2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ in Cumberland, WI
2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ
If you’ve been weighing 2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ, here’s what stands out immediately: Maverick brings hybrid efficiency, new Hybrid + AWD capability, and smart, work-ready features like the FLEXBED® Storage System and available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ that simply aren’t offered on SANTA CRUZ. Hyundai counters with a strong turbo option and helpful tech, but Ford’s compact pickup is designed from the bed up to be a real truck first, with the utility, stability, and towing confidence western Wisconsin drivers want. In Cumberland, WI, we see a lot of customers who split time between commute miles and weekend projects or trailering—exactly the use case Maverick was built to handle. With a standard 13.2-inch screen running SYNC® 4, available 360-Degree Camera, and the choice of adventurous trims like Tremor® or the performance-focused Lobo™, Maverick gives you more ways to tailor your truck to life here. At Don Johnson's Cumberland Motors, we’re proud to offer the 2026 Ford Maverick and guide you toward the configuration that fits your daily drive, your gear, and your getaways around Rice Lake and Turtle Lake.
| Feature | 2026 Ford Maverick | 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L Hybrid powertrain available | Yes | No |
| Hybrid + AWD availability | Yes | No |
| 4K Tow Package | Yes | No |
| FLEXBED® Storage System | Yes | No |
| Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ | Yes | No |
| 360-Degree Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Lobo™ performance model | Yes | No |
| Tremor® off-road model | Yes | No |
| 13.2" center display w/ SYNC® 4 | Yes | No |
| Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ | Yes | Yes |
Exterior - Ford Dealer serving Cumberland, WI
Maverick’s compact footprint makes it easy to park on Main Street or slide into a tight trailhead, but don’t mistake its size for softness. The 4.5-foot bed is engineered around the FLEXBED® Storage System, which integrates molded slots for DIY dividers, plus tie-downs and solutions that make real hauling simpler. That’s the sort of everyday convenience our customers ask for in Cumberland, WI, where a truck is as likely to carry a stack of 2x4s as it is camping gear for a weekend near Rice Lake. Hyundai SANTA CRUZ emphasizes “Sport Adventure Vehicle” styling and offers helpful bed touches like standard tie-downs, an underfloor bin, and an available tonneau cover. Those are useful, yet Maverick’s FLEXBED® approach invites customization—using off-the-shelf lumber for racks or shelves—without buying an armload of proprietary gear. Maverick’s trim range also leans into distinct identities: Tremor® turns up the stance with off-road detailing and protection, while Lobo™ adds performance cues and ground effects for a street-savvy look. Choose available LED lighting and rugged wheel designs to match your terrain. With Maverick, the exterior is more than a look—it’s a toolbox, weekend hauler, and daily driver that adapts to whatever your week throws at it.

Interior - 2026 Ford Maverick in Cumberland, WI
Inside the 2026 Ford Maverick, the layout is clever in the ways that actually matter: large door bins for thermoses and gloves, cubbies sized for today’s phones, and under-seat storage that keeps smaller items secure. The standard 13.2-inch center display with SYNC® 4 puts your maps and media within a quick glance, and available features like a 360-Degree Camera and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 add confidence when backing a trailer or threading a tight alley behind a shop. Available ActiveX®-trimmed seating surfaces hold up well against slush and grit—helpful during shoulder seasons in and around Cumberland, WI—while heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors are available for frosty mornings. Hyundai’s cabin is comfortable and sleek, and SANTA CRUZ offers a panoramic-style curved display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen. However, Maverick’s interior excels at blending comfort with work-friendly practicality, including thoughtful storage touches and intuitive physical controls alongside the big screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ keep you cord-free in both trucks, but Maverick’s menu structure and steering-wheel controls make common tasks easier on the move. The result is an interior that feels welcoming for your daily commute and rugged enough for quick runs to the lumber yard.

Ford Maverick vs Hyundai SANTA CRUZ Mechanical Specs
Under the skin, the 2026 Ford Maverick is engineered for versatility. The available Tremor® model with Advanced 4WD and a twin-clutch rear drive unit can actively send torque side-to-side for better traction on loose surfaces, and it adds off-road-tuned suspension, unique springs and shocks, and skid plates for protection. Even if you stick with an AWD EcoBoost® model, you can opt for the FX4® Off-Road Package with upgraded suspension and all-terrain tires to confidently tackle unpaved county roads after a summer storm. Hitching a trailer for a weekend up north? Maverick’s available 4K Tow Package and Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ simplify setup and maneuvering. Hyundai SANTA CRUZ offers HTRAC AWD with terrain modes, which is helpful in slippery conditions, but it doesn’t match the Maverick Tremor® hardware for advanced torque vectoring or trail protection. Around town in Cumberland, WI, Maverick’s tight turning radius and balanced steering make quick work of cross-street parking and narrow driveways. Out of town, the suspension tuning strikes a smart middle ground—firm enough to feel planted with a load in the bed, composed enough for long Interstate stretches toward family in Turtle Lake. The net effect is mechanical confidence that adapts to wherever the week takes you.

Powertrain - Ford Dealership in Cumberland, WI
Ford gives you two compelling choices. The 2.5L Hybrid delivers quiet, smooth power that shines in stop-and-go errands and highway cruising, now with available AWD to add four-season confidence—huge for drivers who face snowy commutes or muddy boat landings. For more punch, the 2.0L EcoBoost® pairs with a quick-shifting automatic for lively acceleration, and in the Lobo™ model you get a 7-speed quick shift transmission with paddle shifters and a torque-vectoring-capable twin clutch rear drive unit for road-holding that feels downright sporty. Hyundai SANTA CRUZ counters with a 2.5L turbocharged engine and robust output, and it can tow up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. Still, Maverick’s 4K Tow Package is complemented by trailering tech like Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and available 360-Degree Camera—tools that make towing more approachable for drivers who don’t haul every day. Around the rolling terrain west of Highway 63, the Hybrid’s smooth low-speed torque eases hill starts, while the EcoBoost® delivers confident passing on two-lane stretches. The real advantage is choice: whether you want a hybrid with AWD and long-haul composure, or a turbocharged feel with engaging dynamics, Maverick lines up a powertrain and chassis combo engineered for everyday utility with weekend fun baked in.
Safety - Ford Maverick vs Hyundai SANTA CRUZ
Every Maverick is built around modern driver-assistance and situational awareness. Ford Co-Pilot360® Technology is available, and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0 adds features that help look ahead and around you, including available adaptive cruise with lane centering, Evasive Steering Assist, and Intersection Assist. The available 360-Degree Camera is a huge help when backing into a tight driveway off 2nd Ave or aligning a trailer in a crowded launch area. Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ further reduces stress by letting you steer the trailer’s path with a simple dial. Hyundai’s SmartSense suite on SANTA CRUZ is strong as well, offering helpful systems like Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and on higher trims, Highway Driving Assist and Surround View Monitor. Both trucks integrate modern safety thinking, but Maverick’s towing-specific aids and customizable bed solutions work hand-in-hand with those systems to make real-world jobs simpler and safer. For families in Cumberland, WI, we also hear praise for Maverick’s clear camera views and intuitive alert logic, which help reduce distractions on school runs and weekend shuttles. Add in sturdy structure and available lighting upgrades, and you have a safety story that supports how people actually use a compact pickup.
Why Drivers in Cumberland, WI Choose the 2026 Ford Maverick
From hybrid efficiency and now available AWD to the torque-vectoring capability of Lobo™ and the trail-tuned confidence of Tremor®, Maverick meets the daily grind and the weekend plan with equal poise. The bed is a real difference-maker too—FLEXBED® turns into shelves, bike mounts, and dividers with simple DIY materials, so it’s easy to adapt for life here. At Don Johnson's Cumberland Motors, our team knows the roads, seasons, and towing habits in Cumberland, WI—and we’ll help you build the Maverick that fits like a glove.
- Performance & capability: Hybrid + AWD, available EcoBoost®, 4K Tow Package, and trail tech like Tremor® hardware.
- Comfort & technology: Standard 13.2-inch screen with SYNC® 4, available 360-Degree Camera, and Ford Co-Pilot360® Assist 2.0.
- Ownership & support: Practical features like FLEXBED® plus our local expertise make daily use and weekend jobs easier.
We recommend the 2026 Ford Maverick for its unmatched blend of everyday usability, truck-first utility, and smart tech that simplifies life around Cumberland, WI.
Request more 2026 Ford Maverick information
When you put 2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai SANTA CRUZ side by side, Hyundai delivers style, a strong turbo, and solid driver aids. But Maverick is the compact pickup that behaves like a truck when it counts—hybrid power with available AWD, work-friendly FLEXBED®, and tow-friendly technologies like Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and the available 360-Degree Camera. Whether you’re hauling supplies for a backyard refresh, loading bikes for a quick spin on local trails, or trailering toward the water after work, Maverick is engineered to make it easier. Our team at Don Johnson's Cumberland Motors is ready to walk you through trims like Lariat®, Tremor®, and Lobo™ so you can dial in the mix of comfort, control, and capability that fits your routine. If you live or work in Cumberland, WI—and find yourself crisscrossing to Rice Lake or making weekend runs past Turtle Lake—Maverick’s maneuverability, storage smarts, and confident handling pay off every single day. Visit us to see why the 2026 Ford Maverick is the right compact truck for how you live, work, and explore.
Thank you for reading the fine print! We try to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information regarding our vehicles and our services. However, occasionally we do make mistakes. In those instances, we reserve the right to correct our errors. (After all, nobody's perfect!) Before traveling across the country to visit us, please contact our team directly to verify all pricing and vehicle details. We want to ensure that your experience at Don Johnson Motors is exceptional!
*Any MPG listed is based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.