Hyundai Places Ridgeline On Notice With Santa Cruz Pickup In 2020

Set to directly go up against the Ridgeline, the road-going version of the Santa Cruz concept has been pushed back until 2020. Like its Honda competitor, the workhorse will attempt to offer a car-like driving experience bundled with the extra practicality granted by a pickup truck. Motor Trend had the opportunity to chat with chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor America, Brian Smith, who confirmed the utilitarian vehicle has been postponed and won’t hit the assembly line this year or in 2019.

Why the delay? The Santa Cruz was given the stamp of approval at the end of 2016 to go into production in 2018 and head to dealerships as a 2019MY, but then-CEO Dave Zuchowski was replaced and the pickup truck was put on the back burner. Last year, Hyundai changed its mind once again and gave the project the green light, so now a 2020 market launch seems highly plausible.

countguy - 4/20/2018 1:07:41 PM

+4 Boost

lmao, this will not help kia/hyundai/genesis sales that have been tanking for quite a while.

qwertyfla1 - 4/20/2018 2:56:20 PM

0 Boost

The Ridgeline is ugly but this one is even fuglier

TomM - 4/20/2018 6:05:37 PM

+4 Boost

The Ridgeline is not a big seller - and now there will be a competitor for the few sales there are - I cannot expect anyone to choose a Hyundai - over a Honda -
I cannot another way other than price that Hyundai could beat Honda. THere will be those who make the best price the objective - but frankly - Both vehicles have major shortcomings - and a Mini-Van is a far superior carrier of things and people.

MDarringer - 4/20/2018 6:59:32 PM

-4 Boost

The pricing of the Ridgeline is STUPID.

MrEE - 4/20/2018 6:49:43 PM

+2 Boost

Ridgeline sales have fallen off after first year.

MDarringer - 4/20/2018 6:59:00 PM

-2 Boost

If they can avoid the deal killer that keeps the Ridgeline from getting sales it will do fine. The Ridgeline is simply too expensive for a carpickup. The base price of a Ridgeline is $30K. Most on the lot hit $40K. The correct price for a base Ridgeline should be $24-5K (FWD), $27K (AWD) and top out at $35K. The Tacoma, Canyon, Colorado, F150 and Silverado are simply superior for similar money.

MDarringer - 4/21/2018 4:18:47 PM

-3 Boost

Nope. It's not.

MrEE - 4/22/2018 8:50:19 AM

+2 Boost

The Ridgeline is actually a Pilot with a box attached, SUT. Pricing is similar.

MDarringer - 4/22/2018 10:49:37 AM

-4 Boost

And that's the problem. You are paying a premium to buy something that looks like a pickup but which is inadequate to do the task. If the price dropped $7K, then there would be a reason to put up with its egregious flaws.