The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs 2023 Ford Maverick

Battle of the Mini Pickups

A new segment for compact pickup trucks has been born with the introduction of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2023 Ford Maverick. Drawing inspiration from their SUV cousins, the Santa Cruz takes after the Hyundai Tucson, while the Maverick has its roots in the Ford Edge. Given their similar origin and competitive price, it’s time to find out which compact pickup comes out on top.
Spoiler Alert: Its the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Drivability and Efficiency

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz base model carries a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers a respectable 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy-wise, the Santa Crus is good for 22 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway. Meanwhile, the base Ford Maverick comes equipped with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine that can also produce 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid engine offers a respectable fuel economy of 42mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. When it comes to raw performance, the 2023 Santa Cruz base model edges out the Ford Maverick. However, in terms of fuel efficiency, the Ford’s nifty hybrid engine proves to be more economical.

But how do they drive? If you’ve read our review of the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, you’d know that the Santa Cruz has excellent handling, responsive steering, and smooth acceleration. The turbocharged 4-cylinder delivers immediate power, whenever you need it. The popular opinion is that the Santa Cruz drives more like a performance-oriented sport-sedan with pickup truck features. The Ford Maverick also offers a turbocharged engine, but the driving experience is questionable. With its slow-to-respond steering, awkward driving position, and unrefined engine, its clear that the Santa Cruz wins by miles when it comes to driving experience and performance.

Technology and Safety

Hyundai does not skimp when it comes to technology options, and the Santa Cruz is no different. With Hyundai’s SmartSense Suite of Safety technology, the 2023 Santa Cruz gets:

• Advanced Driver Assistance System
• Forward Collison-Avoidance Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Highway Driving Assist
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Surround View Monitor
• Safe Exit Assist
• Smart Cruise Control
• Driver Attention Warning

Compared to the relatively lackluster safety options for the Ford Maverick (automated emergency braking, lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control) its obvious that the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes out on top.
Regarding crash-safety, the Ford Maverick received a 4 out 5 rating by the NHTSA while the 2023 Santa Cruz received the highest possible score, the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

Reliability

What if something goes wrong down the line? Hyundai has got you covered with their legendary 5yr/60,000 mile basic and 10 yr/100,000 mile warranty. Below is a table breaking down the differences:

The Choice is Yours

At the end of the day, your decision will depend on what you value most as a driver. If you prioritize safety, practicality, ride quality, and performance, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the ideal choice for you. While the base Ford Maverick may seem like a more budget-friendly option, the Hyundai Santa Cruz offers more value for your money. With reliable engines, comprehensive warranties, and a range of innovative features and technologies, you may find yourself regretting not choosing the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz sooner.

We have plenty of 2023 Santa Cruz in stock at our Safford Hyundai Fairfax location. Come in and take a look today!