Why the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz secretly makes more sense than a full-size truck for everyday drivers
Suppose you want a large truck for lifestyles inside the U.S.? Statistically… likely not.
A prime survey by way of Strategic imaginative and prescient discovered 75% of truck owners tow most effective as soon as a year or less, and multiple-third in no way use their truck mattress in any respect. In different words, most people shopping for massive pickups… don’t actually need large-pickup functionality.
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So if you’re no longer hauling creation tools every day or towing a 10,000-lb trailer each weekend, right here’s the reality:
- Safety
- Reliability
- Fair price
- Easy to park and live with
matter way more to real-world truck buyers than raw power numbers.
And with those priorities? There’s one clear winner right now in the U.S. truck market.
Meet the Most Practical Pickup in America: The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz tests the bins that regular U.S. Drivers clearly care about. It’s comfy, efficient, successful sufficient for 90% of normal truck stuff, and loaded with safety tech.
The Criteria
To crown the most practical truck, we looked at:
| Key Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Price | Under ~$40K for useful capability |
| Safety | IIHS Top Safety Pick |
| Reliability | 80+ J.D. Power score |
| Utility | Tow at least 3,500 lbs |
The Santa Cruz nails them all.
Affordable Price + Real-World Capability
Most truck owners don’t need 10,000-lb towing—and they don’t need a $60K sticker either.
| Model | Starting Price | Tow Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz SE (FWD) | ~$29,500 | 3,500 lbs |
| Santa Cruz XRT (Turbo AWD) | ~$41,500 | 5,000 lbs |
Need to tow a camper, jet skis, bikes, or a small trailer? The Santa Cruz does it without large truck month-to-month payments or gasoline payments.
Reliable — Year After Year
Hyundai’s mini-truck has been rock-stable when you consider that launch.
J.D. Power Quality & Reliability
| Year | Score |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 88/100 |
| 2024 | 87/100 |
| 2023 | 84/100 |
| 2022 | 83/100 |
Higher than the Ford Maverick. Higher than the Honda Ridgeline. That’s consistency.
Top-Tier Safety
Protection subjects—particularly if your truck is a daily family hauler.
IIHS Safety Rating
- One of the only small pickups to earn a Top Safety Pick
- Advanced crash avoidance tech
- Strong crash-test structure results
That’s peace of mind you feel every time you buckle in.
Low Ownership Costs
Hyundai offers affordable long-term ownership.
| Metric | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance (avg) | ~$468 |
| 10-Year Cost (brand avg) | ~$7,167 |
Plus, early models show very few complaint trends.
But What if You Need Something Bigger?
If you do tow regularly or need full-size capability, here are smart alternatives that still prioritize safety & value:
Best Practical Full-Size Pickup
2024 Toyota Tundra
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 8,300-lb towing
- Excellent reliability history
- Starts around ~$41,260
Great mix of real work capability + long-term dependability.
Best Practical Electric Pickup
2025 Rivian R1T
- IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- 11,000-lb towing
- Benchmark EV truck tech
Pricey, yes—but currently the safest electric truck you can buy.
Final Verdict
Most Americans don’t need a full-size truck—and most don’t use one to its potential.
If you want a pickup that’s:
- Easy to drive every day
- Safer than most small trucks
- Reliable long-term
- Affordable to own
- Capable of weekend toys
Also read: 5 Legendary SRT Vehicles That Deserve an Epic Comeback!