There was a time in America when selecting the perfect compact truck was a particularly troublesome proposition. Not terribly way back, consumers may discover a small pickup truck or two in nearly 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 dimension over time or have been discontinued (and in some instances reborn or renamed) to make up the class we now know as midsize vehicles. Curiously sufficient, a few automakers reentered the compact pickup phase in 2022 with surprisingly completely different takes on the small truck components.
There are solely two small pickup vehicles at present offered in the US. The category of two is extra appropriately known as compact pickups, sitting beneath the midsize pickup phase that’s dominated by the aforementioned Toyota Tacoma. The 2 compact entries within the small pickup truck phase are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
So which of the 2 choices is the perfect compact truck in America? We predict most consumers will probably 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 seems like a extra premium product that, notably with its non-obligatory 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 severe consumers who wish to know extra would do effectively to learn our newest Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz critiques for the total scoop.
Greatest compact vehicles for 2023 and 2024
Ford Maverick — Autoblog Rating: 8.0
Why it stands out: Reasonably priced for a truck; simple to drive; hybrid is environment friendly; intelligent design and storage all through
Could possibly be higher: Laborious to search out in sure markets; no all-wheel-drive hybrid; no scarcity of onerous plastics
Beginning Worth: $25,640
Learn our most up-to-date Ford Maverick Overview
As identified in our introductory paragraphs, there are actually solely two choices for consumers purchasing for a compact pickup truck. Each the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz characterize robust choices, which suggests selecting between the 2 could come right down to styling, pricing and incentives, or preferences associated to how the car rides and drives.
The Ford Maverick seems to be 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 enough 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 incorporates 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 computerized transmission. With front-wheel drive, that mixture is nice 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 non-obligatory 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 repeatedly variable transmission. Sadly, all-wheel-drive is just not provided with the hybrid. Whereas the hybrid subsequently sacrifices some energy and functionality, it makes up for it with glorious gasoline economic system: 42 mpg metropolis, 33 mpg freeway and 37 mpg mixed. We discovered it fairly simple to satisfy or beat these figures in real-world driving.
Consumers who intend to make use of the small pickup truck in off-road circumstances could wish 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 top, Path Management off-road cruise management, heavy-duty transmission cooler, a full-size spare tire and numerous 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
Could possibly 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 evaluate
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, just like the Ford Maverick it competes in opposition to, is constructed upon a unibody platform as an alternative 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 a whole lot of variations between the 2 compact vehicles at present on the market in the US. 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 might be seen at even a look, with the Hyundai’s sharp angles standing in distinction to the extra subdued Ford.
The Maverick earns kudos resulting from 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 normal 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 computerized transmission and normal front-wheel drive, however all-wheel drive is out there as an choice. In normal 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 satisfactory, however the turbo engine choice provides a a lot spunkier 281 hp and 311 lb-ft. Gas economic system for the turbo engine is just like the bottom engine at 19 mpg metropolis, 27 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed.
