2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Honda Ridgeline in North Little Rock, AR

Santa Cruz or Ridgeline: Which Truck Fits Life in North Little Rock?

In Central Arkansas, many drivers want pickup capability without stepping into a full-size truck. Whether commuting along McCain Boulevard, merging onto I-40, or heading out for a weekend project around Pulaski County, a midsize pickup needs to balance maneuverability, comfort, and real-world strength.

That’s where the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2026 Honda Ridgeline stand out. Both deliver genuine truck utility with smoother ride quality than many traditional body-on-frame pickups. The differences appear in powertrain flexibility, interior layout, technology features, efficiency, and long-term ownership coverage.

At Crain Hyundai of North Little Rock, understanding those distinctions helps shoppers choose the truck that fits their driving habits, not just the spec sheet.

What North Little Rock Drivers Should Know

• Both prioritize everyday comfort over traditional truck harshness
• The Santa Cruz is more compact and easier to maneuver
• The Ridgeline offers a longer bed and standard AWD

Bold Compact Energy vs Midsize Confidence

Hyundai gives the Santa Cruz a distinctive, athletic look paired with a 4.3-foot integrated bed. Its smaller footprint makes navigating tight parking areas and city traffic noticeably easier while still offering practical cargo space for home improvement runs or outdoor gear.

The Ridgeline presents a more traditional midsize pickup stance. A 5.3-foot bed and familiar proportions make it feel closer to what many truck buyers expect, while ride quality remains smoother than most traditional competitors.

Design Highlights

• The Santa Cruz: Smaller and city-friendly
• The Ridgeline: Longer 5.3-foot bed
• The Santa Cruz: Sportier overall appearance

Turbo Flexibility vs V6 Simplicity

Performance philosophy separates these two trucks.

Buyers selecting the Santa Cruz can choose between a 191-horsepower 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5L engine. For 2026, turbo trims use a refined 8-speed automatic transmission that improves low-speed smoothness. All-wheel drive is available across the lineup and standard on turbo models. Properly equipped turbo versions reach 60 mph in about 6.0 seconds.

The Ridgeline relies on a single 280-horsepower 3.5L V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. Acceleration is similarly strong, delivering smooth and consistent power without requiring buyers to choose between engines.

Drivers who want flexibility and stronger peak horsepower may appreciate the Santa Cruz’s turbo option. Those who prefer a straightforward V6 setup with AWD included on every trim may favor the Ridgeline’s approach.

For a deeper look at how the Santa Cruz balances durability, towing strength, and available AWD capability, explore our detailed Santa Cruz performance guide.

Performance Snapshot

• The Santa Cruz: 191 hp (base) / 281 hp (turbo)
• The Ridgeline: 280-hp V6
• Both can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped

Modern Cabin Design vs Proven Practical Layout

Inside the Santa Cruz, Hyundai’s current SUV-inspired design language creates a modern, horizontal dashboard layout. Higher trims include dual 12.3-inch displays, including a fully digital instrument cluster that adds a premium feel.

The Ridgeline focuses on practicality and space. Rear-seat room is among the most generous in the midsize pickup segment, and the 7.3-cubic-foot in-bed trunk combined with a dual-action tailgate adds meaningful everyday usability.

Both trucks seat five passengers comfortably and handle daily commuting with ease.

Interior Highlights

• Both offer five-passenger seating
• The Ridgeline provides more rear-seat room
• The Santa Cruz offers a more modern digital display layout

Bigger Screens or Straightforward Controls?

Technology execution differs between these pickups.

The Santa Cruz includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Upper trims add a digital gauge cluster and available Bose premium audio.

The Ridgeline features a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all trims. Wireless charging is standard, and navigation is available on select models.

Drivers prioritizing larger standard displays and a more digital presentation may lean toward the Santa Cruz, while buyers who prefer a traditional interface may find the Ridgeline’s setup appealing.

Technology Overview

• The Santa Cruz: 12.3-inch standard touchscreen
• The Ridgeline: 9-inch touchscreen
• Both offer wireless smartphone connectivity

Everyday Confidence on North Little Rock Roads

Both trucks include comprehensive driver-assistance technology designed to reduce daily driving stress.

The Santa Cruz offers lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and driver-attention warning as standard. Adaptive cruise control and additional highway-assist features are available on higher trims.

The Ridgeline includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition as standard equipment. Parking sensors appear on select trims.

For Central Arkansas families and commuters, both provide reassuring confidence behind the wheel.

Safety Snapshot

• Both include automatic emergency braking
• The Ridgeline includes adaptive cruise control as standard
• The Santa Cruz expands available advanced systems on upper trims

You can learn more about Hyundai’s advanced safety technology in our Hyundai SmartSense overview.

Power, AWD & Fuel Efficiency

Gas-powered performance remains the focus for both trucks.

The Santa Cruz offers two efficiency profiles. Base front-wheel-drive models achieve up to 22 mpg city / 30 mpg highway, while turbo AWD models deliver 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway. Turbo AWD trims tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The Ridgeline returns 18 mpg city / 24 mpg highway on most trims (18/23 on TrailSport) and provides 5,000 pounds of towing capacity across the lineup.

Capability & Efficiency Highlights

• The Santa Cruz delivers stronger highway MPG
• Both tow up to 5,000 pounds
• The Ridgeline includes standard AWD on all trims

Long-Term Confidence: Warranty Matters

Warranty coverage is one of the clearest ownership differences.

Hyundai provides:

• 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty
• 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty
• 3 years/36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance

Honda provides:

• 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty
• 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty
• 2 years/24,000 miles of complimentary maintenance

For buyers planning to keep their truck for years, Hyundai’s extended powertrain coverage can provide additional peace of mind. Learn more about that protection in our guide to America’s Best Warranty.

Ownership Advantage

• The Santa Cruz: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage
• Longer complimentary maintenance coverage
• The Ridgeline’s warranty coverage is shorter

The Bottom Line for North Little Rock Drivers

Both trucks deliver smooth ride quality and 5,000-pound towing capability. The Ridgeline stands out for rear-seat space and traditional midsize proportions.

For many drivers in North Little Rock, however, the Santa Cruz offers stronger highway fuel economy, available turbocharged performance, modern digital displays, and significantly longer warranty coverage in a more maneuverable package.

Whether commuting across Central Arkansas or heading out for a weekend road trip, choosing the right midsize pickup can make daily life easier. To explore trims, colors, and availability, visit Crain Hyundai of North Little Rock and experience the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz in person.

FAQs

Is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz more fuel-efficient than the 2026 Honda Ridgeline?
Yes. The Santa Cruz offers up to 30 mpg highway with the base engine, compared to 24 mpg highway for most Ridgeline trims.

Which truck offers better warranty coverage?
The Santa Cruz includes a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, exceeding the Ridgeline’s 5-year/60,000-mile coverage.

Can both trucks tow 5,000 pounds?
Yes. Turbo AWD Santa Cruz models and all Ridgeline trims are rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Tags: 2026 Honda Ridgeline, 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz, compact pickup truck, Hyundai warranty, midsize pickup truck, North Little Rock AR trucks, Santa Cruz vs Ridgeline, towing capacity
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