2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2021 Honda Ridgeline

2021 Honda Ridgeline
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$36,490

MSRP

$24,440

Average price

$39,509

Average price

$36,508

Listings

23

Listings

58
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

2021 Honda Ridgeline Reviews Summary

Trucks dominate Canadian sales charts in terms of the best-selling models, accounting for a volume of total new vehicle sales hovering around 20%. Nevertheless, this is a segment in which many of the major car companies compete, including Honda. Now, thanks to styling, packaging, and functionality changes, the model year 2021 Honda Ridgeline pickup is poised to attract even more truck buyers. In part, that’s because it now actually looks like a truck.

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews Summary

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the new Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. The test units were in U.S. specification. In Canada, Hyundai also offers Preferred, Preferred with the Trend Package, and Ultimate trim levels. We sampled the U.S. equivalent of the range-topping Santa Cruz Ultimate model for this test drive.

No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 280 hp V6

Engine

2.5L 191 hp I4

Drive Train

AWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

280 hp @ 6000 rpm

Horsepower

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

MPG City

18

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

24

MPG Highway

26
2021 Honda Ridgeline
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Honda Ridgeline
$36,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$36,490
$24,440
Average price
$39,509
$36,508
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.8
4.6
Expert reviews

7.0 out of 10

Read full review

8.0 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Summary
Trucks dominate Canadian sales charts in terms of the best-selling models, accounting for a volume of total new vehicle sales hovering around 20%. Nevertheless, this is a segment in which many of the major car companies compete, including Honda. Now, thanks to styling, packaging, and functionality changes, the model year 2021 Honda Ridgeline pickup is poised to attract even more truck buyers. In part, that’s because it now actually looks like a truck.

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the new Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. The test units were in U.S. specification. In Canada, Hyundai also offers Preferred, Preferred with the Trend Package, and Ultimate trim levels. We sampled the U.S. equivalent of the range-topping Santa Cruz Ultimate model for this test drive.

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 280 hp V6
2.5L 191 hp I4
Drive Train
AWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
280 hp @ 6000 rpm
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
18
21
MPG Highway
24
26
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