Finally Maverick vs Santa Cruz side by side in the same video!

[WesM]

The Santa Cruz bed is rated for 661 lbs.

That was a marketing error/misconception on SC. Its actually over 1500lbs payload for the bed. The 661lbs number was including 5 people in the cab. It was a dumb way to give payload numbers and to me largely reflects Hyundai's inexperience in making trucks.

There is an engineering side to the SC that would make me not buy it. The fact that Ford has been around the block and has a body of engineering knowledge when it comes to sizing/analyzing and designing trucks gives me a lot more confidence than a first time around the block Hyundai. The fact that even Hyundai does not want to call the SC a truck kind of lends some credence to that idea.

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[Rodeoman74]

I do with Ford matched the power train warranty of 100k miles. That would be awesome

 

[2022EOW]

That's great news! Maybe a bunch of guys will bail on the Maverick and I will get mine sooner.

Not necessarily, they will become marked-up dealer stock units.

 

[MarkG]

Nothing wrong with a Brat. they were the rage when they came out.

Try to get away with this today.

 

[psklenar]

I learned about the SC after the Maverick. I've been able to find, sit in and test drive an SC, I haven't been able to do any of those with a Maverick.

I've got a Maverick under deposit with the understanding that I can cancel the order and receive a full refund if the Mavericks' cockpit is too tight/uncomfortable (I'm not tiny). The SC was comfortable to sit in and drive. I was able to comfortably sit in the back seat once the front seat was set for me, that's important for my friends. I feel the SC's bed is actually smaller than the stated measurements due to the retractable cover box (sits down into the bed far more than I imagined before I actually saw one). The SC's dash and entertainment center have some really impressive tech (even when I'm coming from a 2018 Outback Touring), especially the side cameras for when changing lanes, that would be nice to have on the Maverick, but ... the mileage is what kills it for me. I'm thinking that if the Maverick doesn't work for me, a Ridgeline might be the better second choice since it has better mileage than the SC as well as more room and comfort in general.

My two cents,
pat----

 

[bbhaag]

Edmunds just did a comparo video. Dude basically trashed the Maverick and said that he would rather get the SC for daily driving. Oh, well.

Didn't watch the video but read the article and IMO the conclusion was stupid. It came down to a better ride and classier interior. Well no shit Edmunds there was a $9K difference between the trucks you tested.

 

[JASmith]

I feel the SC's bed is actually smaller than the stated measurements due to the retractable cover box (sits down into the bed far more than I imagined before I actually saw one).

You practically give up a foot. And there are no aftermarket tonneaus available at this time as far as I know, its a bit of a problem. On the plus side, if you buy it with a tonneau and are willing to simply go open bed and use the brunk for locking stuff away (provided that stuff isn't all that big), you can resell the tonneau for big $$$ because they are hard to come by from Hyundai.

The one nice thing about the tonneau is that it does look cool and is easy to use, and its covered by the bumper to bumper warranty of 5yrs/60K miles which is not bad. Most aftermarket tonneau you only get a year of coverage.

Its too bad its not a rollup type like Ford offers instead of rolldown, as that makes the obstruction up high which is usually going to be out of the way of any boxes or wheels.

 

[Deacon Blues]

The Santa Cruz may be a better driving vehicle, with a nicer interior, but I really don't like the way it looks and that was a deal-breaker for me.

 

[JASmith]

Santa Cruz is bigger than it appears to be.

Its interior from the front seats and dash appears to be identical panel for panel with a Tucson. The Tucson parked next to it is narrower, and you can see why on closer inspection they basically just put wider wheels and fenders on the Santa Cruz to make it look beefier, and that's why it also appears a bit wider from the front than the Maverick because it is.

Height wise, I was also a bit confused thinking the Maverick was taller, but Ford was giving the height measurement to the tip of the antenna which sticks up higher than the low profile shark fin on the Santa Cruz. So in reality the Santa Cruz is actually slightly taller.

When it comes to ground clearance, that was also a bit of confusion, as the SC has 8.6", but the Maverick 8.6" matching it is only with the optional FX4 tires, otherwise its 8.3". Not a huge difference, but for someone like me looking for something as easy as possible to get in and out of to help mobility impaired parents, every little bit helps.

 

[Frobozz]

I'm glad these both exist. I think the Mav is a superior value in most trims and the gas mileage difference matters, but the Hyundai is just so funky (and I mean that in a good way). And the Hyundai warranty is really superior. And I love that -- let's be honest -- cooler they've built into the bed (it even drains from the bottom). Having said that, I bought the Maverick, both for the value up-front and because I think it will hold its value better in the long term.

 

[MLowe05]

I'm glad these both exist. I think the Mav is a superior value in most trims and the gas mileage difference matters, but the Hyundai is just so funky (and I mean that in a good way). And the Hyundai warranty is really superior. And I love that -- let's be honest -- cooler they've built into the bed (it even drains from the bottom). Having said that, I bought the Maverick, both for the value up-front and because I think it will hold its value better in the long term.

Well said. My Maverick Hybrid Lariat Lux is a bit under $30k and that is a steal. I'd go to a SC if I were buying one of these Lariat 2.0 Lux FX4 Tow builds that ring up around $35-36k. I think the Hyundai is the superior product (they build damn good cars) and it is priced accordingly. The Maverick is the value, and value is what I'm after.

 

[BlueSnake77]

That was a marketing error/misconception on SC. Its actually over 1500lbs payload for the bed. The 661lbs number was including 5 people in the cab. It was a dumb way to give payload numbers and to me largely reflects Hyundai's inexperience in making trucks.

There is an engineering side to the SC that would make me not buy it. The fact that Ford has been around the block and has a body of engineering knowledge when it comes to sizing/analyzing and designing trucks gives me a lot more confidence than a first time around the block Hyundai. The fact that even Hyundai does not want to call the SC a truck kind of lends some credence to that idea.

From an article I read, it states in the Santa Cruz owners manual not to exceed 661 lbs in the bed load.

 

[JASmith]

I'm glad these both exist. I think the Mav is a superior value in most trims and the gas mileage difference matters, but the Hyundai is just so funky (and I mean that in a good way).

Great point on trims.

It really depends on if you're a shopper with a specific feature-set in mind.

For example lets say you want a easy to park and get into pickup that has:
1) AWD for mud or snow
2) Can tow your 3K pound trailer
3) Has cruise control
4) Safety tech like lane keep/follow assist
5) LED DRLs

The cheapest you can get that in a Santa Cruz would be the SE AWD w/ tow hitch which is $27,165 after freight.

The cheapest you can get that in a Maverick is a Lariat AWD w/ 4K tow package and spray in bed liner (composite bed is durable enough but painted bed really needs protection) which is $32,175 after freight.

So while a Lariat AWD 4K offers more, it is the minimum price to achieve those specific features and comes up $5000 more expensive.

So that's why when people ask me if the Maverick is cheaper than the Santa Cruz, my answer is always it depends on what features you want, and especially whether or not AWD is important as that rules out the hybrid and jacks up the price a ton.

 

[Nw_adventure]

The piano black/grey interior is just so Sedan/SUV like- Mavs interior is funky and fun- $36K for SC/SEL Premium which compares to Lariat/AWD/FX4/TOW/LUX- SC warranty and build quality better I am thinking- No trailer brake controller for those interested in that type of thing... I like ugly cars but not the SC besides the rear tailgate light strip which is dope-

 

[Delzona]

The Santa Cruz bed is rated for 661 lbs. The Maverick I've seen is rated for 1500 payload capacity. But Payload capacity I believe means total of passengers and cargo combined. Correct me if I'm wrong. If someone could look in thier owners manual to verify what the max weight is recommended for just the bed itself? I've tried to on the internet but can't get a clear answer. If the Maverick can really put 1500 lbs in the bed, that would be a HUGE difference.

Also, the Santa Cruz interior looks more upscale than the maverick, but also looks more busy and cramped IMO. The SC has that horrid gloss black dash trim. Don't know why car makers keep using it. Looks cheap, shows fingerprints, and reflects sunlight. Also the SC has a higher mid center console. Ford deliberately made the center console lower than the seat bottoms. This was so that when someone is sitting with their legs spread slightly, the drivers right knee and the passengers left knee won't be up against the middle console. Smart. Also by having a lower middle console and a flat upper console rather that the SC's that slopes downwards, it makes the cabin roomier. I like the simpler clean interior of the Maverick. Only thing I don't like is the lack of a CD player. But that is not just the Maverick. After 2018, most cars and trucks stopped offering them.

Since you don't have one here's a copy of the Maverick's owner manual.

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