Compact Pickup Trucks Compared
With over 70 years of combined experience in the dealership industry, our team has had the privilege of witnessing a plethora of vehicles come and go. From classic models that evoke nostalgia to cutting-edge innovations that redefine the future of transportation, we have seen it all.
Leveraging this wealth of knowledge and expertise, we are thrilled to provide a comprehensive and in-depth overview of these two highly coveted pickup trucks. Our goal is to offer you a detailed analysis that covers every aspect, from performance and design to features and technology. When you're ready, visit Yankee Ford to test drive your next pickup with us.
Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick, a brand-new compact pickup truck, has made a splash in the market. Its impressive capabilities, exceptional fuel efficiency, and cutting-edge technology set a new standard for affordable vehicles. It offers the option of a hybrid engine for enhanced eco-friendliness and embodies the values that are becoming increasingly important in the automotive industry. From its sleek design to its innovative features, the Ford Maverick is a standout choice for those seeking style, performance, and sustainability.
Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, a newcomer in the compact pickup truck segment, brings a fresh, distinctive design that exudes sportiness. Its sleek curves and bold lines make it stand out on the road. In addition to its captivating aesthetics, the Santa Cruz boasts impressive towing capabilities, allowing you to easily haul your gear. While it may not offer a hybrid option like the Maverick, the Santa Cruz still delivers commendable fuel efficiency, making it a practical choice for those seeking a balance between power and economy.
Overview & Pricing
The 2023 Ford Maverick is an affordable option, starting at $22,595 and going up to $28,355 for the top trim. It offers a more budget-friendly choice compared to the midsize Ranger or full-size F-150 from the same brand. On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is priced higher, starting at $25,700 and reaching $40,570 at the top end. Both small pickups have seating for five passengers. The Santa Cruz features fabric upholstery and a manually adjustable driver's seat with six-way options. Upgrades are available, including leather upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated and ventilated front seats. The front seats provide good comfort and passenger space, although the rear is slightly less roomy.
Performance & Drivetrain
When comparing performance and drivetrain options, both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz offer different choices to suit your needs.
The Ford Maverick offers a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination produces 191 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, giving it a towing capacity of up to 4,000 lbs. It also has the option of a hybrid powertrain, which increases its fuel efficiency and adds electric all-wheel drive capabilities.
On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It produces 190 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, giving it a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs - beating out the Maverick in this category. However, it does not have a hybrid option at this time.
Fuel Efficiency & Eco-Friendliness
In terms of fuel efficiency, the Maverick takes the lead with its standard engine, achieving an impressive 40 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The hybrid engine takes it even further, with an estimated 42 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. As for eco-friendliness, the Maverick's hybrid option offers electric all-wheel drive capabilities and a class-leading fuel efficiency rating.
Santa Cruz is not far behind, with an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. While it may not have a hybrid option, it still offers competitive fuel efficiency numbers for its class.
The Ford Maverick's standard hybrid powertrain boasts an impressive EPA rating of 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, surpassing most non-EV pickup trucks, small cars, and SUVs in fuel efficiency. However, the available turbo-four engine is less frugal, achieving 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, or 22/29 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, while decent, falls short of the Maverick's efficiency with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with the base powertrain, and 21/25 mpg with all-wheel drive. The available turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive achieves 19/27 mpg city/highway.
Technology & Infotainment
The Maverick and Santa Cruz are equipped with advanced technology and infotainment features. The Maverick offers an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features. It also has the option for a larger 10-inch touchscreen display.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite is a comprehensive collection of safety and driver-assist features designed to enhance your driving experience. Included in this package is the Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. This system scans the road ahead and can alert you to potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians. If you fail to react in time, the system can automatically apply the brakes. The suite also includes the Blind Spot Information System (with Cross-Traffic Alert), which can identify vehicles entering your blind spot and provide a visual alert. Other notable features include the Lane-Keeping System, which helps prevent unintentional lane drifting, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps, which adjust the intensity depending on surrounding traffic conditions. Altogether, the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite equips the Maverick with a high level of safety and convenience.
The Santa Cruz also offers an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Hyundai's SmartSense suite of safety features. It also has the option for a larger 10-inch touchscreen.
Sizing, Comfort, & Interior Space
The Ford Maverick offers cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats as standard features. However, compared to the Santa Cruz, the Maverick has fewer optional enhancements. These include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat. The Santa Cruz may have more comfortable front seat cushions for long trips and slightly more legroom in the rear.
In terms of cargo capacity, the Santa Cruz comes with a 4-foot bed, sufficient for carrying items like bikes, sports equipment, or small furniture. Its payload capacity ranges from 1,521 to 1,753 pounds, depending on the configuration. On the other hand, the Ford Maverick has a slightly larger 4-foot, 6-inch cargo bed and a 1,500-pound payload rating. The Maverick's bed is more versatile, with two tie-downs, four D-rings, and slots for segmented storage, bike racks, and other accessories using two-by-four or two-by-six lengths of lumber.
Schedule Your Test Drive Today!
The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz offer unique options in the compact pickup truck segment. While the Maverick offers a hybrid engine and impressive fuel efficiency, the Santa Cruz boasts a higher towing capacity. It ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Visit us at Yankee Ford to meet with our helpful team and take your truck for a test drive.