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Are you shopping around for a compact pickup truck? Two choices are the 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2023 Ford Maverick. In an earlier article, we highlighted the advantages of the Maverick, but now we showcase the strengths of the Santa Cruz. Here are four advantages of buying a 2023 Santa Cruz over a 2023 Maverick.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz delivers better performance than the 2023 Ford Maverick

Light blue 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz parked in a forest
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai

The first advantage of buying a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz over a 2023 Ford Maverick is the Santa Cruz delivers better performance than the Maverick. This is due to its more powerful engine options. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Santa Cruz produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, while its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generates 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

In comparison, the standard hybrid powertrain in the Maverick produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generates 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

2023 Santa Cruz can tow more than the 2023 Maverick

Front angle view of orange 2023 Ford Maverick
Cyber Orange 2023 Ford Maverick | Ford

The second advantage of buying a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz over a 2023 Ford Maverick is the Santa Cruz can tow more than the Maverick. It has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, compared to 4,000 pounds for the Maverick. With a 5,000-pound towing capacity, you can tow things like a utility trailer, a pop-up camper, jet skis, ATVs, snowmobiles, a small travel trailer, a fishing boat, and a landscape trailer.

Also, the Santa Cruz can haul a heavier load in the pickup bed. It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,753 pounds, compared to 1,564 pounds for the Maverick.

Hyundai Santa Cruz provides slightly more passenger space than the Ford Maverick

Dashboard and front seats in 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Hyundai

The third advantage of buying a 2023 Santa Cruz over a 2023 Maverick is the Santa Cruz provides slightly more passenger space than the Maverick. It has a total passenger volume of 104 cu-ft, compared to 100.3 cu-ft for the Maverick. Also, the extra space is beneficial for the rear seat passengers in the Santa Cruz. It has 0.5 inches more rear shoulder room and 0.6 inches more rear legroom compared to the Maverick.

2023 Santa Cruz has much better warranty coverage than the 2023 Maverick

The fourth advantage of buying a 2023 Santa Cruz over a 2023 Maverick is the Santa Cruz has much better warranty coverage than the Maverick. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. In comparison, the Maverick has a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Furthermore, unlike the Maverick, the Santa Cruz has a free maintenance plan, with three years or 36,000 miles of coverage.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz has advantages over the 2023 Ford Maverick for performance, towing, passenger space, and warranty coverage. For pickup shoppers, these are the key reasons to buy a 2023 Santa Cruz instead of a 2023 Maverick.

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