Maverick v. Santa Cruz v. Ridgeline: Who Says Small Trucks Can't Be Useful!?

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#SmallTrucks #Bed #Compared

[PapiDoesIt]

I had a Ram for over 20 years, and replaced it with a Ridgeline. After 30K miles of living with the Honda, I consider it a real truck. It tows, hauls loads, and gets truck gas mileage. The ride is amazing compared to the Ram.

[SMASHTIME]

5 Ridgelines owned. Currently have a 23 rtle. Can't live without the lockable trunk. It's amazing

[ChrisPollard]

DUDE!! You completely missed that the Santa Cruz tailgate has two positions - for hauling those 4x8 sheets of whatever. They had that before the Maverick. Just move the tailgate straps up to the higher pegs. You can't say it's a feature for the Mav but not the Santa Cruz - in fact, you listed that as something the Ford has that the Hyundai doesn't! Don't misinform your followers like that.

[Optimistprime.]

I have a 2020 Ridgeline and to be honest, I love it! We bought it because it has the biggest interior of any midsize, it does everything I've ever asked of it and I don't have an ego to feed. All of these trucks fit most peoples trucking needs just fine!

[aaronbehindbars]

The Ridgeline bed is very, very useful in the real world. I keep all the stuff I used to store in a crossover toolbox on my half-ton in the in-bed trunk with tons of space leftover to throw in all sorts of stuff (mountain biking stuff, camp chairs, groceries, junk I bought at Hobo Freight, etc).

I thought the side opening tailgate was a little gimmicky, but after having it, it's pretty handy not just when accessing the trunk, but retrieving items up at the front of the bed.

The high load floor is both an asset and a liability. It does make stepping up into the bed and loading my motorcycle more difficult. It also limits cargo capacity beneath my bed cover with the shorter bed side walls. The plus side there is that it makes reaching over the bed sides to grab an item a bit easier. That's the price you pay for the convenience of the trunk and I find that much more useful on a regular basis than the inconveniences described above. It would have been nice if Honda copied GM and did the bumper corner steps, but if you are using the tailgates swing open function, the center of the rear bumper makes a great step upninto the bed.

As for the other two, I like that Hyundai did the side steps and at least a small trunk, but the retracting tonneau's box is just too bulky for what is already a very short bed. I'd probably skip that option and look for a more easily removeable cover like what I have installed on my Ridgeline. The Maverick seems to have packed the most useful function into a very simple, compact package. No fancy gadgets or gizmos.

The Maverick will be the best selling crossover pickup (I like Nathan's term he is using to describe these) because of Ford's long-standing truck cred. Hyundai seems to be on a roll with their interiors, tech, and overall good quality. My Honda has been flawless thus far and my previous Honda products have been good to me.

[TheCapn]

Just call them trucks and save everyone the time explaining what a crossover pickup is every video. Everyone will be calling these things trucks in the real world anyway.

[MCD.]

I like the variety in the crossover truck segment.
-You want a traditional styled truck with traditional functionality, get a Maverick.
-You want a bit of styling (exterior and interior) of a crossover suv with some truck functionality, get a Santa Cruz.
-You want a midsize(ish) truck but the comfort of a crossover with truck functionality, get a Ridgeline.

Traditional body on frame trucks will always perform better with truck duties, but this segment is (IMO) a good one because it is a different class of "truck" that has its niche of consumers. I hope that other manufacturers get in this segment with their own style/type of crossover truck and provide more variety.

[tnpt]

I have a ridgeline and love it. its not perfect but many trucks aren't without its flaws. Each of these have their advantages for sure: Santa Cruz for its tech, maverick for its hybrid option and customizable bed, and ridgeline for reliable v6 and spaciousness of a midsize compared to others like tacoma and ranger

[letsgobrandon]

Honda Ridgeline all day any day. May be a couple grand more for comparable trims but it is well worth it. Just purchased a 2022 RTL-E and man am I thrilled with it.

[Porsche]

I looked at all three, drove all three and liked all three. Each was different. They are all modern spins on small/mid-size trucks. For our use, any of them would do a great job. Day to day driving, hauling things once in a while and even towing a small fishing boat or motorcycles. We decided on the Honda. It's slightly larger and definitely the best quality.

[SoteroMurguia]

This is a great breakdown. I hope more manufacturers make trucks like these.

[ontheroadwithralph]

The hybrid Maverick XLT (with luxury package) I have on order will be the first pickup I have ever owned, . I am 67 years old and VERY excited. I only wish it came now as a plug-in hybrid or full BEV. A BEV Maverick with AWD - a miniature F-150 Lightning - would be my dream vehicle. Thanks TFL for your ongoing coverage of this new class of trucks.

[hyundaidartmouth]

The Santa Cruz also has raised tailgate capability to support a sheet of plywood, just like the Maverick

[GeronimoJenkins]

These are the going to be the future for people who really didn’t NEED a truck but wanted to stay away from the dreaded crossover. Especially hybrids and EVs. Younger folks are drawn to these. Insanely practical.

I do wonder how the fleet world will react. Can picture white Mavericks everywhere but not so much something like the Santa Cruz. Curious to see what GM brings to the party.

Great content keep it up!

[brentworls]

Heck, I already have a F-150 4x4 truck and a jeep. I want the little Maverick Hybrid for daily driving. Love the MPG and overall utility, and I already have 4x4 overkill for winter or other excursions.

[flashg]

I have the exact same 2021 Honda Ridgeline Sport with the HPD package that is in this video. It’s even the same color. I’ve had it since Mid-March. This is a great video. I really have enjoyed mine. I use it for work and the in-bed trunk and 2 way tailgate comes in handy. I actually have two vintage station wagons with the dual opening tailgates so this Honda tailgate reminds of them.

[jakesmith-omhx]

You can load plywood in the Santa Cruz same as the maverick, the tailgate can be leveled with the wheel wells. I hauled plywood in my Santa Cruz this way the other day. Idk why everyone acts like it's unique to Ford.

[CactusJack]

I’ll be going with the ridgeline just because you can fit three average sized adults in the backseat and they will be a lot more comfortable than the other two.

[jaxandmore]

Pretty sure the Hyundai's tailgate can be adjusted to close halfway too just like the Maverick, to help support 4x8 plywood when laid on 2x4s. That wasn't mentioned. The Honda's MSRP starts where the Mavericks ends or a mid-spec Santa Cruz. It's a much bigger and more expensive vehicle. It'd be like comparing a Honda Accord to a Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. Totally different classes of vehicles with very different pricing. I think that was your point with this video though.

[banesbox]

I'm just glad small & medium trucks are making a comeback since the 80's. I have a Silverado but its retiring the second Ford delivers my 2023 Maverick. Definitely ordering one this year.