Shoppers cross-shopping the 2026 Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz are comparing two of the most talked-about compact trucks on the market, and we hear this comparison come up often on our lot. Both trucks blend car-like manners with real hauling ability, but they take different approaches to getting there. Our team at Lester Glenn Ford in Ocean, NJ, put the two side by side to show where the Ford Maverick pulls ahead.
One of the first things we point out to customers is that the 2026 Ford Maverick comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, producing a combined 184 horsepower and an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive form. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz does not offer a hybrid powertrain for 2026, and its standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder is rated at an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Simply put, a Ford Maverick shopper gets hybrid-level efficiency as the base configuration, while a Hyundai Santa Cruz shopper cannot get that efficiency at any price.
We also walk buyers through the bed dimensions, since that is where this new Ford truck shines. The Ford Maverick pickup box measures 54.4 inches long at the floor and offers 33.3 cubic feet of open cargo volume, compared to a 52.1-inch bed and approximately 27 cubic feet on the Hyundai Santa Cruz. That extra length and volume means the Ford Maverick simply starts from a bigger, more usable footprint before either truck has a single accessory added.
Technology is another spot where trim level does not change the story on the Ford Maverick. Every 2026 Ford Maverick, from the base XL to the Tremor, comes standard with a 13.2-inch touchscreen running SYNC® 4, while every 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. A larger standard display on every single Ford Maverick trim means shoppers never have to move up the lineup just to get more screen to work with.
We would rather let you sit in the truck and see the bed for yourself than tell you about it all day. Stop by our Ford dealership in Ocean, NJ to browse current inventory or schedule a test drive, and we will walk you through how the Ford Maverick stacks up against the Hyundai Santa Cruz in person. Our team can also walk you through Ford financing options to help you find a payment that fits your budget.
Lester Glenn Ford
900 Highway 35
Ocean, NJ 07712