2026 is a banner year for the Ford Maverick, as it walked away with prestigious "Truck of the Year" honors from MotorTrend. Even with that kind of momentum, some buyers still find themselves comparing it to the Hyundai Santa Cruz. To help you navigate these compact truck choices, we've put together a features comparison.
Key Takeaways
- While the Santa Cruz is mostly the same, the Mav gets a significant series of updates across trims.
- The Mav received MotorTrend's 2026 "Truck of the Year" award.
- Based on pricing data from March 5, 2026, the Maverick maintains a more accessible entry point at $29,990, while the Santa Cruz starts at $31,350.
2026 Updates for the Maverick and Santa Cruz
The 2026 Maverick lineup sports a fresh look with new Marsh Gray and Orange Fury paint colors, while Ford retires Eruption Green and Desert Sand. On the XL and XLT models, the FWD hybrid is the starting point, but you can now opt for the turbo-four engine with FWD for no extra cost. (If you need more traction, AWD is an available add-on for the turbo.)
The Lariat, Lobo, XL, and XLT now come equipped with a tire inflator kit, leaving the Tremor as the only version that still includes a standard full-size spare. Wireless charging has also been cut from the feature list this year.
The Mav's cabin Maverick saw some practical improvements as well. The XLT trim now includes attachable cupholders located on the armrest and adds a manual four-way passenger seat to the Luxury package. You'll also notice that all models feature traditional blue Ford emblems. Ford is providing one year of connectivity for free, with the option to buy into a seven-year plan later.
The Santa Cruz stays the course in '26 after last year's major refresh. The only minor tweak Hyundai made was in removing the dark green interior from the options list.
Detailed Pricing Breakdown for the Maverick and Santa Cruz
The Maverick continues to lead the segment when it comes to affordability, offering a lower starting price for those looking to get into a compact truck. Here is how the various trims are priced for 2026.
The Mav's trims are:
- XL: $29,990
- XLT: $32,490
- Lobo Standard: $37,775
- Lariat: $39,935
- Tremor: $42,490
- Lobo High: $43,270
Santa Cruz models are slightly higher-priced:
- SE: $31,350
- SEL: $33,000
- SEL Activity: $36,050
- XRT: $42,950
- Limited: $45,300
Powertrain Options in the Maverick vs. Santa Cruz
The Maverick's standard 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain produces 191 horsepower through a CVT and all-wheel drive. There's also an available 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 250 horsepower through an eight-speed automatic with AWD. For a more performance-oriented feel, the Lobo trim features a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Hyundai continues to tie its engine options directly to the specific trim level you choose. The SE, SEL, and SEL Activity models use a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower via an eight-speed automatic. Stepping up to the XRT or Limited trims gets you the 2.5-liter turbo-four, which pumps out 281 horsepower. This more powerful engine pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and AWD.
Powertrains
| 2026 Ford Maverick |
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz |
| 2.5-liter hybrid with standard CVT and AWD |
Standard 2.5-liter four-cyl with 8-speed automatic on SE, SEL, and SEL Activity |
| 2.0-liter turbo four with 8-speed automatic; AWD |
Standard 2.5-liter turbo four with 8-speed dual-clutch on XRT and Limited trims |
| 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters available for Lobo trim |
AWD available on all trims; standard with turbo four |
How the 2026 Ford Maverick Compares to the Hyundai Santa Cruz for Everyday Driving
When you look at the wider variety of options, the lower cost of entry, and that "Truck of the Year" award, the Mav makes its case for your daily drive. If you want a small pickup that leads the competition, it belongs in your driveway. Contact Banner Ford in Mandeville to get behind the wheel!