Starting at
Starting at
| 37 | Fuel Economy (MPG) | 23 |
| 33.3 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 27 |
| 9.4 | Ground Clearance (in) | 8.6 |
Ford has long been the undisputed leader when it comes to full-size trucks thanks to the Ford F-Series, which has been the best selling truck in America for more than 40 years, and the brand has dominated the midsize market with the popular Ford Ranger. Now, with the Maverick, Ford is taking its incredible expertise and unbeatable engineering to a new level with a compact pickup designed for use as the ultimate daily driver. Looking at what the Maverick is up against, it is easy to see that Ford is bringing unique performance and remarkable innovation that no one else currently offers.
Consider the 2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz, for example, and check out the kinds of engines that each of these trucks offers. There is no denying that the engines for the Santa Cruz are great, but the standard hybrid powertrain for the Ford Maverick stands out by comparison. Not only is this the only standard hybrid pickup truck, but it provides you with impressive performance comparable to the starting engine from Hyundai while giving you far superior fuel economy. Both of the starting engines on these trucks deliver 191 hp, but while the 2023 Santa Cruz gets an EPA-estimated 23 MPG combined, the hybrid in the 2023 Ford Maverick provides an EPA-estimated 37 MPG combined, giving it over 500 miles of range from a full tank.
Ford keeps things simple with the Maverick by offering you three trim levels to choose from, so you can get everything you need without going overboard or missing out on anything. With the Santa Cruz, Hyundai offers almost twice as many trims, which can quickly become confusing. Not only can you get the Ford Maverick for a lower price to begin with, but it has more cargo space for you to utilize when you are loading up before hitting the road. Plus, with the available Tremor Off-Road Package, the Maverick transforms into a trail-worthy beast ready to take you anywhere you want; the Santa Cruz sadly lacks such an option.
With a powerful full-size truck like a Ford F-Series model, you might not worry too much about fuel economy since those kinds of trucks are focused on handling some serious work. A compact pickup like the Ford Maverick, however, is another story entirely, and you should look for something with the right blend of power and efficiency. Both the Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz offer impressive fuel economy, particularly when compared to larger trucks, but the Ford pickup cannot be beaten thanks to its standard hybrid engine.
Looking at the standard engines in these two trucks is the perfect way to compare the kind of performance and fuel efficiency they have to offer. Both of these pickups have more powerful engines available, but the starting powertrains are the best place to begin. The Hyundai Santa Cruz starts with a 2.5L I-4 engine that offers 191 hp. This engine, with front-wheel drive (FWD), gets an EPA-estimated 22 MPG in the city, 26 MPG on the highway, and 23 MPG combined—you can choose all-wheel drive, but then the fuel economy becomes worse.
By comparison, the 2023 Ford Maverick comes with a standard 2.5L I-4 Hybrid engine that also delivers 191 hp. What is quite noteworthy, however, is that the Maverick with this engine and FWD gets an EPA-estimated 40 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and 37 MPG combined. That is significantly better fuel economy on the highway and massively superior city gas mileage; it makes the Maverick perfect for getting around the city, letting you go further between stops for gas.
When it comes to the number of options and trim levels available for a vehicle, there is no single amount that is always best—we cannot pick a magic number that every truck should have. What it really comes down to is having the right balance of options, which is to say, a good variety that lets you get the features you are looking for without being overwhelming. Sometimes that means you need a fair number to choose from, particularly if you are looking at a larger truck with three or four engines available. With a small truck like these two, however, simply having a few good trims to pick from is ideal, which is right where the Ford Maverick lands.
There are three trims available for the 2023 Maverick, giving you simple options that you can quickly consider and pick from as you look for what you want. If you like the standard engine and the starting features, then the XL is the perfect trim and starts at just $22,595 MSRP.[a] On the other hand, if you want some upgrades and access to more options, then the XLT is a great choice. Finally, the Lariat is the perfect way to go to get the most from your truck. Each of these steps up increases the price a bit, but not by a huge amount, and you have more options like the Tremor Off-Road Package and style packages available to customize your Maverick further.
Hyundai has missed this mark a bit with the Santa Cruz, which has five different trim levels available, giving you almost double the number of options you have to consider and juggle. Another problem is that the 2023 Santa Cruz starts at $25,450 MSRP, which is over $3,000 more than the Ford Maverick. From there, each trim level increases the price, which is to be expected, reaching $40,320 MSRP for the top Limited trim. That's more than the starting point for a midsize or even a full-size truck. Paying a little more for some features you want is one thing, but asking more than $40,000 for a compact pickup seems high to us.
One of our favorite uses for a truck of any size is an off-road vehicle that we can use for heading out for a long weekend of camping, playing in the mud, or tackling anything else we want to do. For years now, the F-Series and Ranger have both been amazing options for this and now the Maverick joins this lineup as a terrific off-road truck. Its small size is ideal for navigating narrow trails and maneuvering through tight spots where a larger pickup might struggle. The Santa Cruz could be an equally fantastic option for this, but sadly Hyundai has not delivered the capability to make that happen.
For off-road performance, the best thing about the Santa Cruz is that it has all-wheel drive (AWD) available, helping it achieve some decent traction when out on the trail. There is also an impressive turbocharged engine on offer that helps boost that performance, but this works just as well on pavement as anywhere else. Ultimately, there is nothing here targeted for improved off-road ability, which is a shame because the Santa Cruz could be an excellent choice if Hyundai wanted it to be.
With the Maverick, on the other hand, Ford clearly understands the desire for an off-road compact truck, and it has delivered, particularly if you go with the available Tremor Off-Road Package. This package adds rugged all-terrain tires for better grip in slippery conditions, steel skid plates to protect the Maverick’s underside, and—perhaps most importantly—an off-road-tuned suspension with 9.7 inches of ground clearance, which is over an inch more than the Santa Cruz offers. Choosing this package, paired with available AWD, gives you a fantastic truck for heading out and exploring the wilds.
Hyundai has clearly put a lot of work into making the Santa Cruz an impressive option, but it has simply fallen short in some key ways, and the Santa Cruz ends up lacking when compared to the Maverick. The 2023 Ford Maverick features the only hybrid powertrain in its class, giving you excellent performance along with incredible fuel economy that lets you go much longer without stopping for gas. This is the perfect combination of power and efficiency for a small truck like this, and it is no surprise that Ford would understand how to deliver what no one else does. With three impressive trims to choose from and remarkable features and options across them, all you have to do now is decide on everything that is right for you.
Here at DePaula Ford, we are ready to assist you in taking a closer look at what the Ford Maverick offers and getting the perfect pickup to meet your needs. Whether you already know that you want the Maverick—or you are still weighing your options between it, the Ranger, and the F-150—we are ready to answer your questions, show you everything these Ford trucks can do, and make sure you get the right one. We have put together an amazing team of friendly and helpful people who are committed to providing you with the best truck-buying experience possible. Call or come visit us at DePaula Ford today to find out more, and let us show you the truck you have been looking for.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
