Sponsored

Maverick vs. Santa Cruz Autoblog Comparison

BlueSnake77

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Oct 28, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
519
Reaction score
513
Location
Rochester NY
Vehicle(s)
2022 Ford Maverick XLT Ecoboost
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 
Well I will give my 2 cents since I test drove a Santa Cruz AWD with the 2.5 non-turbo.

The Maverick has better, more useful bed. For the price of the SC SEL AWD, I was able to buy A Maverick XLT ecoboost AWD with the luxury pkg for about $300 less. My Maverick had about 55 more hp and better MPG's. The Santa Cruz definitely has a nicer interior ...quality. The Santa Cruz has a less airy feel because of that raised middle console that protrudes not only upwards, but outwards from the dash. The major bad part about the Mavericks interior is the use of plastics so cheap that they scratch so easily. Never seen interior plastics on a car scratch so easily. The "More useful cargo" That the article talks about on the Santa Cruz ..... no. That under bed storage is no where near a Honda Ridgeline's and is more a gimmick. Also because of the space it takes, you get a convenience spare rather than the option of a full size spare tire. Not knocking the Santa Cruz. It is a more finished product and has some style, but it doesn't make as good a pickup truck as the Maverick.
 

CurtisB

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2024
Threads
6
Messages
1,955
Reaction score
2,533
Location
92868
Vehicle(s)
2023 Maverick XLT Hybrid
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Clubs
 
I can't fit comfortably in cars with the raised middle consoles that connect to the dashboard. Had that in my 2015 Prius and really was my only complaint. I like an armrest, but I also like having the dashboard with room underneath so I can lean my right leg sideways if necessary. The Santa Cruz is not built for tall, long armed people, like me.
 

Scott Asheville

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Oct 4, 2021
Threads
79
Messages
2,328
Reaction score
5,480
Location
Asheville, NC
Vehicle(s)
2022 AWD XLT ECO LUX CP360 HPR
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
I find the article pretty much spot on. Except I would not declare a winner. I'd say they are two similar but different vehicles meant for similar but different buyers. I'm more interested in the 2025 refreshes for both.

I think a section was missing. Reliability. And there are good and bad things to say there about both vehicles since they shipped. How can your write an article like this and not talk about the Maverick recalls and the SC DCT issues?
 

Timothyd

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
First Name
Tim
Joined
Nov 10, 2021
Threads
52
Messages
4,125
Reaction score
3,513
Location
Illinois
Vehicle(s)
Buick Encore, Miata, motorcycles
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Clubs
 
Well I will give my 2 cents since I test drove a Santa Cruz AWD with the 2.5 non-turbo.

The Maverick has better, more useful bed. For the price of the SC SEL AWD, I was able to buy A Maverick XLT ecoboost AWD with the luxury pkg for about $300 less. My Maverick had about 55 more hp and better MPG's. The Santa Cruz definitely has a nicer interior ...quality. The Santa Cruz has a less airy feel because of that raised middle console that protrudes not only upwards, but outwards from the dash. The major bad part about the Mavericks interior is the use of plastics so cheap that they scratch so easily. Never seen interior plastics on a car scratch so easily. The "More useful cargo" That the article talks about on the Santa Cruz ..... no. That under bed storage is no where near a Honda Ridgeline's and is more a gimmick. Also because of the space it takes, you get a convenience spare rather than the option of a full size spare tire. Not knocking the Santa Cruz. It is a more finished product and has some style, but it doesn't make as good a pickup truck as the Maverick.
Hmmmm. After a year, no scratches on tm Mav interior and not for babying it. And, I'm not the most careful.
 

Sponsored

fossil

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
ernie
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Threads
48
Messages
3,432
Reaction score
5,792
Location
ohio
Vehicle(s)
95 SVT Cobra Mustang, HPR Lariat Tremor
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Mav 2023 94,058
SC 2023 36,675

and the winner is, wait for it
 

fossil

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
ernie
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Threads
48
Messages
3,432
Reaction score
5,792
Location
ohio
Vehicle(s)
95 SVT Cobra Mustang, HPR Lariat Tremor
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Hmmmm. After a year, no scratches on tm Mav interior and not for babying it. And, I'm not the most careful.
I've noticed the amount of scratch complaints have reduced while the number of deliveries has increased. Different plastic formula?
 

Vettereddie

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2022
Threads
6
Messages
264
Reaction score
490
Location
MD
Vehicle(s)
2023 Maverick XLT
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Well I will give my 2 cents since I test drove a Santa Cruz AWD with the 2.5 non-turbo.

The Maverick has better, more useful bed.
^ This ^

I'm surprised they got sucked in to arguing gimmicky cubbies when standard utility for a pickup, or work van for that matter, is how it fits a standard 4x8 sheet of (insert building material of choice here). Beyond the longer bed, being able to carry a sheet flat with less overhang has definite utility to trades people and weekend diy'ers alike. If you're not hauling something at least on occasion, why get an open deck vehicle?

Rest of the article was pretty spot on, Hyundai is definitely a nicer vehicle but can't beat MPG and price.
 

BlueSnake77

2.0L EcoBoost
Well-known member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Oct 28, 2021
Threads
9
Messages
519
Reaction score
513
Location
Rochester NY
Vehicle(s)
2022 Ford Maverick XLT Ecoboost
Engine
2.0L EcoBoost
Clubs
 
Hmmmm. After a year, no scratches on tm Mav interior and not for babying it. And, I'm not the most careful.
What you think I'm exaggerating? I've talked to other Maverick owners in person and they've told me that thier Maverick interior scratches easily also. There were several posts on this forum as well. Mine is a 2022 and unless they changed the interior plastics in the 2023's and 2024's, yes, it will scratch very easily.
 

hdave

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2023
Threads
22
Messages
643
Reaction score
739
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicle(s)
'23 Alto Blue Maverick XLT
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
I have a 2023 and yes the interior plastics are super cheap and scratch easily.
I personally don't care too much since its a cheap truck.
 

hdave

2.5L Hybrid
Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2023
Threads
22
Messages
643
Reaction score
739
Location
Toronto, Canada
Vehicle(s)
'23 Alto Blue Maverick XLT
Engine
2.5L Hybrid
Also, the Santa Cruz is a Hyundai with zero truck history, and looks like a small SUV with the back chopped off into a bed.
The Maverick is made by one of the best-selling truck manufacturers and actually looks like a truck.

No matter how you slice and dice cars, if something doesn't look right, people won't buy it.
Sponsored

 
 







Top