I bought a 2017 Ridgeline base model drove it for 100K miles and enjoyed it greatly. Lots of room, great storage, decent MPG, soft ride, handles great. Then wanting more features, I bought a 2023, basically the same truck with touch screen, car play and a heated steering wheel for my cold hands. I miss the gear shift knob but enjoy the paddle shifters. From Washington I vacation in Montana. The Ridgeline is a very stable vehicle at speed, after a few minutes at 90 it feels like 60. With both trucks I get 24MPG in the winter and 26 in the summer rural driving. On trips I should get more MPG but I love to keep the petal down. The Honda has several traction modes so snow and ice are not a problem. There is a sand mode I use for hauling my 20ft Supra out of a gravel boat ramp with no problem. One thing that was not shown well was when the back seats are folded up there is a clear unobstructed floor space for storage, great for traveling.
I love that small trucks are coming back. My choice would be wait a few years and buy the maverick hybrid. Just so that ford can hopefully fix any issues with it
Hybrid is awesome, my 3 years old Fusion hybrid gives me ~40 MPG. It's 50% more fuel efficient compare to a regular gas engine, basically the fuel price has no impact to my daily usage. It is also better than a full BEV, no charging and range anxiety, seriously, who has time to plan for charging everyday. When come down to battery replacement (10 years later), I also will spend much less. I also don't care about 0-60, I am fine with the acceleration as long as it can get me onto the highway ramp.
I want to buy one in about 3-4 years. I have a 2017 Honda civic right now and it gets around 35mpg city/hwy. it would be very cool to have a truck that gets that same fuel efficiency
We test drove all three. We liked all three. Any of them will do the job we want it for. We choose a new Ridgeline. Slightly larger than the other two and definitely felt like the best quality.
@@jojo-ub5bw You mean less don't you? less interior room, less towing, less bed space (not even counting the trunk). less weight capacity, If you just need it for a few people you are correct, but any truck type use, it is not even close. The price is cheaper but it can't compare in use as a truck. Don't forget when you up the power, add the features to bring it up to things like safety, it starts getting just as expensive. but still lacks in things like towing. Price them with the same features and the ford is a little cheaper, but you still get less truck for that. If you don't need as much I agree the Ford is the way to go, I will wait to see the recall numbers until then.
Maverick is the economical winner by far, Ridgeline is the practical winner by far, Santa Cruz is the cool factor winner by far. Get the vehicle that fits you best. Everyone is different in what they value…..to each their own. Personally myself, I am a Santa Cruz fan 😎
I think there is a comparison just because of the unibody structure instead of frame on frame…. But other than that, yeah, the exact reason that the Ridgeline has more space is it is meant to compete with the likes of the Tacoma, ranger, etc, not the Santa Cruz and maverick….
@@fuzzycraptastical There is no comparison between the Santa Cruz and the Maverick then either. All are unibody all are between 195" and 210" The Santa Cruz being called a truck is questionable with such a small bed made smaller with the bed cover. A bike has more room in the back seat area then in the bed. I would love to see a video of it (and the Maverick) trying to handle sheets of drywall with out it breaking before they go 10 feet. Even the Maverick has to take off the front wheel. But at least it is about a foot longer. All can be got in all wheel drive (except the cheapest Maverick). I was glad to see it as all were on my list.
Well yeah, they all suck. J/K, but seriously they are all small trucks compared to a full size truck. The Hyundai looks like it shohlda been what Subaru built as a successor to the brat.
@@chadhaire1711 I don't think she disagrees with the point you make. I searched for this comparison soley on the fact they have unibody construction and have a truck bed. Size wise yeah, Ridgeline is in another class and I'd be buying a body on frame truck if I wanted something that big.
Realistically, Honda might offer a smaller version of the Ridgeline if the Mavetick does well. I seriously doubt you will see a reduced price Ridgeline, as it is based on a larger SUV with a higher price point than the Escape, or Bronco Sport.
It's a different size segment vehicle and you're getting so much more with it from the get go: A V6, AWD (Torque vectoring btw), a bigger more usable bed and proven reliability.
@@IamGroot786 i could say im getting 40mpg with the maverick. Or if i want the awd/4x4 i can get the ecoboost. Payload and towing are pretty close...so i dont think it justifies a ~$15k premium..
While I like the Ridgeline, it's not a small truck. It's one of the bigger midsize trucks. I get why you're comparing it with the Maverick and Santa Cruz, because the Ridgeline is more of a light duty people mover, in comparison to the other work & off road centric midsize trucks. If you want big and comfortable... go with the ridgeline. If you want smaller, then your choice is Maverick or Santa Cruz.
Problem with the ridgeline is that you can get a "real" truck for the same price. The thing I like about the Maverick is when I price it out with options it still comes out $7,000 less than a Ranger, Canyon or Tacoma and even less than the Ridgeline. If I'm going to pay mid truck price then I want the frame and RWD.
Going from an interior with actual knobs and buttons for your AC control to the Santa Cruz with everything on the screen will actually make you appreciate real knobs and buttons, especially if you try to change settings while driving and want to keep your eyes on the road...
Purchase what makes sense. For me it be the Santa Cruz. Don't care for oversized anything, use it haul basic things no larger than a small couch or some 4x8 ply /various wood on occasion, looks cool handles like a car, isn't crazy aggressive or the size of a house.
It is the smallest Mid size more then 5 inches then the shortest Tacoma. about 10 inches longer then the Maverick, which is 5 inches longer then the Santa Cruz. 4cyl turbo vs 6 cyl is a good match up. I would agree if they put one of the body on frame trucks here.
@@michaelsylvia275 2021 Ridgeline is 2 inches shorter then the Tacoma, and the same length as the Ranger. It is a mid size truck, not a compact, that is why nobody is comparing them.
I disagree. As you can see in my response above, I am a Ridgeline owner considering these other options. These "mini trucks" weren't available when I bought my Ridgeline or I could have been in that market as well. For people who primarily use their truck for car-type transportation, but need hauling ability from time-to-time all of these trucks are in the same zone.
Nah. It's got mid-sized friends. I don't think comparing a drastically larger truck to a couple of compact pickups is a fair comparison. If anything, I'm happy that the Maverick and Santa Cruz aren't alone, that there are atleast 2 options for small trucks available. Ridgeline doesn't belong in their category. Honestly....IMO...it's a class above. I'd get the Ridgeline if it would only fit in my garage....but I could say that for all modern pickups save the Maverick and Santa Cruz.
I got some specs from the Ford dealer and I found it interesting that the hybrid maverick has as much or more inside space as the new ranger. Front leg room 42.8 shoulder 57.3 hip 55.4 backseat leg 35.9 shoulder 55.6 hip 54.1. You can look on the internet for the ranger specs for comparison.
All the unibody trucks are that way. The Ridgeline has more interior then some full size for the same reason. Without a frame, you get a lot more room.
That is one of several reasons why I think, as hard as they might try to create market separation between the Ranger and the Maverick, the Mav is going to kill Ranger sales. It just has too many clever design and comfort features by comparison.
Right. My first item on my list is taking the back seat out and putting a shelf ( or lid over the bins) in there. Why carry a rear seat around if you don't need it? Save the weight.
@@mattgray6436 Bought a F150 XL last year, no issues so far. Very basic truck, rubber mat floor, does have cruise and one touch windows. MPG is decent with the 3.3L , 6 sp transmission
I'm the only one getting the Hyundai Santa Cruz here. 😂😂 Longest warranty for a peace of mind. Non turbo/non-hybrid, front wheel drive if possible. It looks neat too, different and most luxurious cabin plus standard safety tech included even in the base model. The Ford gets better mpgs but once the hybrid system starts having problems and you're out of their very short warranty, it will cost an arm and a leg to fix. Honda Ridgeline's cabin is too basic/old. Worst tech as well amongst the three. It competes in a different class of trucks since it's much bigger and gets the worst gas mileage as well due to the bigger engine.
@@mikenish7025 10yr/100k miles power train warranty on the Santa Cruz. Ford only gives 3 yrs 60k miles warranty and their system is more complicated to fix. 5yr 60k miles warranty on the Ridgeline. You simply get more for the money with the Santa Cruz and it’s a unique vehicle for city dwellers like myself. The other two are for traditional truck buyers even though most don’t use their truck beds or features 90% of the time but haul around such a big vehicle barely squeezing into parking spots.
I like the Cruz too for its size but I am disappointed with the fuel economy. I would hold out for a hybrid powertrain if it is offered to the Cruz in the future.
The first 2 minutes of this already has several key mistakes. Maverick interior space is nearly identical to Santa Cruz. Both have near 4.5 foot beds, with the Santa Cruz being closer to 4 ft than 4.5 ft. The Santa Cruz is actually the smallest of the three, which is why it has a few less inches on that bed. And why are we comparing a mid-sized Ridgeline to two compact pickups? In no way shape or form is the Ridgeline a 'small' truck. IT'S A FULL FOOT LONGER THAN THE MAVERICK, WHICH IS ONLY A FEW INCHES LONGER THAN THE SANTA CRUZ. The Ridgeline is also NEARLY A FOOT TALLER than either of these small pickups. Might as well just compare a Tacoma to the Maverick and Ridgeline.
While I don’t disagree with anything you said the answer is twofold: 1) these are the only three unibody vehicles in the truck market 2) many people considering the Maverick or SC also consider the Ridgeline. The TFL RUclips channel mentions that each time they include a Ridgeline in reviews with the other two.
I was gonna watch this vid until you included the Honda Ridgeline 😳that is not a mini truck ... new category dont mix them up grabbing a Maverick though
First and foremost, YOU CAN NOT FIT A BIKE IN THE BACK OF EITHER THE MAVERICK OR SANTA CRUZ - I've been driving a Ford Ranger for the past 20 years (ok, 10 years on the first one, 10 years on the current one). I use it "as a truck" on a weekly basis. Mostly for hauling my mountain bikes to the trailheads. But also for groceries, home depot runs, dump runs, goodwill runs, and on and on.... THE most important aspect of a truck is the functionality of the bed. In my Rangers, I've been running a Retrax retractable bedliner for the past 18 years (it moved from the first Ranger onto the current Ranger - it's an amazing tonneau cover). This means my 6' bed has really been a 5' bed. And I use the snot out of it. The bed is my number 1 factor when looking at a new truck. - October 2021, I've sat in all three of these trucks. You should definitely sit in all 3 before you get too excited about any of them. Bothe the Mav and the Cruz were immediately eliminated from 'to buy' list. Why? The beds are incredibly tiny. As someone who's hauled tons of stuff in the 5' bed of my Ranger for 20 years - I can honestly say the 4'-6" bed of the Mav is just too small AND it's not really 100% useable. The wheel wells are HUGE, and they really eat up a lot of the 'useable' space of the Mav bed. The 4' bed of the Cruz is even worse. My god, I can't see putting anything in the back of it. Whereas the Ridge bed was expansive. It's the widest bed on ANY midsize truck, and it shows. AND the wheel wells don't protrude into the bed, so the whole bed is flat and useable. And the bar door tailgate is amazing. Not having to reach over the tailgate to get into the bed is amazing. - On the interior it's a similar story. The Mav is just cramped. The Cruz is 'ok'. But the Ridge is expansive. I'm 6'-4". I can push the seat all the way up and still have headroom. The Ridges steering wheel actually telescopes out really far, allowing me to put the wheel in a good positions. The Ridges armrests are in very good spots. I should note the interior of the Ridge is so wide that while my arm rests comfortably on the door armrest, it doesn't actually hit the door - so roomy! - This review did get the pricing right. While the base trim Mav does cost way less, you also get way less. 4x2 instead of 4x4, no all-wheel drive. Although the Mav in top trim is still less expensive than any Ridge trim, you are still getting a lot less truck. The Cruz though, costs about the same as the Ridge, so it really doesn't make sense to buy that much less truck.
I’m retired with a 2020 Ranger XLT. Love it. I average 19 mpg with nearly all mileage in a suburban setting. When I get a new truck in 2 years I’m going to look at the Maverick, but I expect to retain a Ranger. Who knows, I may loose my mind and replace my 2020 Explorer ST with a Raptor. Now that sounds like fun. I would never by a Ridgeline. Don’t like them. Gotta have more grunt for my buck.
I was in the market last year to buy, but put it off, and GLAD I did! I was more than likely going to purchase a used "nicer" Accord Hybrid (currently in a 1st gen Civic Hybrid : 40-56mpg) hard to give up good MPG's! So, I was thinking $20K+ (I hate buying NEW &/or Dealership), but as I kept putting my list of wants on paper a sedan wasn't making the cut... At this point I started looking into "Cross-Over SUV's" but was quickly disappointed in the High Price, Low MPG's & average storage. Because of this I kept pushing off buying...that all changed about 3 weeks ago when my buddy pointed out the Ford Maverick with its 40MPG city! It only got my attention at first because I wasn't in the market for a TRUCK (never found a need for one). In short I have now put $1k down and submitted my build to Ford for the "Lariat 1st Edition". After researching and dealership visits I am happy that this "Truck" hits all my check marks with only (1) exception: AWD in Hybrid.
Trading in my 17 tundra crewmax for a 22 RL rtl-e. Was a Toyota fan but after the long anticipated wait, I’m very disappointed and won’t be buying Toyota. Ridge line fits my lifestyle better as I only haul dirt bikes (don’t need a v8 for that).
I'm intrigued by the Maverick, it's the true value priced vehicle. But I definitely don't like the hinky rotary dial gear selector. Give me an old fashioned gear shift handle any day.
A lot of people are complaining about adding the Honda Ridgeline to this comparison. I have to say that I am considering the Maverick, Ranger or Ridgeline. The Maverick is smaller but for hauling kayaks, bikes and other small stuff the uni-body construction of the Maverick and Ridgeline has me comparing the two since I am not set on actual size just yet.
I'm really struggling here. I bought a 2014 Honda Ridgeline Sport new and I feel like it's about time to move on. I love some of the things about the Ridgeline that you mention (trunk, cabin size, bed size, known reliability), but I don't love the 14 MPG that you really get, and I don't need to tow. It's also pretty "plain Jane" equipped if you stay under $40K. I'm really considering the Maverick and the Santa Cruz, but both make me a little nervous. The Santa Cruz has very little bed-hauling weight capacity, and reliability could be an issue. The Maverick seems like the better choice, but I would have to go with the turbo, because I simply will not own a two wheel drive truck in a 4 season state. I also wonder what kind of value the Hyundai will hold over time. Right now my Ridgeline has a trade in value of more than half what I paid for it, but nothing is really available new right now because of the chip shortage. What to do?
Wait a year, a plug-in hybrid and 4 wheel drive hybrid Maverick are rumored to be in the works. There will probably be shortages this year and I generally think it’s a horrible idea to buy the first model year of any vehicle.
Hybrid is awesome, my 3 years old Fusion hybrid gives me ~40 MPG. It's 50% more fuel efficient compare to a regular gas engine, basically the fuel price has no impact to my daily usage. It is also better than a full BEV, no charging and range anxiety, seriously, who has time to plan for charging everyday. When come down to battery replacement (10 years later), I also will spend much less.
A Ridgeline RTLE trim which is fully loaded, is a little over 40k depending on location and the right time. Before the pandemic, you could get that trim for 38-39k out the door but then honda raised the price after that. Your current 1st generation Ridgeline, the mpg is no where near of that with the 2nd generation. The good thing about the 2020-21 Ridgeline in comparison with the 2017-2019 is honda switched the 6 speed to 9 speed which is more reliable. I'd pick the Santa Cruz for the factory warranty.
@@squidusn71 You are so right about the mileage improvement. I traded in my '14 for a 19' RTL-T Ridgeline with 4,600 miles, and wow have they improved this truck! It's not just the improved trim package. The trans is way better. The steering is OMG way better. It's just a much more refined, quiet, pleasant place to be. And now I average 18.6 MPG in town! Maybe I'll update the front end in a year or so, but I could not be more pleased with this truck.
endall, you should really look at the new 2021 Ridgeline. The gas mileage is better, the looks are way better. I've sat in all 3 of these trucks in the past two weeks. The beds on the mav and cruz are a joke. If you buy one of the tiny bed trucks, you'll kick yourself the first time you need to haul anything...
I was leaning towards the ridgeline, but I just can't justify the 10 to 12k price difference for it. The ridgeline is a good truck but the price is way over the other trucks. Might be leaning for the Santa Cruz now. The maverick hybrid is having issues.
I’m in a similar boat and trying to decide between a maverick awd turbo and ridge line. With similar builds the ridge line is about $10k more, as you mention. I do trust it will be more reliable than the eco boost maverick, but when you factor the better resale on the ridge line, that chips away at the initial $10k difference. I’d bet in 8 years the ridge line resale value will be at least $5k more.
As a Ridgeline owner I think there was a lot of bias against the other trucks in this review. You basically just said “if it’s not a ridgeline it’s unreliable”
I have a hybrid Maverick on order. It would be great if auto reviewers would give a bit more weight to using less gas, and stop equating performance to power alone instead of efficiency -- I see so many pickups every single morning commuting with one person and empty beds! Granted, that will be me soon I hope -- but at least with close to half the gas usage. I would love an EV long-range Maverick...
I shopped all 3. Hyundai was marked up way too high for what it was and the Ford's interior was overly busy and it squeaked around the cowl. Got a '21 Ridgeline B.E. with 31k miles for $30k. Absolutely no regrets.
Thumbs down 👎 on this review, Honda Ridgeline is a mid size truck. Way more expensive, it is also more powerful. Honda Ridgeline belongs in the same category as a Ranger, Tacoma, Colorado and Frontier.
I think I'll pick a Ford Maverick. The truck just looks like an actual truck and it looks tougher. Not only that, it starts with a hybrid 40 miles to the gallon under $20,000 starting. I don't know why anyone wouldn't pick the Maverick. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think the Hyundai Santa Cruz looks weird and just looks like a Tucson.
I can’t argue that within 3 years (3/36 warranty) you’re correct. Outside of that, I just don’t really trust the first model of anything, not to mention a wildly different front wheel drive/ hybrid combination. Interesting truck!
I own a 2020 ford ranger n I love it but honestly the Ridgeline is possibly the best midsize you can get. it has a smooth ride from being a unibody it has the best backseat room! Amazing reliability n then the bed of the Ridgeline is so useful, especially if you have a tonneau cover and if they raise that towing capacity to atleast 6500, it will probably be the best midsize truck tbh and the interior is great!
The Ridgeline is much larger than the Maverick or Cruz. Larger wheelbase, much larger width and 5’ bed holding flat 48” drywall and plywood…versus 4’ for the Utes. Ridgeline hauls 5000 lbs vs. 4000 lbs for the Utes. Ridgeline has a 3.5L V6 with 260 HP and 282 ft lbs of torque. Not even the same class, Dude….no comparison. The Mav and Cruz are probably going to be great for the class they are in and price point they are set at.
Actually the Santa Cruz hauls 5000 the same as the Ridgeline. It's turbo engine also puts out the same numbers as the Ridgeline (worse by about 10 on the HP and more then 20 on the toque side). The main difference is it is shorter by 15" in the trunk and is shorter by the same 15". The Ranger is 10" shorter. They compare the Ridgeline to Rangers, Tacoma's, Colorado's which are about 5" to 12" longer so the Ridgeline is a large small truck or a small midsize truck. The Ridgeline has far more in common with the Santa Cruz, and Maverick then the other midsize truck.
@@michaelsylvia275 you are correct in the difference is the Santa Cruz’ 4 cylinder is normally 3500 lbs and 5000lbs with the turbo. But…dang good way to burn out a turbocharger long term. The Ridgeline has a ton of interior room especially width between driver and passenger. You’d be surprised.
@@mjg1544 Ridgeline is only one inch narrower than a full size truck like a F150..plenty of room...of course it is shorter than F150 in the bed.....most wont care...
Ridgeline prices are way up there. You can easily get a Colorado or Ranger so it's my last choice. The Santa Cruz starts at 23,900 and goes up to 40k. The AWD Sel is 28900 tows 5k. The Maverick hybrid is exciting but really lacks towing a bigger boat or camper with a max of 4k and just isn't as versatile
The ridgeline is comparable to the Ranger, but not the maverick. The maverick and Santa cruz is a good comparison. The ridgeline is a mid sized truck not a small truck like the maverick and santa cruz
Since the Ridgeline is a foot shorter then the midsize trucks and a foot larger then the small trucks which to you really put it in? Mid size are body on frame, different towing, the three here except for the Ford have the same engine outputs, towing, unibody construction. Making this much more comparable The difference how long the bed is 4' to 5' 3"
quit comparing the ridgeline to these trucks! ridgeline is a midsized. the maverick and santa cruz are compacts. just because the ridgeline is a unibody doesn't make it the same.
i ordered the Ford Maverick last September when they opened the 2023 ordering banks. it is a XLT with some of the fun stuff. i am thinking more about the Honda Ridgeline. i am going to test drive it today. see if i can throw away the fuel economy of the Maverick for the luxery and dependability of the Ridgeline. i still like the Maverick, but it does feel cheap, and unsure of the quality. the Hyundai Santa Cruze i did like, but i can not personally trust Hyundai. i do not like the quality. -just my personal opinion, not wanting to offend anyone.
I think the Ridgeline gets a lot of criticism because it’s a full size truck that’s unibody. Being full size there’s no benefit to handling or turning radius unlike a compact unibody truck. You don’t get the body roll of a body on frame with a compact unibody. It handles like an SUV.
What about spare tires? As someone who does occasionally drive on trails and well away from any service-accessible service capability, some sort of spare tire is a must have, ideally full sized (currently have a compact spare for my 2006 Baja and not urgently parting with it, but looking at options for a couple of years down the road (pun intended)). The Honda site says that the Ridgeline comes with a compact spare and that a full-size spare can be bolted in the bed area. The Ford Maverick loses the full size spare if you go with the 2.0 turbo engine (which I would because that's the only way to get AWD), but it's unclear whether that means it goes to a doughnut/compact spare or to an inflator and sealant (which is completely useless if you get a hole larger than a nail or a sidewall puncture and, once you use the sealant, a patch may not adhere to the inside because of the chemical changes so you're stuck with replacing it). The Ford Ranger appears to include a full-size spare. I can find nothing on Hyundai's site about a spare tire for the Santa Cruz.
@@ScarletKnightmare Thanks! Doughnut spare it is, so it's still in the running. That (his second video where he actually is with the truck) was the best review I've seen yet of the Santa Cruz.
@@JaM-42 you're welcome. Yeah Alex is one of the most thorough reviewers out there. He really gets all the details so I recommend his channel to everyone.
The Honda has a mud, snow, and sand mode, but it's not built for off-road. I've seen people go off-road with modifications like a 3 inch lift. However I still wouldn't recommend it for off-road.
@@aweba25 the Honda with the torque vectoring AWD modes probably performs better in the snow and sand than most "off road" 4x4 vehicles, but yeah it's definitely a light duty system not really meant for rock crawling. Very slick system though 🤷
ALL of these are excellent trucks. However, there are only TWO trucks in this comparison that are in the same class of small pickups - the Maverick and the Santa Cruz. The Ridgeline is a MID-SIZE truck, therefore should not be in this comparison, anymore than the Ridgeline should be in a comparison test against a Ford F350 , GM's 3500, or Dodge's Ram 3500. That comparison would also NOT be a fair one. Getting back to this battle, the Maverick is without question, the best value for the buck and it does everything well. It was also extremely well thought out, designed and engineered. The Ridgeline, being a midsize truck is also FAR MORE expensive than the Maverick, and more expensive than the Santa Cruz. With that said, ALL other manufacturers void of a Maverick challenger are presently, and will be for years playing catch-up to the Maverick. And when they finally bring their Maverick competitor to market, Ford will have already improved, added more features, technology and value to the Maverick. And most likely, the Maverick will still be the leader in small pickups. But hey, competition always benefits the consumer. So, bring 'em on.
I just want a suv with a nice interior, plus the ability to carry stuff that I wouldn't put in a nice interior. If I wanted a baby truck and plain interior, the Mav would suffice. The Ridgeline's a tad bigger than I want and that info-tainment system is already dated and won't get fresher with time. So, for me, the Santa Cruz fits what I'm looking for. Gas mileage isnt that important for me.
The Ford has double the cargo capacity. 660lbs in the Santa is less than most sedans can carry. The Ford also comes in at a $20k base price while the Santa will be just under $25K. Why would you pay more....much more...for less vehicle?
@@billwhiteathome2080 Less vehicle? Less than the Mav? As I stated, I don't want a baby truck. I got rid of my F150 supercrew because I don't need to haul anything heavy and I'd prefer the comfort of a suv with an area for the stuff I don't want to put inside a enclosed passenger compartment. We all have different needs and opinions. I think the Santa Cruz, besides meeting my needs, looks better, inside and out, than the Maverick. I like a sportier ride, so the 2.5 turbo and dual clutch trans also works for me. And I'd like something a little classier in interior design. I'll probably buy the fully loaded model, just as I did with my Santa Fe. And the gas mileage is not much of a concern, anything over 20 mph in town would be fine. If I needed a real small truck with a payload in that range and wanted great gas mileage all for as low as possible price, maybe the Mav would work. Others find the Maverick more suited to their wants and needs, I guess that's why they make so many different makes and models to choose from. Everyone has different needs.
You would still need another 1/2 Ford so you could tow the same though. But that would give me the top of the line Honda vs the bottom of the line 2 Fords. (base Ford vs Honda Black Edition. paying for 2 destinations would be a killer.
Ordered the Maverick with Hybrid engine and Lariat trim with the Luxury package. $30K USD Best bang for the buck. It will be a replacement for our 20 year old Dodge Grand Caravan we use for our plumbing store. The gas savings will be a big benefit.
@@chadhaire1711 No, I want the Hybrid engine. That is the single motivating factor, the rest is just window dressing and comfort for a man who will probably never buy another new vehicle in his lifetime.
Front end the Santa Cruz is awesome, but for value and fuel efficiency, Maverick is the winner, but did someone stick a CVT on one or all of these? That might be a deal breaker!
@@katsnow9256 The Maverick uses an eCVT, using actual gears instead of belts and pulleys like a CVT. Should prove very reliable. The Hyundai uses a dual clutch transmission which aren’t known for reliability, especially when towing.
Terrible comparison. Ridgeline is a totally different size and class. Hyundai has best warranty and starts at $24K. Get all the data out there next time.
I'm shopping for something like these now, but the Santa Cruz is NOT even on my list, as it's bed is too small and not deep enough to make up for the short bed, at only 19 cu.ft. the other two have around 30-32 cu.ft. Ridgeline bed is only 16" deep, which is on the shallow side, and though it's the longest here, it limits the height of items you can put with cover on. There's always a limit and that's why its a truck bed, so you have the sky but there's stuff you'd want to carry covered and this limits it. Maverick has apprx. 19" deep bed, but 9" shorter bed at 4.5'. Ridgelines hiddend cargo in back is really great, but the spare tire placement is really bad if loaded with heavy sh!t and get a flat on cold snowy small hwy. or just heavy shit someone helped you load but not with you on the drive... Ridgeline is proven now and likely reliable and the Maverick should be o.k. now with 2.0L been thru mistakes and fixed now, but not 100% yet. Fuel economy is better on Maverik. Cheaper to by as well. I like suv design of Ridgeline for everyday driving, Maverick does drive like a quiet suv as well, but with a mini truck look. I'm leaning towards the Maverick, for it's shorter length for easy of parking in our driveway with other cars, and I like the bed being a bit deeper than longer, so less chance/times you have to leave cover open. example, a bucket with the tool organizer vest on it, with a sawzall i it will stick up higher enough the cover on ridgeline may not close and you can't lay that down sideways without tools falling out.. Everyone to their own uses, pros and cons folks. OH, I'd get the tremor, so I like the extra ground clearanc too.. though 24 Ridgeline will not have a trail trim which may add an inch.. stil lnot 100% decided. I may just pick up an old Ford Sport trac for 3rd car in the fam. and save $$ It has almost 20" deep bed, but only 50"L bed. aaah... maybe for 2 years max til my Stinger is paid off and then add new $$$ monthly for a new truck ???
Well, I get what you said about the spare tire location. I'm also looking to buy a small truck and never been fun of Ford, I owned a ford jeep back on the early 80s, when I was living in Brasil, all jeeps made by ford, and pick ups at the time, was a junk, but we had no other choices at the time. Regard the spare tire, remove it prior to long trips and the bed full of stuff.
When they offer one of these trucks as a two door or ex cab I'll take a look I have no need for back doors or back seats on a PU, oh and by the way the Ridgeline is not a compact PU.
Not sure you can classify the Santa Cruz as a truck. I mean, 660lbs of payload is a joke. The Honda is a very expensive mid-size truck, but can't compete with others in it's class on payload and such. They compare it to these smaller vehicles so it doesn't seem completely worthless. The Ford gets 40 mpg and carries 1500lbs cargo. Nothing else comes close.
@@nicholaslasky3754 They include inside the cab...you gonna carry dirt and mulch inside the cab? The bed only holds 660lbs! Ford holds 1500lbs in the bed.
@@billwhiteathome2080 payload is the combined weight of both the cab and bed so regardless of what Ford includes the weight inside the cab subtracts from what can be carried in the bed. I doubt there is much difference between the two since they are both unibody trucks.
@@nicholaslasky3754 That is factually incorrect. Ford's bed can hold 1500lbs of weight..Santa can only hold 660lbs in the bed. It is NOT a truck, but a car with the trunk lid removed. They are NOT the same...factor in 40 mpg and $5000 less in cost and the Ford wins IMO.
@@billwhiteathome2080 not sure why you’re saying it “wins”. I just said the payloads are not a good comparison. Payload includes everything on the car so if you add accessories to a truck that reduces that payload. Show me where it says it can carry 1500lbs in the bed plus additional weight of the occupants. Also the 40 mpg is for the hybrid which only tows 2k lbs and has front wheel drive. Unless you’re buying the AWD version the hybrid maverick is basically a car with a bed.
Hey Shari, this was not a good comparison in my opinion. I also think you should start reviewing individual vehicles. Give pros and cons like other reviewers. No more bias towards to Toyota or Honda.
Would be nice if he knew his facts for equal comparisons. Maverick is 4.5ft bed, not 4ft - believe Santa Cruz is like 52” as well, but toting both as just 4ft to Ridgeline’s 5.3ft or whatever
Both the mav and cruz beds are a joke. The mav bed it 'mostly' wheel wells... Which was a bummer to find out, I had really really got excited about the mav. The interior is also just so dam cramped...
A comparison video without even having personally driven and reviewed the Maverick or Santa Cruz? Come on. You're making a lot of assumptions and recommendations based upon vehicles you've never had an exposure to. And the Ridgeline, though a very competent vehicle, compares more appropriately with the other mid-sized trucks (Tacoma, Frontier, and Ranger) given its size and pricing. The Maverick and Santa Cruz are carving out a brand new segment in the truck category, one I hope Toyota and even Nissan are soon to join.
Bought the Ridgeline for reliabilty and resale value! It's a very experienced truck!
100% spot on.
I bought a 2017 Ridgeline base model drove it for 100K miles and enjoyed it greatly. Lots of room, great storage, decent MPG, soft ride, handles great. Then wanting more features, I bought a 2023, basically the same truck with touch screen, car play and a heated steering wheel for my cold hands. I miss the gear shift knob but enjoy the paddle shifters. From Washington I vacation in Montana. The Ridgeline is a very stable vehicle at speed, after a few minutes at 90 it feels like 60. With both trucks I get 24MPG in the winter and 26 in the summer rural driving. On trips I should get more MPG but I love to keep the petal down. The Honda has several traction modes so snow and ice are not a problem. There is a sand mode I use for hauling my 20ft Supra out of a gravel boat ramp with no problem. One thing that was not shown well was when the back seats are folded up there is a clear unobstructed floor space for storage, great for traveling.
I love that small trucks are coming back. My choice would be wait a few years and buy the maverick hybrid. Just so that ford can hopefully fix any issues with it
Agreed, I'm hoping it doesn't have a lot of issues but made in Mexico, Meh
Hybrid is awesome, my 3 years old Fusion hybrid gives me ~40 MPG. It's 50% more fuel efficient compare to a regular gas engine, basically the fuel price has no impact to my daily usage. It is also better than a full BEV, no charging and range anxiety, seriously, who has time to plan for charging everyday. When come down to battery replacement (10 years later), I also will spend much less. I also don't care about 0-60, I am fine with the acceleration as long as it can get me onto the highway ramp.
That's my plan, I would love to find one with the 4k tow package
I want to buy one in about 3-4 years. I have a 2017 Honda civic right now and it gets around 35mpg city/hwy. it would be very cool to have a truck that gets that same fuel efficiency
We test drove all three. We liked all three. Any of them will do the job we want it for. We choose a new Ridgeline. Slightly larger than the other two and definitely felt like the best quality.
I would go for the Honda Ridgeline.
I have a Ridgeline, I got it new in 2008. Has been fantastic, but lower mpg than I expected. But still has been a great ownership experience.
I like the ford. Its cheaper and you get more forbthe price
@@christopherhamilton5557 That's good to hear. My Ridgeline has an eco mode. It greatly increases my mpg. I get 370 miles to a tank.
@@jojo-ub5bw You mean less don't you? less interior room, less towing, less bed space (not even counting the trunk). less weight capacity, If you just need it for a few people you are correct, but any truck type use, it is not even close. The price is cheaper but it can't compare in use as a truck. Don't forget when you up the power, add the features to bring it up to things like safety, it starts getting just as expensive. but still lacks in things like towing. Price them with the same features and the ford is a little cheaper, but you still get less truck for that. If you don't need as much I agree the Ford is the way to go, I will wait to see the recall numbers until then.
No
Maverick is the economical winner by far, Ridgeline is the practical winner by far, Santa Cruz is the cool factor winner by far. Get the vehicle that fits you best. Everyone is different in what they value…..to each their own. Personally myself, I am a Santa Cruz fan 😎
Had a Ridgeline in 2006 loved the truck, owned it for 5 years. Test drove Maverick wasn’t that impressed, bought Santa Cruz and am very happy.
I pre-ordered the Maverick base, but I think all 3 vehicles are great options. The new front end on the Ridgeline is a huge improvement
I have a Santa Cruz awd..sunroof etc....Love it...everybody stares and nobody knows what it is. Only 2 others in town.
Can’t believe he’s comparing the Ridgeline to these compact trucks SMH
I think there is a comparison just because of the unibody structure instead of frame on frame…. But other than that, yeah, the exact reason that the Ridgeline has more space is it is meant to compete with the likes of the Tacoma, ranger, etc, not the Santa Cruz and maverick….
@@fuzzycraptastical There is no comparison between the Santa Cruz and the Maverick then either. All are unibody all are between 195" and 210" The Santa Cruz being called a truck is questionable with such a small bed made smaller with the bed cover. A bike has more room in the back seat area then in the bed. I would love to see a video of it (and the Maverick) trying to handle sheets of drywall with out it breaking before they go 10 feet. Even the Maverick has to take off the front wheel. But at least it is about a foot longer. All can be got in all wheel drive (except the cheapest Maverick). I was glad to see it as all were on my list.
@@fuzzycraptastical The Ridgeline has just as much cabin room and a Ford f150....it is hardly a small truck.
Well yeah, they all suck. J/K, but seriously they are all small trucks compared to a full size truck. The Hyundai looks like it shohlda been what Subaru built as a successor to the brat.
@@chadhaire1711 I don't think she disagrees with the point you make. I searched for this comparison soley on the fact they have unibody construction and have a truck bed. Size wise yeah, Ridgeline is in another class and I'd be buying a body on frame truck if I wanted something that big.
I just want the maverick to force honda to lower the price of the Ridgeline
Realistically, Honda might offer a smaller version of the Ridgeline if the Mavetick does well. I seriously doubt you will see a reduced price Ridgeline, as it is based on a larger SUV with a higher price point than the Escape, or Bronco Sport.
It's a different size segment vehicle and you're getting so much more with it from the get go: A V6, AWD (Torque vectoring btw), a bigger more usable bed and proven reliability.
@@IamGroot786 i could say im getting 40mpg with the maverick. Or if i want the awd/4x4 i can get the ecoboost. Payload and towing are pretty close...so i dont think it justifies a ~$15k premium..
@@jasonmax5759 you can order what you want..
But, it would then compete with the Ranger on price...and lose badly on every other spec.
I've already reserved a Ford Maverick. Looking forward to test driving and subsequently purchasing if it goes well.
Did you get it yet
Nope, not yet
cancel the order and get the santa cruz
That ugly a** vehicle? No thank you
@@chadhaire1711 I thought the Santa looked like it was designed for a teenage girl.
While I like the Ridgeline, it's not a small truck. It's one of the bigger midsize trucks. I get why you're comparing it with the Maverick and Santa Cruz, because the Ridgeline is more of a light duty people mover, in comparison to the other work & off road centric midsize trucks. If you want big and comfortable... go with the ridgeline. If you want smaller, then your choice is Maverick or Santa Cruz.
Agreed
Yeup. It’s definitely not small
Agreed. I own a 2019 Ridgeline. It's great for daily commuting and small loads like my motorcycle, furniture, or a trip to home depot.
Problem with the ridgeline is that you can get a "real" truck for the same price. The thing I like about the Maverick is when I price it out with options it still comes out $7,000 less than a Ranger, Canyon or Tacoma and even less than the Ridgeline. If I'm going to pay mid truck price then I want the frame and RWD.
@@tomm1109 Except you don’t get the reliability of a Honda. You get what you pay for.
Going from an interior with actual knobs and buttons for your AC control to the Santa Cruz with everything on the screen will actually make you appreciate real knobs and buttons, especially if you try to change settings while driving and want to keep your eyes on the road...
Purchase what makes sense. For me it be the Santa Cruz. Don't care for oversized anything, use it haul basic things no larger than a small couch or some 4x8 ply /various wood on occasion, looks cool handles like a car, isn't crazy aggressive or the size of a house.
My wife ordered a SC and my daughter is getting a maverick, I think they are both good value for what you get.
Ridgeline is mid size with a 6cyl, they need to do their research.
Exactly. Probably a tactic to just stir the pot and get more views.
It is the smallest Mid size more then 5 inches then the shortest Tacoma. about 10 inches longer then the Maverick, which is 5 inches longer then the Santa Cruz. 4cyl turbo vs 6 cyl is a good match up. I would agree if they put one of the body on frame trucks here.
@@michaelsylvia275 2021 Ridgeline is 2 inches shorter then the Tacoma, and the same length as the Ranger. It is a mid size truck, not a compact, that is why nobody is comparing them.
Sounds like a good reason to downvote the video
I disagree. As you can see in my response above, I am a Ridgeline owner considering these other options. These "mini trucks" weren't available when I bought my Ridgeline or I could have been in that market as well. For people who primarily use their truck for car-type transportation, but need hauling ability from time-to-time all of these trucks are in the same zone.
I'm happy the honda ridgeline isn't alone anymore:)
Nah. It's got mid-sized friends. I don't think comparing a drastically larger truck to a couple of compact pickups is a fair comparison. If anything, I'm happy that the Maverick and Santa Cruz aren't alone, that there are atleast 2 options for small trucks available. Ridgeline doesn't belong in their category. Honestly....IMO...it's a class above. I'd get the Ridgeline if it would only fit in my garage....but I could say that for all modern pickups save the Maverick and Santa Cruz.
@@kiowastew don’t be so butthurt, it’s not like we are comparing an F-150 to a Chevy Colorado
@@ridgelineenjoyer1517 butthurt? lol
I got some specs from the Ford dealer and I found it interesting that the hybrid maverick has as much or more inside space as the new ranger. Front leg room 42.8 shoulder 57.3 hip 55.4 backseat leg 35.9 shoulder 55.6 hip 54.1. You can look on the internet for the ranger specs for comparison.
All the unibody trucks are that way. The Ridgeline has more interior then some full size for the same reason. Without a frame, you get a lot more room.
That is one of several reasons why I think, as hard as they might try to create market separation between the Ranger and the Maverick, the Mav is going to kill Ranger sales. It just has too many clever design and comfort features by comparison.
Don't think it will happen but a Regular cab Maverick with a little longer bed would be a nice option.
Right. My first item on my list is taking the back seat out and putting a shelf ( or lid over the bins) in there. Why carry a rear seat around if you don't need it? Save the weight.
Ranchero would be a good name for it....
For me it come down to price and fuel economy. Maverick is the winner here.
Me too
@M Maple in the shop for what, come on. Stop lying about owning something
@@mattgray6436 Bought a F150 XL last year, no issues so far. Very basic truck, rubber mat floor, does have cruise and one touch windows. MPG is decent with the 3.3L , 6 sp transmission
I'm the only one getting the Hyundai Santa Cruz here. 😂😂 Longest warranty for a peace of mind. Non turbo/non-hybrid, front wheel drive if possible. It looks neat too, different and most luxurious cabin plus standard safety tech included even in the base model.
The Ford gets better mpgs but once the hybrid system starts having problems and you're out of their very short warranty, it will cost an arm and a leg to fix.
Honda Ridgeline's cabin is too basic/old. Worst tech as well amongst the three. It competes in a different class of trucks since it's much bigger and gets the worst gas mileage as well due to the bigger engine.
Cool take
How long is the warranty for Santa cruz
@@mikenish7025 10yr/100k miles power train warranty on the Santa Cruz. Ford only gives 3 yrs 60k miles warranty and their system is more complicated to fix. 5yr 60k miles warranty on the Ridgeline.
You simply get more for the money with the Santa Cruz and it’s a unique vehicle for city dwellers like myself. The other two are for traditional truck buyers even though most don’t use their truck beds or features 90% of the time but haul around such a big vehicle barely squeezing into parking spots.
Longest warranty and your going to need it! Just sell it before warranty expires.
I like the Cruz too for its size but I am disappointed with the fuel economy. I would hold out for a hybrid powertrain if it is offered to the Cruz in the future.
The first 2 minutes of this already has several key mistakes. Maverick interior space is nearly identical to Santa Cruz. Both have near 4.5 foot beds, with the Santa Cruz being closer to 4 ft than 4.5 ft. The Santa Cruz is actually the smallest of the three, which is why it has a few less inches on that bed. And why are we comparing a mid-sized Ridgeline to two compact pickups? In no way shape or form is the Ridgeline a 'small' truck. IT'S A FULL FOOT LONGER THAN THE MAVERICK, WHICH IS ONLY A FEW INCHES LONGER THAN THE SANTA CRUZ. The Ridgeline is also NEARLY A FOOT TALLER than either of these small pickups. Might as well just compare a Tacoma to the Maverick and Ridgeline.
While I don’t disagree with anything you said the answer is twofold:
1) these are the only three unibody vehicles in the truck market
2) many people considering the Maverick or SC also consider the Ridgeline. The TFL RUclips channel mentions that each time they include a Ridgeline in reviews with the other two.
I was gonna watch this vid until you included the Honda Ridgeline 😳that is not a mini truck ... new category dont mix them up grabbing a Maverick though
Agreed
Exactly. Ridgeline is actually wider than a Tacoma. It doesn't belong in this segment.
I agree. I own a Ridgeline. It is a mid-sized truck.
Agreed. The bed on the ridgeline is definitely wider than the ranger, hard to compare to the maverick.
First and foremost, YOU CAN NOT FIT A BIKE IN THE BACK OF EITHER THE MAVERICK OR SANTA CRUZ
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I've been driving a Ford Ranger for the past 20 years (ok, 10 years on the first one, 10 years on the current one). I use it "as a truck" on a weekly basis. Mostly for hauling my mountain bikes to the trailheads. But also for groceries, home depot runs, dump runs, goodwill runs, and on and on.... THE most important aspect of a truck is the functionality of the bed. In my Rangers, I've been running a Retrax retractable bedliner for the past 18 years (it moved from the first Ranger onto the current Ranger - it's an amazing tonneau cover). This means my 6' bed has really been a 5' bed. And I use the snot out of it. The bed is my number 1 factor when looking at a new truck.
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October 2021, I've sat in all three of these trucks. You should definitely sit in all 3 before you get too excited about any of them. Bothe the Mav and the Cruz were immediately eliminated from 'to buy' list. Why? The beds are incredibly tiny. As someone who's hauled tons of stuff in the 5' bed of my Ranger for 20 years - I can honestly say the 4'-6" bed of the Mav is just too small AND it's not really 100% useable. The wheel wells are HUGE, and they really eat up a lot of the 'useable' space of the Mav bed. The 4' bed of the Cruz is even worse. My god, I can't see putting anything in the back of it. Whereas the Ridge bed was expansive. It's the widest bed on ANY midsize truck, and it shows. AND the wheel wells don't protrude into the bed, so the whole bed is flat and useable. And the bar door tailgate is amazing. Not having to reach over the tailgate to get into the bed is amazing.
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On the interior it's a similar story. The Mav is just cramped. The Cruz is 'ok'. But the Ridge is expansive. I'm 6'-4". I can push the seat all the way up and still have headroom. The Ridges steering wheel actually telescopes out really far, allowing me to put the wheel in a good positions. The Ridges armrests are in very good spots. I should note the interior of the Ridge is so wide that while my arm rests comfortably on the door armrest, it doesn't actually hit the door - so roomy!
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This review did get the pricing right. While the base trim Mav does cost way less, you also get way less. 4x2 instead of 4x4, no all-wheel drive. Although the Mav in top trim is still less expensive than any Ridge trim, you are still getting a lot less truck. The Cruz though, costs about the same as the Ridge, so it really doesn't make sense to buy that much less truck.
I’m retired with a 2020 Ranger XLT. Love it. I average 19 mpg with nearly all mileage in a suburban setting. When I get a new truck in 2 years I’m going to look at the Maverick, but I expect to retain a Ranger. Who knows, I may loose my mind and replace my 2020 Explorer ST with a Raptor. Now that sounds like fun. I would never by a Ridgeline. Don’t like them. Gotta have more grunt for my buck.
I've owned a Ford Ranger for the past 20 years. Love that truck. But I just test drove the Ridgeline. It will be my next truck...
I was in the market last year to buy, but put it off, and GLAD I did! I was more than likely going to purchase a used "nicer" Accord Hybrid (currently in a 1st gen Civic Hybrid : 40-56mpg) hard to give up good MPG's! So, I was thinking $20K+ (I hate buying NEW &/or Dealership), but as I kept putting my list of wants on paper a sedan wasn't making the cut... At this point I started looking into "Cross-Over SUV's" but was quickly disappointed in the High Price, Low MPG's & average storage. Because of this I kept pushing off buying...that all changed about 3 weeks ago when my buddy pointed out the Ford Maverick with its 40MPG city! It only got my attention at first because I wasn't in the market for a TRUCK (never found a need for one). In short I have now put $1k down and submitted my build to Ford for the "Lariat 1st Edition". After researching and dealership visits I am happy that this "Truck" hits all my check marks with only (1) exception: AWD in Hybrid.
It's going to be a very nice truck.
Right they have to be able to up the stakes I’m guessing the AWD hybrid will be out soon after the releasem
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz ~ Win !
Trading in my 17 tundra crewmax for a 22 RL rtl-e. Was a Toyota fan but after the long anticipated wait, I’m very disappointed and won’t be buying Toyota. Ridge line fits my lifestyle better as I only haul dirt bikes (don’t need a v8 for that).
I'm intrigued by the Maverick, it's the true value priced vehicle. But I definitely don't like the hinky rotary dial gear selector. Give me an old fashioned gear shift handle any day.
The ridge line is NOT A compact truck/ elcamino! It's as big as ranger and Colorado! It's NOT in this discussion!
Many consumers will still cross shop them and want to see how they compare
@@carhelpcorner no they are NOT!
They are actually bigger than Rangers and Colorados.
The ridgeline width is definitely bigger, bed and interior
you could say the same for the Santa Cruz, not a truck per Hyundai.
A lot of people are complaining about adding the Honda Ridgeline to this comparison. I have to say that I am considering the Maverick, Ranger or Ridgeline. The Maverick is smaller but for hauling kayaks, bikes and other small stuff the uni-body construction of the Maverick and Ridgeline has me comparing the two since I am not set on actual size just yet.
Many consumers are in your position. I don't get why some think you can't compare models of different sizes
@@carhelpcorner Because you said the Ridgeline is a small truck--NO it is NOT.
In this situation I would actually go with the maverick with the hybrid motor!
The no 4 wheel drive is a deal breaker on the hybrid. Otherwise, I'd be there with you.
@@endall39 Tru that's my only problem with it too!! The Santa cruz can have AWD with both motor options
Hybrid is having issues now. Hard pass on the maverick.
@@marcusvonmaximus8071 Oh i haven't heard nun abt that but just skipp pass all them trucks and get you a full size truck
@@ms1406 with gas 5 dollars a gallon , a full size truck is not in the picture.
I'm really struggling here. I bought a 2014 Honda Ridgeline Sport new and I feel like it's about time to move on. I love some of the things about the Ridgeline that you mention (trunk, cabin size, bed size, known reliability), but I don't love the 14 MPG that you really get, and I don't need to tow. It's also pretty "plain Jane" equipped if you stay under $40K. I'm really considering the Maverick and the Santa Cruz, but both make me a little nervous. The Santa Cruz has very little bed-hauling weight capacity, and reliability could be an issue. The Maverick seems like the better choice, but I would have to go with the turbo, because I simply will not own a two wheel drive truck in a 4 season state. I also wonder what kind of value the Hyundai will hold over time. Right now my Ridgeline has a trade in value of more than half what I paid for it, but nothing is really available new right now because of the chip shortage. What to do?
Wait a year, a plug-in hybrid and 4 wheel drive hybrid Maverick are rumored to be in the works. There will probably be shortages this year and I generally think it’s a horrible idea to buy the first model year of any vehicle.
Hybrid is awesome, my 3 years old Fusion hybrid gives me ~40 MPG. It's 50% more fuel efficient compare to a regular gas engine, basically the fuel price has no impact to my daily usage. It is also better than a full BEV, no charging and range anxiety, seriously, who has time to plan for charging everyday. When come down to battery replacement (10 years later), I also will spend much less.
A Ridgeline RTLE trim which is fully loaded, is a little over 40k depending on location and the right time. Before the pandemic, you could get that trim for 38-39k out the door but then honda raised the price after that. Your current 1st generation Ridgeline, the mpg is no where near of that with the 2nd generation. The good thing about the 2020-21 Ridgeline in comparison with the 2017-2019 is honda switched the 6 speed to 9 speed which is more reliable.
I'd pick the Santa Cruz for the factory warranty.
@@squidusn71 You are so right about the mileage improvement. I traded in my '14 for a 19' RTL-T Ridgeline with 4,600 miles, and wow have they improved this truck! It's not just the improved trim package. The trans is way better. The steering is OMG way better. It's just a much more refined, quiet, pleasant place to be. And now I average 18.6 MPG in town! Maybe I'll update the front end in a year or so, but I could not be more pleased with this truck.
endall, you should really look at the new 2021 Ridgeline. The gas mileage is better, the looks are way better. I've sat in all 3 of these trucks in the past two weeks. The beds on the mav and cruz are a joke. If you buy one of the tiny bed trucks, you'll kick yourself the first time you need to haul anything...
Love my 21 RTL-E ridge.
I was leaning towards the ridgeline, but I just can't justify the 10 to 12k price difference for it. The ridgeline is a good truck but the price is way over the other trucks. Might be leaning for the Santa Cruz now. The maverick hybrid is having issues.
I’m in a similar boat and trying to decide between a maverick awd turbo and ridge line. With similar builds the ridge line is about $10k more, as you mention. I do trust it will be more reliable than the eco boost maverick, but when you factor the better resale on the ridge line, that chips away at the initial $10k difference. I’d bet in 8 years the ridge line resale value will be at least $5k more.
You get what you pay for!!
Ridgeline is marketed and priced to compete with midsized trucks.
The only similarity with the ridgeline to the other 2 is that all three are unibody, not body on frame.
Ridgeline should be compared to the mid size trucks. Apples to oranges grouping it with the SC and Maverick.
While the Ridgeline is definitely larger, all three are crossover based trucks and many consumers will cross shop
As a Ridgeline owner I think there was a lot of bias against the other trucks in this review. You basically just said “if it’s not a ridgeline it’s unreliable”
I have a hybrid Maverick on order. It would be great if auto reviewers would give a bit more weight to using less gas, and stop equating performance to power alone instead of efficiency -- I see so many pickups every single morning commuting with one person and empty beds! Granted, that will be me soon I hope -- but at least with close to half the gas usage. I would love an EV long-range Maverick...
I shopped all 3. Hyundai was marked up way too high for what it was and the Ford's interior was overly busy and it squeaked around the cowl. Got a '21 Ridgeline B.E. with 31k miles for $30k. Absolutely no regrets.
If I were to buy a new light pick up it would be The Maverick or even the Ranger .
I’ll take the Ford Maverick
Thumbs down 👎 on this review, Honda Ridgeline is a mid size truck. Way more expensive, it is also more powerful. Honda Ridgeline belongs in the same category as a Ranger, Tacoma, Colorado and Frontier.
Hope to see Ford Maverick & Hyundai Santa Cruz in India with a price tag below Rs 20 lakhs
My 22 RTLE Ridgeline has never let me down 😊
Funfact: the Ridgeline is the truck that can run long lasting cuz it can reach upto 200,000 miles
200k miles is nothing.
Never went over 100k with a vehicle so that is meaningless.
You'll pay 10% of the (used) value of that truck for the required 100K service. The timing belt service is just ridiculous.
@@theRooster722 it is if you’re in a jeep.
@@arthurwood7525 hard to argue that...
I think I'll pick a Ford Maverick. The truck just looks like an actual truck and it looks tougher. Not only that, it starts with a hybrid 40 miles to the gallon under $20,000 starting. I don't know why anyone wouldn't pick the Maverick. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think the Hyundai Santa Cruz looks weird and just looks like a Tucson.
Maverick and Santa Cruz are small truck, the Ridgeline is mid size truck.
Honda Ridgeline all day long
The value on the Maverick is terrific! $20K and 40 mpg. What's not to like!
The interior and the 2K towing.
I can’t argue that within 3 years (3/36 warranty) you’re correct. Outside of that, I just don’t really trust the first model of anything, not to mention a wildly different front wheel drive/ hybrid combination. Interesting truck!
No all wheel drive. Cheap plastic interior. Steel wheels. Microscopic interior space. No Power.
@@bikebudha01 Good point!
I own a 2020 ford ranger n I love it but honestly the Ridgeline is possibly the best midsize you can get. it has a smooth ride from being a unibody it has the best backseat room! Amazing reliability n then the bed of the Ridgeline is so useful, especially if you have a tonneau cover and if they raise that towing capacity to atleast 6500, it will probably be the best midsize truck tbh and the interior is great!
Agreed. They are just uglier than the Tacoma and ranger. Better truck but not very rugged looking.
@@Maximus5798 I agree with that too
I think Honda needs to find a way to create an off road option for the Ridgeline.
@@aweba25 they did I think
@@ms1406 .#
I JUST ORDERED MY HONDA RIDGELINE
Which trim and how much
@@sammyjammy6647 RTL
@@Gerstcustomwoodworks I have a 2019 RTL. I like it. The RTL you ordered will be a lot better, Honda updated the features of the truck in 2020.
The Ridgeline is much larger than the Maverick or Cruz. Larger wheelbase, much larger width and 5’ bed holding flat 48” drywall and plywood…versus 4’ for the Utes. Ridgeline hauls 5000 lbs vs. 4000 lbs for the Utes. Ridgeline has a 3.5L V6 with 260 HP and 282 ft lbs of torque. Not even the same class, Dude….no comparison. The Mav and Cruz are probably going to be great for the class they are in and price point they are set at.
Actually the Santa Cruz hauls 5000 the same as the Ridgeline. It's turbo engine also puts out the same numbers as the Ridgeline (worse by about 10 on the HP and more then 20 on the toque side). The main difference is it is shorter by 15" in the trunk and is shorter by the same 15". The Ranger is 10" shorter. They compare the Ridgeline to Rangers, Tacoma's, Colorado's which are about 5" to 12" longer so the Ridgeline is a large small truck or a small midsize truck. The Ridgeline has far more in common with the Santa Cruz, and Maverick then the other midsize truck.
@@michaelsylvia275 you are correct in the difference is the Santa Cruz’ 4 cylinder is normally 3500 lbs and 5000lbs with the turbo. But…dang good way to burn out a turbocharger long term. The Ridgeline has a ton of interior room especially width between driver and passenger. You’d be surprised.
280 horsepower not 260
@@chadhaire1711 ah correct….280HP …definitely a typo.
@@mjg1544 Ridgeline is only one inch narrower than a full size truck like a F150..plenty of room...of course it is shorter than F150 in the bed.....most wont care...
Ridgeline prices are way up there. You can easily get a Colorado or Ranger so it's my last choice. The Santa Cruz starts at 23,900 and goes up to 40k. The AWD Sel is 28900 tows 5k. The Maverick hybrid is exciting but really lacks towing a bigger boat or camper with a max of 4k and just isn't as versatile
The ridgeline is comparable to the Ranger, but not the maverick. The maverick and Santa cruz is a good comparison. The ridgeline is a mid sized truck not a small truck like the maverick and santa cruz
Since the Ridgeline is a foot shorter then the midsize trucks and a foot larger then the small trucks which to you really put it in? Mid size are body on frame, different towing, the three here except for the Ford have the same engine outputs, towing, unibody construction. Making this much more comparable The difference how long the bed is 4' to 5' 3"
quit comparing the ridgeline to these trucks! ridgeline is a midsized. the maverick and santa cruz are compacts. just because the ridgeline is a unibody doesn't make it the same.
i ordered the Ford Maverick last September when they opened the 2023 ordering banks. it is a XLT with some of the fun stuff.
i am thinking more about the Honda Ridgeline. i am going to test drive it today. see if i can throw away the fuel economy of the Maverick for the luxery and dependability of the Ridgeline. i still like the Maverick, but it does feel cheap, and unsure of the quality.
the Hyundai Santa Cruze i did like, but i can not personally trust Hyundai. i do not like the quality. -just my personal opinion, not wanting to offend anyone.
It seems to me like a midgate would be a good idea for these compact trucks.
It would be great if they come with the front bench seat
I think the Ridgeline gets a lot of criticism because it’s a full size truck that’s unibody. Being full size there’s no benefit to handling or turning radius unlike a compact unibody truck. You don’t get the body roll of a body on frame with a compact unibody. It handles like an SUV.
What about spare tires?
As someone who does occasionally drive on trails and well away from any service-accessible service capability, some sort of spare tire is a must have, ideally full sized (currently have a compact spare for my 2006 Baja and not urgently parting with it, but looking at options for a couple of years down the road (pun intended)).
The Honda site says that the Ridgeline comes with a compact spare and that a full-size spare can be bolted in the bed area.
The Ford Maverick loses the full size spare if you go with the 2.0 turbo engine (which I would because that's the only way to get AWD), but it's unclear whether that means it goes to a doughnut/compact spare or to an inflator and sealant (which is completely useless if you get a hole larger than a nail or a sidewall puncture and, once you use the sealant, a patch may not adhere to the inside because of the chemical changes so you're stuck with replacing it). The Ford Ranger appears to include a full-size spare.
I can find nothing on Hyundai's site about a spare tire for the Santa Cruz.
Alex On Autos says there's a spare under the Santa Cruz bed. Search for his video
@@ScarletKnightmare Thanks! Doughnut spare it is, so it's still in the running. That (his second video where he actually is with the truck) was the best review I've seen yet of the Santa Cruz.
@@JaM-42 you're welcome. Yeah Alex is one of the most thorough reviewers out there. He really gets all the details so I recommend his channel to everyone.
The Honda has a mud, snow, and sand mode, but it's not built for off-road. I've seen people go off-road with modifications like a 3 inch lift. However I still wouldn't recommend it for off-road.
@@aweba25 the Honda with the torque vectoring AWD modes probably performs better in the snow and sand than most "off road" 4x4 vehicles, but yeah it's definitely a light duty system not really meant for rock crawling. Very slick system though 🤷
Still prefer my 2020 Ridgeline sport like the ride and much more room for storage and I like the ride and I can tow my camper.
Keep up the good work!!
ALL of these are excellent trucks. However, there are only TWO trucks in this comparison that are in the same class of small pickups - the Maverick and the Santa Cruz. The Ridgeline is a MID-SIZE truck, therefore should not be in this comparison, anymore than the Ridgeline should be in a comparison test against a Ford F350 , GM's 3500, or Dodge's Ram 3500. That comparison would also NOT be a fair one.
Getting back to this battle, the Maverick is without question, the best value for the buck and it does everything well. It was also extremely well thought out, designed and engineered. The Ridgeline, being a midsize truck is also FAR MORE expensive than the Maverick, and more expensive than the Santa Cruz. With that said, ALL other manufacturers void of a Maverick challenger are presently, and will be for years playing catch-up to the Maverick. And when they finally bring their Maverick competitor to market, Ford will have already improved, added more features, technology and value to the Maverick. And most likely, the Maverick will still be the leader in small pickups. But hey, competition always benefits the consumer. So, bring 'em on.
The ridgeline is literally the biggest midsize truck inside. You can't compare it with maverick and Santa cruz! 🤦♂️
Y not?
@@killersoung because it not the class vehicle period.
@@georgeferrier9461 makes a lot of sense Ty.
Really like them all but my dad gets a Ford employee discount so new Maverick it is !
I’m a tier one supplier to Ford - they say we would get the same discount.
@@Wild-Dad cool
Do y’all know how much the discount will be? I have a Ford executive in the family who will give me a pin.
@@rodneyschoemann21 depends on how much you spend but well worth it. 1700 to 3000 is normal for me in the past
@@jimbo4203 I got the maverick lariat first edition (32k pre ttl) may save the taxes 🙏
Great video
Doesn't Maverick Hybrid have a cheaper rear suspension than the AWD model?
I just want a suv with a nice interior, plus the ability to carry stuff that I wouldn't put in a nice interior. If I wanted a baby truck and plain interior, the Mav would suffice. The Ridgeline's a tad bigger than I want and that info-tainment system is already dated and won't get fresher with time. So, for me, the Santa Cruz fits what I'm looking for. Gas mileage isnt that important for me.
The Ford has double the cargo capacity. 660lbs in the Santa is less than most sedans can carry. The Ford also comes in at a $20k base price while the Santa will be just under $25K. Why would you pay more....much more...for less vehicle?
@@billwhiteathome2080 Less vehicle? Less than the Mav? As I stated, I don't want a baby truck. I got rid of my F150 supercrew because I don't need to haul anything heavy and I'd prefer the comfort of a suv with an area for the stuff I don't want to put inside a enclosed passenger compartment.
We all have different needs and opinions. I think the Santa Cruz, besides meeting my needs, looks better, inside and out, than the Maverick. I like a sportier ride, so the 2.5 turbo and dual clutch trans also works for me. And I'd like something a little classier in interior design. I'll probably buy the fully loaded model, just as I did with my Santa Fe. And the gas mileage is not much of a concern, anything over 20 mph in town would be fine. If I needed a real small truck with a payload in that range and wanted great gas mileage all for as low as possible price, maybe the Mav would work.
Others find the Maverick more suited to their wants and needs, I guess that's why they make so many different makes and models to choose from. Everyone has different needs.
Soooo, buy one honda or two Fords for the same price?
You would still need another 1/2 Ford so you could tow the same though. But that would give me the top of the line Honda vs the bottom of the line 2 Fords. (base Ford vs Honda Black Edition. paying for 2 destinations would be a killer.
Actually you can get a loaded Maverick Lariat, or a Ridgeline Sport for about the same money. Just depends on what you care about.
Ordered the Maverick with Hybrid engine and Lariat trim with the Luxury package. $30K USD Best bang for the buck. It will be a replacement for our 20 year old Dodge Grand Caravan we use for our plumbing store. The gas savings will be a big benefit.
$30K LOL.....should have got the Hyundai Santa Cruz..better truck
@@chadhaire1711 No, I want the Hybrid engine. That is the single motivating factor, the rest is just window dressing and comfort for a man who will probably never buy another new vehicle in his lifetime.
@@BruceNevins When you see the built quality of a cheap small Ford, it will be a contest to what what dies first...LOL..
The Ridgeline is firmly in the Mid-sized pickup truck segment. Not sure what is the significance of this comparison.
Only because all three are not body on frame . Hard sell for some people
if it only had smaller super cab or single cab no and a 6' box it might be useful
Nice review
if it still has a FULL cab it isnt a SMALL TRUCK BUT AN SUT
Front end the Santa Cruz is awesome, but for value and fuel efficiency, Maverick is the winner, but did someone stick a CVT on one or all of these? That might be a deal breaker!
Maverick has CVT……….
@@colinp720 does everything have CVT now, I'm not reading good things about it. Crossover shopping after 20 years with little Toyota truck!
@@katsnow9256 The Maverick uses an eCVT, using actual gears instead of belts and pulleys like a CVT. Should prove very reliable. The Hyundai uses a dual clutch transmission which aren’t known for reliability, especially when towing.
Only the hybrid Mavericks have CVT’s. The Ecoboosts have an 8 speed automatic transmission.
I would go for not a thirsty on gas.
Me wouldn't but Santa Cruz hungry yes
Can you get a hybrid Lariat or hybrid XLT ??
Terrible comparison. Ridgeline is a totally different size and class. Hyundai has best warranty and starts at $24K. Get all the data out there next time.
"Ridgeline is mid size with a 6cyl, they need to do their research" also do you see the prices!!!
I'm shopping for something like these now, but the Santa Cruz is NOT even on my list, as it's bed is too small and not deep enough to make up for the short bed, at only 19 cu.ft. the other two have around 30-32 cu.ft. Ridgeline bed is only 16" deep, which is on the shallow side, and though it's the longest here, it limits the height of items you can put with cover on. There's always a limit and that's why its a truck bed, so you have the sky but there's stuff you'd want to carry covered and this limits it. Maverick has apprx. 19" deep bed, but 9" shorter bed at 4.5'. Ridgelines hiddend cargo in back is really great, but the spare tire placement is really bad if loaded with heavy sh!t and get a flat on cold snowy small hwy. or just heavy shit someone helped you load but not with you on the drive... Ridgeline is proven now and likely reliable and the Maverick should be o.k. now with 2.0L been thru mistakes and fixed now, but not 100% yet. Fuel economy is better on Maverik. Cheaper to by as well. I like suv design of Ridgeline for everyday driving, Maverick does drive like a quiet suv as well, but with a mini truck look. I'm leaning towards the Maverick, for it's shorter length for easy of parking in our driveway with other cars, and I like the bed being a bit deeper than longer, so less chance/times you have to leave cover open. example, a bucket with the tool organizer vest on it, with a sawzall i it will stick up higher enough the cover on ridgeline may not close and you can't lay that down sideways without tools falling out.. Everyone to their own uses, pros and cons folks. OH, I'd get the tremor, so I like the extra ground clearanc too.. though 24 Ridgeline will not have a trail trim which may add an inch.. stil lnot 100% decided. I may just pick up an old Ford Sport trac for 3rd car in the fam. and save $$ It has almost 20" deep bed, but only 50"L bed. aaah... maybe for 2 years max til my Stinger is paid off and then add new $$$ monthly for a new truck ???
Well, I get what you said about the spare tire location. I'm also looking to buy a small truck and never been fun of Ford, I owned a ford jeep back on the early 80s, when I was living in Brasil, all jeeps made by ford, and pick ups at the time, was a junk, but we had no other choices at the time. Regard the spare tire, remove it prior to long trips and the bed full of stuff.
@@PoisonShot20 haha. love your handle. Fck that Sh!T !!!
When they offer one of these trucks as a two door or ex cab I'll take a look I have no need for back doors or back seats on a PU, oh and by the way the Ridgeline is not a compact PU.
ridgeline.
bed is 4foot 6 inches. Do your research before putting out a video. good luck with your career.
Not sure you can classify the Santa Cruz as a truck. I mean, 660lbs of payload is a joke. The Honda is a very expensive mid-size truck, but can't compete with others in it's class on payload and such. They compare it to these smaller vehicles so it doesn't seem completely worthless. The Ford gets 40 mpg and carries 1500lbs cargo. Nothing else comes close.
Santa Cruz payload is 1750lbs
@@nicholaslasky3754 They include inside the cab...you gonna carry dirt and mulch inside the cab? The bed only holds 660lbs! Ford holds 1500lbs in the bed.
@@billwhiteathome2080 payload is the combined weight of both the cab and bed so regardless of what Ford includes the weight inside the cab subtracts from what can be carried in the bed. I doubt there is much difference between the two since they are both unibody trucks.
@@nicholaslasky3754 That is factually incorrect. Ford's bed can hold 1500lbs of weight..Santa can only hold 660lbs in the bed. It is NOT a truck, but a car with the trunk lid removed. They are NOT the same...factor in 40 mpg and $5000 less in cost and the Ford wins IMO.
@@billwhiteathome2080 not sure why you’re saying it “wins”. I just said the payloads are not a good comparison. Payload includes everything on the car so if you add accessories to a truck that reduces that payload. Show me where it says it can carry 1500lbs in the bed plus additional weight of the occupants. Also the 40 mpg is for the hybrid which only tows 2k lbs and has front wheel drive. Unless you’re buying the AWD version the hybrid maverick is basically a car with a bed.
Isn't the Ridgeline a mid-size?
debating between ridgline and malverik for my daily driver..🤔🤔
Hey Shari, this was not a good comparison in my opinion. I also think you should start reviewing individual vehicles. Give pros and cons like other reviewers. No more bias towards to Toyota or Honda.
The title of the video should've been "which unibody truck is best?"
I thought the maverick box was 4.5 feet?
A very poor comparison... missed some very important points ... look else where for a real life comparison
Would be nice if he knew his facts for equal comparisons. Maverick is 4.5ft bed, not 4ft - believe Santa Cruz is like 52” as well, but toting both as just 4ft to Ridgeline’s 5.3ft or whatever
Both the mav and cruz beds are a joke. The mav bed it 'mostly' wheel wells... Which was a bummer to find out, I had really really got excited about the mav. The interior is also just so dam cramped...
I will be only interested if they come in a single cab. I never use back seats and are a waste of space.
Look at the Ranger long bed. They have a smaller cab than a crew cab available.
do yourself a favor, go sit in a ridgeline. Flip the back seats up. The 'behind the front seat' space is vast when you do this. Super useful...
None are comparable to the Maverick in cost and mpg. It's bed is 4.5 ft, not 4 ft.
Ford will win I think, it's cheap , it's ford and hits the right market
A comparison video without even having personally driven and reviewed the Maverick or Santa Cruz? Come on. You're making a lot of assumptions and recommendations based upon vehicles you've never had an exposure to. And the Ridgeline, though a very competent vehicle, compares more appropriately with the other mid-sized trucks (Tacoma, Frontier, and Ranger) given its size and pricing. The Maverick and Santa Cruz are carving out a brand new segment in the truck category, one I hope Toyota and even Nissan are soon to join.
Maverick for the Win💪💥
Why do all these pickup trucks have to have four doors almost always now just give me a plain Jane pickup truck
Neither tbh I’d rather get a Toyota Tacoma
Agreed
Tacoma is made in Mexico . Fuqqqqq that
Yeah but the ford is cheap and you get alot for your buck. I like to act my wage. Under 25 thousand is perfect.