2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Many pickup truck lovers are very particular about their vehicles, and yet there are only a select few pickups that are worthy of attention. Being a leading brand in this category, you can always expect Ford to continue coming out with impressive trucks that everyone will love. When placed side-by-side, can Hyundai keep up as an admirable contender? Today, Essential Ford of Stuart is putting these two brands to the test by comparing the new 2023 Ford Maverick with the latest 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. 

2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz

It’s no wonder that Ford has been a dominant company when you factor in affordability with its impressive line of trucks, and the new Maverick stays true to that. The 2023 Maverick comes in 3 trims consisting of the XL, XLT, and LARIAT with the base trim having a starting price of $22,195. The Santa Cruz advertises a low starting price of around $25k with the base trim, but upon closer inspection, every trim after that quickly jumps to $35,810 and over. When considering all of the other aspects including performance, safety, and interior features, that price difference will easily come back to mind for some serious reconsidering.



Performance

It’s easy to forget that the Maverick is technically a hybrid since it gives the same impression as any other Ford truck, but it does have the wonderful benefits that come with supporting a full hybrid engine and the ability to upgrade to an EcoBoost engine. The 2.5L full hybrid engine comes standard in every 2023 Maverick model with 191 horsepower and 500 miles of range. With the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and all-wheel drive, the horsepower jumps up to 250. And since the Maverick is a pickup truck first and foremost, you can expect an impressive payload capability of 1,500 pounds and an available towing package that lets you pull up to 4,000 pounds. But getting back to the hybrid aspect, the mileage rating is definitely something to brag about with 42 in-city and 33 highway miles per gallon.

The 2023 Santa Cruz is a prime example of how getting a hybrid is definitely the way to go. For nearly the same price (or even more), the standard gas-powered system in the Santa Cruz has a similar 191 horsepower capability but with a much lower mileage rating of 22 in-city and 26 highway miles per gallon. You can upgrade to a higher trim level for 281 horsepower, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny and the starting price of the Santa Cruz’s base trim is already more than the Maverick. At that point, going with the Hyundai is just impractical for your wallet.

Safety & Features

The safety category is where the Maverick and Santa Cruz are practically similar. They both come with their own corresponding patented package of essential safety features designed to be proactive in alerting you of any possible dangers and automatically adjusting the brakes when necessary.

Ford Co-Pilot360

• Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
• Rear View Camera
• Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert
• Lane-Keeping System
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Auto High-Beam Headlamps

 
Hyundai SmartSense

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Lane Following Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• High Beam Assist

 


Interior

Those who believe that all pickups share the same interior design will change their minds once they see the cabin of a 2023 Ford Maverick. The concept of storage space has been completely reimagined with the addition of door pocket storage, rear under-seat storage, and a spacious center console so you can fit anything you want in all kinds of out-of-the-way nooks and crannies. If you upgrade to the LARIAT, even the back row is decked out in ActiveX premium seating for a maximum total of five amazingly comfortable and happy passengers. You can also enjoy the atmospheric ambient lighting, an 8-speaker B&O sound system, and a wide 6.5-inch infotainment cluster screen for all of your essential driving information. When you’re surrounded by all of these wonderful features, you’ll start to become a believer in luxury-style pickup trucks.

In comparison, the Santa Cruz is a tad disappointing in the fact that it only has the most basic features such as heated seating and your essential dashboard controls. A Bose speaker system is available, but only in the more expensive Limited trim.


Bottom Line

As far as pickup trucks go, the Maverick is an excellent choice as it provides the benefits of being a hybrid while sporting a comfortable and modern-like interior. The Santa Cruz, on the other hand, is simply another vehicle to supply Hyundai’s continued lineup.



Ask Essential Ford Stuart About the 2023 Ford Maverick!

If you want to get your hands on a 2023 Ford Maverick, call Essential Ford of Stuart today at (727) 287-0955 to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable staff! We’ll keep you in the know and help you in any way we can so you can snag this highly-anticipated pickup truck that’ll save you miles while providing maximum comfort.