Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Compact Truck Showdown

For years, the American truck market followed a “bigger is better” philosophy. That changed recently with the introduction of the compact truck segment. If you live in a city, need to park in tight garages, or simply do not need a massive half-ton pickup, you currently have exactly two choices: the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

While they compete for the same buyers, these two vehicles take radically different approaches to the concept of a small truck. One is a legitimate workhorse shrunk down to size, while the other is a comfortable SUV with a versatile open bed. This guide breaks down exactly how they compare in price, performance, and utility so you can decide which one fits your driveway.

Price and Value Proposition

The most distinct difference between these two trucks is the price tag. Ford marketed the Maverick as an affordable entry-point vehicle, while Hyundai positioned the Santa Cruz as a slightly more premium “Sport Adventure Vehicle.”

The Ford Maverick The Maverick is the budget king. The 2024 Maverick XL starts at approximately $23,920. Even when you climb the trim ladder to the XLT or Lariat, the pricing remains aggressive. This low entry price makes it accessible for first-time buyers or fleet owners. However, finding a base model on a dealer lot at MSRP can still be a challenge due to high demand.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz commands a higher premium. The 2024 base SE model starts around $26,900, with top-trim Limited models pushing well past $41,000. While you pay more upfront, Hyundai attempts to justify this with a higher level of standard equipment, a nicer interior, and a significantly better warranty.

Engines and Fuel Economy

This is where the divergence in philosophy becomes obvious. Ford prioritizes efficiency and traditional truck capabilities, while Hyundai focuses on power and driving dynamics.

Ford Maverick: The Efficiency Leader

Ford offers two powertrains. The standard engine for 2024 is the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, which produces 250 horsepower. However, the real star is the available 2.5-liter Hybrid powertrain.

  • Hybrid Stats: 191 horsepower. It achieves an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city.
  • EcoBoost Stats: 250 horsepower. It gets roughly 23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway.

If your priority is saving money at the pump during city driving, the Maverick Hybrid is the undisputed winner. It is the most fuel-efficient truck on the market.

Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Power Player

Hyundai also offers two engines. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 191 horsepower, which many reviewers find sluggish. The upgrade choice is the 2.5-liter Turbo.

  • Base Engine: 191 horsepower. 22 mpg city / 26 mpg highway.
  • Turbo Engine: 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

The Santa Cruz Turbo is significantly faster than the Maverick, offering a spirited drive that feels more like a sports sedan than a pickup. However, you will pay for that performance in fuel costs.

Bed Size and Utility

You are buying a truck for the bed, so dimensions matter. Both beds are small compared to a Ford F-150, but they are surprisingly usable for weekend projects.

Ford Maverick (The FlexBed) Ford designed the Maverick bed for “makers” and DIYers.

  • Length: 4.5 feet.
  • Features: It features stamped slots that allow you to use standard 2x4 and 2x6 lumber to create segmented storage, bike racks, or elevated floors.
  • Capacity: It has a 1,500-lb payload capacity.
  • Tailgate: The multi-position tailgate can be set halfway open to support 4x8 sheets of plywood resting on the wheel wells.

Hyundai Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz sacrifices bed space for cabin space.

  • Length: 4 feet (about 6-7 inches shorter than the Maverick).
  • Features: It includes a lockable under-bed storage trunk (similar to the Honda Ridgeline) which even has a drain plug, making it a perfect built-in cooler.
  • Cover: Upper trims come with a factory-integrated retractable tonneau cover, which is sleek and secure.

If you plan on hauling dirt bikes or large furniture, the Maverick’s extra half-foot of length makes a massive difference. If you mostly haul groceries, camping gear, or wet wetsuits, the Santa Cruz’s trunk and composite bed are very convenient.

Towing Capabilities

Despite their size, both trucks can tow small trailers, jet skis, or teardrop campers.

  • Hyundai Santa Cruz: When equipped with the Turbo engine and AWD, the Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 lbs. This is impressive for a unibody vehicle and beats the Ford.
  • Ford Maverick: The standard towing capacity is 2,000 lbs. If you opt for the EcoBoost engine with the 4K Tow Package, that capacity doubles to 4,000 lbs. Note that the Hybrid model is strictly limited to 2,000 lbs.

Interior and Technology

The interior experience reflects the exterior styling.

Ford Maverick The interior is utilitarian and clever. Ford uses hard plastics, but textures them in a way that looks interesting rather than cheap. The door panels are designed to hold tall water bottles, and there are storage cubbies everywhere. It feels like a truck. It uses an 8-inch touchscreen that is functional but basic.

Hyundai Santa Cruz The interior is essentially identical to the Hyundai Tucson SUV. It features a wrap-around dashboard, available dual 10.25-inch screens, and capacitive touch buttons. It is quieter, more refined, and feels more expensive than the Maverick. If you want a luxury car experience with a bed in the back, the Santa Cruz is the choice.

Warranty Coverage

Hyundai wins this category easily.

  • Hyundai: 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. They also include complimentary scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
  • Ford: 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which truck is better for off-roading? While neither is a rock crawler, both have off-road trims. The Ford Maverick Tremor package offers a 1-inch lift, skid plates, and a sophisticated twin-clutch rear drive unit that handles loose terrain very well. The Santa Cruz XRT adds rugged looks but lacks the mechanical upgrades of the Maverick Tremor.

Can I fit a dirt bike in the back? You can fit a dirt bike in the Ford Maverick diagonally with the tailgate down. In the Santa Cruz, it is much tighter due to the 4-foot bed length; you will almost certainly need the tailgate down and a bed extender.

Is the Ford Maverick Hybrid available with All-Wheel Drive? For the 2024 model year, the Maverick Hybrid is Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) only. If you need AWD, you must currently choose the EcoBoost gas engine. (Note: Ford has indicated AWD hybrids may arrive in future model years, so check current order guides).

Which truck has more rear legroom? The passenger space is very similar, but the Santa Cruz feels slightly tighter in the back due to the slope of the roofline. The Maverick has a more upright, boxy cabin which provides a bit more headroom and a feeling of spaciousness for rear passengers.