Starting at
Starting at
| 54.4" | Bed Length (in) | 52.1" |
| 40 | Fuel Economy (combined mpg est.) | 23 |
| FX4 | Off-Road Package (available) | None |
The 2022 Ford Maverick has been officially unveiled, and it is everything you expected in a small truck at a bargain price. While it might be hard to believe, given its starting price under $20,000, the Maverick is ready for anything. We are here to tell you that you need to base your judgment of the Maverick on its performance and features as opposed to its price. The Maverick will change how Americans view compact trucks, and it's already getting a lot of well-deserved attention.
Many drivers out there would love to own a hybrid pickup truck, but they have no need for a midsize or full-size model. And get this; if you are going to buy a compact truck, it's not fair to pay the same people throw down on a full-size model. One of the new models that will compete with the Ford Maverick is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is a great truck as well and boasts the flexibility of a truck bed and the comfort of an SUV. Let's see how these two compact pickup trucks compare in this comparison between the 2022 Ford Maverick vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Both the Maverick and Santa Cruz are compact trucks, so it is expected that they will be utilized as such. This means that they will be hauling cargo, towing stuff, and traveling through rough terrain. However, only the Maverick is a full hybrid pickup truck - the first to ever come with a hybrid powertrain standard. It has a standard 2.5-liter hybrid engine paired with electric motors that boast seamless shifting. It is estimated that the hybrid choice will garner an incredible 40 mpg in the city and boasts 191 horsepower.
Of course, if you are going to haul cargo and tow your toys to the campground or lake, you might want an engine with a little more power. Ford has graciously accommodated your request by offering an available 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that kicks out 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. When this engine is paired with the available 4K tow package, it enjoys a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs. As far as payload, the Maverick can handle 1,500 lbs. As such, you can load up your gear in the pickup bed and tow your boat or camper to your favorite weekend destinations.
If you are going to utilize your Maverick as a recreational ride, we recommend you opt for the available FX4 Off-Road Package. With this package, you get everything you need to conquer the roughest and toughest off-road terrain. You get Hill Descent Control, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and five selectable drive modes. With choices like Tow, Haul, Slippery, Mud and Rut, and Sand, your Maverick will get you safely to your destination regardless of the road conditions. And the Hill Descent Control will definitely come in handy when you decide to take the Maverick rock hopping.
The standard engine in the Hyundai Santa Cruz is an inline 2.5-liter four-cylinder that offers around 190 horsepower - which is the same as the Maverick's base engine. Of course, the Santa Cruz isn't a hybrid and is only rated for 23 MPG combined. Having the same amount of horsepower and far worse fuel consumption isn't exactly starting out on the right foot.
There is a more powerful turbocharged engine; the 2.5-liter turbo boasts an estimated 275 horsepower, and it is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This compares fairly evenly with the Maverick's top engine, although using a dual-clutch transmission in a pickup truck is a unique choice that may not pay off.
There is always a concern that when you are buying a bargain truck, you get basically nothing with it unless you delve into the higher trim levels. Fortunately, this is far from true with the Ford Maverick. Even at the base level, you get a respectful amount of features and options. Being the least expensive pickup in Ford's lineup, it is actually somewhat surprising that you get so many features and options.
The XL is the base trim of the Maverick, and it comes with the standard 2.5-liter engine, but the more powerful 2.0-liter choice is an option. And while front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is an available option as well. You also get a standard 8-inch touchscreen with FordPass connectivity. So get this; even at the base trim level, you will enjoy a Wi-Fi hotspot and two USB ports.
When you jump up to the Maverick XLT, you get all of the goodies in the previous trim plus 17-inch alloy wheels, power-adjusted mirrors, a whole lot of cubby storage in the truck bed, as well as tie-down spots to make hauling cargo a cinch.
Next up, the Lariat trim level gives you those little luxury and convenience features that really make the Maverick classy. In addition to a leather-wrapped steering wheel, acoustic windshield, and ActiveX seats, the Lariat includes ambient lighting, a 6.5-inch productivity screen, and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature controls. On the exterior, owners of the Maverick Lariat will cruise the streets of their city on 18-inch wheels. At the top of the lineup, the Lariat First Edition boasts gloss black mirrors, a black roof, and 18-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires.
The base-level Santa Cruz comes with many of the features you get with the Maverick, and they are quite comparable. The SE trim also comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, the SEL also boasts heated side mirrors, and you will also enjoy a leather-wrapped steering wheel in the SEL Premium trim. The Limited is a good trim choice if you want all of those desired convenience and comfort features. However, Hyundai has yet to share pricing, so we will see if it is as affordable as the Maverick in due time.
The Maverick might be a compact pickup truck, but it will still do all of the things you want in a truck. Just like the F-150, the Maverick is capable of hauling loads and towing. Obviously, you aren't going to utilize the Maverick to tow a full-size yacht or haul heavy industrial-size loads, but it will undoubtedly hold its own in its class. The standard payload for the Maverick is 1,500 pounds, which is enough to transport your gear to your favorite camping site or take a load of trash to the landfill. For more everyday purposes, you can fill the bed of the Maverick with sports equipment and bicycles, and it will come in handy if you are moving or have to help a friend move.
Many of you will be looking into getting a Maverick for your weekend adventures, which might include taking it off the road for some wild rides. We get it; there is no reason to own a truck if you don't do a little off-roading from time to time. Lucky for you, the Maverick comes with an available FX4 off-road package that features all-terrain tires and front tow hooks. You will also enjoy selectable drive modes, each for specific road conditions or activities. You have the choice of Normal, Tow, Haul, Slippery, Mud and Ruts, and Sand. The off-road features also include items like Hill Descent Control, which will help you maintain control while coming down from the top of that mountain trail.
One of the best features you will find on the Maverick is the FLEXBED, which is a topic of discussion around the water cooler for good reason. The tailgate on the FLEXBED offers three positions. You can have it closed all of the way, opened all of the way, and locked in a mid-position. And even when it is locked in mid-position, the FLEXBED gate still supports 400 pounds. There's more; the FLEXBED enjoys several tie-downs and D-rings to secure your loads better. There is also a series of threaded holes along the side of the bed that can be fitted with one of many aftermarket cargo management systems.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz does have a tailgate that will set in the middle position, but the bed is quite a bit smaller than the Maverick's bed. And while both choices are quite close in terms of towing capacity and payload, the Maverick is the clear winner in off-road conditions. In fact, despite Hyundai advertising the Santa Cruz as a "Sport Adventure Vehicle," it does not have anything resembling the Maverick's FX4 off-road package.
Within the Ford family of vehicles, drivers will find a wide variety of models that fit many different sets of needs. With the large selection of Ford models here at Newton Ford South, we are sure to have the vehicle of your dreams that fits all of your needs and desires. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to listen to your needs as a driver and your concerns about everything from fuel economy to safety.
Together, we will set forth to discover a suitable model for you. We guarantee that we will not sell you something you don't want or need. You see, we understand that we are successful because we rely on repeat business. You don't have customers coming back if their car-buying experience was unpleasant.
Once we have discovered a model for you, our finance department will help find you a loan or lease that works for you and your budget. Even after you drive off our lot in your new Ford, we will still be here for you when needed. Our service center employs well-trained technicians who can do everything from simple routine maintenance to major repairs, and they will properly diagnose the problem and fix it right the first time. Stop by Newton Ford South today and let us help you drive away in a brand new Ford model.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
