2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 Ford Maverick
7 Differences in the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Ford Maverick
Santa Cruz and Maverick compact pickups stand together in the larger class of midsize trucks.
In some ways, these two serve different purposes. The 2023 Santa Cruz functions and drives more like a sophisticated SUV. Mavericks are known for their economy and their hybrid powertrain.
When you put the two side by side, there’s more to their reputation that initially meets the eye. Here’s what every shopper -- and every pickup enthusiast -- should know.
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Visual Appeal
There’s no way around this one. The Santa Cruz easily wins when it comes to visual appeal. That’s because the Maverick is just a normal boxy looking truck.
Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz has the curves and creases associated with a modern SUV. This gives it that aerodynamic look. As Motor Trend said when this truck was introduced, “they don’t look like your average truck” but it does things only a truck can do. It keeps your muddy, dripping wet, or campfire-smoke infused gear out of your cabin.
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Cabin Chic
The Maverick cabin includes some interesting visuals. It uses contrasting dark blue plastic for its dash and console in the XL. The XLT and Lariat trim levels use different colors for contrast.
Moving away from juvenile thinking to a more mature-yet-sporty look, the Santa Cruz offers more soft touches and more distinguished color themes. A glossy piano black trim provides contrast. The leather upholstery adds to the rich atmosphere in the Santa Cruz Limited trim. US News calls the cabins ritzy and comfortable.
When it comes to stylish extras, only the Hyundai truck has a 64-color ambient lighting system on the menu. Even better, the Santa Cruz has ventilated seats, a must-have for Avondale’s hot summers.
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Santa Cruz and Maverick Trim Level Prices
With five trim levels available, the Santa Cruz price starts out around $25,700 for the SE. This is higher than the initial cost for the Maverick at around $22,600. This truck is offered in XL, XLT and Lariat trims with an extra cost for all-wheel drive.
Notably the hybrid powertrain is available only in the XL trim. This greatly limits the extras offered on this compact truck in Avondale.
Despite an initial price difference, the Santa Cruz is the value package that you want. New for 2023, every Santa Cruz has at least 11 driver aids compared to just 5 in the Maverick.
Furthermore, the Santa Cruz has a higher reliability score from JD Power. Plus it comes with so much more warranty coverage. By choosing the Hyundai truck, you get up to five years instead of three for the basic warranty and up to ten years instead of the Ford’s 5-year powertrain coverage.
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Technology and Connectivity
The Santa Cruz and Maverick have similar standard dash tech. The 8-inch touchscreens have advanced connectivity via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. They have Bluetooth, USB ports, and six speakers. Hyundai trucks also have HD Radio and available satellite radio.
In the Hyundai truck, you can step up to a large 10.25-inch touchscreen with advanced voice recognition and a 10.25 digital instrument cluster. You won’t find this kind of high-tech infotainment system on the Maverick.
When fully equipped, the Santa Cruz has a Bose audio system, rear USB ports, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Drivers will appreciate push button start, the Hyundai Digital Key and an available wireless charger.
Santa Cruz buyers will like the inexpensive SEL Activity Package or the Night trim, which provides much of this modern equipment. SEL Premium and Limited trims have the largest touchscreen with navigation.
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Payload and Bed Capacity
Santa Cruz beds are slightly smaller than Maverick beds. However, the Hyundai truck can still claim higher payload ratings. Owners will like a retractable tonneau cover and bed steps not available on the Ford truck.
With its waterproof, lockable cover, the Santa Cruz has 27 cubic feet of covered space that could be used like an SUV’s cargo hold. Plus, it has a lockable compartment that can be used as a cooler or simply to store muddy clothes. It can be easily washed and drained thanks to a plug.
Your Avondale Hyundai dealer has competitive loans and leases on tap for the exciting Santa Cruz compact truck. Find financing options here.
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Hauling and Performance
2023 Maverick Hybrids can tow 2,000 pounds while the turbo engine models can tow 4,000 pounds. The new Santa Cruz hybrid can pull the same 2,000 pounds. Edging up to better tow ratings, the Santa Cruz can handle 3,500 or even 5,000 pounds, when properly equipped.
Santa Cruz hybrids can earn 36 mpg in city driving. This isn’t quite as high as the Maverick, but it’s still excellent for trucks. As for the regular engine and turbo models, the Santa Cruz is considered above average in the truck world. It can earn 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. This puts it almost on par with the Maverick turbo.
As for performance, the standard Santa Cruz can claim a significantly higher level of torque, making it a livelier engine than the Maverick’s hybrid powertrain. There’s an even bigger difference between the turbocharged engines in the two trucks, again favoring the Hyundai truck.
Front-wheel drive is standard on all of these trucks except the Santa Cruz Hybrid. It comes with all-wheel drive, giving it an advantage over the Maverick Hybrid. Of course, all-wheel drive is available across both lineups.
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Driver Aids and Safety Considerations
The Santa Cruz SE and Ford Maverick XL have forward collision warnings, an emergency autobrake, a rearview camera, a pedestrian watch, and automatic high beams.
However, only the Santa Cruz comes with systems that scan the blind spots and rear-cross traffic dangers, help keep the truck in its lane, watch for driver inattention, and provide a safe exit warning.
You can get a blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and lane keeping assist, but it is an extra cost for the Maverick buyer. Both compact trucks offer adaptive cruise control with lane centering.
Santa Cruz trucks offer traffic sign recognition and a surround-view parking system. You can get Hyundai’s special blind-spot camera to show live video in the rearview mirror when you need it.
Conclusion
In the end, the Maverick retains its reputation for economy if you stick with the very basic XL and the hybrid powertrain. For something truly sporty to drive, only the Hyundai truck will do.
Every Santa Cruz has an SUV-like cabin and amenities to take care of you while it also has the power and capability to serve your hauling needs.
We invite you to schedule a test drive at your Avondale Hyundai dealer. Our staff has the answers you need to drive away happy.
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