2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz Dog Review: A Small Truck With Big PotentialAutoblogChase BierenkovenThu, September 24, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Hyundai Santa Cruz is hot off a refresh last year. The changes were substantial, including a new front-end design, better tech, and new trims. This one here represents all of that, featuring a new XRT trim, which Hyundai is looking to apply to many of its vehicles. It features better tires and other off-road cues, intended to provide a softer entry point into off-roading with the brand.But all that doesn't change what the Santa Cruz is, rather building on what is a fun, lifestyle-focused truck for active young people with dogs. In other words, me. To find out if it hauls pets, I brought along a test subject.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs usual, our tester is my huge 85-pound Goldendoodle, Beorn. He's happy to be here, and he works for cheap.Ease Of Access: A Small, Tall Cab Makes Things Tough For Big DogsChase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Santa Cruz has kind of a funky shape to it. That's why it looks as fun as it does. Unfortunately, this manifests in some negative ways, too. For one, the rear visibility is already bad before your dog is back there. Getting them back there is a little awkward too, thanks to a smaller door opening and a harsh cut in the rear where the door meets the body. This creates a narrow opening for dogs to get up into, making both ingress and egress a matter of agility more than anything. Luckily, the seats are wide enough that finding a place to land on the way up didn't seem to be a problem.Interior Space: Bad For People, Great For PetsChase BierenkovenView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe problem with the Santa Cruz's tight back seats really only applies to people. The truck's short cab means there's only so much legroom to go around, and back seat passengers are always the first to get stiffed in this situation. Lucky for your pets, all that doesn't apply. The Santa Cruz's lack of rear legroom isn't a problem for pets, and the seats are suitably flat, so that my dog was easily able to lie down in the back with room to spare. The tall cabin also means he's got plenty of headroom.Chase BierenkovenThat makes getting settled much easier for pets, even if their heads are constantly the only thing occupying what remains of the rear windscreen. Speaking of which, there's also a vent in the back, like most trucks, which makes getting airflow back to your pets just as easy.Materials: Sturdy Enough For MostChase BierenkovenThe Santa Cruz isn't awash in expensive leathers. This stuff is basically plastic, and it held up well even when not protected by my dog's mat. The floors were well covered by the provided mats, too, which should keep most messes off the carpet. There's one pain point as far as materials go: the armrests. These feature glossy black plastic on parts, which will surely scratch instantly under claws. It's best to cover those.Verdict: The Santa Cruz May Not Fit People In Back, But Pets Do GreatChase BierenkovenThere's really very little wrong with the Hyundai Santa Cruz from a dog owner's perspective. The rear access can be a little challenging, but it's not horrific. The truck shifts smoothly, features durable, easy-to-clean materials on the seats, and has solid ventilation to keep your pets cool.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
