Both Ford and Hyundai aare brands that have embraced the compact truck segment. The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick have proved that Americans will buy small pickups, but one of these vehicles has been more popular than the other. For the first quarter of 2022, the Maverick outsold the Santa Cruz by more than double, and that’s not all. The Ford Maverick even outsold Ford’s other small truck, the Ranger. 

How popular is the new Ford Maverick?

In terms of popularity, the 2022 Ford Maverick truck has been extremely succesful. Through March of 2022, Ford reported that it had sold 19,245 Maverick units while Hyundai sold only 8,400 Santa Cruz models in the same period. According to The Drive, the average time that a new Maverick sits on a dealership lot is about four days. And that’s if a Ford dealership has any inventory available.

The Ford Maverick has been so popular that Ford was forced to place a pause on customer orders for the 2022 model. But, don’t worry, the brand is expected to open up orders for the 2023 Maverick at some point in August.

Why is the 2022 Ford Maverick so popular?

There are a few reasons why the Ford Maverick has found popularity in today’s market. With base models costing around $20,000, it proves that new trucks can still be cheap. Even upper trims like the Maverick Lariat are still relatively affordable with an MSRP of $25,860. 

Other reasons for the Maverick to be such a hot commodity is the fact that it comes standard with a hybrid powertrain. This is a first among pickup trucks, and it likely attracts those who want utility without having to give up efficiency. But, a hybrid powertrain is not all the 2022 Ford Maverick has to offer. It can also come outfitted with a turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. Enabling this small pickup truck to tow up to 4,000 pounds. 

Is the Ford Maverick better than the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

Picking a favorite between these two compact trucks is not an easy task. They both excel in different ways. We suspect one of the reasons more buyers appear to be flocking to the Ford Maverick is name recognition. As long as Ford exists, it will likely sell trucks, and models like the F-150 remain some of the best sellers on the market. 

Hyundai is not a manufacturer known for its trucks. But, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is essentially a Tucson with a bed. So it does ride on a proven platform and has notable capability. At the same time, the Maverick just looks more like a simple truck. The Santa Cruz has more styling and modern design language, which may not work for all buyers.

Is the Maverick a good pickup truck?

If its sales are any indication, yes, the 2022 Maverick is a good compact truck. It may ride on a unibody platform, but it can still tow up to 4,000 lbs. And, Ford offers some off-road features through an available off-road package. Enabling this small truck to head on some legitimate adventures. 

Additionally, the new Maverick outsold its competition. Showing that right now, the Hyundai Santa Cruz just can’t keep up.