Introduction
If your weekends start before sunrise and end with a cooler full of redfish, you know your truck isn't just a ride. It’s your fishing partner and passport for fun. In Port Charlotte, where early mornings on Charlotte Harbor or the Peace River are a way of life, having the right compact pickup makes all the difference.
Today, we’re pitting two J.D. Power top picks for one of the best pickup trucks against each other: the 2025 Ford Maverick and 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Which one gets you and your crew and your fishing gear to the fish faster, more comfortably, and with fewer gas station stops before it transforms back into your hard-working truck by midnight? Let’s break it down.
Key Takeaways
- The Ford Maverick is a top choice for the best compact pickup truck of 2025 by Car and Driver.
- The 2025 Ford Maverick features a comfortable interior, ample cargo space, and comes equipped with advanced safety technology and convenience features for everyone.
- Fuel-efficient, fun to drive, and designed to get you to the fish faster, the new Ford Maverick offers five trims to choose from.
How does the 2025 Ford Maverick compare to the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz?
Both the 2025 Ford Maverick and the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz are compact trucks with similar specifications. The Maverick, however, is a bit bigger with more interior space in the cabin. Additionally, the exterior of the Ford Maverick features a longer bed. Overall, this size difference means more legroom for passengers and more room for your tools, cooler, fishing gear, and a spare set of dry clothes.
While the Ford Maverick features a roomy interior that seats up to five passengers and technology that ensures connectivity and safety for everyone on board, it also features a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display with swipe capability. In contrast, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz stands out with power-adjustable heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel, offering an upscale interior on a vehicle backed by an industry-leading warranty.
Although the 2025 Ford Maverick lineup offers several engines, such as the 2.5L Hybrid four-cylinder engine paired with an automatic Continuously Variable Transmission and the 2.0L EcoBoost engine with a 7-speed Quick Shift transmission, the 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz,, equipped with an Inline 4-cylinder turbo engine, offers a superior maximum towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.
Don’t underestimate the Maverick's pulling power; with the 4K Tow Package, the Ford Maverick XL, XLT, and Lariat can tow a commendable 4,000 pounds.
Which compact pickup truck gets better gas mileage? The 2025 Ford Maverick.
Is the new 2025 Ford Maverick for me? Yes, pick one of the five 2025 Ford Maverick trims!
The 2025 Ford Maverick is an affordable option for anyone looking for a vehicle that combines the power and performance of a Ford tough pickup truck with fuel efficiency and convenience to boot. There is a 2025 Ford Maverick trim for every driver. Choose one of five models: XL, XLT, Lobo, Lariat, or Tremor and let the summer really heat up because nothing can stop you now in your Ford Maverick truck.
Check out the brand new 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo with lowered suspension and 19-inch alloy wheels, or go to the off-road Tremor trim with advanced 4-wheel drive (4WD) and signature Tremor orange accents both inside and out.
Other 2025 Ford Maverick features include wiper activated LED headlamps, LED tail lights, LED Box lighting, bed tie downs, tow hooks, cubby storage, 2K Trailer Hitch Receiver w/ 4-Pin Connector, Flexbed storage system, USB ports, 12V power outlets, Remote Keyless Entry, Remote Keyless Start, Remote Start, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (part of Ford Co-Pilot360), ambient lighting, B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and packages to enhance interior and exterior features and performance.
Built for the Boat Ramp
The Ford Maverick compact truck is designed for drivers like you, the avid angler, who is ready for the weekend, then back to the weekly grind. You love dependability, style and comfort from a brand you can trust year after year, and that’s why Jarrett Ford is here to help you find the ideal truck.
At Jarrett Ford, we are proud of putting our customers first. Experience a quick and easy shopping experience with vehicle financing for every type of buyer. Head to Port Charlotte today so you can get to the fish faster.