The compact pickup class is doesn't lack for viable contenders. Starring a small array of feature heavy pickups, it was a class that was devoid of a strong contender from Ford for some time. That changed when the Maverick debuted in the 2022 Model Year. Facing stiff competition in 2025, can the Maverick hold up against similarly placed competitors like the Santa Cruz?
In this review, we’ll pit the two head on against each other, looking to see if the newer Maverick can beat out its experienced Santa Cruz rival in a head on comparison of pricing, features, and what each brings to the table in 2025 to help you make the smart choice when shopping at dealerships for your new compact pickup, in this Maverick vs Santa Cruz hybrid comparison.
Key Takeaways
- The Ford Maverick is available in a wide array of 5 trims this year, more than the Santa Cruz.
- The Santa Cruz has an updated appearance, looking closer to the part of a rugged off-roader.
- The Maverick boasts an impressive 4,000 pound towing capacity, a figure that's tough to match in the class
How much is the 2025 Ford Maverick going to cost?
For 2025, The price of the 2025 Ford Maverick, as of this writing, starts at $28,590 and goes up to $42,345 depending on the trim and options. The full list of available trims this year reads as:
- XL - $28,590
- XLT - $31,090
- Lobo Standard - $36,850
- LARIAT - $38,885
- Tremor - 41,945
- Lobo -$42,345
- Lobo High - $42,345
Of these, the base XL is the most affordable, coming in at under $30k, though it's best suited as a work truck, given its bare bones nature. The smart choice Stepping up to the XLT adds useful features like 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, a power tailgate lock, and power-adjustable side mirrors, making it the best value pick. With the hybrid powertrain now compatible with all-wheel drive, it’s an even more attractive option. To maximize the Maverick’s 4000-pound towing capability, we’d also recommend adding the Tow package.
The biggest addition to the Maverick in 2025 is the street performance ready Lobo trim in three heights. Just like the Maverick fills a niche that we never knew we needed, the Lobo fills a compact truck performance niche-one that was not previously tapped.
Will there be a 2025 Santa Cruz?
Yes! For 2025, the Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup, along with its sibling, the Hyundai Tucson, receives a notable round of updates focused primarily on updating the pickup’s design and technology. The biggest changes can be found inside, where the addition of Hyundai’s new curved panoramic display, which combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen in a sleek, unified housing stretching from the driver’s side to the center stack makes for an interior that’s modern and comfortable.
Additionally being retweaked on the interior is the center controls, which have been redesigned with a cleaner layout, reintroducing a few physical buttons and dials for climate functions. A revised steering wheel now includes a Driver Attention Sensor, and while the Tucson moves its gear selector to the steering column, the Santa Cruz retains its traditional, chunky console-mounted shifter. Together with a more enclosed cabin design, these changes give the Santa Cruz a more rugged, truck-like feel. But let’s be real. The Santa Cruz does not “truck” like the Maverick does.
Summary
Between the two, its the Maverick that gets our nod in this head to head comparison. Bringing plenty in the way of creature comforts, rugged performance, and serious towing figures that are the envy of the class, the Maverick gives buyers a certified “all-in-one” package that’s a hard bargain to pass up in the class. If you need a truck that can do it all in marked style, the Ford Maverick is the perfect, versatile truck for you.