2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2022 Ford Maverick

2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a compact truck that combines the convenience of a pickup with the comfort and economy of a regular family vehicle. Based around the successful SUV platform used in the Hyundai Tucson, but with the extra versatility offered by the pickup bed, it makes a great choice for anyone who needs a little extra hauling power in their daily drive.

 

The latest 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is now available for test drive at our Ottawa dealership, and to see whether this new model maintains the heights of quality set by previous Santa Cruz releases, we’ve compared it to one of its main small truck competitors, the Ford Maverick. Here’s how it went.

 

Power Under the Hood

 

Even a compact truck needs to boast plenty of power under the hood to handle tough hauling tasks, and here the Santa Cruz has the advantage over the Maverick. At the base level, both trucks have an output of 191 horsepower, provided in the Hyundai’s case by a 2.5L four cylinder gas engine and a gas / electric hybrid combination in the Ford. And while the horsepower ratings match exactly, the standard Santa Cruz torque rating of 181lb-ft gives it slightly more grunt than the Maverick’s 173lb-ft.

 

However, both trucks are available with a larger turbo engine option, and in this case the Santa Cruz’s advantage is much more pronounced. The 2.5L turbo four-cylinder mill makes a hefty 281 horsepower and 311lb-ft, comfortably ahead of the Ford’s 2.0L engine with 250 hp and 277lb-ft. If you’re looking for genuine pickup power on an SUV-based platform, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the model to choose.

 

Payload and Towing Capacity

 

The Hyundai’s meatier powertrain translates into substantially better payload and towing capacities, which after all is one of the main reasons to consider a pickup of any size. The Santa Cruz can carry up to 793kg in total payload, making it much more capable compared to the Ford’s maximum of 680kg.

 

And when it comes to towing, the difference is even more obvious. The standard entry-level Santa Cruz can haul up to 1,587kg in trailer weight, increasing to an impressive 2,268kg with the optional all-wheel drive powertrain. The Ford is no slouch, but the entry level is limited to 907kg with the optional tow package raising the bar to just 1,814kg.

 

In-Bed Storage Space

 

Lastly, the Hyundai has a clear advantage over the Ford when it comes to secure storage space and versatility in the bed. As standard, the Santa Cruz is supplied with two integrated storage cubbies, while the Ford is supplied with only one as a paid extra option. What’s more, only the Hyundai has a lockable trunk under the floor for secure storage, with that feature unavailable on the Ford.

 

Experience the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Ottawa

 

Discover the versatility and capability of the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz for yourself by booking a test drive from our Ottawa location. If you need the power of a pickup with the comfort of an SUV, the Santa Cruz is the compact truck to beat.

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