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If you’re not first, you’re last. That’s usually the case for trucks, but in this case, a recent Ford Maverick loss probably won’t make a difference. It came in second place against the Hyundai Santa Cruz but still sells like hotcakes. 

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has more quality than the Ford Maverick 

According to J.D.Power, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has more quality than the Ford Maverick, but this might not make a difference to compact truck buyers as Maverick sales soar. 

The 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS) found that the Hyundai Santa Cruz has the highest quality. It’s followed by the Ford Maverick in second, and the Nissan Frontier is in third. 

Overall, the Hyundai brand came in third place with a score of 162, and Ford landed in ninth place with 179. 

The IQS is based on feedback from actual owners who share the troubles they’ve faced by responding to a survey with 227 questions. About 99,144 owners and lessees of new 2024 vehicles after 90 days participated. 

Then the data is broken down into problems per 100 vehicles. A lower score equals higher quality. Also, the average car has 232 issues per 100 vehicles. 

While the Hyundai Santa Cruz is more refined than the Maverick, it’s missing two key features that fan Maverick flames. It doesn’t have a hybrid engine, and it’s more expensive. 

The off-roading in mud
2024 Ford Maverick | Ford

The Maverick had 94,058 sales in 2023, and the Santa Cruz sold 36,675. The MAverick has sold 90,375 models so far in 2024, while the Santa Cruz hovers around 17,945. 

So, even though the Santa Cruz is an excellent rival to consider, the Ford Maverick is on track to blow it out of the water again. 

The Maverick starts with an MSRP of $23,920, and the Santa Cruz starts at $26,900. That’s a $2,980 difference before destination and dealership fees are factored in. 

Plus, by paying $1,500 to upgrade to the hybrid engine, you can benefit from an EPA-estimated 40 mph in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. It looks like economy is beating quality for now.

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Staff Writer

Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.