Rented a Santa Cruz

[gte105u]

So as I head to the rental car lot yesterday, the is a Santa Cruz sitting there. It's a SEL with Activity Package (no turbo or AWD). When I rented a Ridgeline it made me confirm I wouldn't buy one of those. Opposite situation with a Santa Cruz I could see myself owning one. Some thoughts in no particular order.

-The looks grow on you.
-The Tonneau cover is really hard to close. Like painful on the hand hard. Maybe it's just an issue with this one...?
-The underbed storage is really shallow. It couldn't even take my not particularly thick work backpack.
-Once getting used to the entertainment system it's pretty nice. Wireless Android Auto and a wireless charging pad is awesome. Can't believe the upper trim of Santa Cruz and all Mavericks don't have wireless. It's a big miss.
-The non turbo is pretty weak. But gas mileage is better than I expected.
-Strange in SEL, has lane centering but no adaptive cruse. Lane centering works really well.
-The instrument cluster is busy and despite being all digital not customizable enough. Also, and maybe it's just me, the speedo on left and tach on right seems off.
-it's got ability to select gears
-Big focus spelling things out for driver. When you turn on windshield wipers the setting its on shows up on the instrument cluster.
-Roof rails and cross bars looks sharp. Maverick should have this option.
-Pretty loud. Maybe due to the roof cross bars in part.

If I come across more before I turn in tomorrow I'll add.

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[gte105u]

Just dropped it off at the rental car. The attendant asked how I liked it. I told him it drove nice, ultimately liked more than Ridgeline. He looked at it and shook his head and said "it just looks funky"... "I know"

Told him I was looking at Mavericks, but they are hard to find I'm sure they don't have them. He said they have some he's actually parked them. Said he really likes them they are AWD versions. Here's to hoping in an upcoming trip I'm able to snag one to rent...

 

[Last Truck Ever]

I really need to replace my old 2008 Ranger, and with Mavs so hard to get, I've looked at every available option, including the SC. But I just keep coming back to MPG. Until Hyundai and others offer a hybrid, the Maverick stands alone.

 

[gte105u]

I had the SC (non turbo) in sports mode for a 100 mile round trip. Good bit of highway, little bit of in town. It averaged over 24 mpg. While not hybrid level, it did better than I expected. Better than my current Edge (V6) for sure.

If wanting hybrid mpg it's way off. But for ecoboost it's not a huge delta.

 

[Yardtruck]

I really need to replace my old 2008 Ranger, and with Mavs so hard to get, I've looked at every available option, including the SC. But I just keep coming back to MPG. Until Hyundai and others offer a hybrid, the Maverick stands alone.

As the owner of a 2006 Ranger-I feel your pain.

Was absolutely going to order a 2023 ecoboost Lariat..then the recalls came down in multiples. Ugh.

Went back to Santa Cruz forum. Lots of catastrophic transmission issues. (Mainly DCT.) But both versions have a terrifying propensity to lose power despite high engine revs. Ugh again.

Maybe I'll just wait until the 3rd year of production.

 

[gte105u]

Recalls are less worrisome than issues without them. Overall not seeing a lot of big issues with the EB Maverick, especially considering it's first year. I feel pretty good about getting '23 EB whenever that is.

Haven't followed th Santa Cruz recently to know their issues. But considering the 10 year 100k warranty don't think I'd be too worried there either. I don't put a ton of stock in first year Gremlins it's what happens with the early adopters of anything.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Nice report from the OP.

I've monitored the SC forum. The SC is no more perfect than the Maverick. They're both having first year build issues galore. Kind of glad I missed the first 5 Maverick recalls, so there's a silver lining to waiting so long. I could have purchased an SEL SC AWD for within a few hundred dollars of my $30,600 XLT AWD LUX 360. They are darn close competitors in the middle trims for anyone who's fair. If my Mav hadn't been scheduled when it was, I'd be driving an SC right now (cause I need a new vehicle pronto). And because I'm not a fanboy of either.

They both have strengths and weaknesses, and it will be fun to watch both OEMs work those out in next few years. Competition is great. I'm looking forward to seeing all the new variants for both appear this decade.

 

[kingranchero]

-The looks grow on you.

Like bread mold?

 

[gte105u]

Like bread mold?

Or a skin rash. Looks will never be a strong point to SC in my eyes, but they are less bad now (to me) than when I first saw it. I don't love the look of my Edge from straight on front, especially the halogen headlights and led running. But it rides so nice I don't worry about it. The Santa Cruz looks pretty good from behind the wheel looking out...

 

[Timothyd]

So as I head to the rental car lot yesterday, the is a Santa Cruz sitting there. It's a SEL with Activity Package (no turbo or AWD). When I rented a Ridgeline it made me confirm I wouldn't buy one of those. Opposite situation with a Santa Cruz I could see myself owning one. Some thoughts in no particular order.

-The looks grow on you.
-The Tonneau cover is really hard to close. Like painful on the hand hard. Maybe it's just an issue with this one...?
-The underbed storage is really shallow. It couldn't even take my not particularly thick work backpack.
-Once getting used to the entertainment system it's pretty nice. Wireless Android Auto and a wireless charging pad is awesome. Can't believe the upper trim of Santa Cruz and all Mavericks don't have wireless. It's a big miss.
-The non turbo is pretty weak. But gas mileage is better than I expected.
-Strange in SEL, has lane centering but no adaptive cruse. Lane centering works really well.
-The instrument cluster is busy and despite being all digital not customizable enough. Also, and maybe it's just me, the speedo on left and tach on right seems off.
-it's got ability to select gears
-Big focus spelling things out for driver. When you turn on windshield wipers the setting its on shows up on the instrument cluster.
-Roof rails and cross bars looks sharp. Maverick should have this option.
-Pretty loud. Maybe due to the roof cross bars in part.

If I come across more before I turn in tomorrow I'll add.

Interesting. Not changing my mind but interesting. I already have a wireless charger I'll be transferring and a roof cross bar for the canoe is on the short list.

 

[gte105u]

Interesting. Not changing my mind but interesting. I already have a wireless charger I'll be transferring and a roof cross bar for the canoe is on the short list.

The crossbar was LOUD. Especially when sunroof open even if just tilted on surface streets. Wonder if an acoustic windshield would help when the windows/sunroof were closed? Only vehicle I had with crossbars was a Frontier that has that baffle to help with air flow. I would either want to remove when not using, baffle, or get aftermarket aero bars.

I will say if the Maverick '23 orders start getting squirrelly I may pick up a SC. I really want the better off road of Maverick, but the idea of cooled seats in Houston summer cannot be ignored.

Right now plan is Maverick, and if I really wish I had ventilated seats with the Active X then get Katzkin in a year or two.

 

[Timothyd]

The crossbar was LOUD. Especially when sunroof open even if just tilted on surface streets. Wonder if an acoustic windshield would help when the windows/sunroof were closed? Only vehicle I had with crossbars was a Frontier that has that baffle to help with air flow. I would either want to remove when not using, baffle, or get aftermarket aero bars.

I will say if the Maverick '23 orders start getting squirrelly I may pick up a SC. I really want the better off road of Maverick, but the idea of cooled seats in Houston summer cannot be ignored.

Right now plan is Maverick, and if I really wish I had ventilated seats with the Active X then get Katzkin in a year or two.

I have factory supplied crossbars on my Buick 24/7. The only time I notice anything is when I have a canoe up there. I don't have a sunroof

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Great writeup!
I watched all the Mav and SC videos last year- and although I super admire the Mavs I've seen in person (looks-wise), the SC isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

If the price point and MPGs on the SC were better, I would have considered one.

 

[WasChops]

So as I head to the rental car lot yesterday, the is a Santa Cruz sitting there. It's a SEL with Activity Package (no turbo or AWD). When I rented a Ridgeline it made me confirm I wouldn't buy one of those. Opposite situation with a Santa Cruz I could see myself owning one. Some thoughts in no particular order.

-The looks grow on you.
-The Tonneau cover is really hard to close. Like painful on the hand hard. Maybe it's just an issue with this one...?
-The underbed storage is really shallow. It couldn't even take my not particularly thick work backpack.
-Once getting used to the entertainment system it's pretty nice. Wireless Android Auto and a wireless charging pad is awesome. Can't believe the upper trim of Santa Cruz and all Mavericks don't have wireless. It's a big miss.
-The non turbo is pretty weak. But gas mileage is better than I expected.
-Strange in SEL, has lane centering but no adaptive cruse. Lane centering works really well.
-The instrument cluster is busy and despite being all digital not customizable enough. Also, and maybe it's just me, the speedo on left and tach on right seems off.
-it's got ability to select gears
-Big focus spelling things out for driver. When you turn on windshield wipers the setting its on shows up on the instrument cluster.
-Roof rails and cross bars looks sharp. Maverick should have this option.
-Pretty loud. Maybe due to the roof cross bars in part.

If I come across more before I turn in tomorrow I'll add.

Thought I would chime in since I own and drive the Santa Cruz Limited.
Santa Cruz "Looks" never needed to grow on me, I liked it from the start - I am also a fan of the Maverick's Truck style. Both are great!
The Tonneau cover is NOT difficult to utilize - I am guessing that the Rental has been abused. I will admit, it is not the best mechanism for opening, "it POPS" a bit once released and if you are not holding onto the strap, the quick release is a surprise and it rolls up into a thud.
As for the hidden storage - I have no issues - no way any product is going to meet all your needs - this understorage is excellent compared to NONE AT ALL!
The entertainment system is really nice, mine is a Bose system, sounds great; intuitive, yet challenging at first to "get used to" how to enact actions. I would say this is nearly as good as the sound system I had in my 2005 BMW X3. However the Subwoofer and bass response in the BMW was better. Wirless - eh, to me that is totally a non-issue. I plug mine in for Apple Play and use Wayze for map directions - works really well! Also it is charging while in use - I find that to be a HUGE advantage.
The Turbo is really nice - very responsive, no "turbo lag" issues - and very quick! The ride is excellent - I like this vehicle a lot.
I agree about the Tach and Speedometer - that took me some "getting used to it"...
I absolutely love the turn signal activated side cameras - huge benefit + the 360 graphic interpretation camera hover view - AWESOME. The vehicle has cameras everywhere!
The roof rails etc... non-issue for me, but I do understand their utility for those that need it. The limited does not have the rails, but such are available in aftermarket options to purchase.
Not sure why that version you drove was LOUD? Mine is extremely quiet - another LOVE factor!
The only item that I do not think is top notch the brakes - even Consumer Reports indicates the braking as a weak point.

AS I have commented prior in other postings, I tend to believe I will keep the Santa Cruz after I compare it to the FE Rapid Red loaded 4k AWD that will be delivered within the next 2 months. One of them is going to get sold...

 

[Bobinmi]

The Hybrid 43 MPG I have averaged at over 14,000 miles is TOUGH to beat...I don't know how anyone, who is NOT towing...does not go with the hybrid mav over the EB...or SC. Just my.02

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