New 2026 Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz
2026 Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz
It’s the compact pickup truck competition of the century, and it’s happening at Pioneer Ford in Marietta, Ohio.
Today we’re comparing the 2026 Ford Maverick —the winner of the 2026 North American Truck of the Year —and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz. We’ll compare the performance, fuel economy, and utility of each vehicle to determine which is best for drivers near Parkersburg, Caldwell, and St. Marys.
Afterward, we encourage you to explore our exceptional selection of new Ford vehicles and used cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Powertrain Throwdown – Performance Comparison
Versatility is the name of the game when shopping for a compact truck.
The 2026 Ford Maverick offers plenty of flexibility with both hybrid and gas powertrain options. It also offers front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive across trims. Higher trims like the Lobo and Tremor come with Advanced AWD, which constantly adapts to road conditions to deliver the perfect amount of power in various terrains.
While the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a comparable HTRAC® All-Wheel Drive, the Maverick’s Advanced AWD offers more capability with its Torque Vectoring technology and rugged truck tuning.
Compare each truck’s engine and drivetrain options to find the best vehicle for your next trip near Parkersburg, West Virginia!
2026 Ford Maverick – Performance
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2.5L Hybrid Engine
- Drivetrain: FWD; available AWD
- Horsepower: 184 hp
- Torque: 236 lb-ft
- Towing: Up to 4,000 lbs
- Payload: Up to 1,500 lbs
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2.0L EcoBoost® Engine
- Drivetrain: FWD; available AWD
- Horsepower: 250 hp
- Torque: 280 lb-ft
- Towing: Up to 4,000 lbs
- Payload: Up to 1,500 lbs
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz – Performance
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2.5L Hybrid Engine MPG
- Drivetrain: FWD; available AWD
- Horsepower: 191 hp
- Torque: 181 lb-ft
- Towing: Up to 5,000 lbs
- Payload: Up to 1411 lbs
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2.5L Inline 4-cylinder turbo
- Drivetrain: AWD
- Horsepower: 281 hp
- Torque: 311 lb-ft
- Towing: Up to 5,000 lbs
- Payload: Up to 1411 lbs
MPG Matchup – Gas Mileage Comparison
When it comes to gas mileage, the 2026 Ford Maverick wins by a mile.
The 2026 Maverick’s hybrid powertrain delivers an impressive 38 MPG combined—a major milestone for hybrid trucks. Hyundai’s sport adventure vehicle falls behind, topping out at just 25 MPG combined. The Maverick also leads in gas-only fuel economy, offering up to 26 MPG thanks to its 2.0L EcoBoost®.
See how the new Maverick can help you cut fuel costs in and around Caldwell, Ohio!
2026 Ford Maverick – MPG
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2.5L Hybrid Engine MPG
- FWD: 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined
- AWD: 40 city / 34 highway / 37 combined
- AWD (Lariat): 39 city / 32 highway / 36 combined
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2.0L EcoBoost® Engine MPG
- FWD: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined
- AWD: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined
- AWD (Lobo™): 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined
- AWD (Tremor®): 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz – MPG
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2.5L Inline 4-cylinder
- FWD: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined
- AWD: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined
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2.5L Inline 4-cylinder turbo
- AWD: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined
The competition is getting heated. Cool off with reliable auto air conditioning repair provided by the experts in our service department!
Battle of the Truck Beds – Tailgate Comparison
All 2026 Ford Maverick trims come standard with the innovative FLEXBED® system—a versatile truck bed that lets you easily organize your gear without additional accessories. Highlights of the FLEXBED® include:
- Customizable Slots: Built-in vertical and horizontal slots designed to fit 2x4 or 2x6 boards. These slots can also be used to create segmented storage, elevated floors, or custom bike racks.
- Multi-Position Tailgate: The support cables can be repositioned to lock the tailgate in a half-closed position, extending the bed length enough to carry 4x8-foot sheets of plywood flat.
- Integrated Tie-Downs: The bed features up to 10 tie-down points. The tailgate tie-downs can also double as bottle openers!
- Low Sidewalls: With a lift-in height of 30.4 inches, the bed provides easy access without lowering the tailgate.
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz also offers a multi-function tailgate. However, the 2026 Maverick stands out with greater bed volume, more length, and a lower lift-in height.
It's the battle of the truck beds—see which tailgate is right for your next trip near St. Marys, West Virginia!
2026 Ford Maverick – Bed Dimensions
- Bed Volume: 33 cu ft
- Lift-In Height: 30.4 in
- Length: 54.4 in
- Width: 53.3 in
- Width (at wheel wells): 42.6 in
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz – Bed Dimensions
- Bed Volume: 27.0 cu ft
- Lift-In Height: 31.6 in
- Length: 52.1 in
- Width: 53.9 in
- Width (at wheel wells): 42.7 in
Interested in customizing your truck bed? Shop tonneau covers, bed extenders, and more—all available through our parts department!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz? Pioneer Ford is here to help!
Our local Ford dealership is answering some of the top questions about the two new trucks to help you along your shopping journey. When we’re done, you’ll be a step closer to exploring Ohio and West Virginia in your new vehicle.
How does pricing compare between the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Ford Maverick is more affordable, starting at just $28,145 MSRP, while the Santa Cruz begins at $29,750 MSRP.
What engines are available in the 2026 Ford Maverick and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Ford Maverick features both gas and hybrid engine options, including a 2.0L EcoBoost® and a 2.5L hybrid engine. The Hyundai Santa Cruz only offers gas engines, including a 2.5L Inline 4-cylinder and a 2.5L Inline 4-cylinder turbo.
What are the fuel economy (MPG) ratings for each trim and drivetrain on the Maverick and Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Maverick is capable of up to 38 MPG combined, while the Santa Cruz maxes out at just 25 MPG combined.
How much can the 2026 Ford Maverick and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz tow?
The Ford Maverick can tow up to 4,000 lbs, while the Santa Cruz tows up to 5,000 lbs.
Which truck has a higher payload capacity, the Maverick or the Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Maverick offers a higher payload at 1,500 lbs. In comparison, the Hyundai Santa Cruz tops out at 1411.0 lbs.
Does the 2026 Santa Cruz offer a hybrid or electrified powertrain like the Maverick hybrid?
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz does not offer a hybrid or electrified powertrain.
What are the bed dimensions (length, width, and depth) of the Maverick versus the Santa Cruz?
The Ford Maverick offers more truck bed volume and length, while the Hyundai provides slightly more width.
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2026 Ford Maverick
- Bed Volume: 33 cu ft
- Length: 54.4 in
- Width: 53.3 in
- Width (at wheel wells): 42.6 in
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2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
- Bed Volume: 27.0 cu ft
- Length: 52.1 in
- Width: 53.9 in
- Width (at wheel wells): 42.7 in
The 2026 Ford Maverick Takes the Win!
The 2026 Ford Maverick brings home the gold with its premium performance, outstanding fuel efficiency, and truck bed utility.
Ready to experience the new Ford Maverick for yourself? Call (740) 373-3431 or visit Pioneer Ford at 909 Pike Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750 to book a test drive!
The Pioneer Ford Difference
At Pioneer Ford, we have a long history of serving drivers from Ohio and West Virginia with a premium selection of high-quality new Ford trucks and SUVs. We also offer a reliable used car inventory featuring models from trusted brands like Toyota, Chevy, Honda, RAM, and GMC.
Once you’ve found the right vehicle, our finance center makes it easy with online credit applications and trade-in appraisals.
P-Guarantee Family Plan
Pioneer Ford is proud to be the home of the P-Guarantee! With the purchase of any new Ford model, you’ll receive a complimentary lifetime powertrain warranty, along with free lifetime brake inspections and wheel alignment checks.
Plus, we strive to complete every vehicle purchase in one hour or less—so you can enjoy a faster, more convenient car-buying experience.
Thank you for choosing Pioneer Ford as your trusted truck dealership–proudly serving Ohio and West Virginia drivers near Marietta, Parkersburg, Caldwell, and St. Marys.
May not represent actual vehicle. (Options, colors, trim and body style may vary)
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DISCLAIMERS:
Current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for base vehicle. Excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Optional equipment not included. Starting A/X/Z Plan price is for qualified, eligible customers and excludes document fee, destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration. Not all vehicles qualify for A/X/Z Plan.
Max towing on AWD models with available Max Trailer Tow Package. Excludes Maverick® Lobo™ and Tremor® models. When properly equipped. Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers.
Max payload on Maverick® pickup with AWD 2.0L engine and FWD 2.5L hybrid engine. Excludes Maverick® Lobo™ and Tremor® models. Max payload varies and is based on accessories and vehicle configuration. See label on doorjamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Always properly secure cargo.
EPA-estimated rating of 42 city/35 hwy/38 combined, 2.5L hybrid engine, Power-Split Electric CVT, and FWD. Actual mileage will vary.
Max payload varies based on accessories and vehicle configuration. See label on doorjamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Always properly secure cargo.
Always consult the Owner’s Manual before off-road driving, know your terrain and trail difficulty, and use appropriate safety gear. Follow all laws and drive on designated off-road trails and recreation areas.
Closed-course use only.
Intended for track use only. Do not use on public roads. See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions.
Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. They do not make your vehicle autonomous or replace your responsibility to drive safely. Please only use if you will pay attention to the road and be prepared to take over at any time. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
Horsepower and torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard. Your results may vary. When properly equipped. Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously.
Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. Remember that even advanced technology cannot overcome the laws of physics. It’s always possible to lose control of a vehicle due to inappropriate driver input for the conditions.
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