I test drove both of these vehicles with the intent of buying the winner. The Maverick is anything but cheap. (unless you're talking about the interior) Here in Illinois they're selling for $10K over sticker cost. I bought a Santa Cruz at the sticker price...and it blows away the Maverick.
I'm a current pickup truck owner, and am looking at the Maverick. If it has a bed with tie downs and a hitch on the back, its a pickup. Like probably 90% of pickup owners, I realized that my current gas guzzling V8 ended up being more truck than I need, as jetskis and motorcycles aren't that heavy, the size means it can't fit in our garage and takes some extra work to park in a parking garage, and at $5 a gallon is becoming expensive to operate. The appeal of the Maverick is that its "enough" to do the truck things I was already doing, yet fits in a garage, is easier to maneuver and handle, while getting 42mpg.
The Ranger is the size the F150 used to be, and the Maverick is the size the Ranger used to be. Look at an older Ranger, its actually smaller inside than a Maverick.
I am one of those people that loves strange/unusual vehicles and the Santa Cruz is awesome for that very reason. Top trim is way to much $$ and should be $35k max.
For real, you could get a Lexus for $40k if you wanted a luxurious vehicle at $40k... I sometimes wonder at those who would decide to spend that $40k on a Hyundai instead...
I bought a Santa Cruz SEL Premium and I’m very happy with it. It has been a huge help with going to the hardware store and getting materials to fix up my house and when I need to make dump runs. I was surprised the amount of stuff I could fit in the bed considering it looks so small. It has plenty of power and it’s comfortable. It handles a lot better than I thought it would in the corners. After putting a drop in K&N air filter in it, I noticed around 30-31 mpg on the highway if I don’t go over 70 mph.
Santa Cruz is for me! Just sold my Focus ST for the second to top trim. Wanted the AWD and little more ground clearance in Colorado. Perfect for snowboarding in the winter, and fun drives in the summer i think.
We purchased a Santa Cruz. I personally enjoy the ride of Santa Cruz, my wife does small projects all the time, she has a hard time putting things in an SUV. In my opinion they made this vehicle for the 50 plus wife that enjoys projects and the husband that doesn't mind driving it... So if you look at it from my perspective they made a vehicle for me and my wife. I personally have an Elantra N line with a manual transmission and I don't mind driving the Santa Cruz.
Put this on the TV, and my 4 month old son looked up at the sound of your voices-I guess playing the podcast almost every day in the car and watching your stuff every day made am impact 😉
In my Limited SC, I carried a 1/4 cord of wood in the bed, two Fat tire Ebikes on a hitch rack and two roof mounted kayaks and the back seat loaded with luggage , all while driving in luxury, comfort, tons of power and the latest safety. I’m loving it and so glad I sold my Tacoma for it
I currently own a 2021 F-150 Super Crew, 6.5 ft bed, 4x2, 2.7 Ecoboost. My partner wanted a Bronco but they are over $15K over sticker and the Maverick doesn't practically exist, so I convinced her to look at the Santa Cruz after me owning many Hyundais. We took home a 2023 Santa Cruz Night edition.... Black on black, 2.5T, AWD, 20" black wheels, tonneau cover, bed extender and a sunroof for a little over $38K....we are both so happy with it. Fast, great looking and like you guys said, drives way too good for a "truck". Great review guys!
I like the Maverick because of the hybrid, I don't care about towing I just want great mpg and the occasional home Depot run. Hybrid AWD though would be nice.
Todd, turns out that my new wife and I are probably the buyer for a Santa Cruz. She wants a truck, but we have no need for a "real" truck. We want a nice interior, good cruising comfort, and a bit of fun. Be a great daily driver for us as well as a practical weekend trip vehicle. We'd be going from a Genesis Coupe and an HRV into this. If budget wasn't an issue would be getting a Genesis GV70 and a C7 GS, but well.... I'll get back to a sports car whenever the used car market comes back to sane levels. -Long time Patreon boardmember.
We have towed our 19 foot travel trailer 2500 miles with no problems! From the Mountains to the Beach. With Proper equipment. The Load leveling Shocks really Helped
Lets just stick with UTE. May "trucklets" and "crucks" never be uttered again. And, why is it only a truck if it's RWD? IMO, it's the bed that makes it a truck, not the drivetrain.
Is it a real pickup? Who cares, as a farmer who lives 40 minutes from town with a wife that commutes that distance, the hybrid Maverick is brilliant. We have a full size truck sure but for 80% of the runs we use it for the Maverick could handle it. 3 kids can cram in the back seat, it gets over 40mpg real world so suddenly there is a super practical, affordable commuter car that has more payload than most mud size trucks and even some half tons. Putting a tons of miles on it won’t depreciate it to hell. Most people who actually use truck for work don’t care about image it’s about function and this thing offers some good function and the fuel consumption makes a compelling case to overlook some of its compromises. Plus, we could throw all our mountain bikes in the back and go head to the trails. It’s utterly classless, utilitarian and like all the greats (think VW beetle, old series Land Rovers, older domestic pickups) it says nothing about you, it isn’t a status symbol, it’s a tool… and that’s what makes it actually cool. It’s not some half ton truck pulling its skirt up with a bunch of uneased off-road bs parading around the suburbs giving the pretense that you are headed off to Baja… in many ways this is the most functional pickup on the market. Bravo Ford
Thats just it if youre buying or looking at these YOU DONT NEED a "real pickup".. the beds are almost the same size is it like 2" difference? I will take the one that rides better and is more fun to drive.. I really thought I wanted a Maverick till I started seeing reviews.. then I was like.. sometimes I take longer drives(3 hours or so 1 way) and I keep hearing Mavericks seats are not that comfortable... I couldnt care less about 2WD/FWD and Hybrids id never own anything but AWD/4x4. and when you get the maverick nice its about the same price(to get the maverick worth having its XLT or Lariat and for me FX4...then its about a wash price wise with the Santa Cruz and pretty much where the base model Ridgeline starts...
@@chrisbennett1037 Maverick seats are extremely comfortable! I own one, and I've never seen a negative review of the seats. The cabin is also much much roomier than the Hyundai.
I'm 67, retired and I have a 12 foot aluminum single axle cargo camper conversion trailer. I've been looking at the Santa Cruz to tow it. I could carry a small propane inverter generator in the back. Currently it needs to be carried inside the trailer and placed outside to use because I tow with a Pacifica and don't want to carry it inside the vehicle. I was surprised when you stated this was not a good vehicle for towing.
SC is rated to tow more then the Mav, so yeah their recommendation is not aligned with the facts. The only worry with the SC is the DCT. Once in gear and cruising it doesn’t matter. Plenty of old farm trucks were manuals so having a clutch isn’t a deal breaker. 100k power train warranty so guess I’ll find out.
I never go offroad, and I don't tow anything. I want something that gets really good fuel economy, and occasionally lets me haul home bulky stuff from Lowe's, and lets me haul stuff to the dump. Maverick Hybrid is perfect for me.
I'm so glad this segment is a thing now, ever since the Ridgeline it's been like _this is a smart package for a lot of buyers_ ; finally 15 years later we have these! (yeah I'm ignoring the Baja because it was smaller and they didn't sell many). I appreciate the Maverick is good as-is but I don't like the styling and it seems a bit underpowered in its drivetrains, but I knew a lot of guys in construction services who wanted something smaller and more efficient and I bet some will be picking up Mavericks. The Santa Cruz really, really ticks my boxes if I were go to this segment. I certainly would never need anything more utilitarian than something like this!
How many people REALLY need a F-150!? I've got one friend who is a contractor and he's the exception ;-) Crud, side-rant: His turbo F-150 has just had an engine rebuild (under warranty), you might want to steer away from a Maverick Turbo. Back on-topic; I've been driving BMW 3-series wagons for 20 years and I think the Santa Cruz is right-sized for 95% of what we actually use our commuters for! Now that gas prices are skyrocketing, these smaller choices make a whole lot more sense... again!
I Have the Santa Cruz! Ever Since the Concept ed it I liked it. I have 27k on mine. It has been Every mile a big big Smile. 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. 125k Service warranty. And it tows our 19foot Camper Flawlessly
Regarding the closing comments I can give you an example of who it's for. I own a Santa Cruz and I love it for my specific situation. I don't like trucks, I like two door luxury sports cars. I need a truck for practical purposes. I live in the center of a city. I own a 100 year old house in the down town district. It needs renovations, I need to be able to haul drywall and lumber. I need to be able to make runs to the dump. I live in Canada where it snows a lot. I have two cars which are rear wheel drive. I like to snowboard. This vehicle checks all my boxes as a reluctant truck owner. Its styling is the least truck like. It's high tech and has a base level of luxury that I would demand. It's small for a truck but huge for me compared to a coupe or roadster. The ford maverick wouldn't be in consideration for me. If I wanted something that was base level and pure utility I would just buy a used, mid-sized pick up. And then I'd never actually drive it because why would is when I have two great summer cars? If I'm going to spend money on a new vehicle it needs to be good enough so that I actually want to drive it and use it. I think the Santa Cruz will get a lot of use. It's going to serve me as a winter vehicle, for renovations, towing a boat, hauling a kayak, buying large items from stores, buying plants/trees for landscaping. Maybe I could even haul my car on a trailer, with spare tires and tools in the bed, to the track.
I wish someone would do a video that would run the Maverick into the side of a Santa Cruz and a Santa Cruz into the side of a Maverick and see which does better. That would help me to decide.
As a family that owns both of these I love em both! I have the bed extender on my santa cruz and it's a must! The ecoboost is soooooo fun on the ford though
I absolutely LOVE my '24 Santa Cruz SE AWD!! I live in SLC and drove it in deep snow last winter. Santa Cruz is amazing in deep snow!! I occasional use it to haul garden supplies and building materials for my house so it's better than an SUV because i can wash out the bed with a hose and I think there's one more thing Hyundai has that Ford doesn't have: THE WARANTY!! 🏆🏆🏆 Santa Cruz SE is my dream come true! I didn't need the turbo, digital display or the bed cover... all i wanted was H-TRAC and a nice interior and i fell totally in love with the SE trim because it has real gauges and won't get me into too much trouble speeding around like wanna-be street racer. Great video, thanks for the upload!!
I hear rumors of an ST version of the Maverick, with around 330 HP and AWD. It would be the same powertrain set-up as the old Focus RS, with drift mode.
I owned a Ridgeline and I did really like it. It was a good vehicle. In the end it was just to small and I went back an F 150 it just fits the family better but I might be interested in a Maverick someday when I'm retired and the kids are grown.
Didn't really understand the dig on this video on the Maverick not being a "real" truck. I've taken mine on some sketchy forest service roads where it performed flawlessly given its unibody design. There are millions of people that own a truck in this country that will never tow anything above the Maverick's max possible limit of 4000 pounds or go offroad to where they need a locking diff.
Once I replaced the 20 wheels and all weather tires with 17 wheels an all terrain tire, it handled vastly better on both the very pot-holed local roads and on relatively gentle off-roading..
20:47 answer? The Santa Cruz Limited is for me. I have a 600+whp 300zx twin turbo as my fun car... I tried owning a 370z sport touring as a daily.. not enough room...but fun and sporty obviously.... I need somewhere to put all my stuff.. don't want a regular truck as Im a city boy at heart. Don't want a minivan or SUV (Ive had rogues...dakotas...all kinds of cars) but want the practicality of it. I want a luxurious interior with ALL the bells and whistles under 50k that is reliable, comfortable, and fast(ish) all at the same time... oh and a truck bed. The turbocharged 4 cyl appeals to me also.. (on regular 87 octane getting great MPG to me to boot) After watching too many reviews and reading article upon article about the car.... First test drive of the Santa Cruz last week was all I needed. My limited will be here next month! Great review as usual guys.
I think the Maverick will be successful based purely on Looks! People love the "retro" boxy styling and honestly the average consumer doesnt give a Fudge about "truck stuff" they just want something that sips gas and isnt hideous (except prius drivers, cuz those things are barf of wheels)
Santa Cruz bed is just too limited by the pillars and the cover. It’s a bummer honestly. You have to maximize an already small bed, not the opposite. Ford nailed it. 100%
@@JamesD-HB you know you can get a SC without the cover right? Save some space. I rather have a cover initially and if I want to remove it and get one that won't take up a lot of space I can but in the meantime, I'll have a cover
All the flashy bells are whistles that were pointed out on the Santa are things I just don't need. I test drove a Maverick hybrid and I found the acceleration to be very good. I, and the majority of drivers will find it adequate. That zippy performance comes at a cost with the initial price and the hit at the gas station. I'll take the 40mpg average (what a friend with a Maverick gets) , lower purchase price and greater reliability.
The maverick is based on the ultra reliable drivetrain from all of the explorer hybrids they used as taxis. Technology originally borrowed from toyotas eCVT although now Ford claims they have altered it enough to claim it as a Ford system now. Should be one of the best new vehicles you can buy if Ford didn't goof up on what was already doing so well.
Santa Cruz with a bed like Maverick's is the goldilocks combo. It sounds like a joke, but you're right, choose activity first and then truck. Since I like mountainbiking and woodworking, I'd go Ford.
I would like to have seen the turbo Ford at the base trim for this comparo because you cannot get the turbo Santa Cruz without loading it out...The ford advantage is to get the big motor in any trim it is pretty quick apparently. Would like to know if that would have made it more appealing to drive (I do mostly highway driving, so power is about the only thing I get to play with regularly). I think this is what would make it appealing, because price is what I think holds the Ridgeline back
I drive turbo 2.0 Eco it’s very fun drive . The reviewers couldn’t get one too drive maybe they can in the future . Right now it’s hard get maverick so it’s understandable.
I like the styling of the Santa Cruz better, but hands down I'd go with the base trim maverick any day of the week. A hybrid for 20k that will get 40+ mpg is much better than a 40k Hyundai.
I’ve always had a sedan but have been very interested in the Santa Cruze and Maverick. I test drove the Santa Cruze and was sorely disappointed. I disliked the styling and the cab felt cramped. I later test drove a Maverick and absolutely loved it. It was so much roomier and drove so much better. I ended up ordering a 2.0T Ecoboost Lariat Model with the 4k towing package. I’m very excited for the Maverick. It’s a perfect fit for someone who doesn’t really want a truck but wants many of the truck features.
The maverick is a Mexican built with Ford badge. Hyundai Santacruz is built in Alabama with a Korean badge. The Korean brand is more American and help Americans have a job verses the Ford American company employees Mexican workers. So i bought the most American vehicle Hyundai Santacruz and I love it and feel better about my fellow Americans who were able to go to work on the American truck, Santacruz.
The Cruz is for people like me. Don't have a use for a pickup 90% of the time. Need to tow a couple of jet skis occasionally. Like to drive. Would be better with a real (manual) transmission. Seriously thinking of trading the wife's Buick Regal sport in. I'll keep the Boxster & the Busa tho.
I have a 06 Subaru Baja turbo 5mt and that ute is way cooler than these two will ever be. Subaru handling, UEL header rumble turbo charged goodness with the fun factor of a manual transmission, the Baja was 20 years ahead of it's time. If I had to pick between the two I'd go with the Santa Cruz because it looks way better than the maverick, I work at ford so I know to stay away from their new vehicles .. 😅
"There isn't a serious pickup truck owner that would consider the Maverick." I've owned a '96 GMC Sonoma, a '97 Chevrolet C1500, and currently daily drive a '70 Chevrolet C10. I'd consider a Maverick. I'd get a base AWD turbo with the 4K towing package.
Maybe they meant a pickup truck owner that seriously uses their pickup? However, this thing can haul a lot in the bed, weight-wise, and as long as the dimensions of the 4.5" bed aren't an issue, I do see a lot of contractors and hobbyists flocking to the Maverick for the various things mentioned in this video.
I ordered the santa cruz….trading in my f-150….because of the price and gas mileage. Still want a little bit of bed but 90 percent of the time its just going to be a commuter vehicle.
Hyundai definitely looks like an elevated brat. The Maverick is more truck but I can't handle that interior. Thankfully I'm past the 'cuteness' and at the end of my truck journey S-10, Ranger, 1500, 2500HD. Good video and like seeing new stuff coming to the market
Sales leader but not better. Because then otherwise a corolla is a better car than the S Class based on sales. Makes me laugh when people talk about sales. Maverick is an awesome vehicle. I personally went with the santa cruz. Better EVERYTHING than the Ford, except fuel economy but I honestly don't care about that I own an ev also. Maverick I must say is the better looking one of the two.
The cruz does not come with bed cover in base models but in the top of the line model it does. Soft cover. . If you want extra power you need upgrade with turbo . The price difference really hurts the cruz because at 40k you can get Ranger ,taco , etc … At 40k if you like the sleek design of luxury suvs you can get Lexus UX sport or others . 25k you can get turbo motor with decent cloth seats in maverick. Base lariat maverick is msrp 31k comes with leatherish interior with fwd ecoboost option. The Maverick has better options at cheaper cost. The maverick doubled the cruz sales and is also in top 5 adjusted markup price in the automobile industry right now.
I think these are great idea. Many, many people don't use their pickup to it's maximum. I have several friends that have F250's and F350's. They haul two snowmobiles or go to the dump and basically waste fuel to do it. Some people just want to be able to go to home depot and pick stuff up. People that are die hard pick up people need to mind their own business.
The Maverick ticks a lot of boxes for a company vehicle that needs to do light utility duties and also be dirt cheap. Combined with the great mileage, it is kind of a perfect urban delivery vehicle or gofer on a jobsite. I could totally see the company I work for springing for the base model for this capacity.
37 bags of mulch is a good measurement for me. Means it can carry about 20 bags of 80lbs of concrete. Haven't seen what the Hyundai can do but real world item use is helpful
To me, my 21 Ridgeline is the better price in whatever trim you get. I get 28 mpg on the highway. The back seats are very useful. Everyone that has sat in the back has not complained. These two mini UTEs have a place, but it is not in Ridgeline class.
What they need to do "on the double " is to start building and shipping for the orders they have and increase production. I've been waiting six months for mine.
The Santa Cruz is a natural evolution for owners of Subaru Outbacks. I own a 2015 Outback and my biggest issue was the size limitation on what you could put in it. My SC solves this problem and drives just as well, if not better than my Outback.
These are really the re-incarnation of the Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero. Take your basic car platform, which back then was the sedan / wagon chassis, and put a trucklet body on it. Only today, the basic car platform is the CUV. Ideally these would have been offered in 2-door form like their forebears to allow a longer bed, but we all know that today the 4-door truck cab is king.
almost no one is buying 2-doors for a long time now, and suicide doors trap you when parking in parking lots since you block both sides with the doors up against another vehicle and can't get out the back without opening the front. that said, they should have made the santa cruz a little longer. I would gladly sacrifice another 6 inches of length parking space to get extra room for the rear passengers and bed.
Maverick is the vehicle that would be parked right up front at Walmart and not worry about a scratch, and the Santa Cruz would be ceramic-coated in the back of the lot
So Help me it's a Mustang with a Bed ! It's so much fun to Drive! It kicks Mustangs Asses ! Get a frinkin Utility trailer for 700dollars and shut the Hell up about the Dammed Bed ! Even with my F 150 I have had a utility trailer. To put my wood tools in the bed with my cover. Retired people love my Santa Cruz. My wife hated my huge STX F 150. It was always sticking out the parking space. And backing up and pulling forward to get the Beast in . The Santa Cruz is Perfect Vehicle and still hauling and towing. It's a Swiss Army Knife on wheels!
Remember when you were a kid and wondered "why don't they make concept cars"...Hyundai has heard you. Here in Chicagoland I see far more Santa Cruz's than the Maverick. Not sure where I read it but the Santa Cruz was the best selling vehicle out there😇
Quickest selling, not best selling. They can't make too many since they're all made and only made in the Alabama plant along with the Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra and Sonata, so not a lot of unit capacity leftover for the SC...
@@KB-bh9hp better how exactly, just curious🤔 Also the Santa Cruz is a bit more expensive so there's one reason. I've seen a number of Mavericks ad work vehicles out here, so maybe that's #2🤔
@@klasseact6663 Bro, the maverick is thousands of dollars cheaper than the Sante Cruz, gets over double the in city fuel economy, has a cooler looking interior imo, a more tasteful exterior, is made by a brand renowned for it's durable trucks, and the hybrid components are warrantied for basically the same amount of time as the Hyundai's powertrain components.
@@klasseact6663 Also, official sales numbers don't lie, just because you haven't seen that many Maverick's doesn't mean they aren't selling. I've seen 3 Maverick's at this point and 1 Sante Cruz. So
These are the trucks/ pickups 90% of all truck owners need. Maybe not what they want, but I'm seeing enough of these Mavericks that I think a lot are accepting reality. For those wondering if they can get by without 4x4, given that invariably if I see a vehicle that's stuck on the side of a highway in Colorado snow it's going to be an F150/RAM/Silverado, I have to wonder what's it matter? Weight is not your friend in snow, 4x4 or not..
The maverick only makes sense at $23-25k , which is XL and XLT hybrid . Anything other than that is trying to make it’s something it’s not . I have one on order .
Right, this analysis is pretty good except that you actually find a Santa Cruz. You'll go to Ford, they'll make you order one, dick you around for a while, it'll take longer to build than they suggest, and then fall apart faster
The back seats in the Ridgeline are very useable. You can fit a child seat in back of the Ridgeline driver seat with a 6 foot person and still be comfortable. It also has more inside space then the Frontier.
I agree brother. Still have my 2006 (15 years now) with 236,000 miles for a reason. Take a lot of crap for it from friends and I have only borrowed a full size truck a handful of times. It does what I need for my handyman business. Oh and I paid 25,000 not 75,000 for a new truck. Lol
In 2013 I purchased a 2013 Ford Fiesta and a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. In the first year I had three major issues with the Fiesta. A door flew open and would not latch, transmission would chug, and it was an automatic that got stuck in a low gear. In Fords defense they have only been mass producing cars for just over 100 years. I figure in maybe 200 or 300 years they will figure it out. Now some might say that was common with the Fiesta, but my retort is Mazda and Toyota used that same car under different names and they had none of the issues Ford did. Ford's hundreds of executives need big salaries at the consumers expense. I have since sold the Ford. The Elantra just hit 126,000 miles and runs like a top. My little niece is getting it and I am getting the family a Santa Cruz.
I just bought '22 Tacoma double cab TRD off-road 6' bed and with tech package for 41k. I'll take the hit in mpg over these. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll put more milage on mine than the average of these two combined before it needs major drivetrain work.
What strikes me is the very different prices of the vehicles tested. I've driven the SAME VEHICLE in different package prices and they felt different and better or worse for a reason.
Initially really liked the exterior looks of the Santa Cruz, yet it's interior is all dark, must use the touch screen for many things and Hyundai does not allow ordering a vehicle. I was able to order the Ford, it has a bright interior, it has more buttons/knobs. I waited 8 months to get a Maverick Hybrid in XLT trim with 6 low priced options. MSRP $24,505. Such a deal ! Hate the driver's seat in the Maverick, very slowly figuring out it's convoluted controls. I will never enjoy it as I do. the love of my life...a 2015 FRS...(not for sale ever). [In an effort to sort of cover my bases, I have on order a Maverick XLT, EcoBoost, AWD, 4k tow pkg, FX 4 off road pkg. msrp $28,930. The plan is to keep the most liked one].
People are entirely too hung up on image. Do you want a pickup to transport bulky items, or to look like a manly man who needs a full-size commercial vehicle just to get coffee? If it's the former, then you should just buy as much truck as is needed to achieve your mission. If it's the former, you're a goober and need to grow up. I love my 1999 Dakota, and a big part of that is you just can't get a truck that small anymore. It's WAY smaller than the Ridgeline. When I unload dirt bikes at the trailhead, it's SO much easier than all the other guys with their diesel Chungus trucks. I like the trend of smaller truck returning, although I do wish they would offer an option for less cab and a longer bed. My Dakota is 2 seats with a 6.5ft bed, making it physically shorter than a Maverick or Santa Cruz, but I can get 2 MX bikes in it with the tailgate up. My truck is packaged REALLY inefficiently, so the new ones could easily do better. The automakers are probably worried about their ability to market a 2-seat vehicle, and sadly they're probably right. Most people would rather buy a rolling apartment building that gets 15mpg, rather than get something smaller that carries what they need, goes just as fast, and gets 30mpg. The El Camino and Ranchero were so perfect in concept. Not great for the construction site, but that's not what YOU do with your truck, is it?
We have a Santa Cruz Limited, and we absolutely love it. It's fast, fun, and still very comfortable. It's a great road trip car. It has all the practicality we'll ever need. The Maverick was just way too boring for us. There's also the amazing warranty.
Its for someone with a city job, needs a few bucket buddies and tool bags... And takes trips to the cape or camping with no worry of snow... New England folk or pacific north west...
GREAT comparo! It's funny how the trucks are so comparable in terms of functionality but the prices are so different. I'd go with the Ranger if I needed something like this. Thanks for these reviews.
I have been trying to find a Santa Cruz Limited trim. Just not available. If one comes in to a dealer they slap a 10k market adjustment fee. These trucks are in high demand. I’ll wait for the recession.
Over and over they keep saying the Maverick is more "useable" and can "do more" than the SC... but the SC has a higher payload, higher tow rating, more powerful engine, and BARELY a smaller bed. The bias here is ridiculous. lol
Spot on. What makes the Mav’s bed better? It’s doesn’t even have in bed storage. Just because it has a blue oval it’s automatically a better “truck”? It tows 1,000 lbs less, so ummm no. I bought a SC to replace a 20 year Dakota… and yes I’ll be towing with it. At least they admitted a fully loaded Mav ($38k) is nearly the same price as a loaded SC ($40k). However at that price the Mav still has a $25k interior. The SC driving feel and interior quality is comparable to my wife’s Infiniti… I’m super impressed with what Hyundai has done here.
The 2024 base maverick sells for $25,000 and its 15.000 more for hybrid. I bought a Hyundai SANTA CRUZ its not cheap feeling and same as maverick.$26500.00 SE model 2wd.
The Santa Cruz is the start of a new era for Hyundai. Let's not forget, this is the FIRST instance of Hyundai creating something like a pickup truck when compared to its counterpart Ford. I would assume it was a shot in the dark for the production team to spice up the game and they couldn't even dream of the success it brought. The Santa Cruz is the show-stopper of the vehicular world because of the uniqueness and capabilities all intertwined in a luxurious ute. Being an owner of the SEL version of the Santa Cruz(mid-level trim), I can say from my own experiences, when it comes to entry/mid-level trims -- this has to take the cake. I've both hauled and towed with the Santa Cruz and to get so much power out of this thing is (GDI 2.5 I4 non-turbo) , to this day, astounding. Not to be all-inclusive by any means, but the average America is going to get the middle trim for both vehicles and that's one of the major realms the Santa Cruz beats-out in. As stated before, this is Hyundai's first attempt at a "pickup" truck. Rumor has it from multiple sources, the production time has their eyes set on releasing a pickup based on the Palisade's frame. I can't even imagine what wonders they could bring to the table with getting the green light on a mid/full size pickup truck. Maybe this is Hyundai's way of rocking up late to the pickup game party and saying "yeah, we can hang too" to Honda and Toyota.
We are likely to order a Maverick for our active family with kids for better utility of truck bed to carry bikes, snowboards and sound road trips with camping gear.
I'm a hatchback driver and my hybrid Maverick just shipped out a week ago! Awesome MPG and incredible practicality was a no brainer. Crossovers are so boring, sports cars too impractical, full size trucks too huge and inefficient.
It's so curious - The Maverick is fun to drive. The eCVT is masterful and smooth. It's a blast to toss around compared to my prior Tacoma. There are differences of needs, use and driving experience and driving style. From one perspective it's not a sports care from another is far from a traditional pickup. The Santa Cruz is a CAR the Maverick is a small pickup. And they look their respective parts.
I hate to say this, but I think the order statistics for the maverick are hybrid leading due to dealer markups and justified at least for some US areas because of rising gas prices. On the bright side this could lead to more hybrid versions on the used markets in the near future
Really wish the Ford Maverick wasn’t near impossible to order or find in dealerships. Practically the most sought out car of 2022 from Ford. A local dealership told me that they were only allowed to take on 120 orders of the 2023 Maverick, they ended up taking about 300!
The Maverick bed size is 20 inches shorter than a 1999 Ranger bed. But the tow rating is actually similar. I was surprised by that. It’s not us that’s complaining about it not being a real truck though, it’s the general public.
True about the bed length. But the Ranger was never a crew cab I. America. I don't know the bed length on the four door model available outside of America though @@phattyhales
The Maverick is 600 lbs lighter, so it beats the Hyundai in 0-60 times and ties in the 1/4 mile. As far as superceding? The buyers have spoken, and the Maverick outsells the Hyundai 4 to 1.
I like ford mevrick but I have 2016 ford escape from the day one it has tons of trouble and warranty is very limited So I will go with Santa Cruze due to good warranty
Full disclosure - I bought a Santa Cruz about 3 months ago to replace my 2006 Ford Ranger. But that was AFTER repeatedly checking out the Maverick, which I had every intention of purchasing, because I'm a Ford guy for the last 25-30 years. Ultimately I surprised myself and bought the Santa Cruz. Why? When I look at the Maverick, I see uninspired and stodgy. These guys say the styling looks fresh, but to me, it's no different than everything else Ford has been doing, which is traditional and predictable and . . . uninspired. But here was the deal breaker for me - the interior. I can see that Ford put lots of thought into it, but the final product just looks cheap. Real cheap. I get they wanted to keep the price down, and that strategy is working for them in that they are selling a bunch of these trucks, if they can ever actually produce them. But honestly, the interior of my 2006 Ranger looked more upscale than the 2022 Maverick. And that cubby hole next to the screen just screams poor design and something that was slapped together. One final thought . . . when I loaded up the Maverick with the options I wanted, it was about $3000 less than top-of-the-line Cruz, but it still did not have near the tech that the Cruz offered standard. I'm sure the people who choose the Maverick will enjoy it as much as I enjoy my Santa Cruz, as it should be.
I think the base Maverick will sell well to commercial customers and municipalities. The Subaru crowd will love the Hyundai ... Styling is night and day. There are markets that give concessions for p/up trucks, one could get what is almost a crossover car of while paying the subsidies normally reserved for farm equipment. You see guys there's a thing called a global car market ... There are Fords and Buicks that don't even come to the United States.
Please provide your audience with one of the MOST Important benchmark data points for EVERY vehicle you review by including a brief clip of the door stickers showing payload, weight and tire information .
I test drove both of these vehicles with the intent of buying the winner.
The Maverick is anything but cheap. (unless you're talking about the interior) Here in Illinois they're selling for $10K over sticker cost.
I bought a Santa Cruz at the sticker price...and it blows away the Maverick.
Good info!
I'm happy for you that you have the grace to buy it.
I'm a current pickup truck owner, and am looking at the Maverick. If it has a bed with tie downs and a hitch on the back, its a pickup. Like probably 90% of pickup owners, I realized that my current gas guzzling V8 ended up being more truck than I need, as jetskis and motorcycles aren't that heavy, the size means it can't fit in our garage and takes some extra work to park in a parking garage, and at $5 a gallon is becoming expensive to operate. The appeal of the Maverick is that its "enough" to do the truck things I was already doing, yet fits in a garage, is easier to maneuver and handle, while getting 42mpg.
Yup. And, I have a light 4 X 8' foot trailer for the times when I need to haul bigger stuff.
Ford is banking on that
The Ranger is the smallest p/up Ford makes. Anything less than a 5-ft bed is .... cute.
The Ranger is the size the F150 used to be, and the Maverick is the size the Ranger used to be. Look at an older Ranger, its actually smaller inside than a Maverick.
And it cost as much as a full size truck.
I am one of those people that loves strange/unusual vehicles and the Santa Cruz is awesome for that very reason. Top trim is way to much $$ and should be $35k max.
I 100% agree!
Agree. These are unit-body cars with open trunks - and not anything approaching luxury (or really even premium) cars at that. $40k?!? Lol.
@@mattclark1278 35k tops for the top trim. Then I'm sold.
For real, you could get a Lexus for $40k if you wanted a luxurious vehicle at $40k... I sometimes wonder at those who would decide to spend that $40k on a Hyundai instead...
I agree 💯% with you because you are 💯% right.
I bought a Santa Cruz SEL Premium and I’m very happy with it. It has been a huge help with going to the hardware store and getting materials to fix up my house and when I need to make dump runs. I was surprised the amount of stuff I could fit in the bed considering it looks so small. It has plenty of power and it’s comfortable. It handles a lot better than I thought it would in the corners. After putting a drop in K&N air filter in it, I noticed around 30-31 mpg on the highway if I don’t go over 70 mph.
Santa Cruz is for me! Just sold my Focus ST for the second to top trim. Wanted the AWD and little more ground clearance in Colorado. Perfect for snowboarding in the winter, and fun drives in the summer i think.
hot hatch driver that wants more utility? me too. I'm paying a $3500 markup for mine and it's a no brainer
does it fit a dual sport sized motorcycle?
@@caflet2009 I'm coming from a Scion tC hatch I'm so excited for my Santa Cruz!
Mavericks seemingly have $10-15K of dealer markup on every model. The XL's are like $35K, it's nuts.
I've been seeing that too, craziness
We purchased a Santa Cruz. I personally enjoy the ride of Santa Cruz, my wife does small projects all the time, she has a hard time putting things in an SUV. In my opinion they made this vehicle for the 50 plus wife that enjoys projects and the husband that doesn't mind driving it... So if you look at it from my perspective they made a vehicle for me and my wife.
I personally have an Elantra N line with a manual transmission and I don't mind driving the Santa Cruz.
Best of both worlds. 😉👍👍
Put this on the TV, and my 4 month old son looked up at the sound of your voices-I guess playing the podcast almost every day in the car and watching your stuff every day made am impact 😉
In my Limited SC, I carried a 1/4 cord of wood in the bed, two Fat tire Ebikes on a hitch rack and two roof mounted kayaks and the back seat loaded with luggage , all while driving in luxury, comfort, tons of power and the latest safety. I’m loving it and so glad I sold my Tacoma for it
Can you link me to your kayak mounting hardware? I'm going to be getting a kayak next summer and I just got a Santa Cruz.
A lucky man. 👍👍
I currently own a 2021 F-150 Super Crew, 6.5 ft bed, 4x2, 2.7 Ecoboost. My partner wanted a Bronco but they are over $15K over sticker and the Maverick doesn't practically exist, so I convinced her to look at the Santa Cruz after me owning many Hyundais. We took home a 2023 Santa Cruz Night edition.... Black on black, 2.5T, AWD, 20" black wheels, tonneau cover, bed extender and a sunroof for a little over $38K....we are both so happy with it. Fast, great looking and like you guys said, drives way too good for a "truck". Great review guys!
I like the Maverick because of the hybrid, I don't care about towing I just want great mpg and the occasional home Depot run. Hybrid AWD though would be nice.
Todd, turns out that my new wife and I are probably the buyer for a Santa Cruz. She wants a truck, but we have no need for a "real" truck. We want a nice interior, good cruising comfort, and a bit of fun. Be a great daily driver for us as well as a practical weekend trip vehicle. We'd be going from a Genesis Coupe and an HRV into this. If budget wasn't an issue would be getting a Genesis GV70 and a C7 GS, but well.... I'll get back to a sports car whenever the used car market comes back to sane levels.
-Long time Patreon boardmember.
We have towed our 19 foot travel trailer 2500 miles with no problems! From the Mountains to the Beach. With Proper equipment. The Load leveling Shocks really Helped
Lets just stick with UTE. May "trucklets" and "crucks" never be uttered again.
And, why is it only a truck if it's RWD? IMO, it's the bed that makes it a truck, not the drivetrain.
Lol agreed! Leave this idea alone
Is it a real pickup? Who cares, as a farmer who lives 40 minutes from town with a wife that commutes that distance, the hybrid Maverick is brilliant. We have a full size truck sure but for 80% of the runs we use it for the Maverick could handle it. 3 kids can cram in the back seat, it gets over 40mpg real world so suddenly there is a super practical, affordable commuter car that has more payload than most mud size trucks and even some half tons. Putting a tons of miles on it won’t depreciate it to hell. Most people who actually use truck for work don’t care about image it’s about function and this thing offers some good function and the fuel consumption makes a compelling case to overlook some of its compromises. Plus, we could throw all our mountain bikes in the back and go head to the trails. It’s utterly classless, utilitarian and like all the greats (think VW beetle, old series Land Rovers, older domestic pickups) it says nothing about you, it isn’t a status symbol, it’s a tool… and that’s what makes it actually cool. It’s not some half ton truck pulling its skirt up with a bunch of uneased off-road bs parading around the suburbs giving the pretense that you are headed off to Baja… in many ways this is the most functional pickup on the market. Bravo Ford
Thats just it if youre buying or looking at these YOU DONT NEED a "real pickup".. the beds are almost the same size is it like 2" difference? I will take the one that rides better and is more fun to drive.. I really thought I wanted a Maverick till I started seeing reviews.. then I was like.. sometimes I take longer drives(3 hours or so 1 way) and I keep hearing Mavericks seats are not that comfortable... I couldnt care less about 2WD/FWD and Hybrids id never own anything but AWD/4x4. and when you get the maverick nice its about the same price(to get the maverick worth having its XLT or Lariat and for me FX4...then its about a wash price wise with the Santa Cruz and pretty much where the base model Ridgeline starts...
@@chrisbennett1037 Maverick seats are extremely comfortable! I own one, and I've never seen a negative review of the seats. The cabin is also much much roomier than the Hyundai.
I'm 67, retired and I have a 12 foot aluminum single axle cargo camper conversion trailer. I've been looking at the Santa Cruz to tow it. I could carry a small propane inverter generator in the back. Currently it needs to be carried inside the trailer and placed outside to use because I tow with a Pacifica and don't want to carry it inside the vehicle. I was surprised when you stated this was not a good vehicle for towing.
SC is rated to tow more then the Mav, so yeah their recommendation is not aligned with the facts. The only worry with the SC is the DCT. Once in gear and cruising it doesn’t matter. Plenty of old farm trucks were manuals so having a clutch isn’t a deal breaker. 100k power train warranty so guess I’ll find out.
I never go offroad, and I don't tow anything. I want something that gets really good fuel economy, and occasionally lets me haul home bulky stuff from Lowe's, and lets me haul stuff to the dump. Maverick Hybrid is perfect for me.
I'm so glad this segment is a thing now, ever since the Ridgeline it's been like _this is a smart package for a lot of buyers_ ; finally 15 years later we have these! (yeah I'm ignoring the Baja because it was smaller and they didn't sell many). I appreciate the Maverick is good as-is but I don't like the styling and it seems a bit underpowered in its drivetrains, but I knew a lot of guys in construction services who wanted something smaller and more efficient and I bet some will be picking up Mavericks. The Santa Cruz really, really ticks my boxes if I were go to this segment. I certainly would never need anything more utilitarian than something like this!
I recently purchased a Santa Cruz SEL Premium 2.5T H-Trac and I absolutely love it! I’m amazed at what Hyundai has put together with this thing.
You are right. It's beautiful band compact. Looks well out together.
How many people REALLY need a F-150!? I've got one friend who is a contractor and he's the exception ;-) Crud, side-rant: His turbo F-150 has just had an engine rebuild (under warranty), you might want to steer away from a Maverick Turbo. Back on-topic; I've been driving BMW 3-series wagons for 20 years and I think the Santa Cruz is right-sized for 95% of what we actually use our commuters for! Now that gas prices are skyrocketing, these smaller choices make a whole lot more sense... again!
I'm glad this segment of small trucklets is making a comeback.
People are so worried about the longevity…but good thing such a long warranty..gives peace of mind
I Have the Santa Cruz! Ever Since the Concept ed it I liked it. I have 27k on mine. It has been Every mile a big big Smile. 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. 125k Service warranty. And it tows our 19foot Camper Flawlessly
The Santa Cruz is the Subaru Baja we wanted...
Except it doesn’t come in manual
Regarding the closing comments I can give you an example of who it's for. I own a Santa Cruz and I love it for my specific situation. I don't like trucks, I like two door luxury sports cars. I need a truck for practical purposes. I live in the center of a city. I own a 100 year old house in the down town district. It needs renovations, I need to be able to haul drywall and lumber. I need to be able to make runs to the dump. I live in Canada where it snows a lot. I have two cars which are rear wheel drive. I like to snowboard.
This vehicle checks all my boxes as a reluctant truck owner. Its styling is the least truck like. It's high tech and has a base level of luxury that I would demand. It's small for a truck but huge for me compared to a coupe or roadster.
The ford maverick wouldn't be in consideration for me. If I wanted something that was base level and pure utility I would just buy a used, mid-sized pick up. And then I'd never actually drive it because why would is when I have two great summer cars?
If I'm going to spend money on a new vehicle it needs to be good enough so that I actually want to drive it and use it. I think the Santa Cruz will get a lot of use. It's going to serve me as a winter vehicle, for renovations, towing a boat, hauling a kayak, buying large items from stores, buying plants/trees for landscaping. Maybe I could even haul my car on a trailer, with spare tires and tools in the bed, to the track.
I’ll take the Maverick 🏆
I've had a XLT Maverick since March and I absolutely love it man, get one you won't regret it.
May you be happy.
I wish someone would do a video that would run the Maverick into the side of a Santa Cruz and a Santa Cruz into the side of a Maverick and see which does better. That would help me to decide.
I will take my Maverick XL, sticker was $21490. All the truck I need.
Man I like the idea of the xl but I wish they'd either add cruise control or add it as an option
Right on lady!
As a family that owns both of these I love em both! I have the bed extender on my santa cruz and it's a must! The ecoboost is soooooo fun on the ford though
I absolutely LOVE my '24 Santa Cruz SE AWD!! I live in SLC and drove it in deep snow last winter. Santa Cruz is amazing in deep snow!! I occasional use it to haul garden supplies and building materials for my house so it's better than an SUV because i can wash out the bed with a hose and I think there's one more thing Hyundai has that Ford doesn't have: THE WARANTY!! 🏆🏆🏆
Santa Cruz SE is my dream come true! I didn't need the turbo, digital display or the bed cover... all i wanted was H-TRAC and a nice interior and i fell totally in love with the SE trim because it has real gauges and won't get me into too much trouble speeding around like wanna-be street racer. Great video, thanks for the upload!!
I hear rumors of an ST version of the Maverick, with around 330 HP and AWD. It would be the same powertrain set-up as the old Focus RS, with drift mode.
Oh yeah, Ford has a lot of options for the Maverick. An ST performance trim, an offroad trim, and AWD option for the hybrid.
Santa Cruz looks great 👍
“A fun hatchback with a pickup bed” sounds like the perfect vehicle for me
I owned a Ridgeline and I did really like it. It was a good vehicle. In the end it was just to small and I went back an F 150 it just fits the family better but I might be interested in a Maverick someday when I'm retired and the kids are grown.
I love how thorough you guys are with these reviews. Keep up the good work. Thank You
Didn't really understand the dig on this video on the Maverick not being a "real" truck. I've taken mine on some sketchy forest service roads where it performed flawlessly given its unibody design. There are millions of people that own a truck in this country that will never tow anything above the Maverick's max possible limit of 4000 pounds or go offroad to where they need a locking diff.
My maverick had zero problems with Ohio winters 👍👍👍
You probably also think a 2" pecker is also a buggus dickus.
Once I replaced the 20 wheels and all weather tires with 17 wheels an all terrain tire, it handled vastly better on both the very pot-holed local roads and on relatively gentle off-roading..
20:47 answer? The Santa Cruz Limited is for me. I have a 600+whp 300zx twin turbo as my fun car... I tried owning a 370z sport touring as a daily.. not enough room...but fun and sporty obviously.... I need somewhere to put all my stuff.. don't want a regular truck as Im a city boy at heart. Don't want a minivan or SUV (Ive had rogues...dakotas...all kinds of cars) but want the practicality of it. I want a luxurious interior with ALL the bells and whistles under 50k that is reliable, comfortable, and fast(ish) all at the same time... oh and a truck bed. The turbocharged 4 cyl appeals to me also.. (on regular 87 octane getting great MPG to me to boot) After watching too many reviews and reading article upon article about the car.... First test drive of the Santa Cruz last week was all I needed. My limited will be here next month! Great review as usual guys.
I think the Maverick will be successful based purely on Looks!
People love the "retro" boxy styling and honestly the average consumer doesnt give a Fudge about "truck stuff" they just want something that sips gas and isnt hideous
(except prius drivers, cuz those things are barf of wheels)
Bought a 22 SantaCruz SEL premium awd cpo in February. Very happy with it.
A new Brat would be delightful, but I suspect the Baja would be a closer comparison.
Santa Cruz bed is just too limited by the pillars and the cover. It’s a bummer honestly. You have to maximize an already small bed, not the opposite. Ford nailed it. 100%
Yes when the cover is open on the SC there is only 3 ft left. Pretty useless.
@@JamesD-HB you know you can get a SC without the cover right? Save some space. I rather have a cover initially and if I want to remove it and get one that won't take up a lot of space I can but in the meantime, I'll have a cover
All the flashy bells are whistles that were pointed out on the Santa are things I just don't need. I test drove a Maverick hybrid and I found the acceleration to be very good. I, and the majority of drivers will find it adequate. That zippy performance comes at a cost with the initial price and the hit at the gas station. I'll take the 40mpg average (what a friend with a Maverick gets) , lower purchase price and greater reliability.
The maverick is based on the ultra reliable drivetrain from all of the explorer hybrids they used as taxis. Technology originally borrowed from toyotas eCVT although now Ford claims they have altered it enough to claim it as a Ford system now. Should be one of the best new vehicles you can buy if Ford didn't goof up on what was already doing so well.
Santa Cruz with a bed like Maverick's is the goldilocks combo. It sounds like a joke, but you're right, choose activity first and then truck. Since I like mountainbiking and woodworking, I'd go Ford.
I would like to have seen the turbo Ford at the base trim for this comparo because you cannot get the turbo Santa Cruz without loading it out...The ford advantage is to get the big motor in any trim it is pretty quick apparently. Would like to know if that would have made it more appealing to drive (I do mostly highway driving, so power is about the only thing I get to play with regularly). I think this is what would make it appealing, because price is what I think holds the Ridgeline back
I drive turbo 2.0 Eco it’s very fun drive . The reviewers couldn’t get one too drive maybe they can in the future . Right now it’s hard get maverick so it’s understandable.
In Canada you can get a bare bones version with the turbo all wheel drive. They need to make that trim available in the US
@@WorldofTanksVideo that's interesting. Why not the US? hmm. EPA? Doesn't make sense.
Ford makes XL with AWD in US.
I like the styling of the Santa Cruz better, but hands down I'd go with the base trim maverick any day of the week. A hybrid for 20k that will get 40+ mpg is much better than a 40k Hyundai.
Just wait 2 years when the ford is a crap box
I’ve always had a sedan but have been very interested in the Santa Cruze and Maverick. I test drove the Santa Cruze and was sorely disappointed. I disliked the styling and the cab felt cramped.
I later test drove a Maverick and absolutely loved it. It was so much roomier and drove so much better.
I ended up ordering a 2.0T Ecoboost Lariat Model with the 4k towing package. I’m very excited for the Maverick. It’s a perfect fit for someone who doesn’t really want a truck but wants many of the truck features.
That's so interesting I test drove the Santa Cruz and I fell in love. I test drove the new Nissan Frontier and I was disappointed
The maverick is a Mexican built with Ford badge. Hyundai Santacruz is built in Alabama with a Korean badge. The Korean brand is more American and help Americans have a job verses the Ford American company employees Mexican workers. So i bought the most American vehicle Hyundai Santacruz and I love it and feel better about my fellow Americans who were able to go to work on the American truck, Santacruz.
The Cruz is for people like me. Don't have a use for a pickup 90% of the time. Need to tow a couple of jet skis occasionally. Like to drive. Would be better with a real (manual) transmission. Seriously thinking of trading the wife's Buick Regal sport in. I'll keep the Boxster & the Busa tho.
I have a 06 Subaru Baja turbo 5mt and that ute is way cooler than these two will ever be. Subaru handling, UEL header rumble turbo charged goodness with the fun factor of a manual transmission, the Baja was 20 years ahead of it's time. If I had to pick between the two I'd go with the Santa Cruz because it looks way better than the maverick, I work at ford so I know to stay away from their new vehicles .. 😅
"There isn't a serious pickup truck owner that would consider the Maverick." I've owned a '96 GMC Sonoma, a '97 Chevrolet C1500, and currently daily drive a '70 Chevrolet C10. I'd consider a Maverick. I'd get a base AWD turbo with the 4K towing package.
Maybe they meant a pickup truck owner that seriously uses their pickup? However, this thing can haul a lot in the bed, weight-wise, and as long as the dimensions of the 4.5" bed aren't an issue, I do see a lot of contractors and hobbyists flocking to the Maverick for the various things mentioned in this video.
@@ethinos2719 I have a light 4 X 8' trailer that takes care of the space issue.
I ordered the santa cruz….trading in my f-150….because of the price and gas mileage. Still want a little bit of bed but 90 percent of the time its just going to be a commuter vehicle.
Hyundai definitely looks like an elevated brat. The Maverick is more truck but I can't handle that interior. Thankfully I'm past the 'cuteness' and at the end of my truck journey S-10, Ranger, 1500, 2500HD. Good video and like seeing new stuff coming to the market
I think that Santa looks fantastic. A N version would be hilarious
That would be wrong, weird, strange, impractical, and...I love it.
Or a XRT soft-roading version like they have for the Tucson.
I think it looks like a teenager's vehicle
@@timjohnson1199 is that a "bad" thing?
@@TJDST4 Not for a teenager.
The Maverick is the sales leader. That truck is turning in just four days.
Sales leader but not better. Because then otherwise a corolla is a better car than the S Class based on sales. Makes me laugh when people talk about sales.
Maverick is an awesome vehicle. I personally went with the santa cruz.
Better EVERYTHING than the Ford, except fuel economy but I honestly don't care about that I own an ev also.
Maverick I must say is the better looking one of the two.
@@ChristianC-gy1ym price matters. The Ford starts, what, 20% cheaper?
@@thatoneotherotherguy I don't think the santa cruz is aiming at the 20k value market but I agree it matters to a lot of people.
The cruz does not come with bed cover in base models but in the top of the line model it does. Soft cover. . If you want extra power you need upgrade with turbo . The price difference really hurts the cruz because at 40k you can get Ranger ,taco , etc … At 40k if you like the sleek design of luxury suvs you can get Lexus UX sport or others . 25k you can get turbo motor with decent cloth seats in maverick. Base lariat maverick is msrp 31k comes with leatherish interior with fwd ecoboost option. The Maverick has better options at cheaper cost. The maverick doubled the cruz sales and is also in top 5 adjusted markup price in the automobile industry right now.
I think these are great idea. Many, many people don't use their pickup to it's maximum. I have several friends that have F250's and F350's. They haul two snowmobiles or go to the dump and basically waste fuel to do it. Some people just want to be able to go to home depot and pick stuff up. People that are die hard pick up people need to mind their own business.
The Maverick ticks a lot of boxes for a company vehicle that needs to do light utility duties and also be dirt cheap. Combined with the great mileage, it is kind of a perfect urban delivery vehicle or gofer on a jobsite. I could totally see the company I work for springing for the base model for this capacity.
Pest control and pool companies around here have started replacing their fleets with Maverick hybrids. Hard to beat the price and gas mileage.
37 bags of mulch is a good measurement for me. Means it can carry about 20 bags of 80lbs of concrete. Haven't seen what the Hyundai can do but real world item use is helpful
To me, my 21 Ridgeline is the better price in whatever trim you get. I get 28 mpg on the highway. The back seats are very useful. Everyone that has sat in the back has not complained. These two mini UTEs have a place, but it is not in Ridgeline class.
So I'm hearing that Ford needs to make a manual Maverick ST on the double.
Give me a manual
What they need to do "on the double " is to start building and shipping for the orders they have and increase production. I've been waiting six months for mine.
The Santa Cruz is a natural evolution for owners of Subaru Outbacks. I own a 2015 Outback and my biggest issue was the size limitation on what you could put in it. My SC solves this problem and drives just as well, if not better than my Outback.
These are really the re-incarnation of the Chevy El Camino and Ford Ranchero. Take your basic car platform, which back then was the sedan / wagon chassis, and put a trucklet body on it. Only today, the basic car platform is the CUV. Ideally these would have been offered in 2-door form like their forebears to allow a longer bed, but we all know that today the 4-door truck cab is king.
almost no one is buying 2-doors for a long time now, and suicide doors trap you when parking in parking lots since you block both sides with the doors up against another vehicle and can't get out the back without opening the front. that said, they should have made the santa cruz a little longer. I would gladly sacrifice another 6 inches of length parking space to get extra room for the rear passengers and bed.
I want to get a Ranchero sign for the back of my Maverick
A comparison of these against an estate/wagon could be interesting. Both haul stuff but different market image
Maverick is the vehicle that would be parked right up front at Walmart and not worry about a scratch, and the Santa Cruz would be ceramic-coated in the back of the lot
Lol oh man I feel this comment.
If you think a Santa Cruz warrants a ceramic coat I think I can guess your tax bracket
So Help me it's a Mustang with a Bed ! It's so much fun to Drive! It kicks Mustangs Asses ! Get a frinkin Utility trailer for 700dollars and shut the Hell up about the Dammed Bed ! Even with my F 150 I have had a utility trailer. To put my wood tools in the bed with my cover. Retired people love my Santa Cruz. My wife hated my huge STX F 150. It was always sticking out the parking space. And backing up and pulling forward to get the Beast in . The Santa Cruz is Perfect Vehicle and still hauling and towing. It's a Swiss Army Knife on wheels!
Remember when you were a kid and wondered "why don't they make concept cars"...Hyundai has heard you. Here in Chicagoland I see far more Santa Cruz's than the Maverick. Not sure where I read it but the Santa Cruz was the best selling vehicle out there😇
Quickest selling, not best selling. They can't make too many since they're all made and only made in the Alabama plant along with the Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra and Sonata, so not a lot of unit capacity leftover for the SC...
The maverick is outselling the Sante Cruz by more than two to one lol. Which makes sense, the maverick is the better product.
@@KB-bh9hp better how exactly, just curious🤔 Also the Santa Cruz is a bit more expensive so there's one reason. I've seen a number of Mavericks ad work vehicles out here, so maybe that's #2🤔
@@klasseact6663 Bro, the maverick is thousands of dollars cheaper than the Sante Cruz, gets over double the in city fuel economy, has a cooler looking interior imo, a more tasteful exterior, is made by a brand renowned for it's durable trucks, and the hybrid components are warrantied for basically the same amount of time as the Hyundai's powertrain components.
@@klasseact6663 Also, official sales numbers don't lie, just because you haven't seen that many Maverick's doesn't mean they aren't selling. I've seen 3 Maverick's at this point and 1 Sante Cruz. So
These are the trucks/ pickups 90% of all truck owners need. Maybe not what they want, but I'm seeing enough of these Mavericks that I think a lot are accepting reality.
For those wondering if they can get by without 4x4, given that invariably if I see a vehicle that's stuck on the side of a highway in Colorado snow it's going to be an F150/RAM/Silverado, I have to wonder what's it matter? Weight is not your friend in snow, 4x4 or not..
My ex, who still has her horses, has been living fine with a 2wd truck for 10 years.
The maverick only makes sense at $23-25k , which is XL and XLT hybrid . Anything other than that is trying to make it’s something it’s not . I have one on order .
I called my local ford dealer. They are not taking orders for a year.
If you stop by the dealers there's cancellations.
Right, this analysis is pretty good except that you actually find a Santa Cruz. You'll go to Ford, they'll make you order one, dick you around for a while, it'll take longer to build than they suggest, and then fall apart faster
The back seats in the Ridgeline are very useable. You can fit a child seat in back of the Ridgeline driver seat with a 6 foot person and still be comfortable. It also has more inside space then the Frontier.
I agree brother. Still have my 2006 (15 years now) with 236,000 miles for a reason. Take a lot of crap for it from friends and I have only borrowed a full size truck a handful of times. It does what I need for my handyman business. Oh and I paid 25,000 not 75,000 for a new truck. Lol
It's way more practical than either of these, probably outlast them too.
In 2013 I purchased a 2013 Ford Fiesta and a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. In the first year I had three major issues with the Fiesta. A door flew open and would not latch, transmission would chug, and it was an automatic that got stuck in a low gear. In Fords defense they have only been mass producing cars for just over 100 years. I figure in maybe 200 or 300 years they will figure it out. Now some might say that was common with the Fiesta, but my retort is Mazda and Toyota used that same car under different names and they had none of the issues Ford did. Ford's hundreds of executives need big salaries at the consumers expense.
I have since sold the Ford. The Elantra just hit 126,000 miles and runs like a top. My little niece is getting it and I am getting the family a Santa Cruz.
I really like the synopsis of the Maverick Hybrid, "the commute truck".
I just bought '22 Tacoma double cab TRD off-road 6' bed and with tech package for 41k. I'll take the hit in mpg over these. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll put more milage on mine than the average of these two combined before it needs major drivetrain work.
In your dreams buddy. Not all vehicles are built the same.
@@deefromewa9868 That was my point! I'll take Toyota of Hyundai or Ford any day of week for build quality.
Both of these will probably work for the owner of the lifted F250 Super Duty . That a I see going to my mom's house. Truck is never dirty 🤔
sounds like you're just mad the F250 guy is taking liberties with your ma
@@WorldofTanksVideo Really? You chimed in just to say that.
What strikes me is the very different prices of the vehicles tested. I've driven the SAME VEHICLE in different package prices and they felt different and better or worse for a reason.
Initially really liked the exterior looks of the Santa Cruz, yet it's interior is all dark, must use the touch screen for many things and Hyundai does not allow ordering a vehicle. I was able to order the Ford, it has a bright interior, it has more buttons/knobs. I waited 8 months to get a Maverick Hybrid in XLT trim with 6 low priced options. MSRP $24,505. Such a deal !
Hate the driver's seat in the Maverick, very slowly figuring out it's convoluted controls.
I will never enjoy it as I do. the love of my life...a 2015 FRS...(not for sale ever).
[In an effort to sort of cover my bases, I have on order a Maverick XLT, EcoBoost, AWD, 4k tow pkg, FX 4 off road pkg. msrp $28,930. The plan is to keep the most liked one].
People are entirely too hung up on image. Do you want a pickup to transport bulky items, or to look like a manly man who needs a full-size commercial vehicle just to get coffee? If it's the former, then you should just buy as much truck as is needed to achieve your mission. If it's the former, you're a goober and need to grow up. I love my 1999 Dakota, and a big part of that is you just can't get a truck that small anymore. It's WAY smaller than the Ridgeline. When I unload dirt bikes at the trailhead, it's SO much easier than all the other guys with their diesel Chungus trucks.
I like the trend of smaller truck returning, although I do wish they would offer an option for less cab and a longer bed. My Dakota is 2 seats with a 6.5ft bed, making it physically shorter than a Maverick or Santa Cruz, but I can get 2 MX bikes in it with the tailgate up. My truck is packaged REALLY inefficiently, so the new ones could easily do better. The automakers are probably worried about their ability to market a 2-seat vehicle, and sadly they're probably right. Most people would rather buy a rolling apartment building that gets 15mpg, rather than get something smaller that carries what they need, goes just as fast, and gets 30mpg. The El Camino and Ranchero were so perfect in concept. Not great for the construction site, but that's not what YOU do with your truck, is it?
We have a Santa Cruz Limited, and we absolutely love it. It's fast, fun, and still very comfortable. It's a great road trip car. It has all the practicality we'll ever need. The Maverick was just way too boring for us. There's also the amazing warranty.
Driving my maverick while listening to the video! I love mine…XLT trim 🙏
Its for someone with a city job, needs a few bucket buddies and tool bags... And takes trips to the cape or camping with no worry of snow... New England folk or pacific north west...
GREAT comparo! It's funny how the trucks are so comparable in terms of functionality but the prices are so different. I'd go with the Ranger if I needed something like this. Thanks for these reviews.
I have been trying to find a Santa Cruz Limited trim. Just not available. If one comes in to a dealer they slap a 10k market adjustment fee. These trucks are in high demand. I’ll wait for the recession.
I get 27city and 35 Interstate after first Oil change.
Over and over they keep saying the Maverick is more "useable" and can "do more" than the SC... but the SC has a higher payload, higher tow rating, more powerful engine, and BARELY a smaller bed. The bias here is ridiculous. lol
Spot on. What makes the Mav’s bed better? It’s doesn’t even have in bed storage. Just because it has a blue oval it’s automatically a better “truck”? It tows 1,000 lbs less, so ummm no. I bought a SC to replace a 20 year Dakota… and yes I’ll be towing with it. At least they admitted a fully loaded Mav ($38k) is nearly the same price as a loaded SC ($40k). However at that price the Mav still has a $25k interior. The SC driving feel and interior quality is comparable to my wife’s Infiniti… I’m super impressed with what Hyundai has done here.
The 2024 base maverick sells for $25,000 and its 15.000 more for hybrid. I bought
a Hyundai SANTA CRUZ its not cheap feeling and same as maverick.$26500.00 SE
model 2wd.
The Santa Cruz is the start of a new era for Hyundai. Let's not forget, this is the FIRST instance of Hyundai creating something like a pickup truck when compared to its counterpart Ford. I would assume it was a shot in the dark for the production team to spice up the game and they couldn't even dream of the success it brought. The Santa Cruz is the show-stopper of the vehicular world because of the uniqueness and capabilities all intertwined in a luxurious ute. Being an owner of the SEL version of the Santa Cruz(mid-level trim), I can say from my own experiences, when it comes to entry/mid-level trims -- this has to take the cake. I've both hauled and towed with the Santa Cruz and to get so much power out of this thing is (GDI 2.5 I4 non-turbo) , to this day, astounding. Not to be all-inclusive by any means, but the average America is going to get the middle trim for both vehicles and that's one of the major realms the Santa Cruz beats-out in.
As stated before, this is Hyundai's first attempt at a "pickup" truck. Rumor has it from multiple sources, the production time has their eyes set on releasing a pickup based on the Palisade's frame. I can't even imagine what wonders they could bring to the table with getting the green light on a mid/full size pickup truck. Maybe this is Hyundai's way of rocking up late to the pickup game party and saying "yeah, we can hang too" to Honda and Toyota.
We are likely to order a Maverick for our active family with kids for better utility of truck bed to carry bikes, snowboards and sound road trips with camping gear.
I'm a hatchback driver and my hybrid Maverick just shipped out a week ago! Awesome MPG and incredible practicality was a no brainer. Crossovers are so boring, sports cars too impractical, full size trucks too huge and inefficient.
It's so curious - The Maverick is fun to drive. The eCVT is masterful and smooth. It's a blast to toss around compared to my prior Tacoma. There are differences of needs, use and driving experience and driving style. From one perspective it's not a sports care from another is far from a traditional pickup. The Santa Cruz is a CAR the Maverick is a small pickup. And they look their respective parts.
I hate to say this, but I think the order statistics for the maverick are hybrid leading due to dealer markups and justified at least for some US areas because of rising gas prices. On the bright side this could lead to more hybrid versions on the used markets in the near future
We own the Santa Cruz and LOVE it. I also bought a Maverick and EVERYONE but me hates it.
Really wish the Ford Maverick wasn’t near impossible to order or find in dealerships. Practically the most sought out car of 2022 from Ford. A local dealership told me that they were only allowed to take on 120 orders of the 2023 Maverick, they ended up taking about 300!
Cute ute “I’ll get me coat”😂
The Maverick is the size of a last generation Ranger. But suddenly a Maverick ISN'T a truck.
The new Ranger is the size of my old 2002 F150.
And it's amazing how many people in the comments are complaining about them being too cheap.
The Maverick bed size is 20 inches shorter than a 1999 Ranger bed. But the tow rating is actually similar. I was surprised by that. It’s not us that’s complaining about it not being a real truck though, it’s the general public.
True about the bed length. But the Ranger was never a crew cab I. America. I don't know the bed length on the four door model available outside of America though @@phattyhales
Actually the horsepower for the Santa Cruz 4-cylinder inline turbo is actually 281 horsepower
By the way it easily supersedes the Maverick
The Maverick is 600 lbs lighter, so it beats the Hyundai in 0-60 times and ties in the 1/4 mile. As far as superceding?
The buyers have spoken, and the Maverick outsells the Hyundai 4 to 1.
I like ford mevrick but I have 2016 ford escape from the day one it has tons of trouble and warranty is very limited So I will go with Santa Cruze due to good warranty
Full disclosure - I bought a Santa Cruz about 3 months ago to replace my 2006 Ford Ranger. But that was AFTER repeatedly checking out the Maverick, which I had every intention of purchasing, because I'm a Ford guy for the last 25-30 years.
Ultimately I surprised myself and bought the Santa Cruz. Why? When I look at the Maverick, I see uninspired and stodgy. These guys say the styling looks fresh, but to me, it's no different than everything else Ford has been doing, which is traditional and predictable and . . . uninspired.
But here was the deal breaker for me - the interior. I can see that Ford put lots of thought into it, but the final product just looks cheap. Real cheap. I get they wanted to keep the price down, and that strategy is working for them in that they are selling a bunch of these trucks, if they can ever actually produce them. But honestly, the interior of my 2006 Ranger looked more upscale than the 2022 Maverick. And that cubby hole next to the screen just screams poor design and something that was slapped together.
One final thought . . . when I loaded up the Maverick with the options I wanted, it was about $3000 less than top-of-the-line Cruz, but it still did not have near the tech that the Cruz offered standard.
I'm sure the people who choose the Maverick will enjoy it as much as I enjoy my Santa Cruz, as it should be.
I think the base Maverick will sell well to commercial customers and municipalities. The Subaru crowd will love the Hyundai ... Styling is night and day. There are markets that give concessions for p/up trucks, one could get what is almost a crossover car of while paying the subsidies normally reserved for farm equipment. You see guys there's a thing called a global car market ... There are Fords and Buicks that don't even come to the United States.
Please provide your audience with one of the MOST Important benchmark data points for EVERY vehicle you review by including a brief clip of the door stickers showing payload, weight and tire information .