How Does the Ford Maverick Stack Up Against the Hyundai Santa Cruz?

We see our fair share of truck drivers here at Loganville Ford, and we know that no two are alike, which is why we’re proud to offer Ford’s wide range of trucks, including the powerful Super Duty lineup, the full-size F-150 in its wide array of trims, the easy-to-maneuver midsize Ranger, and the newest member of the lineup, the compact Maverick. Compact trucks have a lot to offer, as they’re more lightweight, maneuverable, and affordable than their larger counterparts, but they still offer the utility of a truck, with a back bed that can accommodate bulky cargo.

The 2024 Ford Maverick may not have as much competition as the F-150, but it’s not the only truck in this compact segment. The Hyundai Santa Cruz launched alongside it for the 2022 model year and has impressed plenty of drivers with its car-like on-road feel and unique design. So, what do these compact trucks have in common, and what sets them apart from each other? Let’s dive in and see what each has to offer…

Cargo Bed

One of the most important aspects of a pickup truck is the very thing that makes it a pickup truck: the open cargo bed. This is what lets you carry bulky freight, from lumber to mountain bikes to Christmas trees, and it serves as your party central while tailgating. The bed on the Santa Cruz has some neat tricks up its sleeve, like a secure compartment built into the floor that lets you hide more sensitive tools from the elements and a lockable roll-up tonneau cover for the whole thing. But it’s pretty short, even compared to other compact trucks, at only a little over four feet long and with 27 cu.ft. of cargo volume.

The Maverick’s bed is more traditional, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its own clever touches. The Ford FLEXBED gives you the ability to add DIY dividers to keep your stuff organized just the way you like it, and other accessories like covers and bed lighting can bring it to the next level. There are also ten tie-downs to help you keep everything secure, including ones that double as bottle openers so you can crack open a cold one after a job well done. The Maverick’s bed is a full 4.5 feet long and a bit taller than the Santa Cruz’s, as well, giving you 33.3 cu.ft. of cargo volume to work with.

Exterior Style

The Santa Cruz certainly has a unique look with its own personality, but it doesn’t exactly look like a truck. Its front end looks an awful lot like the Hyundai Tucson, and its silhouette just doesn’t have that boxy utility that truck fans have come to know and love. The Maverick, on the other hand, takes its styling cues from larger pickups, with a rugged grille, distinctly truck-looking body, and spacious interior that gives you a proper cockpit to command. If you’re choosing a compact option for extra maneuverability or a better fit in tight parking spaces, but you still want to feel like you’re driving a proper pickup, the Maverick is going to be a much better fit.

Fuel Economy

One of the perks of choosing a compact truck over a full- or midsize model is saving money, both on the upfront sticker price and at the gas pump throughout the years. If you don’t need the extra weight and towing capacity of a big truck, then why pay for it? The Santa Cruz may use the same 2.5L four-cylinder engine as the SUV it’s based on (the Tucson), but it doesn’t match its fuel economy numbers; you’ll be looking at 23 MPG combined with the base powertrain and only 22 MPG combined if you upgrade to the turbocharged engine.

The Maverick, by contrast, gets 26 MPG combined with an efficient base 2.0L Turbo four-cylinder paired with FWD. That’s not bad at all for a truck. If you want to cruise past gas stations and keep your money in your pocket, then you can upgrade to the Maverick’s available hybrid powertrain, which boosts its fuel economy all the way up to 37 MPG combined in FWD! The electric motors also provide more torque at low speeds, which can come in handy in all kinds of situations, from pulling out of a parking spot with a trailer in tow to carefully maneuvering winding gravel roads and driveways.

Off-Road Capability

Since both of these models have unibody designs instead of the body-on-frame build you’ll find on most trucks, neither one is a great choice for extreme off-roading, crawling over boulders, or tackling the Rubicon trail. But that doesn’t mean that either one is strictly confined to the pavement, as both can handle a drive out into the dirt—but which one is better suited to a spell of roughing it?

The Santa Cruz has enough ground clearance to handle a few on-trail obstacles without damaging vital components. But it isn’t really designed with even light off-roading in mind. The XRT trim may look rugged, but it has the same suspension system as the rest of the lineup and doesn’t offer any protective extras like skid plates or recovery hooks. This shouldn’t come as a big surprise since Hyundai isn’t exactly known for building rugged vehicles. The Santa Cruz is also the only truck this automaker offers, and even among its SUVs, there’s no equivalent to the likes of the Ford Bronco, let alone anything in Ford’s Raptor lineup.

Ford, of course, has plenty of experience building rugged trucks and SUVs that are built to tear it up off-road. While the Maverick doesn’t offer the same level of off-road prowess as its bigger brothers, it can give you a taste in a conveniently sized body. The Maverick offers two different off-road packages, so you can pick the one that’s right for your needs and your budget.

The entry-level Tremor package has a specially-tuned suspension that gives you a better ride on rough terrain, plus steel skid plates to protect you from obstacles and a set of all-terrain tires that are ready for action. The FX4 takes things to the next level with all that, plus off-road-tuned shocks and hill descent control. Both trims also feature extra drive modes (Sand and Mud/Ruts) so you can get your settings just right for different surfaces.

And It’s More Affordable, Too!

Clearly, the Maverick has a lot of advantages over the Santa Cruz. With its rugged style and impressive capability for its size, the Maverick offers the kinds of features that truck drivers are looking for. And on top of all that, it’s more affordable too!

The base Maverick XL has an MSRP just north of $23k while the Santa Cruz SE starts at over $26k, and the top-tier Maverick Lariat starts at just under $35k while the comparable Santa Cruz Limited stands at over $41k. Your hard-earned money will go farther on the Maverick, giving you the freedom to choose a trim level based on your driving needs, not your wallet. Well-built and ready for just about anything, the Maverick is a compact truck that punches well above its weight class.