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Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson — two small SUVs compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Santa Cruz

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDAWD/4WD
VS3 – 2Hyundai Santa Cruz wins 3 of 5 categories
Hyundai Tucson

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Hyundai Tucson is more fuel-efficient: 38 vs 25 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $950 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Tucson (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has had fewer recall campaigns (9 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 17% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

The 2026 Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 4-cyl), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 182 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,468 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Santa Cruz and the 2021 Tucson have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2022 Santa Cruz and the 2016 Tucson.

Basics

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

25 MPG
Best combined MPG
38 MPG
22 city
City / highway MPG (best)
38 city
$2,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,750

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
187 hp
–
Length
182.3 in
–
Width
73.2 in
–
Height
64.2 in
–
Curb weight (lightest)
3,340 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
3
Recalls (2026)
6
9
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
5
Owner complaints (latest year)
99

Interest

4,327
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,259

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2021
2022
Year to avoid
2016

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if…

  • You put reliability history first (9 vs 29 recalls since 2005)

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (38 vs 25 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 17% below the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG.

2026 Hyundai Tucson

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 38 MPG combined — 47% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Full 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz specs →Full 2026 Hyundai Tucson specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →