The compact pickup segment keeps getting hotter, but one truck continues to define the category: the 2026 Ford Maverick. It’s the right-size truck for real life — easy to park, comfortable to drive, affordable to own, and still tough enough to haul, tow, and work.
At Chuck Anderson Ford, we’ve watched buyers across Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, Lawson, and Kansas City fall in love with the Maverick because it fits their lifestyle without forcing compromises. Here’s how the 2026 Maverick stacks up against its main rivals — and why it remains the smartest compact truck you can buy.
Chuck Anderson Ford
1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
816-648-6419 | www.chuckandersonford.com
Built on Integrity. Backed by Family.
What Makes the 2026 Ford Maverick Special
The Maverick was designed from day one to be different. Instead of chasing bigger dimensions and bigger price tags, Ford chased the things owners actually use every day:
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Hybrid efficiency you can feel at the pump
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Real truck capability in a city-friendly size
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Smart storage and bed utility
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A price point that doesn’t punish your budget
That formula is why the Maverick has stayed at the top of the compact truck conversation since its debut — and 2026 continues that momentum.
Performance and Powertrains: Hybrid Advantage + Real Capability
The Maverick’s biggest competitive edge is still the same: it offers a true hybrid pickup option that doesn’t ask you to give up truck usefulness.
Maverick Power Choices
The 2026 Maverick continues to offer:
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2.5L Hybrid for maximum efficiency
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2.0L EcoBoost for stronger acceleration and available AWD
Recent Maverick Hybrid updates include available AWD without sacrificing excellent fuel economy, a combo many buyers asked for.
How Rivals Compare
Hyundai Santa Cruz is the Maverick’s closest direct rival. It offers strong turbo power and a more crossover-lux vibe, but it doesn’t have a hybrid option, so running costs stay higher.
For shoppers comparing value, the Maverick wins because you can choose efficiency or extra power — without jumping into a larger, more expensive truck class.
Fuel Economy: Maverick Still Owns This Category
If you want a compact pickup that doesn’t feel like a gas bill with wheels, Maverick is the answer.
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The Maverick Hybrid delivers around the high-30s mpg combined, making it the most fuel-efficient pickup in the segment.
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Santa Cruz tops out far lower in efficiency because it relies solely on gas engines.
That gap matters. Over 15,000 miles per year, a hybrid Maverick owner routinely saves hundreds — sometimes well over a thousand dollars — in fuel compared to a gas-only compact truck.
Towing and Payload: Maverick Does the Work
A lot of people assume “compact” means “light duty.” The Maverick proves otherwise.
2026 Maverick Towing
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2,000 lbs standard towing on Hybrid models.
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Up to 4,000 lbs with the available 4K Tow Package (Hybrid AWD and EcoBoost when properly equipped).
Payload
The Maverick offers about 1,500 lbs of max payload depending on configuration — plenty for home projects, landscaping loads, motorcycles, or gear for a weekend out.
How Rivals Compare
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Santa Cruz can tow more at its max trim (up to 5,000 lbs), but most buyers rarely need that ceiling.
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Maverick’s 4,000-lb capability is the practical sweet spot, and it pairs with much better fuel economy.
If you’re hauling a small camper, a couple ATVs, a fishing boat, or a utility trailer, Maverick covers it easily — without making daily driving a chore.
Price and Value: The Maverick Is Still the People’s Truck
Compact truck buyers are value buyers. Ford knows that, and the Maverick keeps delivering.
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The 2026 Maverick starts around $28k depending on trim and destination.
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Santa Cruz typically starts higher and climbs faster with options.
You’re not just saving up front — you’re saving every month after with hybrid fuel costs and strong resale demand.
Bed and Utility: Built for Real Life
This is where Maverick quietly crushes the segment.
FLEXBED System
Ford designed the Maverick bed for customization:
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Slot-in dividers
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Built-in tie-downs
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Available power outlets
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Multiple storage cubbies
It’s a truck bed that adapts to you — hauling plywood on Saturday, camping gear on Sunday, and mulch on Monday.
Santa Cruz Bed
Santa Cruz has a slick in-bed trunk and more polished styling, but it’s less modular and more SUV-like in layout.
If you want a compact truck that works like a truck, Maverick is the better tool.
Interior and Tech: Smart, Simple, and Modern
The 2026 Maverick keeps leveling up on tech:
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Large center touchscreen (with newer Maverick updates pushing into the 13-inch class on many trims)
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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
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Available Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist tech like blind spot monitoring and lane keeping
Santa Cruz can feel more upscale in top trims, but Maverick delivers the tech most drivers want without inflating the price.
Driving Feel: Easier Than a Full-Size Truck
One reason the Maverick has blown up with first-time truck owners is how approachable it is.
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Car-like ride and handling
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Easy visibility
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Simple parking in tight lots
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Confident highway manners
Santa Cruz is similarly comfortable, but Maverick’s lighter feel and hybrid smoothness make it even more daily-friendly.
The Bottom Line: Why the 2026 Maverick Wins
When you stack everything up, the Maverick comes out on top for the way most people actually use a compact pickup:
Maverick Advantages
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Best-in-class fuel economy with a real hybrid truck option
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Strong, practical towing up to 4,000 lbs
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Around 1,500 lbs payload capacity
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Lower starting price and cheaper cost-to-own over time
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FLEXBED utility that outworks its size
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Easy daily driving with true truck capability
If you want a compact truck that saves money, fits everywhere, and still works hard, the 2026 Maverick is the class leader.
Find Your 2026 Ford Maverick at Chuck Anderson Ford
Ready to drive the compact truck that outsmarts the competition? Come see the 2026 Ford Maverick at Chuck Anderson Ford. We’ll help you compare trims, choose Hybrid vs EcoBoost, and lock in the best value for your needs.
Chuck Anderson Ford
1910 W Jesse James Road, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
816-648-6419
www.chuckandersonford.com
Serving Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Lawson, Kearney, and Kansas City, MO.
Built on Integrity. Backed by Family.
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