2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline
The compact pickup segment has long been a robust vehicle class, and you can bet that isn't going to change coming into 2026. The two standout contenders for the new model year? The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline. Both of these modern pickup trucks offer a unique blend of versatility, comfort, and everyday utility.
For example, Hyundai's latest updates to the Santa Cruz include sharper styling, more technology, and better driving dynamics. On the other hand, the Ridgeline continues to push the automotive envelope with thoughtful refinements that bolster comfort, capability, and value. Keep reading to see which model comes out on top in our comparison.
Which Is Better, Hyundai Santa Cruz or Honda Ridgeline?
Both the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Honda Ridgeline offer a tremendous amount of value and utility. As a result, they are both worthy of an in-depth examination so that you can make an informed decision.
Is a Hyundai Santa Cruz Bigger Than a Honda Ridgeline?
The Santa Cruz has been turning heads and making waves since its debut back in 2021. Its unibody design blurs the line between pickup and SUV. In addition, it boasts a flashy, modern, and tailored driving experience for motorists who appreciate the flexibility of a pickup truck bed without compromising the comfort that comes with a crossover.
Conversely, the Ridgeline has quietly created a following by emphasizing a smooth ride, smart storage solutions, and strong reliability that Honda has become known for. It may not be as flashy as the Santa Cruz, but it is very practical for real-world applications.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline Exterior
Both the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline are built on the idea of smooth ride quality. They both offer truck utility with SUV-like road manners. The separator? The vibe. For example, the Santa Cruz has bold and sporty styling, while the Ridgeline offers a more conventional (but still unibody) pickup appearance as well as very practical features.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz stands out from a visual standpoint. Hyundai gave the Santa Cruz a very noteworthy update for the 2025 model year, which included new front styling in addition to a complete revamping of the interior technology. In 2026? The Santa Cruz continues in that same modern direction with its elegant styling and bold presentation.
2026 Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline's exterior is a little more understated when compared to the Santa Cruz. However, it's still packed with plenty of useful hardware. It boasts a dual-action tailgate and the in-bed trunk, which is a lockable storage compartment integrated into the bed floor. It's great for tools, gear, or simply keeping valuables tucked away.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline Interior
Comparing the interiors of the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline, both offer an interior that feels closer to a well-armed crossover than a pickup. Hyundai leans toward a wow factor with its screen-heavy modern design, while Honda places its focus on storage, ergonomics, and straightforward controls.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz interior received a significant tech-forward push with its recent redesign. It boasts a curved, panoramic interior with dual 12.3-inch monitors, which vary from trim to trim. Hyundai's approach is based on modernity, which is a great fit for the Santa Cruz's reputation as a lifestyle pickup.
2026 Honda Ridgeline
Honda's interior doesn't rely so much on flash as it does on comfort, visibility, and features. The 2026 Ridgeline boasts a 9-inch color touchscreen, satellite-linked navigation on particular trim levels, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto connectivity.
Performance and Handling
Comparing the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline, neither of these vehicles is attempting to be a body-on-frame all-terrain bruiser. They're unibody pickups that were designed for smooth driving dynamics, easy parking, and weekend-handling towing and hauling (without any of the drama). However, despite their similar design from a performance standpoint, they still have different powertrain strategies.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Santa Cruz boasts a two-engine lineup. It all starts with the robust base setup that is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. In addition, front-wheel drive comes standard on several of the trims, and all-wheel drive is also available. If you want more power, the Santa Cruz has a lineup that goes up to 281 horsepower with the higher trims.
In other words, the Santa Cruz can be used as a more efficient daily driver when operating in its base form, or as a faster and more competent hauler if you choose the more powerful engine option.
2026 Honda Ridgeline
The best part about Honda is that it keeps things simple. All 2026 Ridgelines use a 3.5-liter V6 engine that is rated at 280 horsepower with 262 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission as well as Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system. And it's that consistency that is a huge part of the appeal of the 2026 Ridgeline.
As a result, there's no guesswork regarding which engine you'll be getting. And the best part? The V6 power delivery does exceptionally well for towing and loaded-up driving applications.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy is a very important category to consider when purchasing a new vehicle, particularly if you commute a lot. So, how do the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline compare when it comes to their fuel efficiency? The Santa Cruz's base powertrain can be noticeably more conservative than the Ridgeline, while the higher turbo Santa Cruz and the V6 Ridgeline are more comparable.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz has FWD capability with its 2.5L engine. The result is a rating of 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with 25 mpg combined. Conversely, the AWD 2.5L variant boasts 21 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined.
2026 Honda Ridgeline
So what about the 2026 Honda Ridgeline? How does it stack up when it comes to fuel efficiency? The 2026 Ridgeline boasts a fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined for its Sport/RTL/Black Edition trim levels. And lastly, it delivers 18 mpg in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 combined mpg for the TrailSport.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline Safety
Comparing the safety of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline, both of these stunning pickups come with modern driver-assistance systems. However, it's still worth looking at crash-test performance as well as some of the specifics of what's included.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has noted that beginning with 2026 models, Hyundai has made a few changes to the design of the rear seat to improve safety for the rear occupant. Hyundai has also marketed its driver-assistance technology under the SmartSense umbrella (forward-collision, lane-focused features are usually included based on the trim).
2026 Honda Ridgeline
For safety technology, Honda boasts Honda Sensing features that include a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. When it comes to its crash performance, the 2026 Ridgeline received a 5/5 overall rating.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline Pricing
How are the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Honda Ridgeline compared in terms of price? Pricing changes can fluctuate based on the trim or the drivetrain. So think of this section as a "starting point" comparison instead of a final quote. It's to give you an idea or a sense of what you can expect should you decide to explore either of the pickups further.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Santa Cruz price range can vary from $31,350 for the base all the way up to $45,300 for the top Limited trim. As a result, you have a wide range of prices that can fit your budget with this model.
2026 Honda Ridgeline
Similar to the Santa Cruz, the Ridgeline also has pricing that can vary widely. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline has a starting MSRP for its base trim at about $42,290. However, that price point inflates to about $49,850 should you choose its top Black Edition Two-Tone trim. And of course, there are varied price points within those ranges for the mid-level trims. This makes the Ridgeline slightly more expensive than its Santa Cruz counterpart.
Get Your Hyundai Santa Cruz at Hyundai of Saco
We can help you choose between the 2026 Honda Ridgeline vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz. If you're leaning more toward the Santa Cruz, the next step is to simply pick the "right" trim for your driving style. The base 2.5L engine models provide a strong case for great daily mileage, while the turbo trims trade efficiency for potency and towing capability. When you're ready, we here at Hyundai of Saco can guide you through various trims and features that matter most with a test drive.
Our team of experts is trained and experienced and is excited to lead you through the vehicle-buying experience so you can get the pickup of your dreams. So, if you're ready to get your Hyundai Santa Cruz at Hyundai of Saco in Saco, ME, contact us today to learn more.
