Maverick vs the Competition
2026 Compact & Midsize Truck Comparison
2026 Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota Tacoma & Honda Ridgeline
Not every truck needs to be huge. Compare the 2026 Ford Maverick with the Hyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline for hybrid fuel economy, towing, payload, power, AWD capability, bed versatility and everyday usefulness.
Right-sized capability
Maverick makes a different kind of truck argument
The 2026 Maverick isn't trying to be the biggest truck in the parking lot. Instead, it combines a standard available-to-most-trims hybrid powertrain, impressive fuel economy, a useful pickup bed, five-passenger seating, available AWD and genuine truck capability in a city-friendly package.
42 MPG EPA-Estimated City 2.5L Hybrid with front-wheel drive
4,000 lbs. Max Available Towing With available 4K Tow Package when properly equipped
1,500 lbs. Max Available Payload Plenty of capability for weekend projects and everyday hauling
Hybrid + AWD Available Combination Efficiency without giving up available all-wheel-drive traction
Head-to-head
2026 Maverick vs. Santa Cruz, Tacoma and Ridgeline
These four trucks solve different problems. Tacoma prioritizes traditional midsize-truck capability, Ridgeline emphasizes comfort and utility, Santa Cruz blends crossover and pickup attributes, while Maverick focuses on efficiency, affordability and right-sized truck usefulness.
| Category | 2026 Ford Maverick | 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz | 2026 Toyota Tacoma | 2026 Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid available | Yes — Standard on XL, XLT & Lariat ADVANTAGE | No | Yes — Available i-FORCE MAX | No |
| Hybrid AWD available | Yes AVAILABLE | No hybrid | Hybrid 4WD available | No hybrid |
| Best EPA city MPG | 42 MPG LEADER | 22 MPG | Hybrid efficiency varies by trim | 18 MPG |
| Maximum horsepower | 250 hp | 281 hp | 326 hp | 280 hp |
| Maximum towing | 4,000 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. | 6,500 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. |
| Maximum payload | 1,500 lbs. | 1,411 lbs. | 1,705 lbs. | Up to 1,583 lbs. |
| Five-passenger seating | Yes | Yes | Available with Double Cab | Yes |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes | Yes | AWD standard |
Manufacturer-published maximum ratings are shown and may come from different trims, engines or configurations. Maximum towing, payload and fuel economy cannot necessarily be achieved simultaneously. Tacoma is a traditional midsize body-on-frame pickup and is larger and more towing-focused than Maverick. Always verify the exact vehicle's specifications and certification label before towing or hauling.
The hybrid difference
42 MPG city in a truck
The Maverick's biggest advantage isn't about winning the horsepower contest. It's about how often you can drive past the gas station.
The 2026 Maverick's 2.5L full-hybrid powertrain is standard on XL, XLT and Lariat models. In front-wheel-drive form, Maverick Hybrid carries an EPA-estimated rating of 42 MPG city, 35 MPG highway and 38 MPG combined.
Even better, buyers who want hybrid efficiency without giving up extra traction can choose available all-wheel drive with the hybrid powertrain.
- ✓ 42 MPG city: EPA-estimated Hybrid FWD fuel economy
- ✓ 38 MPG combined: Hybrid FWD
- ✓ Available Hybrid AWD: more traction while retaining hybrid efficiency
- ✓ Standard hybrid availability: XL, XLT and Lariat
Maverick vs. Santa Cruz
Efficiency or turbocharged muscle?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of Maverick's closest competitors in concept. Both combine a unibody platform, four-door cabin and open pickup bed in a vehicle designed to work well in everyday traffic.
Santa Cruz offers more maximum power and towing. Its available turbocharged 2.5L engine produces 281 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque, with up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity on properly equipped XRT and Limited models.
Maverick counters with something Santa Cruz doesn't offer: a full-hybrid powertrain. If daily fuel expense, city driving and overall efficiency matter more than towing the heaviest trailer, Maverick makes a compelling argument.
- ✓ Maverick Hybrid: up to 42 MPG city
- ✓ Maverick EcoBoost: 250 hp / 280 lb.-ft.
- ✓ Santa Cruz Turbo: 281 hp / 311 lb.-ft.
- ✓ Maverick advantage: available hybrid power and Hybrid AWD
Maverick vs. Tacoma
Do you need a midsize truck — or just the usefulness of one?
Toyota Tacoma is the most traditionally truck-like competitor here. Its body-on-frame construction, available 4WD hardware, higher maximum towing capacity and specialized off-road trims make it the better fit when maximum midsize-truck capability is the priority.
The 2026 Tacoma offers up to 326 horsepower and 465 lb.-ft. of torque with its available i-FORCE MAX hybrid, up to 6,500 pounds of towing and up to 1,705 pounds of payload.
Maverick's argument is different. If your truck spends more time commuting, parking, running errands and hauling weekend projects than towing 6,000-pound trailers, its compact footprint and dramatically stronger hybrid city fuel economy may make it the more practical everyday choice.
Maverick vs. Ridgeline
Two unibody pickups with very different priorities
Honda Ridgeline combines a comfortable unibody platform with standard AWD, a 280-horsepower V6, 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and clever features such as its lockable In-Bed Trunk and dual-action tailgate.
Ridgeline is larger and more powerful, but Maverick offers an efficiency advantage that is hard to ignore. Ridgeline is EPA-rated at up to 18 MPG city and 21 MPG combined on several trims, while Maverick Hybrid FWD reaches an EPA-estimated 42 MPG city and 38 MPG combined.
For buyers who don't need a V6 or 5,000-pound tow rating, Maverick can deliver the pickup-bed versatility they want with far less fuel consumption in everyday driving.
- ✓ Maverick Hybrid FWD: 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG
- ✓ Ridgeline: 280-hp V6
- ✓ Ridgeline towing: 5,000 lbs.
- ✓ Maverick advantage: hybrid efficiency and compact everyday usability
Two powertrain personalities
Hybrid efficiency or EcoBoost performance
Maverick lets buyers choose the character of their truck instead of forcing everyone into the same powertrain.
2.5L Hybrid
Designed around fuel efficiency, smooth city driving and everyday truck usefulness.
184 hp combined Electronic CVT FWD or available AWD2.0L EcoBoost
Turbocharged power for buyers who want stronger acceleration, higher available towing and more performance.
250 hp 280 lb.-ft. FWD, AWD or Advanced 4WD depending on modelMaverick Tremor
Built for buyers who want their compact truck to spend more time beyond the pavement.
2.0L EcoBoost Advanced 4WD Off-road-tuned suspensionMaverick Lobo
A street-performance spin on the compact pickup formula with unique styling and performance-oriented chassis tuning.
250 hp Torque-vectoring capability Performance-focused Lobo Mode
Everyday truck usefulness
A small truck bed can still solve big everyday problems
Maverick's appeal becomes obvious when you stop looking only at maximum towing numbers and start thinking about what most owners actually carry during the week.
Home-improvement supplies, bicycles, coolers, camping gear, lawn equipment, furniture, mulch and dirty equipment are exactly the kinds of loads that make having an open pickup bed useful.
The FLEXBED system is designed to make that space adaptable, with multiple tie-down points and provisions that help owners organize the bed around the way they use their truck.
- ✓ Up to 1,500 lbs. payload: genuine everyday hauling capability
- ✓ FLEXBED system: adaptable cargo organization
- ✓ Four-door SuperCrew: seating for up to five
- ✓ Compact footprint: easier to live with in parking lots and daily traffic
Find your Maverick
One compact pickup. Several different personalities.
Whether efficiency, comfort, off-road capability or street performance is the priority, the Maverick lineup gives buyers several ways to configure the same right-sized pickup concept.
Maverick XL
The straightforward choice for buyers who want core truck usefulness, standard hybrid availability and an efficient entry into a new pickup.
Maverick XLT
Adds features and flexibility while retaining the ability to choose hybrid or EcoBoost power depending on how the truck will be used.
Maverick Lariat
For buyers who like the compact-truck concept but want more comfort, technology and premium equipment for everyday use.
Tremor & Lobo
Tremor pushes Maverick toward off-road adventure, while Lobo takes the same compact pickup in a street-performance direction.
The Maverick formula
Buy the amount of truck you actually need
Tacoma can tow more. Ridgeline and Santa Cruz can tow more. Some competitors offer more horsepower.
But maximum numbers aren't the only reason people buy trucks. Maverick's strength is how efficiently it handles the jobs that make most people want a pickup in the first place.
You get seating for five, an open bed, available AWD, up to 1,500 pounds of payload, up to 4,000 pounds of towing and an available hybrid configuration capable of EPA-estimated fuel economy that would be impressive even for many cars.
For commuters, homeowners, first-time truck buyers, small business owners and weekend adventurers, that combination can make more sense than simply buying the largest truck available.
Maverick near Kansas City
Shop 2026 Ford Maverick at Chuck Anderson Ford
Shopping for a Ford Maverick in Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, Richmond or the greater Kansas City area? Compare Hybrid, EcoBoost, AWD, Tremor, Lobo and other available Maverick configurations at Chuck Anderson Ford.
Frequently asked questions
2026 Ford Maverick comparison FAQ
Is the 2026 Ford Maverick a hybrid?
The 2026 Maverick offers a 2.5L full-hybrid powertrain as standard equipment on XL, XLT and Lariat models. Buyers can also choose an available 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged gas engine.
Can you get a 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid with AWD?
Yes. All-wheel drive is available with the 2026 Maverick 2.5L Hybrid powertrain, allowing buyers to combine hybrid efficiency with additional traction.
What MPG does the 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid get?
The 2026 Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive is EPA-estimated at 42 MPG city, 35 MPG highway and 38 MPG combined. Hybrid AWD models also deliver strong fuel economy, although ratings vary by trim.
How much can a 2026 Ford Maverick tow?
Properly equipped with the available 4K Tow Package, the 2026 Ford Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Standard towing capacity varies by configuration.
How much payload does the 2026 Maverick have?
The 2026 Ford Maverick offers up to 1,500 pounds of payload capacity depending on powertrain, trim and equipment.
Maverick or Hyundai Santa Cruz: which is better?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Cruz offers up to 281 horsepower and 5,000 pounds of maximum towing in properly equipped turbocharged models. Maverick offers a full-hybrid powertrain, available Hybrid AWD and EPA-estimated city fuel economy of up to 42 MPG. Buyers focused on efficiency may prefer Maverick, while buyers prioritizing higher towing or turbocharged power may prefer Santa Cruz.
Maverick or Toyota Tacoma: which should I buy?
Tacoma is a larger, body-on-frame midsize pickup with greater maximum towing, payload and off-road capability. Maverick is a compact unibody pickup emphasizing fuel efficiency, maneuverability and everyday usefulness. Buyers who regularly tow heavy trailers or tackle difficult terrain may benefit from Tacoma, while commuters and homeowners who want truck utility without midsize-truck size and fuel consumption may prefer Maverick.
Maverick or Honda Ridgeline: which is more fuel efficient?
Maverick Hybrid is substantially more fuel efficient. The front-wheel-drive 2026 Maverick Hybrid is EPA-estimated at 42 MPG city and 38 MPG combined. The 2026 Honda Ridgeline uses a 280-horsepower V6 and is rated around 20 to 21 MPG combined depending on trim.
Does the 2026 Maverick seat five people?
Yes. Maverick uses a four-door SuperCrew configuration with seating for up to five passengers while retaining an open pickup bed behind the cab.
Where can I buy a 2026 Ford Maverick near Kansas City?
Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs, Missouri serves Maverick shoppers from Excelsior Springs, Liberty, Kearney, Richmond, Kansas City and surrounding communities. Browse available Maverick inventory online or visit the dealership to compare Hybrid, EcoBoost and AWD configurations in person.
Truck utility without buying more truck than you need.
The 2026 Ford Maverick combines an available 42-MPG-city hybrid, available AWD, five-passenger seating and a genuinely useful pickup bed in a compact package. Shop Maverick inventory at Chuck Anderson Ford in Excelsior Springs and find the Hybrid, EcoBoost or specialty configuration that fits your life.
EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings are estimates and actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, vehicle configuration, maintenance and other factors. Maximum towing and payload ratings require specific configurations and equipment and cannot necessarily be achieved simultaneously. Competitive information reflects manufacturer-published 2026 model-year specifications available when this page was prepared and may change. Always consult the applicable manufacturer's towing guide, owner's manual and individual vehicle certification label before towing or hauling. Ford, Maverick, EcoBoost, FLEXBED, Tremor and Lobo are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. Hyundai and Santa Cruz, Toyota and Tacoma, and Honda and Ridgeline are trademarks of their respective owners.