2025 Toyota Corolla Cross vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

$24,135 · Crossover

$29,500 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross bursts onto the scene as the efficient urban workhorse, boasting a compelling 32 combined MPG and a lower entry price of $24,135. Its nimble size, measuring 176.1 inches long, makes squeezing through tight city streets a breeze. In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a dose of playful capability, packing 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Corolla Cross's 169 hp. While the Santa Cruz is decidedly larger, at 195.7 inches long, this extra footprint hints at greater versatility, though it concedes 7 MPG in combined fuel economy, settling at 25 MPG. The price gap is substantial, with the Santa Cruz demanding $5,365 more. This comparison pits sheer economical sensibility against accessible, punchy performance.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross wins for daily commuting due to its superior 32 combined MPG rating, promising lower running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz, being significantly longer and wider, suggests better passenger space and overall road presence for family hauling.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz delivers a more engaging drive with its 191 hp and a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission compared to the Corolla Cross's 169 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

The Corolla Cross provides substantial efficiency and lower ownership costs starting at $24,135, offering better foundational value.

Choose the Toyota Corolla Cross if...

Fuel economy is your absolute priority, given its 32 combined MPG rating.
You are budget-conscious, as its MSRP starts at $24,135, undercutting the rival by over $5,000.
You prefer a more compact footprint for easy navigation and parking in crowded areas.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You seek more energetic driving dynamics with 191 horsepower on tap.
You desire a larger vehicle, as its 195.7-inch length provides more overall mass and space.
You prefer the feel of a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Toyota Corolla Cross	Hyundai Santa Cruz
Length	176.1"	195.7"
Width	71.9"	75.0"
Height	64.9"	66.7"
Wheelbase	103.9"	118.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Automatic Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	169 hp @ 6600 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	151 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	31/33 MPG	22/30 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	32 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	384.4/409.2 mi.	389.4/531.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	17.7 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	With Real Time Traffic	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	1
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Front Head Room	38.6 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	42.9 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	52.7 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	52.6 in.	54.5 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	—

Rearseats

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.0 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	32.0 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	52.4 in.	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	43.8 in.	53.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P215/65R17	245/60R18
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Toyota	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	2 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 25000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.

How much better is the fuel economy between the two crossovers?

The 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross leads significantly in efficiency, achieving 32 combined MPG. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz rates lower at 25 combined MPG, resulting in a 7 MPG difference for daily driving.

Does the higher price of the Santa Cruz justify its performance advantage?

The Santa Cruz commands a $5,365 higher MSRP, justified by its superior output of 191 hp compared to the Corolla Cross's 169 hp. Whether this power boost is worth the extra cost depends on your driving priorities.

Which vehicle is physically larger for cargo and passengers?

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is substantially larger overall, with a length of 195.7 inches compared to the Corolla Cross's 176.1 inches. This physical difference likely translates to more usable interior and cargo volume.

What is the core transmission difference impacting driving feel?

The Corolla Cross utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), favored for efficiency, while the Santa Cruz employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic. Enthusiasts often prefer the defined shift points of the 8-speed.

Are both vehicles the same basic size class?

While both are categorized as crossovers, the Santa Cruz is notably wider (75.0 inches vs. 71.9 inches) and taller, suggesting it leans toward a slightly larger, more truck-adjacent feel than the more compact Corolla Cross.