Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz
7 Major Ways 2024 Maverick is a Better Pick than 2024 Santa Cruz
These two small trucks are bound to appeal to similar shoppers. They are the smallest midsize trucks and are meant to serve consumers who need an urban runabout, a family taxi, and a weekend hauler in one vehicle.
What can these compact trucks 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.
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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 ranks it #1 in the midsize class. US News, which also ranks it #1, calls it Ford’s “value play”. Their critics note that “genuine truck capability” can be had for just the price of a typical compact car.
The Maverick MSRP starts out at $23,920 (XL). The top Lariat trim starts at $34,960 MSRP. Maverick Hybrids add $1500 which is easily made back with the incredible fuel economy. Meanwhile, compared to the Hyundai, 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 $26,900. The fifth trim, known as the Santa Cruz Limited, tops out at $41,320.
When all is said and done, the Maverick buyer saves money at any trim level when compared to its rival. Plus, Maverick shoppers get the turbo at the lowest price while the Santa Cruz turbo is reserved for the Night, XRT and Limited models.
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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 $1.50 over its rival.
Meanwhile the Maverick turbo is saving 30 cents or 46 cents compared to the Santa Cruz engines. That’s a difference that adds up fast.
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Performance and Drivability
Both of these vehicles have been designed for maneuverability in tight spaces. More like SUVs, these compact trucks promise better handling that traditional pickup trucks.
As for performance, the hybrid Maverick generates the same 191 horsepower as the 2024 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 Hyundai turbo with its 281 horsepower. Plus, as stated, you get much more horsepower per dollar when you choose the Ford Maverick Turbo over the Santa Cruz turbo.
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.
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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 1,411 pounds. Plus 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. With all these numbers in mind, it seems the Maverick is the only logical choice if you are purchasing this pickup for its ability to move payload.
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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 big money over the 2024 Hyundai 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.
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Off Roading
Time and again, critics warn that the Santa Cruz is not much of an off-roader. However, the 2024 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.
Combining Ford know-how with less weight than a traditional four-wheel drive system, the Maverick all-wheel drivetrain uses an electronic lock to send torque to the rear wheel. Even better, this extra-special AWD allows the system to electronically move all of the torque to one wheel if necessary.
Ready for the trail, Maverick 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.
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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 out with a sporty two-tone cloth interior. On the Maverick Lariat, it’s a two tone Faux leather upholstery. You can choose an exciting Navy Pier color scheme.
It’s true that Santa Cruz Limited trims have leather seats, but the prices start $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 Turbo, Maverick Hybrid and all three trim levels at your Earnhardt Ford dealer. Schedule time behind the wheel.
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Max payload/towing estimate ratings shown.
Additional options, equipment, passengers, and cargo weight may affect payload/towing weights. See dealer for details.