New cars have gotten seriously expensive, and by 2026, finding anything under $20,000 is basically a thing of the past. A big reason for that is simple—buyers keep flocking to SUVs and pickups, and those segments just keep getting bigger and pricier.
At the same time, full-size trucks have grown so large and so loaded with features that plenty of everyday buyers have been priced right out. That’s where compact pickups step in, offering a more approachable way into truck ownership without the oversized price tag.
You’re usually told not to expect much when you shop on a budget, especially when it comes to interior quality and tech. But some affordable pickups are starting to bend that rule, delivering a level of polish that feels way above their pay grade—and that’s exactly what we’re digging into here.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai and Ford, as well as other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed.
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Why the Santa Cruz stands out from the crowd
A compact pickup that blends comfort, style, and value
Credit: Hyundai
Right now, there are really only two affordable pickups aimed at everyday drivers—the Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick.
Both have been refreshed recently, but in base form, the Santa Cruz edges ahead with a noticeably more premium feel than the Ford.
A clean, modern cabin that feels upscale
Credit: Hyundai
The Maverick feels like it was designed first and foremost as a work tool, while the Santa Cruz leans more toward a modern, lifestyle vibe.
Yes, it’s basically a Tucson with a truck bed, but that’s actually a good thing—it sets the tone for a more car-like, comfortable experience.
Even in base SE trim, you get soft-touch surfaces and solid leatherette, while the Maverick sticks mostly to hard plastics.
The Santa Cruz also pulls ahead on tech, with Hyundai’s clean ccNC system and a 12.3-inch screen that blends nicely with the digital gauge cluster.
Credit: Hyundai
The Ford Maverick does come with an actual full-color eight-inch digital gauge cluster and a big 13-inch infotainment screen for SYNC4.
Step up to the higher trims of the 2026 Santa Cruz, though, and Hyundai pulls ahead with a 12.3-inch full-color digital gauge cluster and a more premium interior.
Higher trims also bring extras like cooled front seats, a Bose sound system, a sunroof, and even a retractable bed cover.
The Maverick still shines in functionality, thanks to clever storage and the Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS), which lets you add official or third-party accessories—or even make your own—thanks to its open, modular design.
A compact SUV that moonlights as a pickup
Credit: Hyundai
The Hyundai Santa Cruz got a mid-cycle facelift starting with the 2025 model, giving it a slightly sharper, more rugged look.
It keeps the Tucson’s curvy silhouette but adds angular touches, along with standard LED headlights, hidden DRLs, and two-tone 18- or 20-inch wheels.
Step up to the XRT trim, and you get a tougher design with all-terrain tires, while the rear—with its wide LED taillights—might raise a few eyebrows.
Credit: Hyundai
Compared with the Maverick, the Santa Cruz definitely stands out—but that bold look is also what some people love or hate.
The Maverick keeps things simple and clean, which will appeal to more buyers, though we have to admit the sporty Lobo variant looks pretty sharp.
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Two ways to play: the Santa Cruz lineup explained
From everyday comfort to rugged XRT, there’s a trim for every driver
Credit: Hyundai
The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz gets a small but meaningful powertrain update.
Before, the base 2.5-liter used an eight-speed automatic, while the turbo 2.5-liter had a dual-clutch that could feel clunky at low speeds.
Now, the eight-speed automatic is standard across the board, making daily driving smoother and more predictable.
Where research meets the right deal
A 2.5-liter that hits the sweet spot
Credit: Hyundai
The Santa Cruz’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder pumps out 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional.
In real-world driving, it feels perfectly balanced—not slow, not overpowered—just right for daily life and light hauling.
This engine gives the Santa Cruz a 3,500-pound towing capacity, along with a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg for FWD and 24 mpg for AWD.
Credit: Hyundai
If you’re comparing it to the Maverick, the closest rival is the 2.5-liter hybrid with a planetary gear e-CVT.
The e-CVT isn’t as smooth or linear as the Santa Cruz’s eight-speed automatic, but it makes up for it with insane fuel economy.
The 2025 Maverick gets 38 mpg combined (39 for FWD, 38 for AWD), nearly matching a hybrid compact sedan, and the 2026 model is expected to be similar.
The turbo 2.5-liter that adds some punch
Credit: Hyundai
The XRT and Limited trims come standard with the turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder, packing 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
This engine is well worth the upcharge, delivering lively performance and a higher 5,000-pound towing capacity—more than the Maverick’s 4,000-pound 2.0-liter turbo EcoBoost.
Fuel economy takes a small hit, with around 20 mpg combined, but the extra capability and power 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
Front engine, FWD or AWD
Front engine, AWD
Front engine, FWD or AWD
Front engine, AWD
Power
191 hp
281 hp
191 hp
250 hp
Torque
181 lb-ft
311 lb-ft
155 lb-ft
277 lb-ft
Transmission
Eight-speed automatic
e-CVT
Eight-speed automatic
EPA combined 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 automatic comes with one small trade-off compared to the dual-clutch it replaced: slightly slower shifts.
The payoff is a much smoother, more linear driving experience in all situations, unlike the dual-clutch, which could feel snappy at high speeds but clunky in stop-and-go traffic.
It’s clear why Hyundai is gradually phasing out dual-clutch transmissions.
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A driving experience that feels surprisingly refined
Smooth shifts, solid power, and a ride that punches above its price
Credit: Hyundai
One more thing the Santa Cruz has going for it is how it drives.
Thanks to its Tucson roots, it handles more like a car than a traditional pickup, making daily driving familiar and comfortable.
Smooth, composed, and surprisingly polished
Credit: Hyundai
The Santa Cruz’s looks already give off a refined vibe, and that feeling carries over to the way it drives.
Since it’s based on the Tucson, much of that car-like smoothness remains intact, even with a truck bed added.
Throw in the standard acoustic windshield and plenty of sound insulation, and you get a pickup that feels less like a truck and more like a tall sedan with a bed.
Credit: Hyundai
The ride is impressively smooth, thanks to the independent rear suspension, unlike the solid rear axle on traditional body-on-frame pickups.
That comfort comes with a trade-off: the Santa Cruz isn’t built for serious off-roading.
Even the XRT trim, which adds tow hooks, all-terrain tires, and a slightly taller ride height, can’t match the Maverick Tremor’s electronic locking differentials. A hardcore off-roader, the Santa Cruz definitely isn’t.
Confident handling that keeps the ride composed
Credit: Hyundai
The Santa Cruz’s road-focused nature pays off in handling.
It feels composed and lively—especially with the 2.5-liter turbo—soaking up bumps while keeping body control in check.
Whether you go for the XRT or Limited, the Santa Cruz delivers excellent on-road dynamics, though the Maverick Lobo still puts up a solid fight.
2025 Ford Maverick LoboCredit: Ian Wright/CarBuzz/Valnet
The Maverick Lobo aims to make the street truck trend popular in 2026.
If you want a sporty pickup, the Maverick has an edge over the Santa Cruz. Its suspension is tuned for performance, and “Lobo Mode” on the torque-vectoring AWD system sends power to the outside wheel during hard cornering.
That setup makes the Maverick as sporty as a pickup can get, even if it’s still limited compared with a true sports car.
