2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2025 Ford Maverick

Some comparisons reveal few differences between vehicles. That’s not the case with the Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Ford Maverick. There are a number of ways that one truck pulls ahead of the other.

 Whether you look at critical opinions or concrete facts, the Santa Cruz is setting the bar in this contest. That surprises truck enthusiasts who just assume that the Maverick is better simply because it is a Ford truck.

Brand Excellence

While there’s no doubt that the Ford truck is a good one, Hyunda’s reputation for excellence at this point in time is simply remarkable. It has won so many awards that recognize its quality and its value. Some awards are based on the outcome of extensive surveys. Others are decided by a group of automotive experts.

Hyundai value can be seen in this accomplishment: 2025 Best Automaker Brand for the Money by Money Magazine. Even when there is a price difference, the Santa Cruz promises a better package for your dollar than the 2025 Ford Maverick in Phoenix.  

Meanwhile, Hyundai technologies are celebrated by this accolade: Top Mass-Market Brand, 2024 U.S. Tech Experience Index. This JD Power award is important to anyone who is looking for the top tech tools and toys. Significantly the Santa Cruz had to beat out not only the Maverick but every other midsize truck in the marketplace to achieve this goal.  

When it comes to refinement, critics agree that the Santa Cruz cabin is as good as the cabins in the well-liked Tucson and Santa Fe SUVs. This is particularly significant, given that Hyundai just took home the 2025 Best SUV Brand from US News and World Report.  

Truck Excellence and Originality

While the Ford Maverick is well-liked, the Santa Cruz is the truck that has secured some important awards. At Kelley Blue Book, it is rated as the #1 most fuel efficient truck. At JD Power, it earned the 2024 top rating in the midsize truck segment. So it’s #1 for Initial Quality.

This year the Santa Cruz has added a curved dash with a panoramic dual screen set-up. This is the first all digital instrument panel in a midsize truck , and it’s an exciting development. Other updates include ergonomically designed center stack controls and physical switchgear, a new steering wheel, and a new air vent design. These changes ensure that the Hyundai compact truck has the most advanced cockpit in this Santa Cruz vs Maverick comparison.  

The brand is making fingerprint authentication available for the first time. This isn’t offered on the Maverick or any other truck at present. Another unique feature is the Hyundai Pay in-car system, which will allow you to pay for parking from the convenience of your touchscreen.  

More familiar, yet still exclusive, the Hyundai Digital Key has been upgraded to allow owners to do more with their smartphone. Meanwhile, Hyundai Bluelink+ Connected Car technology has been recognized by JD Power for its excellence.  

Performance and Capability

The Santa Cruz engine is a cut above the Maverick Hybrid. While both offer 191 horsepower, the Hyundai truck promises 181 lb-ft of torque. This is quite a step up from the hybrid’s unremarkable 155 lb-ft of torque.

Looking at the turbo engines, the Maverick promises only 238 horsepower. A Santa Cruz turbo produces a much speedier 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.  

You can see the difference in strength levels when you look at tow ratings. Mavericks are rated for 2,000 or 4,000 lbs. Hyundai trucks are rated for 3,500 or 5,000 pounds with the proper equipment. This year the Santa Cruz turbo has a special tow mode to make moving a load easier.  

Both trucks are offered with all-wheel drive. However, Hyundai HTRAC is made to assist with speedier on-road driving as well as weather challenges. It moves torque between the front and rear axles to enhance medium- and high-speed cornering. The all-wheel drive’s multi-mode system also contributes to straight-line acceleration, just for the fun of it.  

Bonus: Valuable Ownership Benefits

The 2025 Ford Maverick in Phoenix has benefits that don’t match up with its rival. Ford limited warranties end by year 3 and powertrain warranties end by year 5.

In complete contrast, Hyundai limited warranties go for up to 5 years. That’s two years longer than the Maverick. Likewise, the powertrain warranties go for up to 10 years, making it five years longer than the Ford truck.  

Helping with maintenance, Hyundai provides up to three years of complimentary maintenance. This saves you money on oil changes and other basics. It is like an ongoing rebate on your Santa Fe purchase.  

Furthermore, Hyundai provides three years of Blue Link services. This means that the Santa Cruz owner can use their app as a remote starter. Plus this can be used via Amazon Alexa at home.  

Conclusion

Whether you look at the individual truck, the brand’s reputation, or the benefits of the truck’s features and warranty coverage, there’s only one truck that pulls ahead. The 2025 Santa Cruz simply drives away with the prize, leaving the Maverick behind.

To find out if this compact truck is right for you, schedule a test drive at your Earnhardt Hyundai dealer in Avondale.