2025 Ford Maverick Vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Comparison Analysis
Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz Comparison: The Advantages of a Maverick, at a Glance
- The Ford Maverick has a bigger bed and a higher maximum payload rating than the Santa Cruz, making it the better hauler1,2
- The Ford truck comes standard with a hybrid engine with better gas mileage,3,4 as well as more rugged off-road capability, than the Hyundai pickup
- In terms of reliability and resale value, the Maverick boasts higher ratings than the Santa Cruz5,6,7,8
- To boot, the Ford Maverick has won a Kelley Blue Book® Best Buy award for four years in a row9
Comparing the Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz is a natural step in choosing a compact truck. You will see there's a stark difference between these models, though. As a sibling to the nationally renowned F-150, the Maverick is both an innovator and a classic. Many people ask, "Is a Maverick or a Santa Cruz better?" Across everything that counts, the answer is that the Maverick is arguably the better choice in this segment.
From reliability to gas mileage, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. 2025 Ford Maverick comparison is thoroughly dominated by the Maverick. See how and why by reading our guide below, and then experience the Maverick for yourself with a test drive at Wally's Ford of Seneca Falls.
Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz Measurements: Which Truck Is the Better Hauler?
Any Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz review must begin by mentioning what these trucks are built to do: Tackle city driving with the agility of a sedan and then conquer hauling duty with the capability of a truck. Both models fulfill these roles well.
However, the 2025 Maverick vs. Santa Cruz bed sizes are where things split. The Maverick truck's bed is 2.3 inches longer and has a significant 6.3 cubic feet of extra cargo volume. Plus, it has an 89-pound higher maximum payload capacity compared to the Santa Cruz.1,2 The width and height are similar.
Additionally, the Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz measurements showcase more room inside the Maverick truck's cabin. For example, while both trucks are five-seaters, the Maverick has up to 42.8 inches of front legroom and 36.9 inches of rear legroom, while the Santa Cruz has 41.4 and 36.5 inches, respectively.
Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz Performance: Which Truck Has Better Specs?
Continuing the Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz showdown, the Maverick arrives with one unignorable advantage: a higher MPG. However, the standard engine outputs are an even 191 horsepower for the Maverick and 191 horsepower for the Santa Cruz.
Both models also offer a higher-performance four-cylinder engine. While the Santa Cruz has some more power than the equivalent powertrain in the Maverick, the first trim to feature that engine is the second-to-highest Santa Cruz XRT, which has a very similar starting price to the top-trim Maverick Tremor. Meanwhile, every Maverick trim can be configured with the available 250-horsepower EcoBoost engine; select variants come standard with it.
More importantly, the base Maverick engine is hybrid-powered and delivers an EPA-estimated 42/35 MPG (City/Highway)3 with standard FWD, eclipsing the Hyundai Santa Cruz MPG, which at its highest is an EPA-estimated 22/30 MPG (City/Highway).3 Even with this standard hybrid engine and AWD, the Maverick still wins, rendering an EPA-estimated 40/43 MPG (City/Highway).4
While the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. Ford Maverick specs do involve the Santa Cruz offering a higher maximum towing capacity overall, that advantage is limited to higher trims with the available engine.
Even if you select the much more affordable Ford Maverick base model, you can access an available 4,000-pound towing capacity,10 which surpasses the Hyundai Santa Cruz base model's available 3,500-pound towing capacity.11
Trucks need to provide high specs in low-tier trims, and the new Ford Maverick does precisely that. They also have to be capable of going off-road with rugged power, and in that sense, the Santa Cruz falls well behind the Ford Maverick. The Maverick Tremor includes the following upgrades, none of which are offered on any Santa Cruz models:
- Electronic locking rear differential
- Off-road suspension with raised ride height
- Ford Trail Control with Trail One-Pedal Drive
- Skid plates
There's also the affordable Maverick FX4 Off-Road Package, which still manages to bypass the Santa Cruz SUV's designated adventure trim, the XRT. For those who are serious about off-road action, the Maverick vs. Santa Cruz battle is an easy skirmish: the Maverick dominates.
Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz Reliability: Which Truck Lasts Longer and Holds Its Value Better?
Comparing Ford vs. Hyundai reliability, it becomes clear that the Maverick comes from a more dependable lineage. This is clearer, too, when looking at the 2025 Ford Maverick vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz J.D. Power Resale and Consumer Reports Predicted Reliability scores.
The 2025 Maverick scores higher, earning a "Great" J.D. Power three-year Resale score of 83 out of 100,5 beating the 2025 Santa Cruz in this area by four points;7 its score is considered "Average." Meanwhile, Consumer Reports paints an easy picture to understand: The Maverick was given a 25-point-higher reliability rating.6,8
The 2025 Ford Maverick also received a Consumer Reports Recommended title,6 while the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz did not.8
The Maverick similarly has won the Kelley Blue Book® Best Buy award for compact trucks four years in a row.9 As the Ford Maverick competition includes the Hyundai Santa Cruz in this segment, the Maverick is typically the more sought-out truck for value. All Ford inventory carries this advantage, especially the truck models.
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| Specification | 2025 Ford Maverick XL | 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz SE |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Reports Reliability Rating | 59 out of 1006 | 34 out of 1008 |
| J.D. Power 3-Year Resale Rating | "Great" 83 out of 1005 | "Average" 79 out of 1007 |
| Standard Engine | 2.5L hybrid 4-cyl | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Standard Horsepower | 191 | 191 |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD | FWD / AWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | 4,000 lbs10 | 3,500 lbs11 |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 1,500 lbs1 | 1,411 lbs2 |
| Standard-Engine EPA-Est. MPG (Cty / Hwy) |
|
|
| Exterior Dimensions (Length / Width / Height) | 199.8 / 72.6 / 68.8 in | 195.7 / 75 / 66.7 in |
| Bed Dimensions (Length / Width / Height) | 54.4 / 53.3 / 20.3 in | 52.1 / 53.9 / 19.2 in |
| Bed Cargo Capacity | 33.3 cu ft | 27 cu ft |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Maximum Legroom (Front / Rear) | 42.8 / 35.9 in | 41.4 / 36.5 in |
| Maximum Headroom (Front / Rear) | 40.2 / 39.6 in | 40.2 / 39.6 in |
Experience the 2025 Maverick Today
Whether it's the more impressive performance, better overall gas mileage, or stronger reliability and resale, it's easy to see why the Maverick is a worthy choice over the Santa Cruz. Now that you've compared the Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz, you can visit our Ford dealership to test-drive this truck and explore all Ford specials, knowing with confidence that it's often deemed the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cargo space in the bed and interior storage?
The Ford Maverick has 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space and an available passenger-side cubby in the bed. It can carry up to 1,500 pounds of payload.1 The Ford Maverick interior boasts rear under-seat storage bins for additional cargo, and this model can tow up to 4,000 pounds,10 so you can bring along an enclosed storage trailer with ease.
What kind of infotainment system does the Maverick come with, and what are its capabilities?
All Maverick models come with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility and FordPass Connect™ pairing. The Ford Maverick features a standard SYNC 4 infotainment system via a 13.2-inch touchscreen, which also integrates standard Bluetooth® and available enhanced voice recognition. This infotainment system lets you play your music or podcasts through the standard six- or available eight-speaker sound system.
What standard and optional safety features are included?
The Ford Maverick features the standard Ford Co-Pilot360™ package, which includes a Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Automatic LED High Beams, Lane Keeping Aid, and a Rear-View Camera. Optional Maverick safety systems include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Post-Collision Braking, a Reverse Sensing System, and a Blind-Spot Information System. Contact us to learn more.
Wally's Ford of Seneca Falls Reviews
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1Maximum payload capabilities are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and vary based on vehicle configuration, accessories, and option content. Horsepower, torque, payload and towing are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously.
2Payload Capacity is the calculation of GVWR minus curb weight and should be used for comparison purposes only. The maximum amount of passenger and cargo weight your vehicle can carry is the Maximum Load Limit/Vehicle Capacity Weight of 1411 lbs., indicated on the label(s) on the driver’s door jamb. Never exceed the maximum load limit. See Owner’s Manual for further details and limitations.
3EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
4All figures are EPA estimates and for comparison purposes only. Actual mileage may vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and vehicle's condition.
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2025/ford/maverick.
6Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ford/maverick/2025/overview/.
7Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.jdpower.com/cars/2024/hyundai/santa-cruz.
8Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hyundai/santa-cruz/2025/overview/.
9Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.kbb.com/ford/maverick/ & https://www.kbb.com/awards/best-buy-awards-2025-ford-maverick-compact-truck/.
10When properly equipped. See dealer for details.
11Towing capability varies by configuration. See the towing guide in the Owner's Manual for proper use and additional information.