Cruz, voiced by Latina actress Cristela Alonzo, is portrayed as an eager female in a traditionally male-dominated field who harbors her own suppressed dreams of racing due to feelings of not belonging. Her arc explicitly incorporates themes of female empowerment and overcoming outsider status tied to gender, with the director describing the feminist sub-plot as a conscious decision. The story includes sequences where older cars discuss historical sexism and prejudice in racing, and the climax features McQueen yielding his spot in the final race to allow Cruz to compete and win.

These elements introduce noticeable progressive messaging around gender roles and diversity in a new original character, influencing character development and subplots without altering established lore or making identity politics the foundational premise. The film avoids overt lectures or source-material changes but integrates the messaging as a parallel to the passing-the-torch narrative. Audience and critic responses range from viewing it as a positive empowerment story to criticizing it as shoehorned or faux-feminist, with limited but present backlash labeling it woke. As family animation aimed at children, these elements carry additional weight in shaping young viewers' perceptions of gender dynamics in competitive spaces.