Reasons to pick Hyundai Santa Cruz
- 1you prefer the compact pickup with the clearer 3-trim staircase instead of restarting your research elsewhere.
Compare
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Hyundai Kona
Live comparisonUpdated April 2026
Santa CruzvsKona
- Price−$15,250
- Efficiency2.3 L/100 km
- Cargo+647 L
- Rows won0–4
Kona starts $15,250 lower. Kona wins efficiency by 2.3 L/100 km. Kona gives you 647 L more cargo room. The highlighted cells below show the winner, and the edge column tells you by how much.
Interactive trim explorer
Each row is a feature. Tap to see the unlock detail.
Hyundai Santa CruzHyundai Kona
Full spec sheet
Every row scored head-to-head. The winner cell is highlighted.
Entry price$15,250 lower
Santa Cruz
$41,999
Preferred AWD
Kona
$26,749
Essential FWD
Average trim price$16,727 lower
Santa Cruz
$46,666
3 tracked trims
Kona
$29,939
5 tracked trims
| Metric | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
Entry priceLower wins | $41,999 Preferred AWD | $26,749 Essential FWD | $15,250 lower |
Average trim priceLower wins | $46,666 3 tracked trims | $29,939 5 tracked trims | $16,727 lower |
Best efficiencyLower wins | 10.4 L/100 km XRT | 8.1 L/100 km Essential FWD | 2.3 L/100 km lower |
Cargo roomHigher wins | 764 L Best published cargo figure | 1,411 L Best published cargo figure | 647 L more |
Tow ratingHigher wins | 2,268 kg Highest rated trim in ladder | — Not published | Only Hyundai reports |
Mid-trim valueHigher wins | 1 feature Core coverage still thin | 3 features Preferred FWD at $29,249 | Only Hyundai full |
Premium ceilingHigher wins | 1 feature Core coverage still thin | 4 features Preferred AWD with Trend Package at $33,699 | Only Hyundai full |
Safety and warranty still deserve a final check: IIHS n/a · NHTSA n/a and 5 yr / 100,000 km for Hyundai Santa Cruz, versus Top Safety Pick+ · NHTSA 5 and 5 yr / 100,000 km for Hyundai Kona.
Equipment differences
Extra equipment beyond the core table. Each row shows the earliest trim on either side that gets you there.
Expanded rows4beyond the core table
Model reach4 vs 2Santa Cruz vs Kona
Pair overlap2 shared2 one-sided
Driver Assist
High-use visibility and lane-support hardware that often moves buyers up the ladder.
1
Driver Assist
High-use visibility and lane-support hardware that often moves buyers up the ladder.
Adaptive cruise controlRight sooner
Santa Cruz
$47,499
XRT
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop-and-go capability
Kona
$29,249
Preferred FWD
Hyundai features: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection; 18" alloy wheels; Heated steering wheel; Adaptive Cruise Control w/ traffic stop & go; Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with multilink rear suspension; 2.0L MPI DOHC 4-cylinder engine
Tech
Screen, charging, and software comforts that matter once the basics are covered.
1
Tech
Screen, charging, and software comforts that matter once the basics are covered.
Wireless chargingLeft only
Santa Cruz
$47,499
XRT
Wireless Charging Pad
Kona
—
Doesn’t reach it
Comfort & Cabin
Roof, audio, and interior-upgrade cues that tell you where the premium story really starts.
2
Comfort & Cabin
Roof, audio, and interior-upgrade cues that tell you where the premium story really starts.
Moonroof / sunroofRight sooner
Santa Cruz
$47,499
XRT
Power Sunroof
Kona
$33,699
Preferred AWD with Trend Package
Wide-type sunroof, power tilt-and-slide
Premium audioLeft only
Santa Cruz
$50,499
Ultimate AWD
Bose premium audio system with 8-speakers
Kona
—
Doesn’t reach it
Driver Assist
High-use visibility and lane-support hardware that often moves buyers up the ladder.
| Equipment | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
Adaptive cruise controlExpanded Kona unlocks it $18,250 sooner. | $47,499 XRT Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop-and-go capability | $29,249 Preferred FWD Hyundai features: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Junction Turning Detection; 18" alloy wheels; Heated steering wheel; Adaptive Cruise Control w/ traffic stop & go; Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with multilink rear suspension; 2.0L MPI DOHC 4-cylinder engine | Right sooner |
Tech
Screen, charging, and software comforts that matter once the basics are covered.
| Equipment | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
Wireless chargingExpanded Only Santa Cruz reaches wireless charging. | $47,499 XRT Wireless Charging Pad | — Doesn’t reach it | Left only |
Comfort & Cabin
Roof, audio, and interior-upgrade cues that tell you where the premium story really starts.
| Equipment | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai Kona | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
Moonroof / sunroofExpanded Kona unlocks it $13,800 sooner. | $47,499 XRT Power Sunroof | $33,699 Preferred AWD with Trend Package Wide-type sunroof, power tilt-and-slide | Right sooner |
Premium audioExpanded Only Santa Cruz reaches premium audio. | $50,499 Ultimate AWD Bose premium audio system with 8-speakers | — Doesn’t reach it | Left only |
Trim Shortcuts
Switch between the entry, efficiency, and premium picks to see how both ladders compare on the same shelf.
The cheapest acceptable version on each side.
Hyundai Santa Cruz$41,999
Preferred AWD
10.7 L/100 km efficiency1 features
Hyundai Kona$26,749
Essential FWD
8.1 L/100 km efficiency3 features
| Side | Trim | MSRP | Efficiency | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | Preferred AWD | $41,999 | 10.7 L/100 km | 1 |
| Hyundai Kona | Essential FWD | $26,749 | 8.1 L/100 km | 3 |