2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
With rising gas prices a concern, the compact truck market is in a massive boom, and the 2026 Ford Maverick leads the charge after taking home MotorTrend's prestigious "Truck of the Year" honors. But how does it stack up against its competitors? Let's take a look here, in this Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz truck comparison so you can find the right fit for your lifestyle.
Key Takeaways
- The Santa Cruz stays mostly the same for 2026, while the Mav gets configuration changes and feature updates.
- MotorTrend dubbed the Maverick as its 2026 "Truck of the Year."
- Pricing as of June 3, 2026, favors the Maverick, which starts at $29,990, while the Santa Cruz starts at $31,350.
Model Adjustments and Lineup Costs in the Maverick vs. Santa Cruz
The Maverick shakes up its palette in '26 by adding Orange Fury and Marsh Gray paint options, while removing Desert Sand and Eruption Green. Drivetrain options shift on the XL and XLT tiers; the front-wheel-drive hybrid is still the entry point, but you can select the front-wheel-drive turbo-four for the same base price. (The turbo with AWD is still available as an upgrade.) Ford also removes wireless charging features from the truck, and a tire inflator kit replaces the spare on XL, XLT, Lariat, and Lobo models, leaving the Tremor as the only trim with a full-size spare.
Inside, the XLT adds attachable cupholders to the armrests and includes a four-way manual passenger seat with its optional Luxury package. All models switch back to the traditional blue Ford badging, and Ford gives owners one free year of service with the option to buy into a seven-year connected plan. The Maverick lineup is:
- XL: $29,990
- XLT: $32,490
- Lobo Standard: $37,775
- Lariat: $39,935
- Tremor: $42,490
- Lobo High: $43,270
Hyundai chose to leave the Santa Cruz mostly as-is for 2026 following its styling overhaul last season. The single revision to the entire vehicle is the deletion of the dark green interior color scheme. MSRPs are a little higher across the board:
- SE: $31,350
- SEL: $33,000
- SEL Activity: $36,050
- XRT: $42,950
- Limited: $45,300
Maverick and Santa Cruz Powertrain Options
The Maverick relies on a standard 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain that generates 191 horses, managed by a CVT and available with all-wheel drive. There's also an available 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 250 horsepower via an eight-speed automatic and standard AWD. For an engaging drive, the street-tuned Lobo features a seven-speed automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
The Santa Cruz limits your engine choices by trim level. The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity feature a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder generating 191 horsepower via an eight-speed automatic. The premium XRT and Limited trims trade that out for a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 281 horsepower. This upgraded engine mates with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive is optional, but comes standard on all turbo models.
| 2026 Ford Maverick | 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|
| 2.5-liter hybrid (CVT and AWD) | 2.5-liter four-cyl on SE, SEL, and SEL Activity (8-speed automatic) |
| 2.0-liter turbo four (8-speed automatic and AWD) | 2.5-liter turbo four on XRT and Limited trims (8-speed dual-clutch) |
| 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters (for Lobo trim only) | Available AWD; standard with turbo four |
Selecting the Best Compact Truck for Your Lifestyle
With its highly flexible powertrain options, a lower entry price, and a "Truck of the Year" accolade to back it all up, the Maverick holds a clear advantage over the Santa Cruz. If you're ready to put the most decorated compact truck on the market in your driveway, we're here to help. Contact Jarrett Scott for a test drive today!
