Used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

How much does the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz cost?

Prices have softened 8.28% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,651 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

If you find a listing below $27,414.33, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz a good car?

Generally — the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz earns a 4.25/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating, which points to a strong overall case if you want a compact truck with personality. The standout strength is Look and feel at 9/10.

The Santa Cruz’s appeal comes from its compact footprint, useful bed, peppy powertrain, and distinctive styling. It also brings a high-quality cabin for the price point, with fit and finish that comes across as well executed.

The trade-offs are just as clear: poor fuel economy and a cramped back seat. That means it fits you best if you value character, usefulness, and easy city maneuverability more than rear-seat space or efficiency.

28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so there’s still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners rate it 4.25/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Hyundai backs the Santa Cruz with a strong warranty package, and that helps reduce ownership anxiety for used buyers. The model also comes across as well built in the cabin, with no obvious fit-and-finish issues called out in testing.

The powertrain is described as peppy and smooth, and the ride quality is excellent, which supports the sense that this is a well-sorted daily driver. Hyundai also includes three years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance and five years and unlimited miles of roadside assistance.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is not mechanical drama so much as living with the Santa Cruz’s efficiency and space compromises over time.

What should I look for when buying a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 90.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.

You should still run a vehicle history report and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one that’s been used like a truck. Focus on overall condition, tire wear, brake wear, and signs of hard use in the bed and cabin.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SE, SEL, Night, XRT, and Limited trims differ meaningfully in cabin polish and equipment. The base trim is the most stripped-down, while upper trims add more comfort, convenience, and a more upscale feel.
• Powertrain: Lower trims use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while the turbocharged setup raises output to 282 hp and 311 lb-ft. The standard engine may feel underpowered, while the turbo version is notably peppy.
• Safety package: All trims get forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. XRT and above add adaptive cruise control and forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian-, cyclist-, and junction-turning detection.
• Infotainment: SE and SEL trims use an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upper trims get a 10.25-inch display, but smartphone compatibility is wired only.
• Fuel efficiency: The AWD tester returned 19 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, and averaged 23.3 miles per gallon over 589 miles.

Which 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz trim should I buy?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz is offered in 5 trim levels: SE, SEL, Night, XRT, Limited.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core Santa Cruz experience at the lowest price. It makes the most sense if you want the truck’s utility and style without paying for extras.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday convenience while keeping the useful 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration.
• Night: Choose this if you want a darker appearance package and a more distinctive look without jumping all the way to the top trim.
• XRT: This is the trim to consider if you want the added driver-assistance content that comes with the upgraded safety package.
• Limited: This is the most fully equipped version, with the most upscale feel and the most complete feature set, including the strongest tech and convenience mix.

Hyundai’s safety package is broad across the lineup, but XRT and above add more advanced driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,651 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.28% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 90.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,414.33, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz's resale value?

The current average of $27,403 sits slightly below last year's $29,877.

That price movement suggests the Santa Cruz has softened enough to be attractive on the used market, but not so much that it looks distressed. If you buy well now, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation compared with paying closer to the prior-year average.

Its strong owner satisfaction rating should help support demand when you eventually sell. Buyers tend to respond well to vehicles that combine personality, utility, and a good ownership reputation.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.25/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz safe?

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz has not been given an overall safety rating by NHTSA, and IIHS has not yet rated this model year.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Hyundai equips every trim with forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert. XRT and above add adaptive cruise control plus forward-collision avoidance with pedestrian-, cyclist-, and junction-turning detection.

Limited trims go further with Highway Drive Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane-centering, plus a blind-spot view monitor that shows a camera feed in the gauge cluster when you signal. The system is helpful, but it is still hands-on and requires your attention.

Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz reliable?

Owners rate it 4.25/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Santa Cruz is described as a well-rounded small truck with strong utility, a peppy powertrain, and a high-quality cabin. Hyundai’s warranty coverage is a major plus, and the included maintenance and roadside assistance add confidence for used ownership.

The powertrain is presented as smooth and responsive, and the ride quality is excellent, which supports the idea that this is a durable daily driver rather than a fragile niche vehicle. For used buyers, the biggest ownership concern is likely to be living with its fuel economy and rear-seat limitations rather than major reliability worries.

Should I buy a 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2024 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2024 if:

• 28.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 90.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.28% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.25/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It blends truck utility with a compact footprint and a peppy powertrain.

Consider the 2025 if:

• At $29,961, the 2025 costs more than the current year's $27,403 average.
• It adds new tech, styling updates, and off-roading enhancements.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2024 is the smarter buy because prices have eased and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to spend more for the newer model’s updates, the 2025 is the better path; price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2024 and shop for a deal below the low end of the range.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.