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2025 Ford Maverick vs. 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

Sep 8, 2025

 

The 2025 Ford Maverick and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz are two standout compact trucks redefining what it means to drive a versatile, city-friendly pickup. Whether you need everyday practicality, adventurous style, or work-ready toughness, each brings unique strengths. Let’s take a closer look and find out which compact truck is the right fit for you.

Style & First Impressions

The 2025 Ford Maverick stays true to Ford’s tough truck DNA in a smaller, more approachable size. It looks rugged yet modern, with bold lines, a signature Ford grille, and a design that feels instantly familiar to traditional truck fans.

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On the other hand, the Hyundai Santa Cruz leans into its crossover-inspired styling. With a sleek silhouette, sporty curves and a more urban vibe, it appeals to drivers who want something fresh and less conventional in the truck world.

Result: The Ford Maverick delivers classic truck looks in a compact package, while the Santa Cruz stands out with its sporty, urban-inspired design.

Performance & Capability

The 2025 Maverick offers two powertrains: a standard hybrid delivering impressive fuel efficiency and an available 2-liter EcoBoost engine with up to 250 horsepower. It’s engineered for everyday use, towing up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. It’s more than enough for small trailers, boats or gear.

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The Hyundai Santa Cruz provides a 2.5-liter engine with up to 281 horsepower in its turbocharged version. It also tows up to 5,000 pounds, edging out the Maverick slightly, and delivers sporty acceleration that appeals to drivers who enjoy a more spirited ride.

Result: While the Santa Cruz offers more raw power and towing, the Maverick balances capability with hybrid efficiency and a lower starting price.

Interior Comfort & Technology

Inside, the Maverick feels practical yet advanced. It offers Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and clever storage solutions throughout the cabin. Higher trims add premium touches like upgraded seating and enhanced connectivity features.

The Santa Cruz brings a more SUV-like interior, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen on higher trims, a clean and modern design, and available leather seating. It’s geared toward drivers who prefer a sporty, upscale vibe inside their truck.

Result: The Maverick emphasizes practicality and user-friendly tech, while the Santa Cruz delivers a sleek, premium interior experience.

Cargo & Utility

Ford designed the Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed with versatility in mind. The FLEXBED system includes multiple tie-downs, dividers, and DIY customization options. It’s ideal for work tasks, home projects, or weekend adventures.

The Santa Cruz also features a 4.3-foot bed, but its standout feature is the integrated under-bed storage compartment. It’s great for securing gear, groceries, or tools. It also offers a lockable tonneau cover for added convenience.

Result: Maverick wins for customizable, practical cargo flexibility, while Santa Cruz shines with creative storage solutions.

Safety Features

The Maverick comes standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and available adaptive cruise control. It’s designed with everyday safety and confidence in mind.

Hyundai equips the Santa Cruz with SmartSense driver-assist features, such as forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and highway driving assist. Its suite feels comprehensive and modern, appealing to tech-focused drivers.

Result: Both trucks excel in safety. The Maverick leans on proven Ford driver-assist tech, while Santa Cruz emphasizes advanced highway features.

Value & Trim Options

The 2025 Ford Maverick shines when it comes to value. With a lower starting price than the Santa Cruz and multiple trims, including hybrid and EcoBoost options, it appeals to a wide range of buyers.

The Santa Cruz costs more upfront and offers fewer configurations, but it positions itself as a unique lifestyle truck for adventurous, style-conscious drivers.

Result: Maverick leads for affordability and variety. Santa Cruz is best for those who want something less traditional and more niche.

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