Owner guide · Michigan City Hyundai · Michigan City, IN
Hyundai Santa Cruz Towing Capacity
On the Santa Cruz, the engine sets the towing limit: the turbocharged XRT is rated well above the SE and SEL Activity. This guide uses the 2027 Santa Cruz specifications on hyundaiusa.com and the towing chart in Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual, both read November 4, 2026. Other model years can differ.
3,500 lbs.SE and SEL Activity
5,000 lbs.Santa Cruz XRT
1,653 lbs.without trailer brakes
220 lbs.max tongue weight
What is the Hyundai Santa Cruz towing capacity?
Hyundai lists the 2027 Santa Cruz SE and SEL Activity at up to 3,500 lbs. with trailer brakes and the XRT at up to 5,000 lbs. Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual lists 1,653 lbs. without a trailer brake system and a 220-lb. maximum tongue weight for both engines.
2027 Santa Cruz towing capacity by trim
| 2027 Santa Cruz trim | Engine | Drive | With trailer brakes | Trailer pre-wiring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp | FWD, HTRAC AWD available | Up to 3,500 lbs. | Standard 4-pin |
| SEL Activity | 2.5L 4-cylinder, 191 hp | FWD, HTRAC AWD available | Up to 3,500 lbs. | Standard 4-pin |
| XRT | 2.5L turbo 4-cylinder, 281 hp | HTRAC AWD standard | Up to 5,000 lbs. | Standard 4/7-pin |
From the Towing capacity (with trailer brakes, lbs.), Trailer pre-wiring, Engine Type, Horsepower, Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and HTRAC All Wheel Drive (AWD) rows of the 2027 Santa Cruz specifications on hyundaiusa.com, read November 4, 2026, with all three trims shown.
The XRT adds 90 hp over the 2.5-liter engine in the SE and SEL Activity, plus HTRAC all-wheel drive as standard. You can also see the Santa Cruz at Michigan City Hyundai.
Santa Cruz towing chart from the owner's manual
| 2026 owner's manual, with trailer package | Smartstream G2.5 GDI | Smartstream G2.5 T-GDI (turbo) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum trailer weight with brake system | 3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg) | 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) |
| Maximum trailer weight without brake system | 1,653 lbs. (750 kg) | 1,653 lbs. (750 kg) |
| Maximum tongue weight | 220 lbs. (100 kg) | 220 lbs. (100 kg) |
From the Reference weight and distance when towing a trailer table in Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual, read November 4, 2026. The manual says the maximum trailer weight includes the trailer, its cargo and any equipment attached to it.
The manual says tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total trailer weight, and that any additional weight, cargo or accessories in the truck lowers the maximum trailer weight and tongue load. It also tells owners to load about 60% of the trailer's load in the front of the trailer and about 40% in the rear, and to check weights at a public scale.
Santa Cruz towing equipment and weights
| Item | SE | SEL Activity | XRT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tow Mode | Not available | Not available | Standard |
| Trailer pre-wiring | 4-pin | 4-pin | 4/7-pin |
| Curb weight, FWD / AWD | 3,785 / 3,931 lbs. | 3,900 / 4,045 lbs. | AWD only, 4,160 lbs. |
| EPA estimates, AWD (city/hwy/combined) | 21/29/24 mpg | 21/29/24 mpg | 18/25/20 mpg |
From the Tow Mode, Trailer pre-wiring, Curb weight (lbs.) FWD/AWD and City/Highway/Combined (All Wheel Drive) rows of the 2027 Santa Cruz specifications on hyundaiusa.com, read November 4, 2026. Actual mileage will vary, and towing lowers it.
For bed size, exterior dimensions and the T-slot tonneau cover rating, see our Santa Cruz dimensions guide.
Michigan City Hyundai service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. |
From the service department hours in Michigan City Hyundai's website structured data, November 4, 2026. No Sunday service hours are listed. Holiday hours can differ.
Hyundai Santa Cruz towing questions
How much can a Hyundai Santa Cruz tow?
Hyundai lists the 2027 Santa Cruz SE and SEL Activity at up to 3,500 lbs. with trailer brakes and the XRT at up to 5,000 lbs. Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual lists 1,653 lbs. without a trailer brake system for both engines.
Which Santa Cruz tows 5,000 lbs.?
The 2027 Santa Cruz XRT. Hyundai lists it with the 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder rated at 281 hp, HTRAC all-wheel drive as standard, Tow Mode and 4/7-pin trailer pre-wiring.
What is the Santa Cruz maximum tongue weight?
Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual lists a maximum tongue weight of 220 lbs. for both engines and says tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total trailer weight.
Does the Santa Cruz have a tow mode?
On the XRT. Hyundai's 2027 Santa Cruz specifications list Tow Mode as standard on the XRT and not available on the SE and SEL Activity.
Does AWD change the Santa Cruz towing capacity?
Not on the 2.5-liter engine. Hyundai's 2026 owner's manual lists 3,500 lbs. with trailer brakes for the 2.5 GDI with either two- or four-wheel drive. The 5,000-lb. rating belongs to the turbocharged engine, which comes with all-wheel drive.
Planning to tow with a Santa Cruz?
Visit Michigan City Hyundai at 625 US 20 in Michigan City, IN. Our sales team can help you compare the SE, SEL Activity and XRT, and our service team can help keep your Santa Cruz maintained.
Sources
Towing capacities by trim, engines, drive, Tow Mode, wiring, weights and EPA estimates are from the 2027 Santa Cruz specifications on hyundaiusa.com; the without-brakes rating, tongue weight and loading guidance are from Hyundai's 2026 Santa Cruz owner's manual; both read November 4, 2026. Other model years can differ. Address and hours are from Michigan City Hyundai's own website. Image: Hyundai Motor America.
- 2027 Santa Cruz specifications, all three trims (SE, SEL Activity, XRT): towing capacity with trailer brakes, Tow Mode, trailer pre-wiring, engine, horsepower, drivetrain, curb weight, EPA estimates, Hyundai Motor America, read November 4, 2026
- 2026 Santa Cruz Owner's Manual: Reference weight and distance when towing a trailer (maximum trailer weight with and without brake system, maximum tongue weight), towing capacity and trailer loading guidance, Hyundai Motor America, read November 4, 2026
- Santa Cruz model page: hero image, Hyundai Motor America, read November 4, 2026
- Address, map coordinates, logo and service department hours (structured data), Michigan City Hyundai, November 4, 2026
- Schedule service page, Michigan City Hyundai, November 4, 2026
- Hyundai service center at Michigan City Hyundai, Michigan City Hyundai, November 4, 2026
