Maverick vs Santa Cruz.

[Andybrooks11]

Got my Cactus Grey XL (ecoboost awd) today and already smitten. Test drove the Cruz as well but this truck really has no competition at its price. For a Turbo 4wd Cruz you're talking upwards of 40k which is a bit rich. Hyundai reached out to me (last car was a Hyundai) and asked what would have made me come to them. Yeah, make a stripped out basic one with the turbo motor and 4wd and make it ballpark 30k and then we might be talking. You gotta hand it to Hyundai their warranty is impressive. My last car never missed a beat in 6 yrs of ownership. Drove the Cruz tho and for all its 2ft long screens and fancy doodads it was a little soulless. The Maverick has a certain charm which I feel the Hyundai lacks. Cheap and cheerful but not rickety or tacky. It's hard to put a finger on it but I kinda loved it first drive. If I could ask for one thing Ford, we want to hear that turbo. The wife's GMC Sierra has a turbo whistle that gets WRX boy racers looking around.... I'm sure you guys have a fix for that on this forum. Anyway, 70 miles in, it's a cool handsome beast and fun to drive unlike the rather lackluster Santa Cruz (at least the non turbo i drove) so think I made the correct choice, friends. Keeping the Steelies on for the sleeper look, lol, love the unassuming looks and ballsy performance.

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[Scott Asheville]

Couple of things the Santa Cruz has, I wish would come to the Maverick. Ten year warranty certainly wouldn't hurt. The composite bedliner for sure. The blind spot warning system cameras that automatically come on when you use the turn signals. Definitely the better infotech.

Some things my Maverick has, I wish would come to the Santa Cruz. Conventional styling. A more spartan, cheap interior (yes, I actually said that). Matching the turbo engine with a conventional automatic.

Some things I hope come to both of them. Full BEV for those of us who want that. A two door. Oh, and the BEV needs to have a full frunk to make up for the two doors.

 

[Solaryellow]

Right off the bat, I like how EB engines are underrated.

With that said, the S.C. is not a consideration for me as the looks are rough. As a previous Hyundai owner (a few times over) the quality was not comparable with other Asian manufacturers, and I always likened it to a high-quality MIA tool with a Chinese made tool. Sure, it functioned but the differences were glaring! Good for those who buy them or like them.

 

[Andybrooks11]

It's true the SC has more features, the warranty is unbeatable, and at least with my last car (Accent, base model) the build quality was pretty impeccable. No rattles or squeaks at 6years old. But I drove the SC, my wife did too, for all it's fancy add ons it just had no soul. We were just.... meh. I compare it to my last bike (Suzuki Bandit 1250) vs my new bike (Harley Fat Boy). Sure the suzuki literally does everything better and more efficiently, different bike types for sure, but getting there on a Harley makes the journey part fun vs just getting there. That's kinda what the Maverick does, it's cheaper funky interior gives it character, the turbo motor (as i stated above would have cost me $10k to match in a SC) makes it a hoot to drive. It really seems decently quick and yes it is truck like but today I was chucking it round twisty NH roads grinning like a cheshire cat. On the freeway too it seems as good as my wife's 60k Gmc Sierra. Every time I drive it, it surprises and impresses me more, love that it's just trying to be itself (and not a limo) while still out performing my expectations.

 

[The Cyber Orange Guy.]

I would love the mini trunk (or under storage) on the bottom of the bed like the SC or the ridgeline. Also the stepper, 10 Y warranty would be more than welcome.

 

[JASmith]

I would love the mini trunk (or under storage) on the bottom of the bed like the SC or the ridgeline. Also the stepper, 10 Y warranty would be more than welcome.

They made it a bit too shallow though, and the Ridgeline trick of having a dual-action tailgate allows you to put your body closer to that storage bin for more convenient access.

Its better than not having it, but I don't think you'd use it as much as on the Honda and it would end up storing more infrequently used supplies.

 

[The Cyber Orange Guy.]

You could be right, but I already carry plenty of stuff, tow rogue, rogue to tide whatever , power tools, air compresor, and few more things that I would love to put on that space. Also part of my bike supplies too.

 

[Andybrooks11]

Absolutely convinced i made the right choice now I put some miles on the truck. I like to drive, and this truck handles at least as good as my old Hyundai Accent (new model 2018) and probably has better grip. Pretty impressive since it weighs 1000lbs more. Threw it into some (signposted 35mph = challenge speed 60mph) and it just grips, no tire squeal, power exit out of the corner at 65mph makes it feel better as it just hunkers down and powers out. Not really surprising as overall chassis is a variation of the Focus, one of the best handling hatchbacks made. Yes it has some roll but it handles way better than I imagined it would. Passing is also effortless. This truck is a hot hatch posing as a utility vehicle. If I have one minor criticism the steering is a little lacking in feedback, wasn't in sport mode so maybe that would help? To be fair my Hyundai and probably the Santa Cruz also didn't give much grip information either. The tires are decently wide for a relatively light vehicle so I just trusted their grip. As other people have mentioned, this truck will really surprise some "fast" car owners, now can confirm it has pretty good handling to go with the potent motor. Love that my truck couldn't look more standard with its steel wheels and cactus grey color. Gonna have some fun messing with some boy racers in this truck lol. It really is a fun truck to drive and an impressive overall package.

 

[Guv]

Cool truck!
Once I settled on getting the Ecoboost, awd was part of the decision, my initial pick was an XL. After some study I ended up getting an FX4 because of the upgraded skid plate. Mine goes off pavement weekly and we have acres of grass burrs or as we call them in Texas Stickers.
I had a 2015 Escape fwd 2.0 with the ballistic felt skid plate or more correctly “under engine cover” and it was a sticker magnet!
I think if you tied half a dozen together and pulled them behind an ATV you could clear acres of those little bastards in no time at all.
Totally get the sleeper appearance of your truck and as I have said before, I would have gotten a reg cab or SC with a slightly longer bed if it would have been available.
Forgot to add;
I considered the Santa Cruz but only the turbo model. Prices were all I needed to see to make my decision on the Maverick.
Hyundai is making a big marketing blunder attaching the turbo engine to only the overpriced models.
I’m pretty sure the non-turbo version is pretty much a turd with no fuel economy gain over the Ecoboost.
No brainer if driving experience is part of your requirements.
It also looks like someone smiling with a big nasty set of braces

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