2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- XRT AWD, 2.5L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 3,500 lb.
- Rank 16 of 19 trucks (2026).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,000 lb
- Margin
- 1,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 97% of 4,140 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 12-16 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,000 lb: XRT AWD, $41,350.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XRT AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,658 lb | 5,798 lb | 4,140 lb | $41,350 |
| Limited AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,607 lb | 5,798 lb | 4,191 lb | $43,700 |
| SE FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,743 lb | 5,522 lb | 3,779 lb | $29,750 |
| SE AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | 5,522 lb to 5,666 lb | 3,922 lb | $31,250 |
| SEL FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,717 lb | 5,522 lb | 3,805 lb | $31,400 |
| SEL AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | 5,522 lb to 5,666 lb | 3,948 lb | $32,900 |
| SEL Activity FWD | 2.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,622 lb | 5,522 lb | 3,900 lb | $34,450 |
| SEL Activity AWD | 2.5L 4cyl | AWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | 5,522 lb to 5,666 lb | 4,043 lb | $35,950 |
No rating listed: 6 trims.
Max rating by year
Same max rating from 2022 to 2026: 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Colorado | 7,700 lb | 2WD Crew Cab WT | $32,400 |
| Nissan Frontier | 7,000 lb | King Cab 4x2 S | $32,150 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 6,500 lb | SR5 XtraCab 6' Bed AT RWD | $36,635 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz (this car) | 5,000 lb | XRT AWD | $41,350 |
| Ford Maverick | 4,000 lb | XL AWD | $28,145 |
| Ford Ranger | 3,500 lb | XL SuperCrew RWD | $33,550 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree