40/100

2025Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDRegular

2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD

EPA ID: 48267

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City MPG

Combined MPG

22MPG· Average

Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD achieves an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 19 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with a automatic (am-s8), this small sport utility vehicle 4wd features All-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 2025 Santa Cruz AWD produces approximately 406 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this Santa Cruz AWD has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $2,700, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $2,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Fuel TypeRegular

Engine2.5L 4-cyl

AspirationTurbocharged

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S8)

Drive TypeAll-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions406 g/mi

Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped

GHG Score5/10

Smog RatingN/A

Est. Annual Cost$2,700

5-Year Cost DeltaSave $2,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG

21.9

Impact vs EPA

+$8

/ year

💨

The Brick Effect: Highway Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Because the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD has a large frontal area, expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by up to 25% at high speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost

$561/mo

Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.

Annual Mileage15,000 mi

Value Depreciation

Est. value lost over 60 months

$13,860

41.2%

Fuel & Electricity

Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)

$11,932

35.5%

Estimated Insurance

Based on vehicle class risk profile

$7,459

22.2%

State Registration Fees

Based on National Average DMV base rates

$400

1.2%

Total 5-Year Cost$33,651

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #25V809000·2025-12-29

critical

Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson, 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, and 2026 Genesis GV70 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may not have been installed properly, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reinstall the side curtain air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning December 29, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 289 and 029G. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on November 22, 2025.

Campaign #24V877000·2024-12-17

critical

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The console extension wiring assembly may be routed improperly, allowing the transmission to be shifted out of Park without applying the brake pedal.

Consequence & Remedy

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

81.2 metric tons CO₂

Equivalent To:

🌳 100 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs

✈️ 6.8 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.