2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs. 2025 Ford Maverick: A Comprehensive Comparison

Are you looking for a compact pickup that’s both powerful and efficient? Two popular choices on the market are the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2025 Ford Maverick. Both trucks bring impressive features to the table, but when it comes to performance, towing capacity, and overall versatility, the Hyundai Santa Cruz clearly stands out as the better option.

Performance and Powertrain

When it comes to engine performance, the Santa Cruz delivers a much more powerful and engaging driving experience compared to the Maverick.

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: With a choice of two engines, including a 2.5L 4-cylinder that delivers 191 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.5L engine producing an impressive 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, the Santa Cruz ensures a smoother, more powerful ride, whether you’re driving in the city or towing on the highway. 
• 2025 Ford Maverick: The Maverick offers a standard 2.5L hybrid engine that produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, which is fine for city driving but lacks the power needed for heavier tasks. While the EcoBoost 2.0L turbocharged engine boosts horsepower to 250 and torque to 277 lb-ft, it still can’t match the sheer strength of the Santa Cruz’s turbocharged engine. 

For those looking for power and performance, the Santa Cruz is the clear winner.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Whether you’re hauling gear, towing a boat, or hauling building supplies, towing and payload capacity matter. And again, the Santa Cruz wins hands down.

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a 1,600-pound payload capacity, the Santa Cruz is built for more than just light hauling. Whether you’re towing trailers, boats, or anything in between, the Santa Cruz has the power to get the job done. 
• 2025 Ford Maverick: The Maverick’s hybrid engine offers a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, while the EcoBoost engine can tow up to 4,000 pounds—which is decent for lighter loads. However, the Santa Cruz’s higher towing capacity means it’s far better suited for those who need more from their truck. 

If you need to tow heavy loads or carry more gear, the Santa Cruz is the truck you’ll want in your driveway.

Interior and Technology

The Santa Cruz doesn’t just deliver on performance; it also offers a premium interior and cutting-edge technology that makes the driving experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Santa Cruz is designed with comfort and convenience in mind. It features a 10.25-inch touchscreen, available Harman Kardon sound system, and top-tier tech like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin is upscale, with available leather seats and high-quality materials throughout. It’s a truck that feels as luxurious as it is capable. 
• 2025 Ford Maverick: While the Maverick offers an 8-inch touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its interior is more basic, with a focus on practicality rather than luxury. The quality of materials isn’t as refined, and the ride isn’t as quiet or comfortable as the Santa Cruz’s. 

For those who want premium tech and a comfortable ride, the Santa Cruz comes out on top with a more luxurious and feature-packed interior.

Fuel Economy

While both trucks are efficient, the Ford Maverick does have the edge in fuel efficiency—thanks to its hybrid powertrain—but this comes at the cost of performance and capability.

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: With the base 2.5L engine, the Santa Cruz offers 22 MPG city / 26 MPG highway, which is solid for a truck with its level of power and performance. While the turbocharged engine may have slightly lower efficiency, it still strikes a good balance between power and economy. 
• 2025 Ford Maverick: The Maverick hybrid shines when it comes to fuel economy, offering an impressive 42 MPG city / 33 MPG highway. But the EcoBoost engine offers 23 MPG city / 30 MPG highway, making it less efficient than the Santa Cruz for those looking for more power and towing capacity. 

While the Maverick hybrid wins in fuel economy, the Santa Cruz offers a better overall balance of performance and efficiency.

Safety Features

Both the Santa Cruz and Maverick come equipped with advanced safety features, but the Santa Cruz has a more comprehensive suite of standard tech.

• 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz: The Santa Cruz comes with Hyundai SmartSense safety features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also includes available adaptive cruise control and more, giving you peace of mind on every drive. 
• 2025 Ford Maverick: The Maverick includes Ford Co-Pilot360, with pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. While it’s a solid safety package, it doesn’t quite match the Santa Cruz‘s tech-forward offerings. 

For those who prioritize advanced safety features, the Santa Cruz gives you a more complete suite of tech to keep you and your passengers safe on the road.

Visit Fred Martin Superstore Today!

In the battle between the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2025 Ford Maverick, the Santa Cruz emerges as the clear winner. With superior power, towing capacity, advanced technology, and a more comfortable and refined interior, the Santa Cruz is the ultimate choice for those who need a versatile, capable, and luxurious compact pickup truck.

Ready to take the next step? Visit us at Fred Martin Superstore and see for yourself why the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz is the truck that’s built for your lifestyle!

📍 Visit Us: 6633 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40258
📞 Call Us: 502-509-5942
🌐 Website: www.hyundaioflouisville.com

View Inventory