I Drove the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz & 2025 Ford Maverick, Which One is Best? Here's My Brutally Honest Review

Auto Blog

06-07-2025

More than meets the eye
Both the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick catch heat from 'real truck' purists. To those folks, these compact pickups are just crossovers in disguise—unibody vehicles playing dress-up in the world of body-on-frame brutes. But is that fair?
It's true: both are built on crossover SUV platforms. The Maverick rides on Ford's C2 architecture, shared with the Escape and Bronco Sport, while the Santa Cruz is based on the Hyundai Tucson. That means unibody construction, transverse-mounted engines, and independent rear suspensions. Underneath, both pickups receive reinforced subframes, especially at the rear, to handle payload demands and add towing capability. These aren't frame rails, but they're not just sheet metal either.
Now, let's talk success. After three years on the market, the Ford Maverick is absolutely crushing it. In 2024 so far, Ford sold 131,142 Mavericks in the U.S.—a 39.4% jump from the 94,058 sold in 2023. The Hyundai Santa Cruz tells a different story, with 32,033 units sold, a decline from the 36,675 in 2023. Still, it remains a profitable niche product for Hyundai with a more premium, lifestyle-oriented spin.
So, are these 'trucks' just compact crossovers with beds? Technically, yes—but functionally, they're so much more. Both offer true utility in a right-sized package. The Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds, haul up to 1,500 pounds in the bed, and comes with a base hybrid drivetrain that gets up to 42 mpg city. The Santa Cruz, while more limited on base payload, offers a smoother ride, optional turbo power, and unique features like a lockable under-bed trunk and a more stylish cabin. Let's look at the technical details.
Hyundai Santa Cruz ($28,750 base MSRP)
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz —
Source: Hyundai
The Hyundai Santa Cruz receives modest updates for the 2025 model year, including the addition of front tow hooks for XRT models, which is a welcome change. However, Hyundai has yet to introduce a hybrid powertrain or a truly off-road- or street-performance-oriented trim to the lineup. Built in Montgomery, Alabama, at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA), the Santa Cruz remains one of the most car-like pickups on the market.
The base Santa Cruz is powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-4, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic, front-wheel drive is standard, while HTRAC AWD is optional. This configuration can tow up to 3,500 lbs (with trailer brakes) and returns 22 mpg city / 30 mpg highway (subtract 1 mpg for AWD).
For buyers seeking more muscle, Hyundai offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 281 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Standard with AWD, it tows up to 5,000 lbs and is rated at 19 mpg city / 27 mpg highway.
While the Santa Cruz doesn't directly counter every Maverick trim (especially the off-road-ready Tremor or street-flavored Lobo), it excels as a comfortable and agile daily driver. Its payload capacity exceeds 1,400 lbs across all trims, and the self-leveling rear suspension is a standout for hauling.
High-end trims like the XRT ($40,250) and Limited ($42,750) come standard with the turbo engine, AWD, and luxury-grade tech, including a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. While the Santa Cruz may feel more premium up front, rear seat space is tighter than in the Ford Maverick.
Ford Maverick ($28,145 base MSRP)
2025 Ford Maverick —
Source: Ford
Ford gave the 2025 Maverick a significant update, featuring a refreshed front-end design and revised powertrains. Most notably, the Maverick Hybrid now offers optional AWD, and the new Lobo trim adds a street-smart flavor to the lineup. Since its launch, the Maverick's base price has increased by more than $7,000, but demand remains sky-high. It's assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico, at Ford's Stamping and Assembly Plant.
The base hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined 191 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a planetary CVT. FWD is standard, with AWD now optional. Fuel economy is stellar, rated at 42 mpg city / 33 mpg highway (FWD) and 40 mpg city / 34 mpg highway (AWD).
For more performance, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder makes 238 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic and standard AWD. The Lobo gets a beefed-up 7-speed. It's rated at 22 mpg city / 30 mpg highway, which is comparable to the Santa Cruz's turbo option. The payload for all Mavericks tops out at 1,500 lbs, and towing is 1,500 lbs standard, or up to 4,000 lbs with the 4K Tow Package.
All 2025 Mavericks include a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument display. The Maverick also offers more usable rear seat space and a more rugged overall interior design compared to the Santa Cruz. Trims include the XL ($28,145), XLT ($30,645), Lobo ($35,645), Lariat ($38,440), and Tremor ($40,995).
Final thoughts
No, they won't out-haul a Super Duty. But they will park in your garage, fit in urban driveways, and cost thousands less than full-size rigs while doing 80% of what most people need from a truck. Both can haul as much or even more than some mid-size trucks as well.
Verdict? These are not toys. They're not posers. They're modern answers to modern problems, and in many ways, they represent the future of functional vehicles. The Santa Cruz feels more refined and upscale in higher trims but leans toward comfort and commuter duty. The Maverick, while slightly less plush, is more versatile, especially now that the hybrid AWD option and more diverse trims are available.