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Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz: Which Compact Truck Is Best for You in 2025?

 If you're looking for a small pickup that balances fuel efficiency, comfort, and utility, the battle between Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz in 2025 is one you can’t ignore. These two compact trucks cater to a modern lifestyle — offering practicality, affordability, and the kind of tech that fits right into your daily drive. But which one is right for you? Let’s break it down in simple terms.



What Are the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz?

The Ford Maverick is a compact pickup truck designed for people who want something fuel-efficient, practical, and budget-friendly. Available in both gas and hybrid variants, the Maverick is an ideal choice for city drivers who still want a truck’s utility.

On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is also a compact truck but leans more into SUV territory when it comes to design. It focuses heavily on style and comfort, making it great for people who care about aesthetics and interior features.

Price and Value: Maverick Saves More

In terms of pricing, the Ford Maverick clearly wins the affordability round. Starting at around $25,500, it offers excellent value, especially for first-time truck buyers. Even the top trim stays within reach at $36,500.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz, however, starts at a higher base of $30,600, and the top model can cost as much as $44,100. It’s pricier, but you do get more premium interiors and comfort features for the extra dollars.

Engine Performance: Power vs. Efficiency

Both trucks come with two engine options, but they’re built for different needs.

The Ford Maverick offers:

  • A 191-hp hybrid engine, great for saving fuel.

  • A 238-hp gas engine if you want more punch.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz gives you:

  • A 191-hp base engine, similar to the Maverick hybrid.

  • A 281-hp turbocharged engine, perfect if performance is your priority.

In short, the Santa Cruz delivers more raw power, while the Maverick keeps things efficient and wallet-friendly.

Fuel Economy: Maverick Leads the Race

If fuel savings are your top priority, the Ford Maverick hybrid is the clear winner with an impressive 37 MPG combined. Even the non-hybrid version performs well at 26 MPG combined.

By comparison, the Hyundai Santa Cruz offers:

  • 25 MPG with the base engine.

  • 22 MPG with the turbo engine.

So, if you do a lot of driving and want to keep gas costs down, the Maverick is hard to beat.

Towing and Payload: Santa Cruz Pulls Ahead

When it comes to towing, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is stronger:

  • 5,000 lbs with the turbo engine.

  • 3,500 lbs with the base engine.

The Ford Maverick:

  • 4,000 lbs max with the right package.

  • 2,000 lbs for the hybrid version.

However, for hauling in the truck bed, the Maverick slightly edges out with a payload capacity of 1,500 lbs, compared to the Santa Cruz’s 1,411 lbs.

Truck Bed and Size

The Ford Maverick gives you a slightly longer truck bed at 4.5 feet, while the Santa Cruz has a 4-foot bed, though its shape adds extra usability. If you often haul larger gear, the Maverick might be more practical.

In size, the Maverick is longer and looks more like a traditional truck. The Santa Cruz, being wider and lower, blends into the crossover-SUV style — perfect for urban environments.

Comfort and Interior Features

Inside, the Hyundai Santa Cruz shines. It feels more like a high-end SUV with premium materials, a refined dashboard, and soft seating — ideal for long commutes or weekend getaways.

The Ford Maverick, while functional and comfortable, is more basic. It's designed with simplicity in mind — not luxurious, but definitely practical.

Tech and Safety

Both trucks come well-equipped with modern technology:

  • Touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

  • Essential safety features like lane keeping and automatic emergency braking

The Hyundai Santa Cruz adds extras like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, giving it a slight edge in driver-assist tech.

Final Verdict: Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz

So, which compact truck is the better choice in 2025?

  • Choose the Ford Maverick if you want great fuel economy, a lower price tag, and no-nonsense utility.

  • Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if you prefer more comfort, upscale features, and stronger towing capability.

Both are excellent in their own ways — it really comes down to your priorities.

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