Hyundai Santa Cruz SE, SEL Activity or XRT: which 2027 trim fits Houston drivers?
Choose the Santa Cruz SEL Activity if you commute and want more equipment than the SE at a published MSRP below the XRT. Choose the SE for the lowest published MSRP, and the XRT if you want its turbo engine and standard all-wheel drive.
Hyundai’s published figures for the 2027 Santa Cruz put the SE’s starting MSRP at $30,300, the SEL Activity’s at $34,700 and the XRT’s at $42,775.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Houston. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Choose the Santa Cruz SE for price, SEL Activity for comfort, XRT for power
The SE has the lowest starting price, $30,300. The XRT makes the most power, 281 hp against 191 hp for the SE and SEL Activity. The SEL Activity sits between them at $34,700, and it carries the same 191 hp engine as the SE, so its extra cost goes toward equipment rather than power.
Houston city workers’ mean travel time to work is 28.2 minutes (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). On a drive that length, the SEL Activity keeps the SE’s engine and costs less than the XRT. Choose the XRT when engine power matters more than price, because it is the trim with 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
What does each 2027 Santa Cruz trim cost before taxes and fees?
Texas adds its own motor vehicle tax and fees on top of the MSRP, so the figure on a Houston buyer’s order sits above the starting price. The Texas motor vehicle sales tax is 6.25% of the sales price, minus any trade-in allowance (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2026).
Illustrative: on the SE’s $30,300 starting price with no trade-in, the tax would be 6.25% of that figure, or $1,893.75.
Registration adds a $50.75 state fee for a passenger vehicle or truck of 6,000 lbs or less, plus a $11.50 local fee in Harris County (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). Title costs $33 for a Harris County buyer (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 2026). The starting prices are $30,300 for the SE, $34,700 for the SEL Activity and $42,775 for the XRT, all in Hyundai’s published 2027 figures.
How much power does each Santa Cruz trim have, and which has all-wheel drive?
The SE and SEL Activity each make 191 hp at 6,100 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, according to Hyundai’s published 2026 specifications. The XRT makes 281 hp at 5,800 and 311 lb-ft of torque across 1,700 to 4,000 rpm.
The EPA record also lists a front-wheel drive version of the Santa Cruz, which is the one that posts the best fuel economy in the next section.
What fuel economy does each 2027 Santa Cruz trim get?
The front-wheel drive Santa Cruz earns the best EPA combined figure for the 2026 model year, 25 mpg, while the XRT AWD earns 20 mpg (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2026).
| Version | City (mpg) | Highway (mpg) | Combined (mpg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 AWD | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| 2.5T AWD | 18 | 25 | 20 |
| FWD | 22 | 30 | 25 |
| XRT AWD | 18 | 25 | 20 |
What features does each 2027 Santa Cruz trim add as you move up?
All three trims seat five: the SE, the SEL Activity and the XRT. Seat count does not separate them. The XRT adds the bigger engine and all-wheel drive over the SE, and the SEL Activity adds equipment over the SE at a higher starting price.
Which 2027 Santa Cruz trim fits your budget, power and equipment needs?
The SE fits a tight budget, the SEL Activity suits someone who wants more equipment for less than the XRT, and the XRT is for those who need the most power. Hyundai’s published figures for each trim, with 2027 starting prices and 2026 output:
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE | $30,300 | 191 hp @ 6,100 | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 |
| SEL Activity | $34,700 | 191 hp @ 6,100 | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 |
| XRT | $42,775 | 281 hp @ 5,800 | 311 lb-ft @ 1,700 to 4,000 |
A buyer who drives a daily Houston commute with a budget in mind usually starts with the SEL Activity or the SE. A buyer who tows, hauls or wants the strongest engine in this group should look at the XRT.
Frequently asked questions
What warranty comes with a new 2027 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Hyundai’s published warranty for the Santa Cruz line is 5 years or 60,000 miles basic, 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain, and 7 years with unlimited miles for corrosion. These figures apply to the whole Santa Cruz line, so they cover the SE, SEL Activity and XRT alike.
How many people does each 2027 Santa Cruz trim seat?
Each of the three trims seats five. Hyundai’s published figures give 41.4 inches of first-row legroom and 36.5 inches of second-row legroom for each trim.
What does Hyundai’s Certified pre-Owned program cover on a used Santa Cruz?
Hyundai’s certified program accepts vehicles up to 6 model years old with no more than 80,000 miles (Hyundai Motor America, 2026). Each vehicle gets a 173-point mechanical, safety and appearance inspection, plus a complimentary CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Roadside assistance runs 10 years with unlimited miles, starting from the original in-service date.
Can I value my trade-in online before I visit for a Santa Cruz?
Yes. Our site has an online trade-in tool, and you can bring in a trade or sell a vehicle without booking a time first.
Can I get pre-approved for a Santa Cruz loan online?
Yes. Shoppers can get pre-approved for a car loan online, so you know the loan figure before you test drive.
How can I compare monthly payments across the three Santa Cruz trims?
The payment calculator on our site accepts a trade-in offer amount. Enter each trim’s starting price, $30,300, $34,700 or $42,775, to compare the monthly payments on the same terms.
How do I see which Santa Cruz trims are in stock on the Southwest Freeway?
The store’s site lists new Hyundai inventory, including the Santa Cruz. Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston is at 10301 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074, and it sells new Hyundai, including the Santa Cruz.
Why test drive a 2027 Santa Cruz at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston?
As of October 2026, Google shows 4.3 stars from 6,022 reviews for Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston, with 77 in 100 of them five-star. In an August 2026 5-star Google review, Melvin K. wrote: “I had a great experience at Group 1 Hyundai Southwest Houston. Everyone was friendly, professional, and very helpful from start to finish. The staff took the time to explain everything clearly and made the entire process easy and stress-free. The facility was clean and comfortable, and I really appreciated the excellent customer service. I would definitely recommend this dealership to anyone looking for a Hyundai or needing service.”
A test drive is the one check that the figures cannot make. We sell the Santa Cruz at 10301 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074, and we sell pre-owned vehicles too.
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.
