2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ vs. Ford Maverick: Compact Truck Comparison

Compact trucks offer flexible seating and cargo inside and reliable towing and payload capacities. With the 2025 Ford Maverick and Hyundai SANTA CRUZ, you don’t have to compromise power for good fuel economy, and they feature intuitive drivetrain systems for optimized traction and handling. Read to find out the winner in this compact truck comparison.

Performance and Capabilities

Choosing between the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ and the 2025 Ford Maverick in San Angelo depends on your needs, from peak engine specs to gas savings. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their performance and capabilities.

Engine Configurations and Specs

The new Ford Maverick offers two engine options: a 2.5-liter hybrid engine with an automatic continuously variable transmission and a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid engine produces up to 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, while the EcoBoost engine produces 238 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.

The 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ engines mate with an eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC, available paddle shifters, and a wet clutch on select trims. The Hyundai truck’s 2.5-liter turbo engine outperforms the Ford, delivering a robust 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It also offers a standard 2.5-liter engine comparable to the Ford’s hybrid engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the Maverick is more fuel-efficient.

Fuel Efficiency

The 2025 Ford Maverick offers the best fuel efficiency compared to the 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ. The Ford’s 2.5-liter hybrid engine helps the truck reach an impressive EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Hyundai’s 2.5-liter gas-powered engine only reaches an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

Drivetrains

Choosing between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) depends on your driving needs. FWD is ideal if you prefer to optimize efficiency. If you need enhanced rear traction for trailering, AWD is best.

FWD is standard on all Hyundai SANTA CRUZ trims except for the XRT and Limited, where AWD is standard. Hyundai’s HTRAC AWD is available on all trims and is standard on the XRT and Limited. The Ford Maverick offers FWD on models equipped with the 2.5-liter hybrid engine, with all-wheel drive available on select trims. If you want a new truck for more serious off-roading, choose the 2025 Maverick Lobo and Tremor for their standard advanced four-wheel drive.

Towing and Payload Capacity

A perk of owning a truck is its towing power, allowing you to tow a travel trailer for fun road trips or utility trailers with your favorite recreational vehicles. Despite their compact size, the 2025 Ford Maverick and Hyundai SANTA CRUZ offer outstanding towing capacities to maximize your haul for your next adventure.

The Ford Maverick offers a standard 2,000-pound towing capacity across all trims with an available 4,000-pound maximum capacity on the XL, XLT, and Lariat. The available 4K Tow Package helps you tow with extra safety and security with a Class III trailer hitch, trailer brake controller, 2-inch receiver with a four- and seven-pin connector, and an upgraded cooling fan.

The Hyundai SANTA CRUZ features a standard 3,500-pound towing capacity with an available 5,000-pound towing limit on trims equipped with HTRAC AWD. The only drawback of this higher capacity is that it’s only available on the XRT and Limited trims and requires the installation of aftermarket towing equipment.

The Ford compact truck’s 1,500-pound payload capacity allows you to comfortably load the truck bed with camping gear and bicycles and fit up to five people in the cab. The Hyundai compact truck only offers a 1,411-pound payload limit.

Interior Technology and Entertainment

If you love quick, convenient access to your messaging, navigation, and music streaming apps, you’ll appreciate the vivid touch-screen displays offered on the 2025 Ford Maverick and Hyundai SANTA CRUZ, which offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The SANTA CRUZ features a 12.3-inch high-resolution infotainment screen, while the Maverick offers a bigger, 13.2-inch display.

Ford outshines its competitor by offering an available 5G in-vehicle Wi-Fi hot spot powered by AT&T to keep you connected wherever you travel. This innovative FordPass Connect feature lets you connect up to 10 devices within 50 feet of the compact truck. The Hyundai SANTA CRUZ offers a standard wireless charging pad to keep your device’s battery life full, while the Ford Maverick only offers this pad as an upgrade.

Practicality and Daily Usability

The 2025 Ford Maverick optimizes its towing capabilities with an available Pro Trailer Hitch Assist system that uses the rear camera and corner reader for easier hitching. Add the available Pro Trailer Backup Assist for seamless reversing, which removes the stress of hauling heavy equipment. The 2025 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ only offers tow mode from its selectable drive modes for optimized steering while towing.

Depending on the vehicle you purchase, you’ll receive different truck bed functionalities. The Hyundai SANTA CRUZ’s bed offers unique elements such as molded-in pockets for enhanced storage and lockable underfloor storage with a drain that doubles as a cooler for memorable tailgating or camping. Upgrade the SANTA CRUZ’s truck bed to include the lockable tonneau cover or the 115-volt power outlet for added convenience.

The Ford Maverick features a FLEXBED storage system for better organization and versatile tie-downs that double as bottle openers. The Maverick’s truck bed also features a multiposition tailgate that can lock when half-closed to accommodate longer items, making it ideal for construction jobs or hauling gear to the worksite.

Maverick vs. SANTA CRUZ: Making the Best Choice for Your Needs

Regarding better fuel economy, larger infotainment displays, Wi-Fi connectivity, and enhanced towing safety, the 2025 Ford Maverick outperforms the Hyundai SANTA CRUZ. Come see it for yourself at Jim Bass Ford. Contact our expert sales team to schedule a test-drive. We’ll show you all the noteworthy specs on the compact truck and help you get the best deal in San Angelo. We offer flexible financing, new vehicle specials, and vehicle trade-ins. Let us know how we can get you behind the wheel of a new Ford truck today.