2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Ford Maverick in Highland Park, IL

The all-new 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz was specially designed to fit into city life as well as it does your outdoor adventures. In bumper-to-bumper traffic, its agile handling and sharp steering come in handy. Its powerful engine options; a standard 190-horsepower four-cylinder and optional 275-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, help you explore city grids and mountain trails alike.

We also like the Ford Maverick engine lineup, though it’s not quite as big on power. The base Maverick powertrain is actually a hybrid, which pairs an electric motor to a four-cylinder engine for a total of 191 horses. For a little extra kick, the Maverick offers an optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which boosts performance with 250 horses.

Tow ratings vary slightly according to which Santa Cruz powertrain you select but either way, Hyundai’s compact pickup can tow more. With the base powertrain, tow ratings reach up to 3,500 pounds. Upgrade to the turbocharged engine, and that number rises to 5,000 pounds, making it a great option to tow a pair of Jet Skis.

The all-new Ford Maverick is also pretty capable. With its standard hybrid powertrain, this little truck can tow up to 2,000 pounds. Add the optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine for a more capable ride, and a max tow rating of 4,000 pounds.

The Santa Cruz has a fun-loving edge here. Every trim model comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which creates a more carefree infotainment experience. Drivers can also add two sleek 10.25-inch screens, one for the digital gauge cluster and one for the touch-screen navigation system. Finally, the Santa Cruz’s 4.3-food molded truck bed includes a lockable tonneau cover to keep would-be thieves at bay. The truck bed also features an underfloor storage compartment with a drain, which can be used as a beach-friendly ice chest.

While the Maverick comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto infotainment gear, it doesn’t feature the wireless versions at all. Unfortunately, you can’t upgrade the infotainment system; it’s only available with the 8-inch touch screen.