I took a look at a Santa Cruz today - I was very impressed

[Old Hickory Trojan]

Some other things on my list of pros for the Santa Cruz is that the non turbo/base trims (se and sel) can tow 3500lbs vs the Mav's 2000.

Then there is the difference in warranty. 5 yr bumper to bumper and 10 yr powertrain. If you are someone that is planning on buying the extended warranty for the Mav, you will have to do the math on how much that is going to cost you. I think its a 1200-2000 difference depending on what deductible you want to pay. But i think you still wont get the 10 yr warranty equivalent.

Finally as someone else brought up. Assembled in Mexico vs assembled in Alabama. What jobs do you want to support? Who do you want to repay for creating or maintaining jobs in the USA? (assuming one is from the usa and this matters to them).

First my dealership has a lifetime powertrain warranty for free and the Hybrid has a warrany of 100,000. santa cruz has no hybrid and lousy mileage. and if you want AWD the Ford has a much superior system based upon many reviews testing the two vehicles systems. and the continuous problems Hyundai has had with fires going back years.

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[cavemold]

I bought the $20,000 hybrid XL with the only option being a drop in bedliner. I realize everyone’s situation is different, but I don’t understand why people bought the Ecoboost version and put thousands and thousands of dollars of options, getting to $27,000, $32,000, $35,000, $37,000… Why didn’t they just buy a Ranger or Colorado and they would have had a bigger bed?

Yea I agree I don’t understand the appeal of cruz at the price points . Other than the really like the design of it . Because at 40k you can get xl Ranger with options or xlt depending if your custom order one

 

[Vols44]

Until Hyundia makes a $21,000 hybrid truck, I'm not interested. That said, the SC does have an enviable warranty and some nice tech--but it does come at a price.

This is the simple conclusion that mirrors my own views on both trucks. if I want a luxury cabin with a complementary bed I'll look at this century's El Camino (Ridgeline, Santa Cruz, Lincoln Mark LT, F-150 Platinum).

My 2005 XL Ranger was a bare bones utility truck with an MSRP of 14,450. My future XLT hybrid will have a few extras (especially the CP360) for 10k more than I paid 17 years ago.

I have seen many Ridgelines and one Santa Cruz in my work areas. Maybe two of the half dozen Honda's were doing truck stuff and the Hyundai looked like a pavement princess.

I've seen an A51, black and two grey Mavericks in my area (in the wild). One is a work truck (younger guy) and the others were used by a lady, older man and younger guy.

The versatility of the maverick over a standard SUV, expected 17 year gas savings and 21st century technology (work vehicle and family SUV are CP360 equipped) are the main reasons a Maverick is my logical choice.

To avoid redundancy I've did a comparison of the tow, mileage, tech and off road aspects in another thread.

The unanswered question people will re-visit is: (borrowing @ScottAshville's phrase in this thread) how well these trucks will age. As a Ford fan, every model I've owned (I'll count a 2006 Mercury Montego) has stood the test of time, aged well above and beyond expectations and performed superbly.

Every make has had their share of Edsels and Pintos. Some makes are gone (forever).

 

[JASmith]

Until Hyundia makes a $21,000 hybrid truck, I'm not interested. That said, the SC does have an enviable warranty and some nice tech--but it does come at a price.

I don't even need the Santa Cruz hybrid to be $21K. After looking at the Maverick, I decided that the Lariat was for me, so I'm a little more price flexible and am looking around the $30K range, but with the Santa Cruz my problem is with the engine options.

The 2.5 Smartstream is "enough" power for me, but not enough fuel economy reward to make up for the lack of horsepower.

The 2.5 Turbo has a more respectable power to fuel economy ratio, being virtually the same as the base 2.5 they offer, yet to get into one you're throwing down closer to $40K which is more than I want to spend.

Now if Hyundai were to offer the 2.5T engine in a base trim Santa Cruz like they do in Canada for about $30K after conversion, I'd bite, or if they offered their 1.6T Hybrid in a SE or SEL I'd bite, but until then for my needs the Mav is the front runner by far either in FWD hybrid or FWD ecoboost, both of which kill on bang-to-buck ratio. Styling wise, they are very different but I like both for their own unique vibes.

 

[Enderet]

First my dealership has a lifetime powertrain warranty for free and the Hybrid has a warrany of 100,000. santa cruz has no hybrid and lousy mileage. and if you want AWD the Ford has a much superior system based upon many reviews testing the two vehicles systems. and the continuous problems Hyundai has had with fires going back years.

So your dealer has a lifetime warranty. That is good for you but that doesnt change the fact of the difference I pointed out, only that in your very specifc case it does not apply. Also i dont think the hybrid has 100k warranty bumper to bumper. It is 100k or 8 yrs on the hybrid components from what I recall. And then it has the 3 yr 36k bumper to bumper.

About awd, I dont know anything about that. In my case my comparison is between the non turbo sc fwd and the ecoboost mav fwd.

 

[Bobinmi]

That FUEL ECONOMY is UNimpressive! If I wanted that POOR MPG I would drive an F150 as the window sticker below shows!

 

[stoptothink]

Ok let's spin it this way - That added omg $10k adds ACC, 4K Tow, FX4 with a better suspension system, not cloth seats, heated everything which some of us colder climate folks appreciate greatly, trailer brakes, better infotainment/screen that's less glitchy, acoustic windshield, power back window, push button start, keyless smart entry, remote start with FOB and not some clunky app ,all the truck bed power and tie/down options, added firewall sound insulation, wireless charging and on and on. Be happy with the 25k truck , the hybrid is a great option and yes I get that the 36k upgraded Ecoboost is not going to have Benz like quality but I know I will not be "disappointed" in what I receive for that added 10 grand unless of course I get all the rock chips and error messages lots of folks are getting - lol

Not saying at all that you will be or should be disappointed with your loaded Maverick, just that you are more likely to be than those who ordered a model closer to the base. There is nothing <$30k that remotely compares to the $25k Maverick, you get in the $35k+ range and the Santa Cruz and Ridgeline are absolutely comparable (and maybe superior, depending on your preferences). And, that is not even considering non-truck vehicles that may be considered comparable alternatives.

We weren't necessarily looking for a truck, but $26.2K OTD, enough room and utility for our family (of 4) adventures, and hybrid efficiency - sold. When we sat in a loaded lariat lux, first thought in my mind was at that pricepoint, chances are slim I'm considering a truck at all (let alone a Maverick).

 

[Nw_adventure]

Not saying at all that you will be or should be disappointed with your loaded Maverick, just that you are more likely to be than those who ordered a model closer to the base. There is nothing <$30k that remotely compares to the $25k Maverick, you get in the $35k+ range and the Santa Cruz and Ridgeline are absolutely comparable (and maybe superior, depending on your preferences). And, that is not even considering non-truck vehicles that may be considered comparable alternatives.

We weren't necessarily looking for a truck, but $26.2K OTD, enough room and utility for our family (of 4) adventures, and hybrid efficiency - sold. When we sat in a loaded lariat lux, first thought in my mind was at that pricepoint, chances are slim I'm considering a truck at all (let alone a Maverick).

Money isn't an object for us. Not wanting a Ridgeline which to me looks a civic with a boring interior and a hard no in the SC )-

 

[stoptothink]

Money isn't an object for us. Not wanting a Ridgeline which to me looks a civic with a boring interior and a hard no in the SC )-

Not so humble brag, it isn't an issue for us either - we could easily afford to drive anything short of European ultra exotics. BUT, we don't place a high value on cars; I want an appliance, whatever meets our needs as efficiently as possible. For our use case, that was clearly a lower trim Maverick hybrid. If we were willing to spend $35k+, there are a handful of vehicles we are looking at before a Maverick.

We have resources, but they are still finite; I'd rather spend the extra $10k on some awesome e-bikes (which we did) or some family vacations. Everybody's priorities are different.

 

[Nw_adventure]

Not so humble brag, it isn't an issue for us either - we could easily afford to drive anything short of European ultra exotics. BUT, we don't place a high value on cars; I want an appliance, whatever meets our needs as efficiently as possible. For our use case, that was clearly a lower trim Maverick hybrid. If we were willing to spend $35k+, there are a handful of vehicles we are looking at before a Maverick.

We have resources, but they are still finite; I'd rather spend the extra $10k on some awesome e-bikes (which we did) or some family vacations. Everybody's priorities are different.

If the new Ranger coming out later this year wasn't so big- The small truck market is so limited.

 

[dalola]

I bought the $20,000 hybrid XL with the only option being a drop in bedliner. I realize everyone’s situation is different, but I don’t understand why people bought the Ecoboost version and put thousands and thousands of dollars of options, getting to $27,000, $32,000, $35,000, $37,000… Why didn’t they just buy a Ranger or Colorado and they would have had a bigger bed?

I'll try to help you out here.
A) FE. Ranger & Colorado are no better than several full size trucks.
B) AWD system. The Mav has a superior on-road AWD system, vs. the RWD based 4x4 system, which is better off-road.
C)Interior. The current Ranger interior sucks, and is smaller than the Mav.
D)Cost. A similar equipped Ranger is many thousands more than the Mav.

If you just need a bigger bed, then I agree, there are better choices.

 

[KeinoDoggy]

I like the Santa Cruz and think it’s a very cool Ute. Might have crossed shopped one too, if it weren’t for the fact that Hyundai seems to be focusing on the higher-end of the market (35k+). I got a Maverick XL EB FWD with the only options being a tow hitch and moonroof, which was cheaper than the cheapest SC even after taxes. IMO, the Maverick is more appealing the further down you move the range - at some point you begin spending money with nice things bolted to a cheap truck, and I’d rather just take the cheap truck with the bare minimum. At $23k, the Mav is unbeatable. At $32k, it doesn’t really make much sense, IMO.

Agree. My Hybrid XLT after rebate and taxes came out to $23,580 OTD. Can't beat it.

 

[Mite-o-Dan]

This posting is for those of you on the forum who, like me, are still not quite sure about the Maverick (and like me, you might have one on order). But maybe you haven't looked at the Santa Cruz in person because you don't like the styling or think it's too expensive.

This is NOT intended as some kind of antagonistic posting to troll Maverick owners. Folks, I have a Maverick on order and a Ford Ranger in my driveway. I'm a lifelong Ford truck guy (well, I'm wavering).

I placed my order 3 Sep of last year. I ordered a Maverick because I preferred the conventional styling, the slightly longer bed, and the really powerful Ecoboost engine with a conventional automatic. I like my little luxuries, so the bottom line for the XLT ECO 360 LUX SIBL, including delivery, is $30,500. But I've been kind of wincing at how cheap Ford went on everything. I've seen the truck in person, and it definitely does not impress. And the postings here just reinforce that constantly.

- EDIT BY OP - I was wrong in the next para. The equivalent build SC is $400 more than my Maverick build, not $2,000 cheaper.

So I decided that darn it, I was gonna go check out the competition. I went to look at a similarly equipped Santa Cruz SEL that costs about $2,000 LESS than the Maverick I have on order. Long story short, it impressed.

• The Santa Cruz is way more appealing in person than in pictures. I liked it a lot. It has presence. A neighbor has one and loves it. It looks good going down the street.
• I was impressed by little things, like a composite bed and sound insulation under the hood. And a waterproof storage compartment in the bed.
• Closing the doors, hood, or tailgate on the Maverick vs the Santa Cruz just screams "CHEAP". I'm not being a troll here, the quality difference just jumped out at me in a big way. I don't necessarily hate cheap. My crude 2010 Ranger is cheap, and I've loved that cheap hunk of junk for 102,000 safe and reliable miles.
• The CP360 safety features I want, like blind spot, etc - they're all standard on the Santa Cruz.
• All the rotary shift haters will roll their eyes, but I wish the Santa Cruz didn't have a conventional shift lever. It looks like an antique.
• The interior just blew the Maverick out of the water. Except for the stupid piano black. I mean there was no comparison - these vehicles are not in the same league. The higher quality of the rear view camera really stood out. The software just blows the Ford out of the water.
• The bed had higher sides and was a half foot shorter. I don't care about the length, but I prefer the Maverick sides. Easier for a boomer to reach into the bed.
• The paint quality really impressed. Again, quality of materials jumped out at me everywhere I looked.
• I loved the little foot step indents in the bumper
• Same bed cubbies and lighting as the Maverick
• A bit smaller in the rear seat. Which is a non-issue for me as I really want a two door trucket in the first place.
• Mileage wasn't all that different from the Eco I ordered. And again, you give up a lot of horsepower on the lower trim Santa Cruz trucklets. So not for those who thirst after horsepower.

Bottom line is that I walked away seriously impressed with the lower trim Santa Cruz SEL. I have no build date for my constrained Maverick order and I need a Hobbit Truck sooner than later. And I walked away from the in-person review thinking "I can save $2,000 and get the same functionality sooner and with a ten year warranty". On the other hand, I'm thinking "Or I could stick with the Maverick and have all that horsepower and no piano black (but cheap hard plastics)". I'm thinking it over.

Bottom line. If you're wavering like me, I'd say go test drive a Santa Cruz in one of the lower trims (SE or SEL). You might find yourself pleasantly surprised. I'd love to hear the impressions of others who actually physically compared the two cars (sorry, trucks).

Wow, the cheapest new truck on the market feels cheap. The cheapest new truck hybrid that gets 40 mpg and has 4 doors, feels cheap.

A cheap 4 door truck that gets 40 mpg is literally the only reason I ordered one. If I wanted a fancier more expensive truck that gets less gas mileage...I'd buy a fancier more expensive truck that gets less gas mileage.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Wow, the cheapest new truck on the market feels cheap. The cheapest new truck hybrid that gets 40 mpg and has 4 doors, feels cheap.

A cheap 4 door truck that gets 40 mpg is literally the only reason I ordered one. If I wanted a fancier more expensive truck that gets less gas mileage...I'd buy a fancier more expensive truck that gets less gas mileage.

The point of my original post on this thread had absolutely nothing to do with pissing on the entry level hybrid Maverick, which I think is a steal. And which just about every automotive journalist thinks is a steal. Just like my super cheap 2010 XLT Ranger, which I pointed out above has a been a crude but faithful companion delivering 30 MPG for 102,000 miles.

My post was aimed at people like me who ordered around a $30K Maverick with constraints, and who've been waiting the better part of a year and still have no build date, and who are desperately casting around for other options that can be bought RIGHT NOW. My main point was that for anyone OK with the SC styling and lower power engine, a mid-trim Santa Cruz is worth looking at.

That's it bro. I wasn't pissing on your hybrid Maverick. I think it's a great little trucklet. Truly I do. And FWIW I still have my XLT LUX 360 AWD Maverick on order and wish it were here like last month.

 

[Sykotyk]

For everyone talking about the small bed being an issue. Regardless of the truck. It was a concern of mine, but I wanted a bed to haul dirty, oily, greasy crap and wasn't going to do that in the trunk of a new car (my old car had some rubber mats and tarps). Weight wasn't the issue.

But with the mav, get the hitch (recommend that $100 charge to anyone ordering a mav) and but a cheap 5x6 or 5x8 trailer for the few times you need easier loading (walk stuff right into it) or larger cargo space.

That's what I ended up doing. The bed handles the nasty dirty stuff well, and my little trailer works great for the few big things I've have to move (lawn mower, swing set, run to the dump, etc).

But for me, the hybrid was the point of buying the maverick. If it wasn't a hybrid I probably would've went with some cheap sedan I could abuse.

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