2025 Santa Cruz gets Refreshed, Maverick's Korean Rival

[Traegorn]

It still looks like a reincarnation of a Suburu Brat to me. I don't like it very well. I prefer a truck to look like a truck. But that's just my opinion. Yours may vary. BTW Is this Hyundai another easy to steal vehicle?

I believe the Santa Cruz never had the vulnerability that made the Kias and Hyundais easy to steal.

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[Solo]

Updates include new wheels, beefier grill, and new front bumper (possibly also rear bumper), and most significant change is the new interior to match other Hyundai products with a single long swooping gauge cluster/infotainment screen and their new column shifter. Rumor is no powertrain upgrades (and unfortunately I heard the 8-speed DCT for the turbo version has had some problems). Thoughts?

It's got that screwy gear selector. And yep... More screwy than the Maverick's IMHO. I think they're hoping for a paradigm shift with that gear selector, seeing as they're using it on many of the newer Hyundai models. It's a nice instrument panel, for a car or SUV. I like the new steering wheel also. But on balance, I'll keep my Maverick, thanks.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Well, the wheels may be refreshed but they still suck. SC wins hands down in the tech department. Not for me as I am a partial Luddite, but I can understand those that would like it.

Maverick still wins hands down in no small part because it looks like a truck, not an SUV with a box.

I can relate to the Luddite comment.

 

[1929]

It's got that screwy gear selector. And yep... More screwy than the Maverick's IMHO. I think they're hoping for a paradigm shift with that gear selector, seeing as they're using it on many of the newer Hyundai models. It's a nice instrument panel, for a car or SUV. I like the new steering wheel also. But on balance, I'll keep my Maverick, thanks.

Gear selector is an improvement. Better than Maverick Rotary selector that spins round round with endless detent.

 

[1929]

No hybrid. Minor exterior changes. Minor equipment changes. More tactile controls in refreshed interior.

Hoping for more major changes with 25 Maverick.

 

[Solo]

Gear selector is an improvement. Better than Maverick Rotary selector that spins round round with endless detent.

Yeah, it's a subjective thing though. The Maverick gives you two different displays to show what gear you're in, one of them right in front of you. For me, it's easy enough, but changing gears in the Hyundai would feel like turning on the windshield wipers. Once again, IMHO.
These things go in waves. Every few years, the automakers try different ways to select gears, headlights, turn signals... I think it's because of the center screens and more complex steering wheels on new vehicles nowadays. But I do like the extra space in the center console on the Maverick, especially compared to my old Escape. The console on that one wasn't good for much at all.

 

[JASmith]

2025 Santa Cruz reveal (starts at 13:00, before that is the Tucson refresh):

 

[Scott Asheville]

Saw the refresh this morning. I like the SC, but I don't think they went far enough to be competitive. The interior and exterior updates are solid. But for me to buy a Santa Cruz instead of a 2025 Maverick, they needed to offer the turbo engine with a conventional transmission. Or a full BEV. That DCT 100% needs to go.

I don't think they moved the needle enough to outcompete the Maverick. So if that was their intention they solidly failed. Hyundai's choices with the SC are sometimes a head scratcher for me. I think their own product planners led them down the wrong path from day one. They could have had a huge hit with a few different choices. Imagine a conservatively styled Santa Cruz that offered ICE, hybrid, and BEV choices (all with AWD) AND a ten year warranty But they chose a different path and now they get to walk it.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Now I'm wondering if Ford will drop the 2025 refresh before the show ends... Fingers crossed.

 

[JASmith]

Saw the refresh this morning. I like the SC, but I don't think they went far enough to be competitive.

Likes:

• New red color, was only earth tones before, sexy!
• Matte black Hyundai badging and grill, I think this will be more durable
• More rugged beefier signature DRL assembly on front
• Red tow hooks, neat
• Huge improvement on the interior, I'm loving the dual screen "skateboard" setup
• HVAC knobs and volume knob
• Steering wheel update is nice
• Rear center arm rest, woot!
• I like me some higher profile wider than the wheels tires, XRT delivers

Dislikes:

• Less but still too much gloss black for a pickup, too much care needed to avoid fine scratches
• I was hoping to see the traditional shifter replaced with a column shifter, doh!
• Front left blinker is an arrow pointing right and visa versa, inspired by Admiral Yi Sun-sin's words "never let them know your next move"... was hoping they were going to integrated them into DRL switchbacks like on the Tucson
• No hybrid, but I think I understand why now... no hybrid assemblies in the US, and this is a US produced model only, doh!
• Unlike the new Hyundai Kona that replaced its turbo DCT with a 8-speed torque converter, no such announcement on Santa Cruz (although base engine does get torque converter automatic)

Edit: Oh it is still black chrome on the top trim...

 

[JASmith]

Now I'm wondering if Ford will drop the 2025 refresh before the show ends... Fingers crossed.

I didn't hear that Ford was bringing anything, so I think the best we get are artist predictions at this point (these are just guess-renderings):

^ Not real photos, just renderings of what a refreshed Maverick MIGHT look like.

 

[CurtisB]

Will they add some leg room? How did the extra 3" Maverick length turn into a 6" longer bed and so much more leg room than the Santa Cruz?

It's good for small and short people. The cabin is the typical SUV sloped roof with 15 blindspots and a raised mid section that forces my knees together. It ain't for me.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Meanwhile, over at Toyota...

https://www.carscoops.com/2024/03/toyota-still-appears-to-be-considering-a-ford-maverick-competitor/

Toyota rarely rushes into anything. I sure love the EPU concept, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Scott Asheville]

Hmmm. They at least made a placeholder page...

https://www.ford.com/support/vehicle/maverick/2025/

 

[bajesus8]

Would of rather seen the new Santa Fe in a truck format. These are the same vehicle arent they?

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