There was a time in America when selecting the most effective compact truck was a particularly tough proposition. Not terribly way back, patrons may discover a small pickup truck or two in just about each new-car showroom. These days are lengthy gone, as choices just like the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet S-10 (and later Colorado), Nissan Hardbody and Toyota Tacoma grew in measurement through the years or have been discontinued (and in some instances reborn or renamed) to make up the class we now know as midsize vans. Apparently sufficient, a few automakers reentered the compact pickup section in 2022 with surprisingly completely different takes on the small truck system.
There are solely two small pickup vans at the moment bought in the USA. The category of two is extra accurately known as compact pickups, sitting beneath the midsize pickup section that’s dominated by the aforementioned Toyota Tacoma. The 2 compact entries within the small pickup truck section are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
So which of the 2 choices is the most effective compact truck in America? We predict most patrons shall be finest served by the Ford Maverick if they’re shopping for a truck to function an implement to maneuver folks and cargo, whereas the Hyundai Santa Cruz looks like a extra premium product that, notably with its optionally available turbocharged engine, is extra enjoyable to drive. However there’s extra to the choice than that. We’ll break down a number of the excessive and low factors of every truck, however critical patrons who need to know extra would do effectively to learn our newest Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz opinions for the complete scoop.
Finest compact vans for 2023 and 2024
Ford Maverick — Autoblog Rating: 8.0
Why it stands out: Inexpensive for a truck; straightforward to drive; hybrid is environment friendly; intelligent design and storage all through
Might be higher: Onerous to seek out in sure markets; no all-wheel-drive hybrid; no scarcity of arduous plastics
Beginning Worth: $25,640
Learn our most up-to-date Ford Maverick Assessment
As identified in our introductory paragraphs, there are actually solely two choices for patrons purchasing for a compact pickup truck. Each the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz signify robust choices, which implies selecting between the 2 could come all the way down to styling, pricing and incentives, or preferences associated to how the car rides and drives.
The Ford Maverick appears to be like and feels extra like a conventional pickup truck than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, with a usable truck mattress — regardless of being 7 inches shorter than the mattress of the next-size-up Ford Ranger — that options easy-to-use tie-down factors and a configuration that enables full 4×8-foot sheets of plywood or drywall to suit. The Maverick can tow as much as 4,000 kilos, which is adequate for small trailers, dirtbikes or jet skis, however is decrease than the 5,000-max-rating of the Santa Cruz. Round city, the Maverick feels small and maneuverable when in comparison with most different pickups. The experience high quality is fairly good, too, although the Santa Cruz feels a bit sportier and extra like a crossover with a truck mattress.
The usual powertrain encompasses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that spins out 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, routed by way of an eight-speed automated transmission. With front-wheel drive, that mixture is sweet for 23 miles per gallon metropolis, 30 mpg freeway and 26 mpg mixed. Choosing all-wheel drive drops these figures to 22/29/25 mpg. The optionally available hybrid consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and electrical motor mixture that provides up 191 horsepower to the entrance wheels through an digital constantly variable transmission. Sadly, all-wheel-drive shouldn’t be supplied with the hybrid. Whereas the hybrid subsequently sacrifices some energy and functionality, it makes up for it with wonderful gasoline financial system: 42 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 37 mpg mixed. We discovered it fairly straightforward to satisfy or beat these figures in real-world driving.
Consumers who intend to make use of the small pickup truck in off-road situations could need to have a look at the Ford Maverick Tremor. The bundle prices a further $3,495 over the price of XLT or Lariat fashions and comes with a extra superior 4WD system (features a twin-clutch rear drive unit and locking rear differential), distinctive off-road suspension with an elevated experience peak, Path Management off-road cruise management, heavy-duty transmission cooler, a full-size spare tire and a lot of distinctive look upgrades exterior and in.
Hyundai Santa Cruz — Autoblog Rating: 7.5
Why it stands out: Enjoyable and refined to drive; high-class inside; nice tech; intelligent mattress options
Might be higher: Cramped again seat; excessive value with turbo engine; gradual and inefficient base engine
Beginning Worth: $27,985
Learn our most up-to-date Hyundai Santa Cruz overview
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, just like the Ford Maverick it competes in opposition to, is constructed upon a unibody platform as a substitute of the ladder body that just about each different pickup truck depends on for energy and sturdiness. However in execution and from behind the wheel, there are quite a lot of variations between the 2 compact vans at the moment on the market in the USA. The Santa Cruz is maybe extra like a sporty compact SUV with a truck mattress, whereas the Maverick is a miniature truck. The variations of their designs could be seen at even a look, with the Hyundai’s sharp angles standing in distinction to the extra subdued Ford.
The Maverick earns kudos as a result of its its marginally bigger mattress, however the Santa Cruz can tow as much as 5,000 kilos (1,000 lbs greater than the Maverick). The Santa Cruz is about 4 inches shorter in size than the Maverick, and has much less usable area within the rear seat as effectively. The Maverick crushes the Santa Cruz with its 37-mpg hybrid powertrain however the Hyundai counters with extra options, a nicer inside and a really beneficiant guarantee.
The Santa Cruz SE and SEL come customary with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automated transmission and customary front-wheel drive, however all-wheel drive is obtainable as an choice. In customary type, the Santa Cruz will get 22 mpg metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with FWD or 21/25/23 mpg with AWD. The bottom powerplant is completely enough, however the turbo engine choice provides a a lot spunkier 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. Gasoline financial system for the turbo engine is much like the bottom engine at 19 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed.
