughly 36% more. Over five years at 15,000 miles a year that is about $15,125 in fuel. ## Santa Cruz vs rivals | Model | Powertrains | Fuel economy | Fuel cost / year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Toyota RAV4](/vehicles/toyota-rav4) | Hybrid | 38-43 mpg | $1,550-$1,750 | | [Kia Sportage](/vehicles/kia-sportage) | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 24-42 mpg | $1,600-$2,800 | | [Toyota Corolla Cross](/vehicles/toyota-corolla-cross) | Gas, Hybrid | 30-42 mpg | $1,600-$2,250 | | [Ford Escape](/vehicles/ford-escape) | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 26-40 mpg | $1,700-$2,600 | | [Honda CR-V](/vehicles/honda-cr-v) | Gas, Hybrid, Hydrogen | 29-40 mpg | $1,700-$2,300 | | [Lexus NX](/vehicles/lexus-nx) | Gas, Hybrid | 24-40 mpg | $2,050-$3,400 | | [Mazda CX-50](/vehicles/mazda-cx-50) | Gas, Hybrid | 25-38 mpg | $1,750-$2,700 | | [Kia Sorento](/vehicles/kia-sorento) | Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid | 23-37 mpg | $1,800-$2,900 | Other current small SUVs from other makes, most efficient first. ## Frequently asked questions ### What mpg does the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz get? The 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz is EPA-rated at 20-25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain. Real-world mileage varies with speed, climate and load. ### What engine does the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz have? The 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with: 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl turbo. It uses automatic transmission and is offered with AWD and FWD. ### Is there a hybrid Hyundai Santa Cruz? No. In the EPA data from 2022-2027 the Hyundai Santa Cruz has no hybrid version. ### Which Hyundai Santa Cruz year gets the best gas mileage? In the EPA data, the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz has the highest combined rating, up to 25 mpg. Ratings for the same model can change between years when engines or test procedures change. ### How much does it cost to fuel a 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz for a year? About $2,700-$3,350 a year, using the EPA's assumptions of 15,000 miles (55% city, 45% highway) at national average fuel prices. Your cost depends on your local prices, mileage and driving style. ### What is the city and highway mpg of the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz? The most efficient 2027 version, the Santa Cruz FWD, is rated 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway (25 combined). Other engines and drivetrains are rated lower; the versions table above lists each one. ### How much CO2 does the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz emit? EPA rates its tailpipe CO2 at 356-435 grams per mile depending on version. Lower is better; the cleanest gas cars sit under 250 g/mi and electric cars have none at the tailpipe. ### Does the 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz come with all-wheel drive? Yes. The 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered with AWD and FWD. All- or four-wheel drive usually costs 1-3 mpg compared with the two-wheel-drive version of the same engine, as the versions table shows. ### Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz cheap to run compared with other small SUVs? No, dearer than average: its EPA annual fuel cost of $2,700-$3,350 compares with about $2,229 for other current small SUV models. Fuel is only part of running costs; insurance, tires and repairs also differ. ## Sources - [fueleconomy.gov (US DOE and EPA)](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/) ## All Hyundai SUVs - [Hyundai Ioniq 5](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-ioniq-5) - [Hyundai Kona](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-kona) - [Hyundai Nexo](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-nexo) - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) - [Hyundai Tucson](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-tucson) - [Hyundai Venue](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-venue) - [Hyundai Palisade](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-palisade) ## More Hyundai models - [Hyundai Elantra](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-elantra) - [Hyundai Ioniq 6](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-ioniq-6) - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-sonata) - [Hyundai Accent](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-accent): discontinued - [Hyundai Ioniq](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-ioniq): discontinued - [Hyundai Veloster](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-veloster): discontinued ## Other small SUVs - [Infiniti QX50](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/infiniti-qx50) - [Infiniti QX55](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/infiniti-qx55) - [Jaguar E-Pace](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/jaguar-e-pace) - [Jaguar F-Pace](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/jaguar-f-pace) - [Jaguar I-Pace](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/jaguar-i-pace) ## Car care - [How long do tires last?](https://diagxcar.com/how-long/tires) - [How often to change oil](https://diagxcar.com/how-often/change-oil) - [Tire size calculator](https://diagxcar.com/tools/tire-size-calculator) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-santa-cruz Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.