2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 86.8 to 74, on safety. The Ford Maverick is ahead on fuel & range and price.
2026 Ford Maverick
The 2026 Ford Maverick is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact pickup truck with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Maverick HE…
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact pickup truck with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Santa Cruz FWD, i…
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Clear winThe Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 86.8 to 74, on safety. The Ford Maverick is ahead on fuel & range and price.
| Category · weight | 2026 Ford Maverickoverall 74 | 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruzoverall 86.8 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 94.6 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 65.1 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 15.5 | 88.6 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 74 | 86.8 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 4 of 7 categories compared
Ford Maverick: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Ford Maverick: base trim Maverick XL FWD · Hyundai Santa Cruz: base trim SE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz wins
- It lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 0.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 16 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 81 against 57).
Where the 2026 Ford Maverick answers
- It costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,750 against $2,700).
- It is rated 38 combined against 25 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
50 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $28,145 | $29,750 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,488 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 2.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid | 2.5L GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder |
| Fuel injection system | — | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | — | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | — | 191 hp |
| Torque | — | 181 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 42 mpg | 22 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 38 mpg | 25 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 35 mpg | 30 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.081 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 8 |
| Transmission type | cvt | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.6 in |
| Overall height | — | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | — | 196 in |
| Overall width | — | 75 in |
| Wheelbase | — | 118 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 33.3 cu-ft | — |
| Total interior volume | — | 102 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 40.2 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.6 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.4 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 36.5 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 3,779 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | — | 3,779 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 5,522 lbs |
| Payload capacity | 1,500 lbs | 1,411 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | MacPherson strut with coil springs |
| Rear suspension type | — | Multi-link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | variable-assist electric power-assist | Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), Rack and pinion, column-mounted |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.8 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | electric | Electronic with Automatic Vehicle Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 18 in |
| Wheel material | steel | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 225/65 R17 A/S BSW | 245/60R18 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 13.8 gal | 17.7 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Ford Connectivity Package | Bluelink+ |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | 12 months | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 57.7 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 56.1 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
94 features · differences first, then sharedSafety26 differ · 26 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | — | std |
| Airbags (Front - Advanced): Driver (1) and Front passenger (1) | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (Thorax) (2) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Rearview camera | — | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | — | std |
| Downhill Brake Control (DBC) - Driver Selectable | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | — | std |
| Rear side airbags with rollover sensors (2) | — | std |
| Safe Exit Warning (SEW) | — | std |
| VSM, ESC, TCS, DBC, TSC, HAC, ABS, BA, EBD, & TPMS | — | std |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision and Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance-Assist Indicators (on mirrors) | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| Leading Vehicle Departure Alert | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) | — | std |
| Steering wheel haptic feedback (for LKA and BCW) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management | — | std |
| Immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) w/Individual Tire Indicator | — | std |
Infotainment11 differ · 11 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth controls (Voice recognition, Accept call, Hang up) | — | std |
| 12.3" Touchscreen Display (ccNc Lite) with 6-speakers | — | std |
| AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM®, Bluelink+ | — | std |
| Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ (Wireless) | — | std |
| Audio controls (Volume up/down, Mute, Seek up/down, Mode) | — | std |
| Bluelink+ Connected Car System | — | std |
| Front dual USB ports (Type-C) | — | std |
| HD Radio™ Technology | — | std |
| OTA update capability (ECU & multimedia – all; Map update only on XRT and Limited) | — | std |
| Second row dual USB ports (Type-C) | — | std |
| SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (3-month trial subscription) | — | std |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity key entry with push button start, remote engine start | — | std |
| Remote Start (on key fob) / Tailgate remote release (on key fob) | — | std |
| 12-volt outlet - Front (1) | — | std |
| Cruise control | — | std |
| Power door locks | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic | — | std |
| Power Window Switches - Driver auto down | — | std |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | — | std |
| Manual air conditioning | — | std |
| Rear seat heater ducts | — | std |
Seating4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 6-way adjustable driver's seat | — | std |
| Cloth-trimmed seats (stain- and odor-resistant) | — | std |
| Passenger Capacity (5) | — | std |
| Rear Seats 60/40 split tip-up lower seat cushions | — | std |
Interior15 differ · 15 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2" Multi-Information Display | — | std |
| 3-Spoke steering wheel | — | std |
| Assist grips (4) | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual - Front center console-mounted | — | std |
| Front and Rear LED maplights | — | std |
| Front center console - Fixed armrest storage box | — | std |
| Glove compartment with Damper | — | std |
| Rear cupholders (on door panel) | — | std |
| Seatback map pockets - Front Passenger | — | std |
| Sunvisors - Dual vanity mirror with cover | — | std |
| Sunvisors with sliding function | — | std |
| Tilt & Telescoping steering wheel | — | std |
| Inside rearview mirror - Manual day/night | — | std |
| Floor mats - Carpeted | — | opt |
| Trip odometer | — | std |
Exterior17 differ · 17 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-LED headlights (high/low beam, projector-type) | — | std |
| Acoustic Laminated Windshield | — | std |
| Body color side mirror housing | — | std |
| Hood insulator | — | std |
| Integrated rear bumper side steps | — | std |
| LED cargo light (roof-mounted) | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Multi-functional tailgate (assisted open/close) | — | std |
| Roof-mounted Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | — | std |
| Shark-fin roof antenna (gloss black) | — | std |
| Automatic headlights | — | std |
| Privacy Glass - Rear/back glass | — | std |
| Rear window defroster | — | std |
| Solar glass - Front Door, Windshield | — | std |
| Mudguards Front/Rear | — | opt |
| Spare Tire - Temporary Spare Tire | — | std |
Powertrain4 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| HTRAC AWD, Active On-Demand | — | opt |
| Drive Type - FWD | — | std |
| AWD Lock | — | opt |
| Drive Mode - Center-console mounted | — | std |
Chassis2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Rack and pinion steering, column-mounted | — | std |
| Rear gas-pressurized shock absorbers, self leveling | — | std |
Cargo5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy duty cargo D-rings | — | std |
| Lockable under bed storage compartment | — | std |
| Sheet Molded Composite bed | — | std |
| Sidewall bed storage compartments | — | std |
| Trailer pre-wiring (4-pin for 2.5L, 4/7-pin for 2.5T) | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPFord Maverick
Top recalls
- critical Suspension 26V340000 · 4,653 vehicles
- high Structure 26V550000 · 23 vehicles
- high Air Bags 26V201000 · 3,170 vehicles
- high Visibility 26V157000 · 323 vehicles
- high Electrical System 26V104000 · 4,381,878 vehicles
- high Structure 25V884000 · 6,897 vehicles
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Top recalls
- high Forward Collision Avoidance 26V316000 · 423,062 vehicles
- high Air Bags 25V809000 · 258 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ford MaverickMaverick XL FWD | Hyundai Santa CruzSE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28,145 (base trim) | $29,750 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $28,145 – $40,645 12 trims | $29,750 – $43,700 8 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Maverick HEV FWD | Santa Cruz FWD |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 38 | 25 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,750 | $2,700 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | — |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ford Maverick or the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz wins clearly, 86.8 to 74, on safety. The Ford Maverick is ahead on fuel & range and price. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz scores 86.8 and the 2026 Ford Maverick 74. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Ford Maverick or the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Ford Maverick starts lower — $28,145 against $29,750, a gap of $1,605 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Ford Maverick or the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
2026 Ford Maverick: no NHTSA rating yet, grade F, 7 recalls. 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz wins: it lists 26 standard driver-assist features against 0, has drawn fewer owner complaints (5 against 16 filed with NHTSA), and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 81 against 57). Where the 2026 Ford Maverick answers: it costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,750 against $2,700) and is rated 38 combined against 25 (EPA mpg or MPGe). What they share: 5 seats.