Hyundai’s Santa Cruz and Ford’s Maverick made waves in the industry with the revitalization of the compact pickup truck segment, and ever since they were unveiled, people have (naturally) been comparing the two to figure out which one is best. Now, the folks over at Throttle House have done precisely that in their latest video, which is one of the best head-to-head comparison of the two unibody pickups yet.
In terms of powertrains, this comparison sees the Hyundai‘s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder go up against the Ford‘s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. That’s important to consider, as the Maverick is offered with a hybrid powertrain, but as it turns out, even the non-hybrid returned better fuel economy while delivering comparable (albeit slightly less) power than the Santa Cruz. Both trucks were described as being easy to drive with light steering, a comfortable ride, and good visibility.
Read: Ford Maverick Vs Hyundai Santa Cruz First Thoughts
Seeing as the trucks drive similarly, the decision-making process on which one to get really comes down to personal preference. The Santa Cruz, which in the States, starts from $23,990 or nearly $4,000 more than a base Maverick, is more of a lifestyle toy. It has a slightly better ride, a nicer interior, and more unique styling, but it also costs more and isn’t as practical or fuel efficient. The Maverick, on the other hand, is more of a workhorse. It’s cheaper at starting MSRP of $19,995, more functional, and gets better gas mileage even without the hybrid, but it doesn’t have many of the creature comforts found in the Hyundai.
Driven: The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Mixes Crossover Comfort With Truck Capability
Driven: The 2022 Ford Maverick Is Proof Big Things Come In Small Packages
In the end, the Santa Cruz is more like a car that became a truck, while the Maverick is a truck that behaves like a car. So for those who want a crossover with added ruggedness and storage space, the Santa Cruz is for you, while those looking for a pickup truck that isn’t as massive as the ones that predominantly populate our roads, can go with the Maverick. To watch Throttle House’s full comparison for yourself, you can check it out in the video below.