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Compact Truck Throwdown: Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs. Honda Ridgeline

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Santa Cruz is slightly quicker than the Ridgeline, but the Ridgeline has a higher towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the Santa Cruz’s 3,500 pounds.
  • The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Ridgeline gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
  • The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Ridgeline gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline are two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market. Both offer a unique blend of utility and style, but they also have some key differences. In this blog post, we’ll compare the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline head-to-head to help you decide which one is right for you.

Design:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline have very different designs. The Santa Cruz is more compact and car-like, while the Ridgeline is larger and more truck-like. The Santa Cruz has a unibody construction, while the Ridgeline has a body-on-frame construction. This gives the Ridgeline a more rugged feel, but it also makes it heavier and less fuel-efficient.

Performance:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline offer similar performance. Both trucks are powered by 2.5-liter four-cylinder engines that produce around 190 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Cruz is slightly quicker than the Ridgeline, but the Ridgeline has a higher towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the Santa Cruz’s 3,500 pounds.

Fuel Efficiency:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is more fuel-efficient than the Honda Ridgeline. The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Ridgeline gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Interior:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline have comfortable and spacious interiors. Both trucks offer plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Santa Cruz has a more modern interior design, while the Ridgeline has a more traditional truck-like interior.

Features:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline offer a variety of features. Both trucks come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera. The Santa Cruz offers more standard features than the Ridgeline, including a sunroof, heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.

Price:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is more affordable than the Honda Ridgeline. The Santa Cruz starts at $23,990, while the Ridgeline starts at $36,490.

Which One is Right for You?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline are both great compact pickup trucks. The Santa Cruz is more affordable, fuel-efficient, and has a more modern interior. The Ridgeline is larger, has a higher towing capacity, and has a more rugged feel. Ultimately, the best truck for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

A Final Word:

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Honda Ridgeline are both excellent choices for those looking for a compact pickup truck. They offer a unique blend of utility and style, and they’re both very capable vehicles. If you’re looking for a compact pickup truck, you can’t go wrong with either the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Honda Ridgeline.

Top Questions Asked

Q: Which truck is more fuel-efficient, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Honda Ridgeline?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz is more fuel-efficient than the Honda Ridgeline. The Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the Ridgeline gets an EPA-estimated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Q: Which truck has a higher towing capacity, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Honda Ridgeline?

A: The Honda Ridgeline has a higher towing capacity than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the Santa Cruz can tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Q: Which truck has a more modern interior, the Hyundai Santa Cruz or the Honda Ridgeline?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a more modern interior than the Honda Ridgeline. The Santa Cruz has a more stylish and upscale design, while the Ridgeline has a more traditional truck-like interior.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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