2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz towing capacity
Updated 2026-09-21 · Source: Hyundai Newsroom 2025 Santa Cruz Specifications (SantaCruzSpecs061724.pdf)
The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz tows up to 5,000 lb when properly equipped. Depending on trim, cab, engine and tow package, ratings for this model year range from 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb. Maximum payload is 1,411 lb.
- Max towing
- 5,000lb
- Max payload
- 1,411lb
- GVWR
- 5,523 to 5,798lb
- Curb weight
- 3,779 to 4,295lb
Towing capacity by configuration
Bars are the manufacturer's rating for each published configuration; the darkest bar is the maximum.
| Trim | Cab | Bed | Engine | Drive | Towing | Payload | GVWR | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L I4, 191 hp | FWD | 3,500 | 1,411 | 5,523 | curb 3,779; maximum vehicle load limit 1,411 lb applies to all trims |
| SE | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L I4, 191 hp | AWD | 3,500 | 1,411 | 5,666 | curb 3,922 |
| SEL | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L I4, 191 hp | FWD | 3,500 | 1,411 | 5,523 | curb 3,964 |
| SEL | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L I4, 191 hp | AWD | 3,500 | 1,411 | 5,666 | curb 4,107 |
| SEL Activity | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L turbo I4, 281 hp | FWD | 3,500 | 1,411 | 5,523 | curb 3,964; 2.5T column reads 3,500 (5,000 AWD) |
| SEL Activity | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L turbo I4, 281 hp | AWD | 5,000 | 1,411 | 5,666 | curb 4,107 |
| XRT | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L turbo I4, 281 hp | AWD | 5,000 | 1,411 | 5,798 | curb 4,228 |
| Limited | Crew Cab | 4 ft | 2.5L turbo I4, 281 hp | AWD | 5,000 | 1,411 | 5,798 | curb 4,295 |
Check a trailer against this Santa Cruz
How to read these numbers
Towing capacity is the manufacturer's maximum trailer weight for a lightly loaded truck. In practice payload runs out first: every passenger, every item in the bed, and the trailer's tongue weight (typically 10 to 15 percent of trailer weight) count against the 1,411 lb payload and the GVWR of your configuration.
Where GCWR is shown as a dash, Hyundai does not publish a combined rating for that configuration; use GVWR and the towing figure together.
Full explanations: GVWR vs GCWR vs payload and how tongue weight eats payload.
Source: Hyundai Newsroom 2025 Santa Cruz Specifications (SantaCruzSpecs061724.pdf). Confirm your vehicle's ratings on the certification label in the driver's door jamb.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz tow?
Up to 5,000 lb when properly equipped. The lowest-rated configuration listed (SE, Crew Cab, 2.5L I4, 191 hp, FWD) is rated at 3,500 lb, and the highest (SEL Activity, Crew Cab, 2.5L turbo I4, 281 hp, AWD) at 5,000 lb.
What is the payload capacity of a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Maximum payload is 1,411 lb. Payload includes passengers, cargo and the trailer's tongue weight, so it is usually the limit you reach first. GVWR for this model year runs 5,523 to 5,798 lb across configurations.
Does the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz need a tow package to reach its maximum rating?
The 5,000 lb rating requires the 2.5L turbo with HTRAC AWD and a trailer with brakes (2.5L models are limited to 3,500 lb and any trailer without brakes to 1,653 lb); the spec sheet does not state a hitch class.. Configurations without the package carry a lower rating; see the note column in the table above.
Can a 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz tow a travel trailer?
A configuration rated at 5,000 lb can handle a trailer with a loaded weight of roughly 4,000 lb while keeping a 20% safety margin, provided passengers, cargo and tongue weight stay within the 1,411 lb payload. Run your exact numbers in the towing calculator.