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Ford Maverick Vs Hyundai Santa Cruz: Which Two-wheel-drive Pickup Truck Reigns Supreme?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • In terms of towing and payload capacity, the Maverick offers a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 pounds, while the Santa Cruz offers a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.
  • The Maverick’s hybrid powertrain delivers an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Santa Cruz’s naturally aspirated engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
  • The Santa Cruz comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, while the Maverick comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for compact pickup trucks, and the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are two of the most popular options in this segment. Both trucks offer a unique blend of practicality, efficiency, and affordability, making them ideal for a wide range of buyers. In this blog post, we will compare the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz in various aspects to help you decide which one is the better choice for you.

Performance and Capability

The Ford Maverick is powered by a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, offers two engine options: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. In terms of towing and payload capacity, the Maverick offers a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 pounds, while the Santa Cruz offers a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.

Fuel Efficiency

The Ford Maverick is more fuel-efficient than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick’s hybrid powertrain delivers an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Santa Cruz’s naturally aspirated engine gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The turbocharged Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

Interior and Features

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz offer comfortable and well-equipped interiors. Both trucks come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a variety of driver assistance features. The Santa Cruz, however, offers a few more standard features than the Maverick, such as a sunroof, heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.

Exterior and Styling

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have distinct exterior designs. The Maverick has a rugged and utilitarian look, while the Santa Cruz has a more refined and stylish appearance. Both trucks offer a variety of customization options, allowing buyers to personalize their vehicles to their liking.

Price and Value

The Ford Maverick has a starting price of $19,995, while the Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $23,990. However, the Santa Cruz offers more standard features than the Maverick, so the price difference may not be as significant as it seems.

Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both excellent compact pickup trucks that offer a unique blend of practicality, efficiency, and affordability. The Maverick is more fuel-efficient and has a lower starting price, while the Santa Cruz offers more standard features and a more powerful turbocharged engine option. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Beyond the Comparison: Additional Considerations

In addition to the factors discussed above, there are a few other things to consider when choosing between the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz:

  • Availability: The Ford Maverick is currently in high demand, and there may be long wait times for certain configurations. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is more readily available, but some dealerships may still have limited inventory.
  • Dealer Experience: It’s important to consider the reputation and experience of the dealership you’re buying from. Read online reviews and talk to friends and family members who have purchased vehicles from the dealership to get an idea of what to expect.
  • Test Drive: Before making a final decision, it’s always a good idea to test drive both the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the vehicles and see which one is a better fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which truck has a better warranty?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a better warranty than the Ford Maverick. The Santa Cruz comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, while the Maverick comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Q: Which truck has a higher towing capacity?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a higher towing capacity than the Ford Maverick. The Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 pounds, while the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds.

Q: Which truck has a better fuel economy?

A: The Ford Maverick has a better fuel economy than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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