Is the 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Better Than a Ford Maverick?

The Santa Cruz combines compact-truck utility thats easy to drive and style. It's a bit pricier than its main rival, the Ford Maverick, and the styling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it has a long list of features and a premium interior that certainly justify the bigger price tag.

* New XRT trim replaces the previous SEL Premium
* Minor revisions to standard feature availability

There are two powertrains available for the Santa Cruz

SE and SEL get the 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque
eight-speed automatic transmission
tow 3,500 pounds
22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway

Night, XRT, and Limited trims come with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four with 281 horses and 311 pound-feet
eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
Towing - 5000 pounds
19 mpg city and 27 highway
0-60 MPH - 6.5 sec

All trims except the SE can be had with all-wheel drive

The Santa Cruz has one of the nicest cabins among both the compact and mid-size pickup segments.Bose premium audio, wireless device charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and Hyundai's Blue Link services provided free for three years.

Santa Cruz is shorter and lower than larger rivals from the mid-size truck class, which makes it easier to maneuver around town.

The tailgate can be adjusted to match the height of the wheelwells so that 4-by-8 sheets of plywood can be carried in the bed. The in-bed trunk with the drain can be used to store wet or muddy gear, or even ice for tailgating.

Price Range: $26,900 - $41,320

Pros :
* Comfortable ride quality and agile handling
* Powerful turbocharged engine option
* Impressive assortment of tech features
* Thoughtful features integrated into cargo bed

Cons:
* Flat seats and limited legroom in the rear
* Compromised rear visibility
* Upper trims are pricey

Competes with:
Ford Maverick
Honda Ridgeline

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0:00 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited AWD
2:08 Engine details
2:53 Test drive
4:30 interior details
7:57 Cargo bed space
8:58 Pros and cons
9:49 price / competitors