2022 Ford Maverick vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its compact dimensions, evoked memories of the mini trucks from the 1970s to 1990s. However, its unibody construction and unique styling positioned it more as a modern reinterpretation of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 195.7 inches in length, 75.0 inches in width, and 66.7 inches in height, the Santa Cruz was notably shorter than a Toyota Tacoma but nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 118.3 inches was also shorter than the Tacoma's. Despite its compact size, the Santa Cruz was slightly larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, making it stand out with its SUV-like appearance and distinctive grille and headlights. The interior, while conventional, was honest in design, with materials that matched its price range and rugged adventure vehicle persona.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick embraced a more traditional pickup truck aesthetic, drawing inspiration from larger Ford models like the F-150 and Ranger. At 199.7 inches long, the Maverick was almost a foot shorter than the Ranger, primarily due to its shorter bed. It stood 68.7 inches tall and shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. The Maverick's interior was a testament to making affordability stylish, with multicolored plastics and clever design touches like exposed fasteners and a unique weave pattern on the seats. The Maverick's interior was praised for its character and innovative use of materials, proving that entry-level vehicles could still offer style and functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The base engine delivered 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while an optional turbocharged version offered a robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The naturally aspirated engine was available with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, whereas the turbocharged variant was all-wheel drive only. The Santa Cruz's driving experience was more akin to a car than a truck, with a multi-link suspension that provided enjoyable handling and a self-leveling feature for a loaded bed. The turbo engine offered ample power, although the vehicle's off-road capabilities were limited by its lack of low range and underbody protection. The Santa Cruz boasted a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the base engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo, alongside a maximum payload capacity of 1,906 pounds.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a continuously variable transmission, producing a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivered 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was front-wheel drive only, while the EcoBoost offered optional all-wheel drive. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package enhanced its off-road capabilities with features like hill-descent control and all-terrain tires. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, and the hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement. The EcoBoost engine offered more towing capacity and spirited acceleration, making it a versatile choice for various driving needs.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offered a maximum payload capacity of 1,906 pounds, but its 52.1-inch truck bed limited its utility for larger items like bicycles or plywood. Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, adjustable tailgate, and in-bed power outlet to maximize the available space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with seating for five. While rear-seat legroom was tight, front-seat space was more generous, and the vehicle offered decent storage options, including a center console and under-seat compartments. The use of touch pads for controls was a minor drawback, as they were harder to use while driving.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, also a four-door crew-cab, provided more legroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the larger Toyota Tacoma. It excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, a large storage bin, and Ford's FITS system for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed offered 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet and FlexBed system for versatile cargo management. The Maverick's towing capacity was 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost and 2,000 pounds for the hybrid, offering a practical balance of utility and capability.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was praised for its quick response and clear graphics. Additional features included wireless charging and Hyundai's digital-key feature, although the latter was limited to Android phones.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came with the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but not in wireless form. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in WiFi hotspot were standard, providing basic but functional tech features. The Maverick's infotainment system was straightforward, with practical phone storage solutions and available wireless charging. The hybrid model included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, being a new model, did not have safety ratings from the IIHS or NHTSA. However, it offered a suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist provided adaptive cruise control with lane centering, although it struggled with highway curves.

Similarly, the 2022 Ford Maverick lacked crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, with optional extras like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring available under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner.