2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz — Full Specifications
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The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) / 23 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 26–28 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Hyundai Santa Cruz workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 28 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 5★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2022 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 28 combined / 26 urban / 31 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 23 combined / 22 city / 26 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 237 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,900 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 3 configurations for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz across 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo). Combined fuel economy ranges from 22 to 23 mpg (US), or 26 to 28 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (21/25) | 242 | $2,900 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (22/26) | 237 | $2,900 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (19/27) | 250 | $3,050 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Running Costs: 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz at 28 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,299 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Trailer hitches (1), Structure (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Trailer hitches — campaign 23V181000, reported 17 March 2023. Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Structure — campaign 23V038000, reported 31 January 2023. Risk: A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. The most-reported areas are Power train (25), Engine (20), Electrical system (14). Complaints include 2 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 1 reported injury. That is well above the median of 35 complaints across the 5 Hyundai Santa Cruz model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (25 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Engine (20 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Electrical system (14 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Body structure (1 recall campaign) — Inspect for corrosion and for subframe or body-panel damage, especially underneath.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Hyundai Santa Cruz compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. Its 237 g/km CO₂ figure is 16 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Hyundai models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz's 28 mpg is 6 mpg below that make average. Its 237 g/km CO₂ figure is 30 g/km higher than the 207 g/km Hyundai average.
Of the 5 Hyundai Santa Cruz model years we cover, the 2023 ranks 3rd for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (28 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every Hyundai Santa Cruz year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.5L 4-cyl with a automatic (s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The most efficient configuration returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, or 23 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 26 to 28 mpg.
How much does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,900 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 5 stars, with 5 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns that include the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Trailer hitches (1), Structure (1). 1 campaign carried a “do not drive” or “park outside” advisory. A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Among the 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (25 complaints), Engine (20 complaints), Electrical system (14 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Hyundai Santa Cruz's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 28 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.