Round Two: 2025 Santa Cruz Refresh vs.. 2025 Maverick Refresh 🥊

[Davidc83]

I also think it’s a head scratcher to throw a DCT in a truck. I don’t trust that transmission.

Honda has only been making DCT for over a decade and hell a lot better than CVT. Those technologies are the same no matter who builds them.

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[JASmith]

Honda has only been making DCT for over a decade and hell a lot better than CVT. Those technologies are the same no matter who builds them.

The CVT in the Maverick Hybrid is a planetary design, very robust and probably the most reliable design out there. Its very similar to what you see in a hybrid Prius.

DCTs are effectively manual transmissions with the clutch controlled by a computer. Unlike your foot, you might engage in behavior that causes a lot of slipping unknowingly, which could be a serious issue if using the max 5K lb tow rating for example. If you understand how a DCT works and aren't towing on hills, then you can probably avoid issues.

But for that reason, I kind of prefer the traditional automatic of the non-turbo engines. That said, I'm reading up on whether or not the Theta III has any known issues now like the Theta II predecessor. So far seem solid save for possible injector issues?

 

[icegradner]

So what are the thoughts on Round 2 with Maverick's closest competitor, the Santa Cruz, now that both are seeing a significant refresh?

For those that haven't seen the Santa Cruz changes, here's a Limited:



I think they did well on the interior update, but not sure I like the new grill or Hyundai logo change. Hopefully they make a gloss black sticker to mellow that logo out. Seems both the SC's and Mav's refreshed front ends are controversial.

And finally saw what the non-turbo trims look like, the SEL sees only a $500 price bump from pre-refresh and the SEL with activity package actually dropped in price.

Finally gets a rear arm rest:

Also looks like a new dark green color option, in addition to the red.

Also new, the '25 sees a +4mpg highway fuel economy improvement for the SE/SEL FWD (non turbo), not competitive with the Maverick hybrid, but a nice bump.

Front end wise, the Maverick went backwards a little, the Santa Cruz went forward a little. Neither looks great, but that's was the case with the original designs as well. The Maverick front end lost the early 2000s look and went for a 2015 look, while the Santa Cruz went from a WTF look to, trying to look more modern appearance.

Interior wise, the Maverick still has the win, because thank goodness it's not all black unless that's your thing.

 

[Hoagus]

Did they add a Santa Cruz hybrid? If not — no comparison.

I believe my work here is done.

 

[JASmith]

I think that the Santa Cruz is a much nicer daily vehicle - drives better, faster, tows more, great interior. But the style isn’t for everyone, the price is a little higher, and you lose more bed space to the rolling tonneau. Plus, and the reason I still ordered a 25 maverick lariat over a 25 Santa Fe, no hybrid.

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the rolling tonneau because of how much space the box uses, but lower trims don't come with it. They make a soft rollup that is compact, I'd probably do that. Or a waterproof bed bag stored in the shallow bed trunk.

Regarding price, while the new Mav has a lot of upgrades, its increased in price a bit. Can't make them exactly the same, but my similar builds:

'25 Santa Cruz SEL FWD
190hp / 25mpg combined / 3.5K lbs tow / $31.6K (after destination)
Notes: Refreshed SEL now gets a digital instrument cluster, 12" infotainment instead of 8", wireless AA/CP, h-tex seating, rear vents, USB-C charge ports front and back, LED map and dome lights, roof rails, rear center arm rest w/ cupholders.

'25 Maverick Hybrid FWD XLT Luxury Package copilot w/ Spray in bed
190hp / 37mpg combined / 2K lbs tow / $33.6K (after destination)
Notes: Refreshed XLT now gets pushbutton start, digital instrument cluster, 13" infotainment instead of 8", wireless AA/CP, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps.

 

[JASmith]

Did they add a Santa Cruz hybrid? If not — no comparison.

I believe my work here is done.

No, and I don't think they can because the hybrids are only made in Korea, and the Santa Cruz is a US only model, so no hybrid from the Tucson can be installed. They did somehow manage to increase the base engine EPA rating by 4mpg though on the highway. Not sure how.

 

[NedF]

The contour line on the bottom of the doors on the Santa Cruz make it look like it has been side swiped?

 

[Montana]

Why is the focus on screens ffs.

The interior looks MASSIVELY better than the previous gens. So much better.

But these screens in all vehicles like this are just cringe.

I will say they did a good job on the refresh, but the front end is still worse than the refreshed Mavericks. and it's a Hyundai. Warranty work would be a nightmare that makes FORD's look inviting, especially where I live with only 4 Hyundai dealerships in a 1,000 mile radius.

But as others said, no Hybrid = why would you get a Hyundai instead? The Maverick needs more competition to keep it in check, but nobody is really coming through. That said:

The Santa Cruz is Pontiac Aztek ugly and that says a lot.

Literally every Hyundai and Kia right here.

This is the best comparison to how I feel about both those companies.

 

[Blinky]

What kind of moderate hallucinogens are the design people ingesting that would make them try to out-ugly each other's front end. This looks Ok from the side, not terrible in the back, and downright ugly in the front.

Seems like everyone wants to compete to see who can make the worst front end on a vehicle. And this isn't just the Santa Cruz and the Maverick - it stretches across many SUV lines as well.

I blame Lexus for starting it with those hideous pinched spindle grills they've been using for years now. Everyone else has had to drastically step up the ugly to compete with the big L.

 

[MvrkECWI]

No hybrid = hard pass.

 

[Tom 71 Maverick 24]

Side note - would it hurt anybody to actually have a front bumper on these cars? Whatever happened to having some protection up there against minor scratches and dings? Used to be required to be able to withstand a 5 mph impact without significant damage, but that requirement seems to have gone away.

 

[JASmith]

Side note - would it hurt anybody to actually have a front bumper on these cars? Whatever happened to having some protection up there against minor scratches and dings? Used to be required to be able to withstand a 5 mph impact without significant damage, but that requirement seems to have gone away.

Automatic braking I assume makes them less important.

Cheaper to have sensors that will slam on the brakes when your teenager wants to back your car out of the driveway and is about to slam into the mailbox than to try to make a bumper that can withstand it.

 

[Grabber Rick]

So what are the thoughts on Round 2 with Maverick's closest competitor, the Santa Cruz, now that both are seeing a significant refresh?

For those that haven't seen the Santa Cruz changes, here's a Limited:



I think they did well on the interior update, but not sure I like the new grill or Hyundai logo change. Hopefully they make a gloss black sticker to mellow that logo out. Seems both the SC's and Mav's refreshed front ends are controversial.

And finally saw what the non-turbo trims look like, the SEL sees only a $500 price bump from pre-refresh and the SEL with activity package actually dropped in price.

Finally gets a rear arm rest:

Also looks like a new dark green color option, in addition to the red.

Also new, the '25 sees a +4mpg highway fuel economy improvement for the SE/SEL FWD (non turbo), not competitive with the Maverick hybrid, but a nice bump.

Bed is 5" shorter than the Maverick. You have less room if you have the retractable cover. What is it with those wheel well moldings. The little tab with a embossed truck on it. Pretty lame I think. To many lights in the front grille. Spaceship looking to me. Front interior leg space is tight like sitting in a cockpit. I enjoy the roominess of the Mavericks interior.

 

[CurtisB]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the rolling tonneau because of how much space the box uses, but lower trims don't come with it. They make a soft rollup that is compact, I'd probably do that. Or a waterproof bed bag stored in the shallow bed trunk.

Regarding price, while the new Mav has a lot of upgrades, its increased in price a bit. Can't make them exactly the same, but my similar builds:

'25 Santa Cruz SEL FWD
190hp / 25mpg combined / 3.5K lbs tow / $31.6K (after destination)
Notes: Refreshed SEL now gets a digital instrument cluster, 12" infotainment instead of 8", wireless AA/CP, h-tex seating, rear vents, USB-C charge ports front and back, LED map and dome lights, roof rails, rear center arm rest w/ cupholders.

'25 Maverick Hybrid FWD XLT Luxury Package copilot w/ Spray in bed
190hp / 37mpg combined / 2K lbs tow / $33.6K (after destination)
Notes: Refreshed XLT now gets pushbutton start, digital instrument cluster, 13" infotainment instead of 8", wireless AA/CP, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps.

More leg room on the right side with the Maverick. Santa Cruz makes me feel like I'm stuffing myself between the drivers door and the center console.

 

[garnermike]

Please, don't show your misplaced American Exceptionalism by knocking the build quality of products from the South Korean Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai and Kia).

I've owned a 2007 Kia Rondo, a 2018 Hyundai Ioniq, and a 2024 Kia Niro. All were/are well-built, durable, and reliable vehicles that delivered as advertised.

And while I love my Maverick, none of those three vehicles needed 6+ recalls, went into a dead deep sleep, or spend a total of month's stay at the dealer for diagnosing/fixing.

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