2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2023 Ford Maverick

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2023 Ford Maverick
2023 Ford Maverick
$22,595MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Ford Maverick
$22,595MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2023 Ford Maverick scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz emerges as the recommended choice, offering a unique design, crossover-like driving experience, and advanced infotainment features.

Overview

MSRP

$24,440

MSRP

$22,595

Average price

$27,620

Average price

$31,965

Listings

439

Listings

587
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10
Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Great warranty
Cons
  • Cramped back seat
  • Lacking physical buttons for audio and climate control
Pros
  • Off-road capability
  • Stylish design
  • Fuel-efficient
Cons
  • Noisy
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Older infotainment system

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Reviews Summary

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. Hyundai also offers base SE, SEL Activity Package, and SEL Premium trim levels, but we sampled a range-topping Santa Cruz Limited model for this test drive.

2023 Ford Maverick Reviews Summary

And for year two, it’s got more news of its own: The Tremor package previously seen on the Ford Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty joins their little sibling’s lineup.
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.5L 191 hp I4

Engine

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

21

MPG City

MPG Highway

26

MPG Highway

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Ford Maverick
2023 Ford Maverick
$22,595MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
$24,440MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Ford Maverick
$22,595MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2023 Ford Maverick scores 7.3 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz emerges as the recommended choice, offering a unique design, crossover-like driving experience, and advanced infotainment features.

Overview
MSRP
$24,440
$22,595
Average price
$27,620
$31,965
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.4
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Great warranty
Cons
  • Cramped back seat
  • Lacking physical buttons for audio and climate control
Pros
  • Off-road capability
  • Stylish design
  • Fuel-efficient
Cons
  • Noisy
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Older infotainment system
Summary

Being a newbie in a given field means having to catch up to established leaders, but it can also bring a different perspective. Hyundai has never sold a pickup truck in the United States, and its first effort is unlike anything else on the market.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the first truly compact pickup to be sold in the U.S. in over a decade, and unlike conventional body-on-frame pickups, it features car-like unibody construction. This packaging sacrifices some capability, but that’s beside the point. Hyundai didn’t design the Santa Cruz to compete directly with conventional trucks. It doesn’t even call the Santa Cruz a pickup; it prefers the term “sport adventure vehicle.”

While it may win over some truck buyers who want a pickup that’s easier to park, the Santa Cruz will appeal mainly to new-car buyers who want to replace a sedan or crossover SUV with something a bit more rugged.

To figure out where the Santa Cruz fits into the current automotive landscape, we spent a day driving it around on roads in and around its namesake California city. Hyundai also offers base SE, SEL Activity Package, and SEL Premium trim levels, but we sampled a range-topping Santa Cruz Limited model for this test drive.

And for year two, it’s got more news of its own: The Tremor package previously seen on the Ford Ranger, F-150, and Super Duty joins their little sibling’s lineup.
Video
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.5L 191 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
191 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
21
MPG Highway
26
Look and feel
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
9/10
2023 Ford Maverick
8/10
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its unibody construction and unorthodox styling, resembles the second coming of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. It stands out with its SUV-like appearance and a toothy grille, making it a unique presence on the road. The Santa Cruz is available with 20-inch wheels that fill the arches nicely, adding to its bold look. On the other hand, the 2023 Ford Maverick retains the Ford truck family resemblance in its styling, with the Tremor package adding off-road capability and unique design elements. The Maverick Tremor features blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights, along with special 17-inch wheels finished in dark gray with a Tremor Orange accent, giving it a sporty and rugged appearance.
Performance
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
9/10
2023 Ford Maverick
8/10
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an optional turbocharged engine, providing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque with the base engine and 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque with the turbocharged engine. The Santa Cruz delivers a crossover-like driving experience with a standard multi-link suspension, making it fun in the corners. It offers a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds with the base engine and 5,000 pounds with the turbo engine. In contrast, the 2023 Ford Maverick is hybrid-powered by default, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The Maverick Tremor package adds off-road capability, with special front and rear springs and shocks, steel skid plates, and a 1-inch lift, providing a minimum running ground clearance of 9.4 inches.
Form and function
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
6/10
2023 Ford Maverick
6/10
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz features a small truck bed, measuring 52.1 inches long, with several features to maximize its utility, including a standard lockable tonneau cover, tie-down points, in-bed LED lighting, and 115-volt power outlet. It offers a four-door crew-cab configuration with seating for five, with rear-seat legroom being tight but front-seat space being more generous. On the other hand, the 2023 Ford Maverick offers 42.8 inches of legroom in the front seats and 36.9 inches in the second row, providing a roomier interior compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick Tremor package makes the truck 1 inch longer overall, adding to its functionality and versatility.
Technology
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
9/10
2023 Ford Maverick
6/10
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trim levels offer a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics service includes smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. In comparison, the 2023 Ford Maverick features an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. The Maverick Lariat trim offers additional tech and safety content, including a wireless charging pad, SiriusXM Radio and Traffic and Travel services, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system.
Safety
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
7/10
2023 Ford Maverick
7/10
Both the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2023 Ford Maverick offer advanced driver-assistance technology as standard, including features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Maverick also offers additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and evasive steering assist.
Cost Effectiveness
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
8/10
2023 Ford Maverick
9/10
The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $25,175 for the base model, rising to $40,455 for the range-topping AWD Santa Cruz Limited trim. On the other hand, the 2023 Ford Maverick starts at $22,595 for the base XL trim, offering a more affordable entry point into the compact pickup truck segment.
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By: CarGurus + AI

This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.