The Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz are often pitted against each other in the small pickup market. For the 2023 model year, each one offers a similar amount of features and the base-level versions have prices close to each other.

However, when you look at the top-tiered trims, the price tags are pretty far apart. Why is the Santa Cruz so much more expensive at these higher trims?

The 2023 @Ford Maverick Tremor is a terrific tool that's ruggedly cool: https://t.co/qvvViLopQI pic.twitter.com/EXgunm5cP7

Ford’s Maverick pickup comes in a few different trims. First, the base model, which is the XL version, comes in a front-wheel, and all-wheel drivetrain with a Supercrew body style configuration. This model has a starting price of $23,690, according to Edmunds. It offers your basic features such as cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and cruise control to name a few. 

Stepping up to the XLT trim, you can expect to get higher-quality upholstery, alloy wheels, and a power-locking rear tailgate. You’ll also get FWD, AWD, and an advanced AWD setup for a price of $25,950. The highest trim Ford offers for the Maverick, at this time, is the Lariat, which comes in FWD, AWD, and an advanced AWD system. 

This model has a push-button start, simulated leather coverings, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The price begins at $27,955, but you can also add a few packages to the purchase, like a luxury, towing, and an off-road package.

2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz adds a Night trim, higher prices https://t.co/lu6WmRGNdh pic.twitter.com/3WaE5Gu0iZ

Hyundai’s Santa Cruz is a similar pickup that offers many of the same features as the Maverick, but there are some key differences. Beginning with the base model, the SE, you get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with eight-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with a six-speaker stereo, an 8-inch display screen, forward collision with a mitigation system, and blind-spot monitoring with intervention. It starts at $26,745. 

Upgrade to the SEL and you get heated mirrors and front seats, push-button start, power adjustable driver’s seat, and a lockable pickup bed storage bin. It comes with a price tag of $29,085 to start. Next in line is the Night trim, which offers a turbocharged engine, 20-inch dark alloy wheels, and special blacked-out accents for the exterior. You can get this model for $37,105. 

Upgrade to the SEL Premium trim and you’ll get standard AWD, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system for a starting price of $38,645, according to U.S. News.

The highest trim model is the Limited version, which comes with AWD, leather upholstery, Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, and a 360-degree camera system for $40,320 to start. 

The 2023 @Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a price bump and a new Night edition: https://t.co/pyeHzLuhZ8 pic.twitter.com/3TtdgyE8HT

The Most Expensive Pickup Trucks for 2023

There are a couple of reasons why the Santa Cruz comes with a more expensive price tag. First, it has a couple more trim levels between the base and the top-tiered trim. One of them is a special edition type trim, the Night, which basically offers very little but aesthetic upgrades. The other is a luxury version (SEL Premium), which comes just under the top trim, the Limited. 

Another reason why you see a more expensive price tag for the top-tiered Santa Cruz is that Hyundai is offering the base model at $3,000 more than the Maverick’s entry-level truck. It’s already starting a bit higher and then you have the extra trims pushing the price up even further by the time you get to the Limited. 

Hyundai’s Santa Cruz is priced at $41,000, but the brand really loads it up with features, to justify the higher price tag. The Maverick’s top-tier model, the Lariat, begins in the $29,000 range, but you can get plenty of extras added for a few thousand more. Plus, Santa Cruz has excellent warranty coverage. 

The Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz are both similar pickups, but if you buy the top trim, the Santa Cruz comes with a much higher price tag. This is likely due to the extra trims it offers, and the fact that a lot of features the highest version has is included with the price, while the Maverick gives you plenty of packages to add to your purchase, which will drive the price even higher.