The Return of the Compact Truck: Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz

For years, pickup trucks have grown massive in size and staggering in price. Enter the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. These compact pickups are reviving a dormant segment by offering genuine utility, comfortable daily driving, and starting prices that do not break the bank.

The Shift Back to Small Pickups

If you wanted a truck in 2010, you could easily find a compact Ford Ranger or Chevy Colorado. By 2020, those models had ballooned into midsize trucks with price tags to match. With the average cost of a new full-size truck like the Ford F-150 pushing past $60,000, everyday buyers were priced out of the market.

Ford and Hyundai saw a massive gap. Millions of drivers want the convenience of an open truck bed for weekend hardware store runs or camping trips, but they do not need to tow a 10,000-pound boat. They also want a vehicle that fits inside a standard garage and gets better than 18 miles per gallon. The Maverick and Santa Cruz answer this call by using unibody frames. Instead of the heavy body-on-frame construction used by larger trucks, these compacts are built on crossover platforms. The Maverick shares its bones with the Ford Escape crossover, while the Santa Cruz is closely related to the Hyundai Tucson SUV.

Pricing and Trim Levels

Affordability is the main draw for these vehicles. Both automakers keep their entry-level models incredibly accessible, though they cater to slightly different budgets.

The 2024 Ford Maverick is the clear winner for strict budget shoppers. The base XL trim starts at roughly $23,815. Buyers can upgrade to the mid-level XLT for about $26,315, or opt for the luxury-focused Lariat starting near $34,855. Ford also offers an off-road Tremor package for the XLT and Lariat trims, adding all-terrain tires and a lifted suspension for trail enthusiasts.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz positions itself as a slightly more premium offering. The base SE trim starts at $26,650. The mid-tier SEL starts at $29,400, while the rugged-looking XRT comes in around $39,850. The top-tier Limited model will cost you just over $41,000. While the Hyundai costs more upfront, it comes with a longer warranty, including a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee.

Powertrains and Fuel Efficiency

Under the hood, these two trucks take completely different approaches to power and efficiency.

Ford recently changed the Maverick line-up for 2024. The 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is now the standard powertrain. It produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. If you want maximum fuel efficiency, you can pay an extra $1,500 for the 2.5-liter hybrid engine. The hybrid generates 191 horsepower and shines at the gas pump, delivering an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

Hyundai does not offer a hybrid option for the Santa Cruz. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 191 horsepower, which feels slightly sluggish compared to the standard Maverick. However, the upgrade option is a thrilling 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that pumps out 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This turbo engine turns the Santa Cruz into a genuinely fast and sporty vehicle. Expect fuel economy for the non-turbo Santa Cruz to sit around 22 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Bed Utility and Towing Capacity

A truck is only as good as its bed. Since these are compact trucks, you will not be hauling full-size construction materials with the tailgate closed, but both brands have designed incredibly clever cargo areas.

The Ford Maverick features a 4.5-foot bed equipped with the FLEXBED system. Ford designed this specifically for do-it-yourself owners. The bed features stamped slots where you can drop in standard 2x4 pieces of lumber to create custom bike racks or cargo dividers. It also includes pre-wired 12-volt access points, so you can easily wire in your own LED bed lights or an air compressor. The Maverick can tow 2,000 pounds standard, but adding the 4K Tow Package pushes that limit to 4,000 pounds.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz features a slightly shorter 4.3-foot bed, but it prioritizes secure storage over raw utility. Higher trims come with a factory-integrated, lockable tonneau cover that slides open and closed. The best feature is the hidden storage trunk located under the bed floor. It has a drain plug at the bottom, meaning you can fill it with ice and use it as a cooler for tailgating. If you need to tow, a turbocharged Santa Cruz with all-wheel drive can pull an impressive 5,000 pounds.

Interior Comfort and Technology

Stepping inside these trucks reveals their distinct personalities.

Ford gives the Maverick a very utilitarian, rugged interior. You will find lots of hard plastics, but they feature interesting textures and color choices like navy blue and orange. The doors have sections cut out to hold large one-liter water bottles. Every Maverick comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Hyundai gives the Santa Cruz an interior that feels exactly like a premium crossover SUV. The materials are softer, the cabin is quieter, and the layout is much more refined. Higher trims offer a large 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a matching 10.25-inch central touchscreen. If you want a luxury car experience, the Santa Cruz Limited easily beats the top-tier Maverick Lariat in interior quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 4x8 sheet of plywood fit in these trucks? Yes. Both Ford and Hyundai designed their tailgates to lock in a halfway-open position. When the tailgate is angled up, the top edge lines up perfectly with the wheel wells inside the bed. This allows you to slide a 4x8 sheet of plywood in flat, though it will hang out the back and requires tie-downs.

Does the Hyundai Santa Cruz come in a hybrid? No. Hyundai currently only offers the Santa Cruz with traditional gas-powered engines. If you want a hybrid compact truck, the Ford Maverick is your only option right now.

Which truck is better for off-roading? The Ford Maverick is the better choice for dirt trails if you purchase the Tremor off-road package. The Tremor adds a one-inch factory lift, an advanced all-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear drive unit, and skid plates. The Santa Cruz XRT trim looks rugged but is primarily an appearance package without heavy-duty mechanical upgrades.