Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Cruz: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Ford Maverick is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,720 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Maverick HEV, 38 MPG combined), against $2,610 for the Hyundai Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, 25 MPG combined). That is $890 a year, or $4,450 over five years.
A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small pickups
Ford Maverick
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Maverick HEV
$11.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
7 configurations in MY2026
- Gas
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Santa Cruz
$17.40 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
4 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Ford Maverick$1,720 a year · $11.47 per 100 mi
- Hyundai Santa Cruz$2,610 a year · $17.40 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$890
Ford Maverick costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$4,450
$890 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Maverick HEV | Santa Cruz |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Gas |
| Combined rating | 38 MPG (better) | 25 MPG |
| City rating | 42 MPG (better) | 22 MPG |
| Highway rating | 35 MPG (better) | 30 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,720/yr (better) | $2,610/yr |
| Cost per 100 miles | $11.47 (better) | $17.40 |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,720–$2,840 | $2,610–$3,200 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 7 | 4 |
| EPA class | Small pickups | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 26 MPG · $2,480/yr Maverick | 25 MPG · $2,610/yr Santa Cruz |
| Hybrid | 38 MPG · $1,720/yr Maverick HEV | Not offered in MY2026 |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Ford Maverick
- Lower annual fuel cost: $1,720 vs $2,610
- Higher combined rating: 38 MPG vs 25 MPG
- Higher city rating: 42 MPG vs 22 MPG
- Higher highway rating: 35 MPG vs 30 MPG
- Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,480 vs $2,610
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Santa Cruz does not
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Not ahead on any measure listed here.
Year by year
| Model year | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Cruz | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 23–38 MPG | $1,720–$2,840 | 20–25 MPG | $2,610–$3,200 |
| 2025 | 23–38 MPG | $1,720–$2,840 | 21–25 MPG | $2,610–$3,070 |
| 2024 | 21–37 MPG | $1,750–$3,050 | 22–23 MPG | $2,810–$2,930 |
| 2023 | 21–37 MPG | $1,780–$3,050 | 22–23 MPG | $2,810–$2,930 |
| 2022 | 25–37 MPG | $1,750–$2,620 | 22–23 MPG | $2,780–$2,940 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Ford Maverick is cheaper: about $1,720 a year against $2,610 for the Hyundai Santa Cruz, a difference of $890 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Ford Maverick save over five years?
About $4,450 ($890 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Ford Maverick or the Hyundai Santa Cruz?
The Ford Maverick is rated 38 MPG combined against 25 MPG for the Hyundai Santa Cruz. City: 42 MPG vs 22 MPG. Highway: 35 MPG vs 30 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz in the same class?
The EPA classes the Ford Maverick as Small pickups and the Hyundai Santa Cruz as Small SUVs, so they are listed as rivals.
Explore these cars
- Ford Maverick: ratings, trims and every model year
- Hyundai Santa Cruz: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Ford Maverick: all configurations
- 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz: all configurations
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