2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Comparison Overview
The 2026 Ford Maverick bursts onto the scene as the undisputed efficiency king, boasting an impressive 38 combined MPG, leaving the Hyundai Santa Cruz’s 25 combined MPG in the dust. While both offer crossover utility, the Maverick thrills with its thrifty operation and accessible $28,145 MSRP. The Santa Cruz, however, leans into torque-rich utility, delivering 181 lb-ft to the Maverick's 155 lb-ft, promising a slightly punchier feel despite its thirstier nature. Both deliver the same 191 horsepower, but the Maverick’s FWD setup paired with its electronically variable transmission extracts significantly more miles per gallon from the regular unleaded fuel tank. Conversely, the Santa Cruz’s conventional 8-speed automatic transmission and wider 75.0-inch frame suggest a different driving emphasis, contrasting sharply with the Maverick’s frugal footprint.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Maverick
The 2026 Ford Maverick wins due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 42 MPG city.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers a wider stance at 75.0 inches, potentially providing more stable interior room for families.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz offers 181 lb-ft of torque compared to the Maverick's 155 lb-ft, suggesting slightly stronger pulling power.
2026 Ford Maverick
The Maverick undercuts the competition significantly with an MSRP of $28,145 versus the Santa Cruz's $29,500 entry price.
Choose the Ford Maverick if...
- You prioritize running costs, as the Maverick achieves 38 combined MPG.
- Your budget is tighter, with an MSRP starting at $28,145.
- You frequently drive in urban environments, utilizing its 42 MPG city rating.
Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...
- You value available torque for daily hauling, benefiting from 181 lb-ft.
- You prefer a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
- You need maximum width, as the Santa Cruz is 75.0 inches wide compared to 72.6 inches for Car 1.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.8" | 195.7" |
| Width | 72.6" | 75.0" |
| Height | 68.8" | 66.7" |
| Wheelbase | 121.1" | 118.3" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 5600 rpm | 191 hp @ 6100 rpm |
| Torque | 155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | — | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | electrically variable-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 42/35 MPG | 22/30 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 38 MPG | 25 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 579.6/483.0 mi. | 389.4/531.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.8 gal. | 17.7 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | — |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 13.2 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.8 in. | 41.4 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.4 in. | 54.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.9 in. | 36.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 56.1 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.1 in. | 53.5 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Steel | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P225/65R17 | 245/60R18 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Ford Maverick and 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz.
What is the main fuel economy difference between the 2026 Maverick and Santa Cruz?
The 2026 Ford Maverick is significantly more efficient, achieving 38 combined MPG. The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is rated lower at 25 combined MPG, representing a substantial 13 MPG difference in favor of the Maverick.
Which vehicle has a higher performance ceiling based on provided specs?
While both share 191 horsepower, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz has a torque advantage with 181 lb-ft compared to the Maverick's 155 lb-ft. This suggests the Santa Cruz will feel stronger when accelerating from a stop.
How do their physical dimensions compare for parking and maneuverability?
The 2026 Ford Maverick is slightly longer at 199.8 inches, but the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz is notably wider at 75.0 inches compared to the Maverick’s 72.6 inches, which could affect tight garage access.
Are there significant MSRP differences between these two crossover models?
Yes, the Ford Maverick holds a lower entry price at $28,145. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is priced slightly higher, beginning at $29,500.
What transmission types do the standard front-wheel-drive models use?
The 2026 Ford Maverick uses an electronically variable-speed automatic transmission designed for efficiency. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz employs a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
Is one model exclusively higher on power despite having the same horsepower rating?
No, both vehicles are rated at 191 horsepower, but the Santa Cruz pulls ahead in torque by 26 lb-ft (181 vs. 155), which is more impactful for daily driving feel.
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