2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE: Lakeland Buyers Guide

An entry trim that doesn't feel stripped

Hyundai's trim walk on the Santa Cruz is a trim-only lineup — there's no factory option-package structure layered on top, so what's listed for a given trim is what ships on it. For the SE, that means the same 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless CarPlay/Android Auto that every other trim gets, plus RCCA (rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance), Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist, Driver Attention Warning, High Beam Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and Rear Occupant Alert, all standard rather than gated behind a package. Eight airbags come standard too. The bed carries the same sheet-molded composite liner, lockable under-bed storage, and heavy-duty cargo D-rings every other trim gets — the SE isn't a stripped work-truck version of the Santa Cruz, it's the same truck with fewer comfort items.

One thing the SE does not have, along with SEL and SEL Activity: adaptive cruise control. Hyundai's Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Highway Driving Assist, and Navigation-based curve control are reserved for XRT and Limited on this generation of Santa Cruz. Anyone cross-shopping trucks on adaptive cruise as a checkbox item should know that upfront.

What steps up at SEL

Heated front seats, an 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, H-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated side mirrors with LED turn signals all arrive at SEL for $1,650 more. None of it changes the drivetrain or the safety suite — it's comfort and convenience, the same engine and the same core equipment underneath. The SEL guide covers exactly what that step buys.

Who buys the SE at this lot

Because Lakeland Automall runs Ford, Hyundai, and Genesis side by side, the SE tends to draw a specific kind of shopper: someone who's already looked at a compact truck on the Ford side of the property and wants to see what the equivalent Hyundai costs with a comparable feature set. Ray Provencal's review captures the kind of service that closes that comparison in Hyundai's favor: "We recently purchased a Hyundai Santa Cruz from Justin Weeks. What a pleasure it was working with Justin. He was pleasant, knowledgeable, and courteous. He made sure we got the right deal and also made sure the delivery was uneventful. Justin even made sure that our tire pressure was adjusted before we took delivery because the temperature had dropped overnight. Now that's going above and beyond." The staff directory lists who's currently on the sales floor for anyone who wants to request a specific consultant.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 2026 Santa Cruz SE cost?

MSRP is $29,750 before Hyundai's $1,600 freight charge, Florida sales tax, and DMV fees. The pricing guide walks through the full out-the-door math for Lakeland.

Does the SE come with all-wheel drive?

FWD is standard; HTRAC AWD is available as an option on the SE, same as on SEL and SEL Activity. XRT and Limited are the only trims with AWD standard and no FWD option.

Is the SE's touchscreen smaller than the pricier trims?

No — every 2026 Santa Cruz trim, SE through Limited, uses the same 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto standard.

Does the SE have adaptive cruise control?

No. Adaptive cruise, Highway Driving Assist, and the rest of Hyundai's Smart Cruise Control suite are standard only on XRT and Limited for this generation of Santa Cruz. The SE's Lane Keeping Assist and Blind-Spot Collision Warning are standard, but cruise control here is conventional, not adaptive.

The bottom line

The SE delivers the real Santa Cruz experience — the full touchscreen, the complete standard safety list, the same bed hardware — at the floor of the lineup's pricing. Skip it only if heated seats and dual-zone climate are non-negotiable. Check current SE inventory at Lakeland Automall.