Uh oh, the ball is in the 2022 Ford Maverick’s court because the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz just entered production. The competition among compact pickups is just starting to heat up, but the Hyundai Santa Cruz is blazing ahead of the Maverick. 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. the 2022 Ford Maverick 

According to The Drive, the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz is speeding ahead of the 2022 Ford Maverick. It already made its debut a few weeks ahead of the Maverick and is now entering production. 

This may mean that drivers who want a compact truck could get the Santa Cruz weeks to months ahead of the Ford Maverick. The Maverick is expected to begin production around August 16, which isn’t too far behind. 

The Santa Cruz will be manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing in Alabama. The Maverick will be produced alongside the Ford Bronco Sport at the Ford Plant in Hermosillo, Mexico. 

The ongoing global semiconductor chip shortage already delayed production of the Ford Maverick once. It was expected to enter production in July. Hopefully, both of these trucks will remain on schedule. 

Is the Santa Cruz or Maverick stronger? 

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine for 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, this little truck can tow up to 5,000 lbs. 

The 2022 Ford Maverick comes with a standard hybrid powertrain that can’t be equipped with all-wheel drive. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor generate 191 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque. 

You can upgrade to the 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine for 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 lbs. The Santa Cruz has a payload capacity of 1,700 lbs, and the Maverick can carry up to 1,500 lbs. 

Both trucks have a ground clearance of 8.6-inches. However, the Maverick will offer an off-road FX4 package that includes all-terrain tires, protective skid plates, and tow hooks. The Santa Cruz may get an off-roading variant later. 

Does the Maverick or Santa Cruz have better features? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick begins at about $19,995, and the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz could start at around $25,000. The official pricing for the Santa Cruz hasn’t been released yet, but it could be close to the Maverick’s. 

The Maverick’s bed is a little longer at 54.4 inches vs. 52.1 inches. Both trucks allow you to set the tailgate at a middle position to hold up 4×8 plywood sheets. Both have outlets in the bed and pockets to place wood beams. 

In the Santa Cruz’s bed, you’ll find two standard storage cubbies in the sides, along with a lockable under the trunk floor. The Maverick has an optional storage cubby on one side of the bed. The interior size of the Santa Cruz hasn’t been released. 

It’s challenging to determine which option is better without knowing all of their specs and before getting a chance to test drive them. However, you might be able to get your hands on the Hyundai Santa Cruz before the Ford Maverick.