How much does a Hyundai Santa Cruz cost in Houston?

A new Hyundai Santa Cruz at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston starts at Hyundai’s published MSRP for the base trim and rises with each trim up to the top one. Texas charges motor vehicle sales tax on the price minus your trade-in value.

The Santa Cruz SE starts at $29,750 and the Limited at $43,700. Your final cost depends on the trim you choose, the tax and fees Texas adds, and what your trade-in is worth.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

What is the MSRP of each new Santa Cruz trim at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston?

Hyundai’s starting MSRP for the 2026 Santa Cruz runs from $29,750 for the SE to $43,700 for the Limited. We sell new Hyundai in Houston, and the Santa Cruz is one of the models on our new lineup.

Each figure is the starting price for that trim before Texas tax and fees. The SE is the entry point. The XRT is the first trim priced above $40,000.

What does each Santa Cruz trim add to the price?

The SE, SEL and SEL Activity share one engine, rated at 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, according to Hyundai’s published 2026 specifications. The XRT and Limited step up to 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, so the higher-priced trims carry the larger output.

Legroom does not change by trim. Hyundai lists 41.4 inches in the front row and 36.5 inches in the second row on every 2026 Santa Cruz trim. A higher trim buys more power rather than more room. The XRT starts at $41,350 against $34,450 for the SEL Activity, and that step is the engine change.

Texas sales tax, title & registration costs for a Harris County Santa Cruz

Texas charges motor vehicle sales tax of 6.25% on the sales price minus any trade-in allowance (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Motor Vehicle Tax Guide, 2026). The state and county set the title and registration fees rather than the dealer. A Santa Cruz bought in Harris County carries those fees on top of the sales tax.

The state registration fee for a passenger vehicle or truck of 6,000 pounds or less is $50.75. Harris County adds a local fee of $11.50 on top of it (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Texas Registration Fees chart, 2026). The title fee for an applicant in Harris County is $33 (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Vehicle Title Manual, 2026).

How does a trade-in lower what you pay for a Santa Cruz in Houston?

A trade-in lowers the sales tax you pay, because Texas figures the tax on the price after the trade-in allowance comes off (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026). Enter your license plate and state on our trade page and click “Get My Price” to see an offer.

We will also buy a car outright, so you can sell without buying.

How do you get pre-approved and estimate a Santa Cruz payment online?

Shoppers can get pre-approved for a car loan online at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston. The credit application online works for either a loan or a lease and is split into two steps.

Start the estimate with the cash side of the deal. On a $34,450 SEL Activity, the 6.25% sales tax is $2,153.13 before any trade-in, and a trade-in allowance comes off the price before the tax is figured. The Harris County title and registration fees are added on top. Those numbers give you the cash side of the deal before you apply.

What does a used or certified Santa Cruz cost in Houston?

Whether a used Santa Cruz can carry Hyundai’s certified label depends on its model year and mileage, and the program sets both limits. Hyundai’s Certified Used Vehicles program accepts vehicles six model years old or newer with no more than 80,000 miles (Hyundai Motor America, certified program page, 2026).

Each certified vehicle gets an inspection of 173 points covering mechanical, safety and appearance. Hyundai’s roadside assistance runs 10 years with no mileage limit from the car’s original in-service date, and a complimentary CARFAX Vehicle History Report comes with the vehicle. A used Santa Cruz outside those limits does not carry the certified terms, so check its model year and mileage before you compare prices.

What are the Santa Cruz’s EPA fuel economy and warranty terms?

The EPA certifies the 2026 Santa Cruz at 20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the drivetrain. Hyundai’s basic warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles, and its powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Hyundai’s corrosion warranty runs 7 years with unlimited miles, and its roadside assistance covers 5 years, also with no mileage cap. These are Hyundai’s terms for the whole Santa Cruz line, so they apply to every trim.

FAQ

Do I need an appointment to bring in a trade-in at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston?

You can walk in with a trade or a car to sell at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston without scheduling a visit. Type in your license plate and state, then click “Get My Price” to see what we would offer. That figure holds for seven days or 250 miles.

Can I lease a Santa Cruz at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston?

Our online credit application covers a loan or a lease, and it has two steps. It takes minutes to complete. Ask about a lease on the Santa Cruz trim you want before you apply.

Can I sell my car to Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston without buying a Santa Cruz?

Yes. We will also buy a car outright, not only take it as a trade.

How do I find the dealer fees before I sign for a Santa Cruz in Houston?

Texas puts no fixed dollar limit on a dealer documentary fee. A seller may charge $225 or less without filing a notice or cost analysis with the state regulator, but a fee above $225 requires both (Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, 2024). Under 7 Tex. Admin. Code § 84.205, a fee of $225 or less is presumed reasonable (Legal Information Institute, 2024). Ask for the documentary fee in writing before you sign.

Should I get pre-approved before I visit a Santa Cruz dealer?

Yes, it helps. Shoppers can get pre-approved for a car loan online at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston, so you know where your financing stands before you compare Santa Cruz trims.

How do I estimate a Santa Cruz payment with my trade-in?

We offer a payment calculator where a trade-in offer amount can be entered. Start with the starting MSRP of the trim you want, then enter your trade-in offer amount to see the estimate.

Why buy a Santa Cruz from Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston?

Our showroom is at 10301 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074. As of October 2026, Google shows 4.3 stars across 6,022 reviews, and 77 in 100 of them are five-star.

Buyers who handle the trade and the pre-approval online arrive with the two numbers that set the deal already known. The visit then comes down to one choice: the Santa Cruz trim and its price. In a September 2026 Google review, Mohammad A. wrote: “I came in for oil change but left with brand new upgraded vehicle. Ronzel Wilson gave me a very good deal on my new vehicle. Big shoutout to Ronzel.” That review names the staff member who handled the deal.

In a July 2026 Google review, Elitecoreninja O. wrote: “Walked in looking to buy a new car, and Gerardo Leal was super helpful, and patient, Finance and negotiating was super easy, would highly recommend this dealership!!!” This review covers the finance and negotiating steps, which come after the price is set.

Start online with your trade-in value or your pre-approval, then browse the new and used Hyundai inventory and finish at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston.

Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Houston showroom, or call (713) 981-4400.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.