2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ in Lakewood, CO

2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ in Lakewood, CO View Inventory

2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ

The compact pickup segment has become one of the smartest places to shop for everyday utility, and the 2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ comparison shows two very different approaches. Hyundai positions SANTA CRUZ as a Sport Adventure Vehicle with SUV-like styling, strong available turbocharged power, and a clever bed. Ford, however, leans harder into truck practicality with a standard 2.5L PowerBoost® Full Hybrid powertrain, available All-Wheel Drive, the FLEXBED® Storage System, and multiple personalities ranging from the efficient XL to the athletic Maverick Lobo™ and trail-focused Tremor®. For shoppers in Lakewood, CO, that flexibility matters on commutes along Wadsworth Boulevard, quick runs toward Denver, or weekend drives toward the foothills. At Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood, our team sees the Maverick® pickup as the more versatile choice because it blends useful size, smart technology, and real pickup functionality without feeling oversized for daily driving.

Feature Maverick® Pickup SANTA CRUZ
2.5L hybrid powertrain option Yes No
Available AWD with hybrid powertrain Yes No
Standard 13.2" center display Yes No
FLEXBED® Storage System Yes No
Maverick Lobo™ performance model Yes No
Tremor® model with Advanced 4WD Yes No
Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ Yes No
Available 360-Degree Camera or surround view system Yes Yes
Max available towing of 4,000 lbs. or more Yes Yes
Available off-road focused model or package Yes Yes

Exterior - Ford Dealer serving Lakewood, CO

The exterior comparison highlights a major reason Ford stands out: the Maverick® pickup looks and works like a true small truck. Its compact dimensions make it easy to park near shops, offices, trailheads, and apartment garages, while the bed remains highly useful thanks to the FLEXBED® Storage System. Ford designed the bed to support creative organization, hauling, and weekend projects, and available features such as Pro Power - 400 watt outlet capability add real convenience when inflating gear, powering small equipment, or managing campsite essentials. SANTA CRUZ has its own attractive design and useful bed features, including standard tie-down points, underfloor storage, available adjustable C-channel utility rails and cleats, and an available integrated tonneau cover. Even so, its rounded SUV-inspired shape may not satisfy shoppers who want a more traditional truck profile. Ford also offers distinctive visual variety, including the street-inspired Maverick Lobo™ and the rugged Tremor® model. For drivers who want a pickup that looks confident without taking up full-size truck space, the Maverick® design feels especially well balanced.

Lakewood, CO - 2026 Ford Maverick's Exterior

Interior - 2026 Ford Maverick in Lakewood, CO

Inside, the Maverick® pickup feels practical in the best possible way: simple to use, comfortable for five, and designed around the routines of busy Colorado drivers. A standard 13.2" center display with SYNC® 4 gives the Ford cabin a modern tech advantage over the SANTA CRUZ, which uses a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Ford layout is straightforward, with key information and favorite apps easy to reach, and available Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 adds another layer of helpful confidence on longer drives. Available easy to clean ActiveX®-trimmed seating surfaces are especially appealing for active households, pet owners, mountain bikers, and anyone carrying dusty gear after time near Green Mountain or Bear Creek Lake Park. Hyundai does offer a refined cabin with available H-Tex® leatherette-trimmed seats, an available panoramic curved display, and available wireless charging, but the Maverick® cabin feels more purpose-built for truck ownership. Storage areas are generous, the seating position is relaxed, and the interior has the durable, approachable personality many compact pickup shoppers want.

Lakewood, CO - 2026 Ford Maverick's Interior

Ford Maverick vs Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Mechanical Specs

Mechanically, the Maverick® pickup gives shoppers a broader range of purpose-built choices. The standard hybrid configuration is a major advantage for errands, commuting, and stop-and-go traffic in Lakewood, CO, while available All-Wheel Drive brings extra traction confidence for changing road conditions and mountain-area travel. The Tremor® model raises the capability story with Advanced 4WD, a twin clutch rear drive unit, rear drive unit lock, off-road tuned suspension with unique springs and shocks, and skid plates. That setup is a meaningful benefit for shoppers who want more than appearance-based ruggedness. Hyundai’s SANTA CRUZ offers available HTRAC All Wheel Drive and an XRT trim with all-terrain tires, XRT front dark grille, exposed front tow hooks, exclusive cladding, and Terrain Mode Select with Snow, Mud and Sand modes. Those are worthwhile features, but Ford’s lineup gives drivers clearer mechanical separation between efficient, sporty, and off-road personalities. Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood can help match those configurations to real driving needs, from weekday commuting to dirt-road access near the foothills.

Lakewood, CO - 2026 Ford Maverick's Mechanical

Powertrain - Ford Dealership in Lakewood, CO

Powertrain choice is one of the strongest Ford advantages in the 2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ matchup. The Maverick® pickup starts with a 2.5L PowerBoost® Full Hybrid engine paired with an automatic continuously variable transmission, giving shoppers a hybrid option that Hyundai does not offer on SANTA CRUZ. Ford also offers an available 2.0L EcoBoost® engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission for drivers who prefer more traditional turbocharged response. The Maverick Lobo™ model goes further with a 2.0L EcoBoost® engine, 7-speed quick shift transmission with paddle shifters, torque vectoring capable twin clutch rear drive unit, and performance-tuned steering and suspension. SANTA CRUZ counters with a 191-hp 2.5L GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine or an available 281-hp 2.5L Turbocharged GDI-MPI 4-cylinder engine, and it can tow up to 5,000 lbs. when properly equipped. Ford answers with standard 2,000-lb towing capability and up to 4,000 lbs. with the available 4K Tow Package, plus up to 1,500 lbs. of available payload capacity.

Safety - Ford Maverick vs Hyundai SANTA CRUZ

Safety technology is important in a compact pickup because daily driving often includes crowded parking lots, highway merges, school traffic, and tight residential streets. Ford offers available Ford Co-Pilot360® Technology, available Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0, and an available 360-Degree Camera, all of which help make the Maverick® pickup feel easier to place and more reassuring to drive. The available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ feature is another Ford advantage because it can make backing a trailer feel more manageable, especially for drivers who tow occasionally rather than every weekend. Hyundai SANTA CRUZ also brings a strong safety story with Hyundai SmartSense features such as Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Warning, and available Surround View Monitor. Still, Ford packages its driver-assist and truck-focused confidence features in a way that supports both daily commuting and weekend utility. At Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood, our goal is to help shoppers understand which available technologies matter most for local driving.

Why Drivers in Lakewood, CO Choose the 2026 Ford Maverick

Drivers in Lakewood, CO often need a vehicle that feels easy around town yet capable enough for foothill routes, hardware-store runs, trail gear, and quick trips across the metro area. The Maverick® pickup fits that mix with smart packaging and genuine truck utility.

  • Performance: Choose standard hybrid efficiency, available EcoBoost® power, Maverick Lobo™ sport tuning, or Tremor® off-road capability.
  • Comfort and technology: Enjoy seating for five, a standard 13.2" center display, SYNC® 4, and available Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0.
  • Ownership experience: Work with our Ford team for trim guidance, service support, and practical truck expertise.

For a compact pickup that adapts to Colorado life, we recommend starting with a Maverick® test drive.

Request more 2026 Ford Maverick information

The 2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ comparison comes down to what matters most: SUV-inspired style or practical truck versatility with more powertrain diversity. SANTA CRUZ offers a comfortable interior, strong available turbo power, useful bed storage, and an impressive list of standard and available safety features. The Ford Maverick® pickup, however, feels like the more complete compact truck for shoppers who want a hybrid option, available All-Wheel Drive, smart towing support, a highly usable bed, and trims that range from efficient to sporty to off-road ready. Its standard 13.2" center display, FLEXBED® Storage System, available 4K Tow Package, and available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ make everyday ownership feel easier and more flexible. For drivers comparing compact pickups in Lakewood, CO, the Ford choice is clear. Visit Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood to explore Maverick® trims, compare features in person, and see how this capable small pickup can fit your routine.

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*Price excludes tax, title, license fee and other governmental fees, and include a Delivery & Handling Fee of $799. documentary fee represents costs and profit to the dealer for items such as inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting vehicles, and preparing documents related to the sale. While every reasonable effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions contained on these pages. Vehicle subject to prior sale. Please see dealer for details.

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