2023 Maverick vs. 2023 Santa Cruz near Sealy, TX
Did you ever envision seeing a compact pickup truck in the United States? The segment has been present in Western Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia for a while now. As urban centers get more crowded, parking spaces shrink, and families get smaller, a compact pickup truck makes a lot of sense. The 2023 Ford Maverick and the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz are two out of a small pool available right now.
The 2023 Maverick is Ford's smallest pickup truck and is the first generation of its type. Debuting in 2022, it's based on the same platform as the Bronco Sport and Escape. The 2023 Santa Cruz is also based on the first generation of its nameplate and was introduced for the 2022 model year.
How do the 2023 Maverick and 2023 Santa Cruz stack up for the title of the best compact pickup truck? Let's compare the Maverick vs. Santa Cruz in terms of performance characteristics, interior specifications, and safety features to find out. And if you want to see the new Maverick in the metal, visit the showroom of Cavender Ford near Sealy, TX.
Interior Comparison
The 2023 Maverick and the 2023 Santa Cruz are both under 200 inches in length, but the 2023 Maverick is 5 inches shorter than the 2023 Santa Cruz and is nearly 300 pounds lighter. This doesn't affect its cabin space, as both compact pickup trucks can seat up to five adults. However, four would be a more comfortable number on longer rides. Furthermore, the Maverick's truck bed is 4.5 feet long, while the 2023 Santa Cruz's bed is only 4 feet long.
Both vehicles offer dual-zone climate control as standard on higher trims; however, the physical buttons and knobs on the 2023 Maverick are far easier to operate than the touch controls on the 2023 Santa Cruz. They've also got the requisite Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ support via their 8-inch touch screens. The 2023 Maverick can also be optioned with a B&O Play premium sound system and wireless phone charging.
2023 Ford Maverick
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Performance Comparison
The 2023 Maverick features a hybrid powertrain as its base offering, which bodes well for efficiency. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with two electric motors for a system total of 191 horsepower, sent to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. There's also a punchier 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 250 horsepower, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an optional all-wheel-drive system. According to Car and Driver, this powertrain can catapult the 2023 Maverick to 60 from rest in under six seconds. Even the hybrid can perform this benchmark in under eight seconds.
The 2023 Santa Cruz features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower, or the same engine with a turbocharger, and 281 horsepower. Both variants come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel drive as standard. An all-wheel-drive system is an option. The heavier curb weight of the 2023 Santa Cruz means that even the most potent engine takes over six seconds to reach 60 from rest. There's no hybrid powertrain on offer, either.
The 2023 Maverick achieves EPA combined figures of 37 mpg for the hybrid. Even the more powerful non-hybrid variant scores 25 mpg, which is better than the 22 mpg achieved by the turbocharged 2023 Santa Cruz.
Safety Features Comparison
The 2023 Maverick and 2023 Santa Cruz feature standard automated emergency braking, airbags, stability control, child safety locks, brake assist, and daytime running lamps. You won't find either of the two lacking in terms of safety features.
Find the 2023 Maverick near Sealy, TX
The 2023 Ford Maverick is the clear winner of this Ford vs. Hyundai matchup, as it offers more space, performance, and efficiency than the 2023 Santa Cruz. So swing by Cavender Ford near Sealy, TX, and test drive the new Maverick today.