2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

These two small trucks are bound to appeal to similar shoppers. They are the smallest compact trucks and are meant to serve consumers who need an urban runabout, a family taxi, and a weekend hauler in one vehicle.

What can they do? Are they powerful enough for the job? What about fuel efficiency? Towing capacity or payload capacity? We’ve gathered the facts in this Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz comparison.

1. Price

   One thing that no critic can debate is the affordability of the Maverick. Saving thousands over the cost of the Santa Cruz, it has the lowest price point of any truck today.

   Kelley Blue Book has named the Maverick a 2023 Best Buy. US News calls it Ford’s “value play”, and it notes that “genuine truck capability” can be had for just the price of a typical compact car.

   The Maverick MSRP starts out at $22,595 and goes up to $28,355 for the Lariat trim. Lower price points allow plenty of room for things like the towing package, all wheel drive, or even the special off-road packages.

   Hyundai truck trim levels start at $25,700. The fifth trim, known as the Santa Cruz Limited, tops out at $40,570.

   With either brand, these trucks have standard front wheel drive. All wheel drive is available.

   When all is said and done, the Maverick buyer saves money at any trim level and with any package when compared to its rival. Plus, Maverick shoppers can choose either powertrain without the financial penalty paid for the turbo on the Hyundai pickup truck.

2. Fuel Economy

   Then there’s the matter of gas mileage. In the city, these Ford hybrid trucks earn a whopping 42 mpg. That’s almost double the 22 mpg rating for the Santa Cruz.

   On the highway, the hybrid pickup truck earns 33 mpg, topping the Hyundai rival by 8 miles per gallon. This outstanding fuel efficiency is better than any midsize truck, including the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma or Jeep Gladiator. That’s the advantage of the Maverick’s electric motor, and you never have to plug it in.

   If the two turbos go head to head, the Maverick is still the victor. It earns 4 mpg more in the city as well as 3 mpg more on the highway.

   

   A special calculator at the fuel economy website, run by the US Department of Energy, shows the projected cost to drive 25 miles. Naturally the hybrid is way ahead, saving about $1.40 over its rival.

   Meanwhile the Maverick turbo is saving 30 cents per 25 miles compared to the Santa Cruz base engine and 47 cents compared to the Santa Cruz turbo. That’s a difference that adds up fast.

3. Performance and Drivability

   Both of these vehicles have been designed for maneuverability in tighter spaces. They are designed more like SUVs, and this shows in the handling.

   As for performance, the hybrid Maverick generates the same 191 horsepower as the Santa Cruz base engine. This should reassure anyone who fears that the hybrid doesn’t have real muscles.

   The Ford turbo is made to move, generating 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This peppy powertrain, as the critics call it, is sufficient to challenge the Santa Fe turbo with its 281 horsepower.

   In the end, the question is: can the small truck do its job? There’s plenty of evidence that the Maverick has the muscles to work hard. Small but truly a sibling of the Ford F-150, the Maverick is Built Ford Tough. Car and Driver calls it a workhorse pickup.

4. Payload and Bed Size

   A Maverick bed can handle a “weekend's worth of home improvement supplies”, writes Car and Driver. Indeed it can haul 1500 pounds in a bed that’s half a foot longer than the Hyundai truck bed.

   Plus the Ford truck can handle up to 500 pounds of weight on its flattened tailgate and up to 400 pounds when the tailgate is angled. This gives it a helpful advantage when moving big loads.

   Santa Cruz models are rated for 1521 pounds, giving it only a small advantage over the Maverick. Yet it has a smaller bed, making it hard to imagine how a bigger load would fit.

   The Maverick box measures 33.3 cubic feet in volume and is 4 feet six inches long. That drops to just 27 cubic feet and four feet long with the Santa Cruz. It seems that if you are purchasing this pickup for its ability to move payload, the Maverick is the only logical choice.

5. Towing

   At first glance, you may think that the Santa Cruz is the one you want for towing. The advertised rating is 3,500 or 5,000 lbs, but this can only come with the added expense of an aftermarket trailer brake controller. And the truck isn’t wired for it.

   

   Otherwise, the standard Santa Cruz rating is 1,650 lbs (standard) or 3,500 lbs (turbo). This is lower than the equipped Mavericks.

   The Maverick can tow 2,000 pounds with the hybrid powertrain or 4,000 pounds with its turbo. With less price difference, shoppers can feel free to choose their Maverick based on towing capacity.

   Yes, a tow package is added at a reasonable cost, but you are still saving money over the Santa Cruz. When you add it all up, you get an equipped, capable truck that can tow for less money than you would with your Hyundai choices.

6. Off Roading

   Time and again, critics warn that the Santa Cruz is not much of an off-roader. However, the 2023 Ford Maverick can be upgraded to an FX4 or Tremor package, making it ready to take on the trail.

   With all-wheel drive, the Maverick’s ground clearance is 8.6 inches. This matches the Santa Cruz AWD ground clearance. However, with the Tremor’s special AWD, the ground clearance rises to 9.4 inches.

   Of course, this AWD uses an electronic lock to send torque to the rear wheel. However, this extra-special AWD allows the system to electronically move all of the torque to one wheel if necessary.

   New for the 2023 model year, Tremors have special all terrain tires, skid plates, and a heavy duty transmission cooler. Ford’s Trail Control helps the Maverick handle rougher terrain with greater ease. Descent Control regulates speed when moving downhill on the trail.

7. Style and Spaciousness

   The two truck cabins are similar in size. The Maverick passenger volume is 100.3 cubic feet. The Santa Cruz cabin offers 101.5 cubic feet. On the second row, where every bit of space counts, the rear seats have the same 36.9 inches of legroom.

   Both cabins come with an 8-inch touch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto expand what these systems can do. Plus you can add a WiFi hotspot.

   As for style, the Maverick starts buyers out with a sporty two-tone cloth interior. On the Maverick Lariat, it’s a two tone Faux leather upholstery. Plus, only Ford offers the exciting Navy Pier color scheme.

   It’s true that Santa Cruz Limited trims have leather seats, but the prices are as much as $10,000 above the Maverick Lariat.

   Then there are the exclusive interior and exterior features that allow for do-it-yourself customization on the Maverick. These allow you to make your own adjustments. For instance, special slots allow you to make your own bed dividers.

Conclusion

Now that you know more, the logical next step is to take a test drive. Luckily, you will find the Maverick trim levels at your Earnhardt Ford dealer.

REVIEWS

”Ford Maverick Wins Kelley Blue Book 2023 Compact Truck Best Buy Award”

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”The 2023 Ford Maverick is a workhorse pickup that earns its place next to the Ranger and the F-150 with a novel design and surprising usefulness.”

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