Ford Maverick Vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: Which Compact Pickup Truck Reigns Supreme?

What To Know

  • Two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market are the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
  • The Hyundai Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.
  • The Maverick is the more affordable option with better fuel economy, while the Santa Cruz offers more standard features, a higher towing and payload capacity, and a more powerful engine.

In recent years, the compact pickup truck segment has seen a surge in popularity. These vehicles offer the versatility and utility of a traditional pickup truck in a more compact and fuel-efficient package. Two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market are the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz. In this blog post, we will compare these two vehicles in various aspects to help you decide which one is the right choice for you.

Engine and Performance

The Ford Maverick comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is also powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, but it produces slightly more power at 190 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Cruz’s engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

In terms of performance, the Ford Maverick has a slight edge over the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick’s more powerful engine and eight-speed automatic transmission provide better acceleration and smoother shifting. The Santa Cruz’s dual-clutch transmission can be a bit jerky at low speeds, but it is more efficient than the Maverick’s automatic transmission.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Ford Maverick has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds.

If you plan on using your compact pickup truck for towing or hauling heavy loads, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the better choice. However, if you don’t need that much towing or payload capacity, the Ford Maverick is a more affordable and fuel-efficient option.

Fuel Economy

The Ford Maverick gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The Hyundai Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

In terms of fuel economy, the Ford Maverick has a slight edge over the Hyundai Santa Cruz. However, both vehicles offer excellent fuel economy for their size and class.

Interior and Features

The Ford Maverick has a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five passengers. The cabin is well-equipped with features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker sound system, and a rearview camera.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz also has a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five passengers. The cabin is well-equipped with features such as a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an eight-speaker sound system, and a rearview camera.

In terms of interior space and features, the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are very similar. Both vehicles offer a comfortable and well-equipped cabin with plenty of features.

Safety

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz both come standard with a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control. The Maverick also comes standard with a rearview camera, while the Santa Cruz comes standard with a blind-spot monitoring system.

In terms of safety, the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both very well-equipped. Both vehicles offer a variety of standard safety features, and they both have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Price

The Ford Maverick has a starting price of $21,490. The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $23,990.

In terms of price, the Ford Maverick is the more affordable option. However, the Santa Cruz offers more standard features and a higher towing and payload capacity.

Wrap-Up: Which One Should You Choose?

The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are both excellent compact pickup trucks with a lot to offer. The Maverick is the more affordable option with better fuel economy, while the Santa Cruz offers more standard features, a higher towing and payload capacity, and a more powerful engine.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for an affordable and fuel-efficient compact pickup truck, the Ford Maverick is a great option. If you need a compact pickup truck with more power, towing and payload capacity, and features, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is a great choice.

Answers to Your Most Common Questions

1. Which vehicle has a better fuel economy, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The Ford Maverick has a better fuel economy than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, while the Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

2. Which vehicle has a higher towing capacity, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a higher towing capacity than the Ford Maverick. The Santa Cruz has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the Maverick has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

3. Which vehicle has a higher payload capacity, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a higher payload capacity than the Ford Maverick. The Santa Cruz has a maximum payload capacity of 1,750 pounds, while the Maverick has a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 pounds.