Clash of the Compacts: Ford Maverick Vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz
For classic truck aficionados who live for all the rugged power and “built Ford tough” tenacity of full-sized pickups, this one might not be for you. Compact pickups have been dominating the scene lately, aimed not directly at traditional truck buyers but rather at city-dwelling active-lifestyle types who need a truck bed not for loading job site equipment or heavy cinder blocks but for muddy mountain bikes, dripping wetsuits, smokey camping gear, and vintage furniture they just found down at the local flea market. When it comes to the all-new Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz, these compact trucks have made a name for themselves as top contenders in a market that went virtually untapped until they popped on the scene this time last year. And while the Hyundai might be considered a formidable adversary, here at Lange & Fetter, we’d trust a Ford to do what they do best. Let’s explore further to see exactly how these big little trucks stack up against each other!
Meet Your Engines
Both the Maverick and the Santa Cruz have some hefty offerings when it comes to their powertrains. In the Maverick, though, you’ll find an optional turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and all-wheel drive. That engine’s 250 horsepower combined with the added traction of AWD helped it zip from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. That makes it a tenth of a second quicker than the top-of-the-line Santa Cruz Limited, which also came with its optional engine, a 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, and AWD. Ford also offers a hybrid option for the Maverick, which allows it to sip much less fuel than its South-Korean rival. It’s essentially the same 2.5-litre hybrid four-cylinder that’s also found underneath the Ford Escape hybrid’s hood allowing the Maverick to steadily record combined fuel economy numbers under the 7L/100 km mark.
It is true that the Hyundai can tow a little more than the Ford (5,000 pounds for the Hyundai versus 4,000 pounds with the max tow package from the Ford). However, the Maverick's tow package includes a trailer brake controller, which is a feature that allows you to adjust your trailer's brakes from the cab. This is something you'll need when towing a heavy trailer, and the Santa Cruz doesn't come with one from the factory.
Meet the Road Less Travelled
Off-roading might be important to you if you’re thinking about a truck, and while the Maverick offers an FX4 off-road pack, the Santa Cruz doesn't. That said, both of these simply aren’t going to tackle challenging off-road courses with the same ease as a traditional midsize truck might. They’re more for light-duty city use, but if you need to take your compact pickup off the beaten path, the Maverick’s options list has you covered in a way the Santa Cruz’s does not.
Meet Your Comfort
The Maverick’s load floor is nice and low, which makes throwing stuff into the back a little bit easier than in the Santa Cruz. There is a storage cubby for nearly everything, and the center console is neatly divided into functional storage areas. Hyundai’s pickup truck doesn't offer as many neat storage solutions. Even with a compact frame, the Maverick’s interior is roomy enough to comfortably seat up to five passengers with all sorts of places to store your cargo. The first-ever 4.5” FLEXBED offers more than generous room for your home décor essentials, hockey gear for the kids, and then some! Plus, with 10 available Bed Tie-Downs, a 110V outlet, and a Multi-Position Tailgate that extends the load floor to 6’, the Maverick opens up a world of possibilities for your hauling needs.
Take it from a brand that knows a thing or two about pickup trucks. The all-new Ford Maverick is a superb option if you’re interested in a compact pickup. If you’re interested in taking one of them out for a test drive, don‘t hesitate to contact the team here at Lange & Fetter Motors! We offer flexible financing options so you can drive away with the Ford of your dreams today!
