How Much Can the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Tow?

Hyundai Santa Cruz towing capacity tops out at 5,000 pounds for 2026, but only with the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that comes standard on the XRT and Limited trims. Step down to the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter in the SE, SEL or SEL Activity and the rating drops to 3,500 pounds. That 1,500-pound gap is the most consequential number in the lineup, because it decides whether a loaded utility trailer or a pair of personal watercraft is on the table or off it. Everything else follows from which engine is under the hood.

The Two Engines Behind Hyundai Santa Cruz Towing Capacity

Hyundai builds the 2026 Santa Cruz around two versions of the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder, and they behave very differently under load. The naturally aspirated version produces 191 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The turbocharged version produces 281 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft of torque, and it delivers that torque across a broad band from 1,700 to 4,000 rpm. Towing is a torque problem more than a horsepower problem, and that low, flat torque curve is exactly why the turbo carries a 5,000-pound rating while the base engine stops at 3,500.

Which 2026 Santa Cruz Trims Come With the Turbocharged Engine?

The 2026 Santa Cruz is offered in five trims: SE, SEL, SEL Activity, XRT and Limited. The SE, SEL and SEL Activity use the 191-horsepower engine. The XRT and Limited come with the 281-horsepower turbo as standard equipment, which means the 5,000-pound rating is not an option box that can be checked on a lower trim. It arrives with the trim. Shoppers who want maximum towing capability should start their search at the XRT and work up rather than trying to build a lower trim into the same capability.

Does the 2026 Santa Cruz Come With All-Wheel Drive?

HTRAC all-wheel drive is available on the SE, SEL and SEL Activity, and standard on the XRT and Limited. That arrangement means anyone shopping the turbo trims gets all-wheel drive automatically, while buyers on the lower trims choose it. All-wheel drive does not change the tow rating on its own, but it does change how confidently a loaded Santa Cruz pulls away from a wet boat ramp or a gravel lot. It also affects fuel economy, which is worth weighing against how often the extra traction actually gets used.

How Big Is the Santa Cruz Bed, and What Fits in It?

The Santa Cruz bed measures 52.1 inches long and 53.9 inches across at its widest point, narrowing to 42.7 inches between the wheel wells, for 27.0 cubic feet of volume. Every trim includes a lockable under-bed storage compartment, sidewall storage and heavy-duty D-rings, so gear that shouldn’t ride in the open has somewhere to go. Maximum load limit is 1,411 pounds across the lineup. Those dimensions favor the weekend project and the dump run over a full sheet of plywood lying flat, which is the honest trade a compact pickup makes.

What Does the Turbo Engine Cost You in Fuel Economy?

EPA ratings separate the two engines clearly. The front-wheel-drive SE, SEL and SEL Activity are rated at 22 mpg city, 30 highway and 25 combined. Adding HTRAC all-wheel drive to those trims brings the figures to 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combined. The turbocharged XRT and Limited, which are all-wheel drive as standard, are rated at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined. Drivers who tow a few times a year often find the base engine’s efficiency the better everyday trade. Drivers who tow most weekends usually don’t.

Driver-Assistance Features That Earn Their Keep With a Trailer

Every 2026 Santa Cruz includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Safe Exit Warning and Rear Occupant Alert. The XRT and Limited add Blind-View Monitor, Surround View Monitor, Smart Cruise Control 2, Highway Driving Assist, navigation-based curve control and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard across the lineup, while the digital gauge cluster measures 4.2 inches on the SE and SEL and 12.3 inches from the SEL Activity up.

Matching the Trailer to the Trim Before You Shop

Start with the actual weight of what you pull, trailer included, and leave a margin rather than shopping to the number exactly. A small utility trailer, a single motorcycle or a lightweight camper sits comfortably inside the 3,500-pound rating, which puts the whole lineup in play. A double-axle trailer, a larger boat or a loaded car hauler pushes toward the 5,000-pound figure and narrows the search to the XRT and Limited. It is also worth checking tongue weight and whether the trailer has its own brakes, since both affect what any vehicle can safely manage. Browse the Santa Cruz inventory in Cincinnati to see which trims are on the ground, or find out what your current truck is worth first.

Whether the answer is a 3,500-pound SEL or a turbocharged Limited, the Santa Cruz covers more ground than its footprint suggests. The team at Columbia Hyundai in Cincinnati is glad to walk through the trims side by side, and the service department can help keep whichever one you choose ready to work.

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trims Available

SE – Standard SmartSense safety, 12.3-inch touchscreen, 3,500-lb tow rating
SEL – Added comfort and convenience features, available HTRAC AWD
SEL Activity – Upgraded digital cluster and outdoor-minded equipment
XRT – 281-hp turbo and HTRAC AWD standard, 5,000-lb tow rating
Limited – Top-tier comfort and technology with the turbo and AWD standard

View Available 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Vehicles

For shoppers in the Cincinnati area, Columbia Hyundai offers the 2026 Santa Cruz as a rare middle ground between a compact SUV and a pickup—open bed, closed storage, and a tow rating that scales with the engine you choose.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is intended for informational purposes only. Vehicle images may not depict the exact model, trim, features, packages, accessories, or specifications described. Vehicle pricing, availability, features, and specifications are subject to change without notice. Please consult the dealership directly for complete and accurate vehicle information.