Are you in the market for a new truck? Depending on your priorities for cabin comforts, engine power, and safety, there are many options to choose from. Consider the 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ or the Ford Maverick. These brand-new pickup trucks are great for families and adventurers alike. Although they both have a five-person seating capacity, they differ in style, towing capacities, truck bed features, and more. Take a close look at Hyundai versus Ford and see how these pickup trucks compare with each other.
Exterior Styling and Towing Capabilities
Do you want a truck that commands attention as you drive? These 2024 pickup trucks have different appearances, from the smooth curves of the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ to the sharp edges of the Ford Maverick. The SANTA CRUZ blends the appearance of an SUV and a truck, offering an eye-catching exterior style.
If you prefer a more conventional look, the Maverick’s body follows a standard pickup truck design. It has a long wheelbase for a compact truck at 121.1 inches. If you’re looking for an even more compact truck, the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ has a 118.3-inch wheelbase.
While the 2024 Maverick’s truck bed length is slightly longer at 54.4 inches compared to 52.1 inches on the SANTA CRUZ, Hyundai’s bed offers more versatility. Its standard features include lockable underfloor storage with a one-way drain and hidden side compartments for extra storage capacity. The Maverick offers side cubbies in the truck bed on select trims. The 2024 SANTA CRUZ also features a 115-volt power outlet in the bed’s sidewall storage compared to the Maverick’s 110-volt outlet.
Both trucks offer excellent towing capacities to haul a lightweight camper or a small trailer with kayaks or dirt bikes when properly equipped. However, the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ comes out on top with two towing capacity options of 3,500 or 5,000 pounds, depending on the trim. In comparison, the Ford Maverick can tow 4,000 pounds.
Interior Features and Dimensions
The 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ and the Ford Maverick have similar interior dimensions, with 41.4 inches and 36.5 inches of legroom in the first and second rows of the SANTA CRUZ and 42.8 inches and 36.9, respectively, in the Maverick. Both vehicles offer an available moonroof or sunroof to bring more natural light into the cabin, giving it a spacious and open feel. Headroom with or without an upgraded roof is comparable in both pickups’ first and second rows.
Hyundai and Ford each outfit their 2024 pickup trucks with well-appointed cockpits featuring convenient cupholders, padded center consoles, and easily accessible vents and controls to maximize your comfort. Other noteworthy interior elements include heated and ventilated front-row seats and an available heated steering wheel on the SANTA CRUZ. The Ford Maverick features storage underneath the rear seats and a customizable interior using available accessories in the Ford Integrated Tether System.
Innovative Technologies
When browsing through a new car inventory, you’ll notice an exciting feature that most modern vehicles have in common: the infotainment system. The system connects seamlessly to your smartphone, giving you quick access to your favorite apps and music playlists. Navigation features are accessible, too, with live traffic flow updates depending on the vehicle’s trim. The 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ and the Ford Maverick have identical infotainment features, including a standard 8-inch touch screen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
These pickup trucks also have a 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel to update you on your mileage, speed, and other important vehicle information. Both trucks offer Bluetooth wireless technology to help you make hands-free phone calls at your convenience. Depending on the trim of your Ford or Hyundai truck, you’ll find USB ports in the front or rear to keep your devices charged. As an alternative, you can upgrade to the available wireless device charging package on select trims of either truck.
Engine Power and Performance
Are you looking for the most power possible from your pickup truck? The 2024 Ford Maverick features a gas-powered inline four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine that generates 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive to reach an impressive 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. This Ford truck has a 16.5-gallon gas tank.
Because the 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ meshes the perks of an SUV and a truck, its engine seems lighter in performance than the Maverick’s. The SANTA CRUZ has a gas-powered inline four-cylinder 2.5-liter engine that delivers 191 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the trim, front-wheel or all-wheel drive is available.
As for fuel economy, the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ has a 17.7-gallon tank and reaches an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. With its slightly larger tank, you’ll have fewer trips to the gas station despite its lower horsepower and miles-per-gallon ratings.
Safety Features
Are you a driver who prioritizes safety for you and your passengers? You’ll appreciate what the 2024 SANTA CRUZ offers. It includes Hyundai SmartSense, an innovative suite of safety features that uses sensors and cameras around the vehicle to keep you safe on the road. Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and driver attention warning all come as standard.
The 2024 Ford Maverick has useful safety technologies, but standard features, such as automated emergency braking, are limited. If you want extensive safety features, including lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control, you’ll need to add them on.
Test-Drive a New Hyundai Truck at Huffines Hyundai McKinney
Despite certain similarities, such as select drive modes, infotainment systems, and seating capacities, deciding which truck is better for you depends on your lifestyle. If you’re looking for a compact pickup truck with an innovative truck bed, the 2024 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ is the clear winner. Come see for yourself and test-drive the SANTA CRUZ at Huffines Hyundai McKinney. Visit us at 1301 N. Central Expressway in McKinney, Texas, or call our professional sales team at 469-525-4300 for exclusive savings on new cars. Ask how we can help you get into a brand-new truck today.