2026 Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz: Best Compact Truck?

The compact truck segment didn't really exist before 2022. Ford created it with the Maverick; Hyundai arrived simultaneously with the Santa Cruz. Four years in, both have found their audiences — and they're surprisingly different audiences for what look like similar vehicles. If you're cross-shopping these two, here's what actually separates them.

At a glance

	2026 Ford Maverick	2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Starting MSRP	$24,995	$29,975
Top trim MSRP	$38,995 (Tremor)	$44,995 (Limited AWD)
Base powertrain	2.5L hybrid (standard)	2.5L GDI I-4
Base horsepower	191 hp (hybrid)	191 hp
Turbo option	2.0L EcoBoost (250 hp)	2.5L turbo (281 hp)
AWD available	✓ (EcoBoost only)	✓ (standard from SEL+)
EPA combined (base)	42 mpg hybrid	27 mpg
Bed length	54.4 in	48.4 in
Bed width	44.0 in	45.2 in
Payload	1,500 lb	1,748 lb
Tow rating (base)	2,000 lb	3,500 lb
Tow rating (max)	4,000 lb (EcoBoost)	5,000 lb (turbo AWD)
Rear seat legroom	35.9 in	35.6 in

Powertrain: hybrid economy vs towing muscle

The Maverick's biggest differentiator is its standard hybrid powertrain — the only truck in America that comes with a hybrid as standard equipment, at every trim level. The 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle hybrid delivers 191 hp and 42 mpg combined, which is better than most sedans. It's genuinely transformative for the operating cost of a truck.

The Santa Cruz gets no hybrid option. Its base 2.5-liter four-cylinder returns 27 mpg combined — adequate but not remarkable. The available 2.5-liter turbocharged engine (281 hp) is where the Santa Cruz gets interesting: it pulls to 5,000 lb and feels genuinely quick. The Maverick's optional 2.0L EcoBoost (250 hp) is a step below, limited to 4,000 lb.

The efficiency gap between these trucks is the clearest number in this comparison. Driving 12,000 miles per year, the Maverick hybrid saves approximately $650–$900 annually in fuel costs over the Santa Cruz base at current gas prices. Over a 5-year ownership period, that's $3,000–$4,500.

Verdict on powertrain: Maverick wins on efficiency and daily cost; Santa Cruz wins on towing.

Bed and practicality

The Maverick has a longer bed (54.4 in vs 48.4 in) — enough to fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood flat with the tailgate down, which is genuinely useful for weekend projects. The Maverick's FlexBed system also includes integrated tie-down cleats and optional cargo dividers.

The Santa Cruz's bed is shorter but has a lockable understorage bin beneath the bed floor — effectively a weatherproof lockbox built into the truck. It holds approximately 7.3 cubic feet of gear that sits out of sight and out of the weather. For buyers who prioritize secure storage over raw bed length, this is a meaningful advantage.

Verdict on bed: Maverick for length and cargo volume; Santa Cruz for secure understorage.

On-road character

The Santa Cruz drives more like an SUV. Built on the Tucson platform, it rides softly, steers with SUV-like lightness, and feels completely at home in city traffic. The interior is spacious and well-finished, and the cabin noise levels are among the lowest in the truck class. If you want a truck that drives like your last crossover, this is it.

The Maverick drives more like a small truck — not in a bad way, but the difference is perceptible. The ride is slightly firmer, the bed contributes to more pronounced body movement on uneven surfaces, and the EcoBoost turbo has a more mechanical feel. The Maverick Tremor's off-road suspension and underbody protection make it the capability leader in the segment.

Verdict on ride: Santa Cruz wins for everyday comfort; Maverick Tremor wins for off-road use.

Price and value

The Maverick starts $5,000 cheaper ($24,995 vs $29,975). At base XL trim with the standard hybrid, it is the best-value new truck in America — possibly the best-value new vehicle in America, full stop. A Maverick XL hybrid with AWD (EcoBoost) checks in around $31,000; a comparably equipped Santa Cruz SEL AWD is $34,500.

The Santa Cruz's higher price is partly justified by better standard equipment at each trim and wider AWD availability. The Maverick's AWD requires the EcoBoost engine, which sacrifices the hybrid's efficiency advantage.

May 2026 pricing and incentives

Ford Maverick

• Employee Pricing For All: XLT EcoBoost at ~$289/mo on 36/10K lease
• class="relative z-10",000 customer cash on XL and XLT trims
• Hybrid XL: no lease deal currently, but $24,995 MSRP is already the lowest

Hyundai Santa Cruz

• $750 bonus cash
• 2.9% APR for 60 months
• SEL AWD: ~$399/mo on 36/10K

The Maverick's lease is class="relative z-10"10/month less than the Santa Cruz at comparable specs this month.

The verdict

Buy the Ford Maverick if fuel economy matters, you're budget-conscious, you need the longer bed for actual projects, or you want the off-road Tremor variant. The hybrid XL is one of the most practical vehicle purchases available at under $30,000.

Buy the Hyundai Santa Cruz if you want AWD standard (not engine-dependent), the understorage bin suits your lifestyle, you prefer an SUV driving experience, or you'll use the turbocharged towing capacity regularly.

The honest version: the Maverick is better value on almost every financial metric. The Santa Cruz is better for buyers who want a polished crossover experience with an open bed attached. Both are excellent at what they're designed for.