This reasonably priced pickup doesn’t really feel low cost in any respect
New cars have gotten critically costly, and by 2026, discovering something beneath $20,000 is mainly a factor of the previous. A giant cause for that’s easy—patrons maintain flocking to SUVs and pickups, and people segments simply maintain getting greater and pricier.
On the similar time, full-size vans have grown so giant and so loaded with options that loads of on a regular basis patrons have been priced proper out. That’s the place compact pickups step in, providing a extra approachable approach into truck possession with out the outsized price ticket.
You’re often instructed to not anticipate a lot while you store on a funds, particularly on the subject of inside high quality and tech. However some affordable pickups are beginning to bend that rule, delivering a stage of polish that feels approach above their pay grade—and that’s precisely what we’re digging into right here.
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This hybrid pickup truck delivers spectacular towing energy, good tech, and standout gasoline effectivity for on a regular basis versatility.
Why the Santa Cruz stands out from the gang
A compact pickup that blends consolation, model, and worth
Proper now, there are actually solely two reasonably priced pickups aimed toward on a regular basis drivers—the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick.
Each have been refreshed lately, however in base kind, the Santa Cruz edges forward with a noticeably extra premium really feel than the Ford.
A clear, trendy cabin that feels upscale
The Maverick feels prefer it was designed in the beginning as a piece software, whereas the Santa Cruz leans extra towards a contemporary, life-style vibe.
Sure, it’s mainly a Tucson with a truck mattress, however that’s really a very good factor—it units the tone for a extra car-like, comfy expertise.
Even in base SE trim, you get soft-touch surfaces and stable leatherette, whereas the Maverick sticks largely to onerous plastics.
The Santa Cruz additionally pulls forward on tech, with Hyundai’s clear ccNC system and a 12.3-inch screen that blends properly with the digital gauge cluster.
The Ford Maverick does include an precise full-color eight-inch digital gauge cluster and an enormous 13-inch infotainment display screen for SYNC4.
Step as much as the upper trims of the 2026 Santa Cruz, although, and Hyundai pulls forward with a 12.3-inch full-color digital gauge cluster and a extra premium inside.
Larger trims additionally carry extras like cooled entrance seats, a Bose sound system, a sunroof, and even a retractable mattress cowl.
The Maverick nonetheless shines in performance, because of intelligent storage and the Ford Built-in Tether System (FITS), which helps you to add official or third-party equipment—and even make your individual—because of its open, modular design.
A compact SUV that moonlights as a pickup
The Hyundai Santa Cruz received a mid-cycle facelift beginning with the 2025 mannequin, giving it a barely sharper, extra rugged look.
It retains the Tucson’s curvy silhouette however provides angular touches, together with normal LED headlights, hidden DRLs, and two-tone 18- or 20-inch wheels.
Step as much as the XRT trim, and also you get a more durable design with all-terrain tires, whereas the rear—with its broad LED taillights—would possibly increase a number of eyebrows.
In contrast with the Maverick, the Santa Cruz undoubtedly stands out—however that daring look can also be what some folks love or hate.
The Maverick retains issues easy and clear, which is able to attraction to extra patrons, although we’ve to confess the sporty Lobo variant seems fairly sharp.
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This 2025 pickup retains prices low with out chopping corners, providing sturdy efficiency, stable options, and unbeatable on a regular basis worth.
Two methods to play: the Santa Cruz lineup defined
From on a regular basis consolation to rugged XRT, there’s a trim for each driver
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz will get a small however significant powertrain replace.
Earlier than, the bottom 2.5-liter used an eight-speed automated, whereas the turbo 2.5-liter had a dual-clutch that would really feel clunky at low speeds.
Now, the eight-speed automated is normal throughout the board, making every day driving smoother and extra predictable.
A 2.5-liter that hits the candy spot
The Santa Cruz’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder pumps out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive normal and all-wheel drive elective.
In real-world driving, it feels completely balanced—not sluggish, not overpowered—excellent for every day life and lightweight hauling.
This engine provides the Santa Cruz a 3,500-pound towing capability, together with a mixed gasoline economic system of 25 mpg for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD.
Should you’re evaluating it to the Maverick, the closest rival is the two.5-liter hybrid with a planetary gear e-CVT.
The e-CVT isn’t as clean or linear because the Santa Cruz’s eight-speed automated, however it makes up for it with insane gasoline economic system.
The 2025 Maverick will get 38 mpg mixed (39 for FWD, 38 for AWD), almost matching a hybrid compact sedan, and the 2026 mannequin is anticipated to be comparable.
The turbo 2.5-liter that provides some punch
The XRT and Restricted trims come normal with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, packing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
This engine is nicely well worth the upcharge, delivering full of life efficiency and the next 5,000-pound towing capability—greater than the Maverick’s 4,000-pound 2.0-liter turbo EcoBoost.
Gas economic system takes a small hit, with round 20 mpg mixed, however the further functionality and energy make the trade-off worthwhile.
2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz specs
|
Hyundai Santa Cruz |
Ford Maverick |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.5-liter four-cylinder |
2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder |
2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder |
|
Drivetrain |
Entrance engine, FWD or AWD |
Entrance engine, AWD |
Entrance engine, FWD or AWD |
Entrance engine, AWD |
|
Energy |
191 hp |
281 hp |
191 hp |
250 hp |
|
Torque |
181 lb-ft |
311 lb-ft |
155 lb-ft |
277 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
Eight-speed automated |
e-CVT |
Eight-speed automated |
|
|
EPA mixed mpg |
25 mpg (FWD) 24 mpg (AWD) |
20 mpg |
38 mpg (FWD) 37 MPG (AWD) |
26 mpg |
|
Base MSRP |
$29,750 |
$28,145 |
The eight-speed automated comes with one small trade-off in comparison with the dual-clutch it changed: barely slower shifts.
The payoff is a a lot smoother, extra linear driving expertise in all conditions, in contrast to the dual-clutch, which may really feel snappy at excessive speeds however clunky in stop-and-go site visitors.
It’s clear why Hyundai is regularly phasing out dual-clutch transmissions.
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A driving expertise that feels surprisingly refined
Clean shifts, stable energy, and a experience that punches above its worth
Yet another factor the Santa Cruz has going for it’s the way it drives.
Because of its Tucson roots, it handles extra like a automotive than a conventional pickup, making every day driving acquainted and comfy.
Clean, composed, and surprisingly polished
The Santa Cruz’s seems already give off a refined vibe, and that feeling carries over to the way in which it drives.
Because it’s based mostly on the Tucson, a lot of that car-like smoothness stays intact, even with a truck mattress added.
Throw in the usual acoustic windshield and loads of sound insulation, and also you get a pickup that feels much less like a truck and extra like a tall sedan with a mattress.
The experience is impressively clean, because of the impartial rear suspension, in contrast to the stable rear axle on conventional body-on-frame pickups.
That consolation comes with a trade-off: the Santa Cruz isn’t constructed for critical off-roading.
Even the XRT trim, which provides tow hooks, all-terrain tires, and a barely taller experience peak, can’t match the Maverick Tremor’s digital locking differentials. A hardcore off-roader, the Santa Cruz undoubtedly isn’t.
Assured dealing with that retains the experience composed
The Santa Cruz’s road-focused nature pays off in dealing with.
It feels composed and full of life—particularly with the two.5-liter turbo—absorbing bumps whereas preserving physique management in test.
Whether or not you go for the XRT or Restricted, the Santa Cruz delivers glorious on-road dynamics, although the Maverick Lobo nonetheless places up a stable combat.
The Maverick Lobo goals to make the road truck pattern widespread in 2026.
In order for you a sporty pickup, the Maverick has an edge over the Santa Cruz. Its suspension is tuned for efficiency, and “Lobo Mode” on the torque-vectoring AWD system sends energy to the surface wheel throughout onerous cornering.
That setup makes the Maverick as sporty as a pickup can get, even when it’s nonetheless restricted in contrast with a real sports activities automotive.
