Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Honda Ridgeline

If you want a clever, usable truck for towing or hauling around New Haven, Milford, and Fairfield, Connecticut, you have a few options. The Honda Ridgeline fits the bill and has been around a long time. If you want to look in a different direction, though, Hyundai recently came out with the Santa Cruz. The first truck in the Hyundai lineup, the Santa Cruz is a compelling choice.

So, who wins in a 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. 2022 Honda Ridgeline comparison? That’s what our Key Hyundai of Milford team is here to find out!

Hyundai Santa Cruz MPG Tech

Santa Cruz vs Ridgeline: Fuel Economy

Offering the ability to tow and haul supplies while still delivering high-end efficiency can be tricky. The Honda Ridgeline struggles to deliver the type of MPG rating you can expect from the Santa Cruz.

The Ridgeline delivers 18 city/24 highway MPG according to EPA estimates.1 In all-wheel drive form, the Hyundai Santa Cruz returns an EPA-estimated 19 city/27 highway MPG.2 Things look even better with the Hyundai truck if you choose front-wheel drive as it then returns an EPA-estimated 21 city/26 highway MPG.2

Santa Cruz vs Ridgeline: Engine Output

Because the Hyundai Santa Cruz returns more fuel economy than the Honda Ridgeline, you might think the Ridgeline has placed a greater emphasis on engine output. And while the Honda truck does have a stout motor under the hood, it’s the Santa Cruz you’ll want if raw horsepower and torque are your things.

The available in-line 4-cylinder turbo motor of the Santa Cruz churns out 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. That horsepower is just barely up from the 280 horsepower that you can expect in the Ridgeline. However, the V6 engine of Honda only generates up to 262 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant gap when compared to its Hyundai rival. That extra torque helps the Hyundai feel more responsive at low speeds.

Hyundai Santa Cruz Interior Tech

Santa Cruz vs Ridgeline: In-Cabin Technology

Technology is becoming more and more important with each passing model year. If you’re the type of driver who really enjoys the latest in automotive technology, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz will appeal more than the Honda Ridgeline.

Honda relies on an 8-inch touchscreen display in each trim of the Ridgeline. Hyundai also relies on a standard 8-inch touchscreen yet gives you the option to move to a 10.25-inch unit. Therefore, if you want a larger, more interactive touchscreen than what you get in the base Ridgeline, there’s a Santa Cruz trim level out there for you!

Hyundai Santa Cruz Comes Out on Top!

Nowadays, there are a lot of available trucks to pick from. With the competition increasing, manufacturers like Hyundai are taking innovative approaches to performance, usability, and technology. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a perfect example of this, as it bests a longtime segment stalwart in the Honda Ridgeline.

You can schedule a test drive at Key Hyundai of Milford if you want to take the Santa Cruz for a spin near New Haven, Milford, or Fairfield, CT!

 

 

 

 

1 18 city/24 highway/21 combined mpg rating. Based on 2022 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.

2 2022 SANTA CRUZ SE/SEL: FWD 21 City/26 Hwy/23 Combined MPG, HTRAC AWD 21 City/27 Hwy/23 Combined MPG. SEL Premium: HTRAC AWD 19 City/27 Hwy/22 Combined MPG. Limited: HTRAC AWD 19 City/27 Hwy/22 Combined MPG. All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you! Please fill out this form and we will get in touch with you shortly.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Key Hyundai of Milford 41.2077482, -73.0905054.