2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz review: A compact pickup that defies expectations
I'm sharing my impressions of vehicles after living with them for a few days or as a make or model evolves.
The car this week: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD.
What is it? Sporty compact pickup. Imagine replacing the rear third of Hyundai's popular Tucson compact SUV with a short pickup bed.
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USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz review: A compact pickup that defies expectations
I'm sharing my impressions of vehicles after living with them for a few days or as a make or model evolves. The car this week: 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD. What is it? Sporty compact pickup. Imagine replacing the rear third of Hyundai's popular Tucson compact SUV with a short pickup bed.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Not One, But Two Lawsuits Are Eroding Hyundai Palisade's Safety Reputation
Hyundai has found itself in hot water over braking issues on its three-row Palisade, one of the company's most popular models in the United States. A class action lawsuit has been filed against Hyundai Motor America, dated May 9, claiming that problematic anti-lock braking or traction control systems on certain Palisades lead to increased stopping distances. The lawsuit alleges the Korean automaker was aware of the defect but did not resolve it. According to the lawsuit, certain 2023 to 2025 model year Palisades experience braking problems over rough or uneven surfaces. The plaintiffs claim that there are miscalculations of wheel speed when braking, causing the sudden release and reapplication of braking power. Ultimately, drivers have experienced longer stopping distances than anticipated, and the safety implications of this are obvious. "Hyundai has failed to repair the ABS Defect in Class Vehicles within a reasonable time," stated the lawsuit. "As a result, many Class Vehicle owners have been forced to continue driving their cars with faulty brakes that suffer from the ABS Defect." Plaintiffs claim that since Hyundai did not rectify the problem quickly enough, this was a breach of its express warranty. Furthermore, this is a violation of consumer protection laws in Ohio and New York. One customer who leased a 2024 Palisade described that it felt as if the SUV skidded over the road surface when applying the brakes. Another customer experienced the same, but the Hyundai dealership simply explained that this was normal behaviour for the ABS system. On the NHTSA's site, we quickly found an incident reported by a customer in April this year, whereby their 2025 Palisade has an ABS issue and failed to stop before a stop light; this customer said: "The car felt extremely unsafe when this event occurred." Many customers involved in the lawsuit pointed to the Palisade's strong safety reputation as a reason for purchasing or leasing the vehicle. Specifically, they referenced Hyundai's marketing materials, which points to the Palisade's high safety specification and Top Safety Pick award from The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The braking issues have soured these drivers' perception of the vehicle, many of whom no longer feel safe when driving the SUV. Another safety-related lawsuit has been filed against Hyundai for the Palisade. This one affects 2020 to 2023 models, due to an issue where the vehicle's seatbelts could unexpectedly unlatch. The NHTSA currently lists an open investigation for these Palisade model years, stating that the Office of Defects Investigation has received 37 complaints about unlatching seatbelts. An estimated 332,288 Palisades are implicated in this investigation. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries have yet been reported, but an unlatching seatbelt would be a serious safety concern for anyone, especially in a vehicle that's likely to have kids seated in the back. In May 2025, Hyundai sold 11,207 Palisades, behind only the Elantra (15,741) and Tucson (19,905). A highly regarded SUV with spacious seating for up to seven occupants, the Palisade has consistently been one of America's favorite SUVs since its launch, alongside the related Kia Telluride. A new-generation Palisade was revealed in April, featuring a more efficient hybrid powertrain alongside the familiar V6. It also has ultra-fresh looks and a more spacious interior with dual curved displays ahead of the driver. It would be in Hyundai's best interest to address the first-gen's Palisade's safety issues sooner rather than later, as it wouldn't want to taint the brand's image just as an all-new version arrives. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Test Driving The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Santa Fe's one of those unflashy but solid midsize SUVs that deserves its healthy sales and great reputation for families, tradespeople, musicians and the like. It's gotten a redesign for 2025 and the new edition has all the aspects people liked about it all along. A week's test proved it a solid, nimble SUV. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe COPYRIGHT_2023 The 2025 model moves away from its previous rounded appearance to a more angular and, shall we say, commanding presence. Its boxier shape improves interior space and aerodynamics, says Hyundai. Pricing starts at $35,775 for the base SE trim, with the top-tier Calligraphy Hybrid, my tester for a week, reaching up to $50,657 with options and delivery charge. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe COPYRIGHT_2023 It's mod-looking, unusual for the badge. Dual 12.3-inch displays serve as the digital gauge cluster and infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a UV-C sterilization compartment for small items add to its contemporary feel. That means you can throw smartphones, keys, sunglasses, glasses, earbuds, AirPods cases, wallets or loose change in there and they will be germ-free afterward. The higher trims, like my Calligraphy, deliver Nappa leather seats, ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. The available premium Bose 12-speaker sound system is rich and punchy. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe COPYRIGHT_2023 The Calligraphy delivers a 1.6T 4-cylinder hybrid engine with a 6-speed automatic. With the electric motor, you'll get a combined 231 horsepower and up to 36 mpg city/highway combined. It's not a rocket and you don't want it to be. It's comfy and composed and the steering is responsive, especially in Sport mode. The suspension smooths out road imperfections, nicely, another reason it would be good for cross-country drives. If it's not remarkable in its handling and road manners, neither is it dull. It gets the job done, and that's what you want. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe COPYRIGHT_2023 Safety is a strong suit for the 2025 Santa Fe, coming standard with a suite of driver-assistance features including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert . The vehicle has earned top safety ratings, one reason it's great for families. The programmable 'forward attention warning' system - a boon so you don't have to constantly do the brake-gas-brake-gas thing in heavy traffic - doesn't work if it senses you're wearing dark sunglasses, heavy eye makeup or blocking the camera with your arm by having it on the steering wheel at 12:00. You can outsmart it, though. The rear liftgate is more squared and opens wider than in previous models. The vehicle is now longer overall, in fact, with a stretched wheelbase that allows for additional interior space, including improved third-row seating. There is more cargo space behind the third row than in the previous model, and legroom has improved in the second and third rows. 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe COPYRIGHT_2023 Roof rails are now standard across all trims. Hyundai has also added a new center console design and relocated some controls for easier access. Conclusion: The redesigned Santa Fe does what it does quite well and it's up to date in its styling, technology, and practicality.
