Why hello there Santa Cruz! Buddies or Rivals?

[rlhdweman]

Let's go with buddies, Had Ford never made the Maverick I would have given the Santa C a try.

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[G19Tony]

The SC kind of looks like what I think a modern El Camino would look like.

 

[Old Hickory Trojan]

They are claiming the Santa Cruz is a “sport adventure vehicle”. Created a whole new category for that thing. Considering the specs and options Mav is the clear winner. Santa Cruz bed is tiny. Definitely not a truck.

Get out a ruler and scale out because the difference in bed size is 4" 3" for the SC vs 4' 6" for the Mav with the tailgate up. With the tailgate down the SC is 6' 2.5" and the Mav is 6'6.25". The load weight on the SC is 1411 LB's and the Maverick is 1500 LB's. Tow ratings' on the lowest level SC 3500 LB's versus the Mavericks 2000 LB's. You need the 4k Tow package to get 4000 LB's while the SC turbo gets 5000LB's as standard. Those specs seem pretty darn close to me.
As far as options the MAV would need to come a long way to match the SC unless you throw the Hybrid in the mix since the SC doesn't have a Hybrid option. As an example the mid grade SC has Solar Glass and an Acoustic windshield, Sirius radio, better infotainment center as some examples of some standard equipment, Lane Centering, Lane keeping assist and Lane following assist, Cross Traffic warning and Blind Spot monitoring as standard equipment on the the lowest level SC. If you bothered to go through the standard equipment you would find the SC has much more standard features and a superior warranty. Take the mid level on both the Mav and SC add up all options to get them as close as possible and the SC comes in cheaper in cost more times then not.

 

[Waterick]

Yeah, but I really want a hybrid. Maverick value is better IMO.

 

[notorious beebs]

Buddies! I personally like the exterior styling of the SC better and really like the trunk area under the bed, but couldn't get over the feel of the interior. The back seat just feels smaller too.

 

[JimParker256]

My only real gripe with the SC is all that "piano black" on the interior. I don't buy black cars for exactly the same reason I despise that piano black: You just can't keep it lookin good. Ten seconds after you wash and wax it, it looks dirty again. That glossy black dashboard shows every single speck of dust or fingerprint... If they changed that, I might well be tempted. But I'm just too OCD to handle dust and fingerprints everywhere!

 

[Maleldil]

The SC body shape cuts into the bed space a bit. Also the under bed storage (while very nifty) also makes the bed depth a bit shallower as well. The bigger engine in the SC cuts the fuel economy from what Mav EB are reporting.
We will have to see what comes in the future with rumors of a Mav PHEV and a Mav Lightening. Tremor package and 4x4 for more options. Base price still $5k less
Either way, if you are hauling more than a ton should probably have not bought a compact pickup.

 

[rclee]

I will give the bed reach in height advantage to the Maverick. Especially if you are height challenged (like me). You can also reach the front corners of the bed in the Maverick, not so much on the SC.

 

[ClemsonU88]

I will give the bed reach in height advantage to the Maverick. Especially if you are height challenged (like me). You can also reach the front corners of the bed in the Maverick, not so much on the SC.

One of the things I HATED about my 2019 Ranger was the height of the walls and tailgate. I'm 5' 10" (average American guy) and could barely reach into the bed over the sides. And the tailgate was 5' high. It was an ok truck but was considerably bigger than I ultimately wanted. The Maverick and the old Ranger are the perfect size in my opinion.

To the original post, the SC is a rival. It certainly is to Ford. The looks of it are growing on me, but the Maverick is head & shoulders above the SC in my eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

[Anthony]

I love my wife's 2020 Santa Fe, so I wanted to love the Santa Cruz, but I didn't. Happy for anyone that is happy with theirs, but the Maverick was clearly the one for me.

Maverick owners looking down their noses at the Santa Cruz is no different than the 'Real Truck Bros' looking down their noses at the Maverick. It can be fun to have a little good-hearted 'rivalry' (which is how I take the OP's post and most the comments on this forum), but too many people take this stuff way too seriously. I'd vote 'buddies'... as long as the owner isn't a jerk =) If I saw the owner getting in/out in the parking lot I would certainly strike up a little "hey, how do you like it?" dialog.

 

[CASD57]

I own a Santa Cruz but also like the truckie look of the Mav. The SC is more of a SUV look. There is room for both

 

[Dad]

Jury is still out on this one. What I do know is friends of mine recently purchased a Tuscon on which the Santa Cruz is built and the sales personnel highly recommended the hybrid over the sluggish all-gas powered engine. I imagine the Santa Cruz has the same.

 

[CASD57]

Jury is still out on this one. What I do know is friends of mine recently purchased a Tuscon on which the Santa Cruz is built and the sales personnel highly recommended the hybrid over the sluggish all-gas powered engine. I imagine the Santa Cruz has the same.

Same power as the Hybrid Mav..191 hp torque about same..
I don't find it sluggish for a daily commuter, Home Depot supplies picker-Upper, Food shopper.
I can easily lay down rubber if I want
Mine is the SE FWD 2.5 NA Std Auto 8 speed

 

[commadorebob]

Competition is good. Makes both bring their A-game.

 

[AznMav]

One is K-pop and the other is urban cowboy.

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