Used Hyundai Santa Cruz or Ford Maverick, which to choose?
Will small vans make a comeback? So far, only Ford and Hyundai offer them. The Maverick and Santa Cruz were launched three years ago, and are being updated for 2025.
There's no shortage of them on the second-hand market. But which of these two models should you choose?
Ford doesn't target the same clientele with the Maverick as Hyundai does with the Santa Cruz, as we pointed out in a comparison of figures shortly after their launch. The former offers two engines, including a hybrid system (191 hp, 155 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. Great for city driving and odd jobs. Alternatively, you can choose a turbocharged Maverick (250 hp, 277 lb-ft) with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed transmission.
For its part, the Santa Cruz strikes back at Ford and its EcoBoost with a more muscular turbocharged four-cylinder (275 hp, 310 lb-ft). All-wheel drive is standard, but the transmission is a dual-clutch type with eight gears, a curious feature for a pickup truck. This gearbox sometimes seems a little hesitant and has been recalled due to poor soldering on the circuit board controlling the oil pump, which can lead to various anomalies.
Mind you, the Maverick is far from flawless. For example, engine failure or a crack in the engine block can lead to a heavy build-up of oil and/or fuel vapours under the hood, resulting in a fire. Variations in the charge level of the 12-volt battery can also cause the engine to stall. Both problems have been recalled.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Maverick has the advantage, not only with its hybrid version, but also with its turbo engine and all-wheel drive - 9.8 L/100 km versus 10.6 L/100 km for the Santa Cruz. On the other hand, the latter can tow up to 5,000 lb, while its American rival is limited to 4,000 lb with the 4K package.
The cargo bed measures 4.5 feet on the Ford and 4.34 feet on the Hyundai. Payload is still lower with the Maverick, at 1,500 lb versus 1,609 lb for the Santa Cruz. Hyundai has also equipped its pickup with a practical underfloor trunk.
The two models are on par when it comes to safety. On board, the Santa Cruz wins the duel thanks to its slightly more modern approach, both technologically and aesthetically.
If you're on a tighter budget, you can find a used Ford Maverick at a lower price than a Santa Cruz. On the other hand, the Korean product left the factory with a more advantageous warranty, and you could still benefit from it.
In the end, the choice depends on your needs, but for all its work and features, The Car Guide considers the Maverick a better buy than the Santa Cruz in the compact pickup category.
Happy shopping!
