2022 Ford Maverick vs 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, with its compact dimensions, evoked memories of the mini trucks from the 1970s to 1990s. However, its unibody construction and unique styling positioned it more as a modern iteration of the Subaru Baja or a smaller Honda Ridgeline. Measuring 4,970 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height, the Santa Cruz was over 40 cm shorter than the shortest Toyota Tacoma, yet nearly as wide. Its wheelbase of 3,005 mm was almost 23 cm shorter than the Tacoma's. Despite being larger than the 2022 Hyundai Tucson compact crossover SUV, the Santa Cruz was not exactly tiny. Its SUV-like appearance, with a bed, toothy grille, and blended headlights, made it stand out on the road. The interior, though conventional, was honest in design, with materials appropriate for its price range and purpose as a rugged adventure vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick presented a more traditional pickup look, drawing inspiration from larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger. However, its front end, with large headlights and a grille crossbar, deviated from the typical Ford truck design. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, measuring 5,073 mm in length and standing 1,879 mm tall. It shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs. The Maverick's interior was a testament to making affordability stylish, with multicoloured plastic and money-saving touches like exposed fasteners. Even the base XL trim featured seats with a unique weave pattern, and higher trims offered leather upholstery. Ford's design team succeeded in creating an interior that was both functional and stylish, proving that entry-level vehicles need not sacrifice aesthetics.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz in Canada came equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It featured standard all-wheel drive, with no front-wheel drive option available. The Santa Cruz's driving experience was more akin to a car than a truck, thanks to its multi-link suspension and self-leveling feature. The ride quality was impressive, even on 20-inch wheels, and the turbo engine provided ample power. However, its off-road capabilities were limited, with 21.8 cm of ground clearance and no low range or locking differentials. The Santa Cruz had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg and a payload capacity of 864 kg, aligning more with midsize SUVs than traditional pickups.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a continuously variable transmission, producing 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. An optional 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged engine delivered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was front-wheel drive only, while the EcoBoost offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package added features like different suspension tuning and underbody protection. On a short off-road course, the Maverick FX4 demonstrated more off-road capability than most crossovers in its price range. On pavement, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a car-like driving experience with superior ride quality. The hybrid powertrain was smoother and more refined, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and spirited acceleration.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz boasted a maximum payload capacity of 864 kg, but its 1,323 mm long bed limited utility. Hyundai included features like a lockable tonneau cover, height-adjustable tailgate, and in-bed LED lighting to maximize space. The Santa Cruz was available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, with seating for five. Rear-seat legroom was tight, but front-seat space was more generous. The centre console offered decent storage, and controls for optional heated and ventilated seats were conveniently placed. However, touch pads for audio and climate control functions were less user-friendly while driving.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, also in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offered more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and slightly more than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies and a FITS system for customizable accessories. Its 1,382 mm bed had a 680 kg payload capacity and featured an in-bed power outlet and tailgate tiedowns. The FlexBed system allowed for dividers and a false floor, and the multi-position tailgate enabled secure transport of 4x8 sheets of plywood. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 1,814 kg with the 4K Tow Package, surpassing the Santa Cruz, though the Hyundai had a higher payload capacity.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, and a digital instrument cluster. The digital cluster displayed blind spot images from the optional surround-view camera system. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics service included smartwatch and Google Assistant connectivity. The 10.25-inch touchscreen and digital cluster were responsive and visually appealing, with quick boot-up times and intuitive graphics.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came with the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, but not wireless versions. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The infotainment system was basic but functional, with a large slot for phones and available wireless charging. Hybrids included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking. While the Maverick's infotainment tech was not groundbreaking, it effectively covered the essentials.

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, missing the top rating due to standard halogen headlights. NHTSA ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Ultimate grade offered a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist, which performed comparably to other systems at this price point.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available. Standard safety features under Ford Co-Pilot360 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and evasive steering assist.