2023 Ford Maverick vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

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.

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.

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.

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.