Is the Maverick the Best Off-Road Small Truck?

This is a great question and one that we’re asked quite often by folks interested in a Ford Maverick for sale in San Leandro. After all, the Ford Maverick has a lot to offer, including an incredible off-road-focused Tremor trim. Does Ford’s legendary experience in developing powerful trucks built for adventure make the Maverick the best there is?

We don’t presume to provide a definitive answer, but we’re happy to compare the Maverick to another popular option to see how they stack up. In this case, we’re going to compare the 2026 Ford Maverick and its Tremor trim to the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Hyundai calls its compact truck a “Sport Adventure Vehicle,” so let’s see how well it delivers on that promise.

A Tale of Two Trims

Before we get into more specific details, we should start with the basics for these two trucks, particularly when it comes to off-road driving. Both of these compact pickups give you several different trim levels to choose from, so you can get what you prefer. The Maverick, for example, offers a stylish Lobo model for performance and a refined Lariat option.

With this in mind, we’re primarily focusing on the off-road trims for these two trucks, as each has one. For the Hyundai Santa Cruz, that’s the XRT trim, which features off-road styling to live up to its adventurous reputation. Ford offers a Tremor trim for the Maverick, the perfect way to go if you want to leave San Leandro and hit the trail in your compact pickup.

We should mention, however, that the Tremor trim isn’t your only option if you’re interested in an off-road Maverick. There’s an FX4 off-road package available for select other trims that upgrades numerous features for a more rugged, trail-ready experience. The FX4 package includes enhanced suspension, skid plates, and great tires, so keep that in mind.

Advanced Off-Road Engineering

Now let’s dig into some of the off-road features and details of the 2026 Ford Maverick Tremor and the Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT. To start, we’re going to look at some engineering features and choices both companies have made. Other things, like enhanced technology, are great, but nothing really matters more than how well a truck can physically handle the trail.

Off-Road Drive Types

This is one of those things that can make a subtle difference, but really matters when it comes to how your truck handles on the trail. Both of these trucks feature front-wheel drive (FWD) on their standard trims, but you get enhanced drive types on these two trims. Rather than FWD, the Santa Cruz XRT has all-wheel drive (AWD), which works well overall.

With the Ford Maverick Tremor, on the other hand, you get advanced four-wheel drive (4WD) for excellent traction and overall control. We much prefer Ford’s advanced 4WD system to Hyundai’s AWD, even though they can seem quite similar. When you’re on the trail, dealing with rough terrain, Ford’s system keeps you in control and handles anything.

A Question of Suspension

When you’re on the trail, few parts of your vehicle take as much of a beating as your suspension, which has to handle your truck’s weight and keep you comfortable. That’s why we always look for an off-road tuned suspension in this kind of pickup. Hyundai’s XRT trim features the same suspension as every other Santa Cruz model, which is disappointing.

With the Maverick Tremor, however, you get a specially tuned off-road suspension designed to handle the roughest terrain. It provides you with enhanced ground clearance compared to other Maverick models, and it’s been adapted by Ford’s engineers to hit the trail. That’s exactly what we want to see, and it’s a big reason why this Tremor model is such a terrific choice.

What About Skid Plates?

As you drive around San Leandro, you might hit a rough bump or two, but normally, the underside of your truck will be fine. When you’re out on the trail, however, things can get quite rough, and your pickup’s underbody is in danger. That’s why strong skid plates are so important, as they help shield your truck’s components from rocks and debris while off-road.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT does not have metal skid plates included to help protect it from whatever the trail throws at it. With the Maverick Tremor, you get strong skid plates just like the FX4 Off-Road package adds on, ensuring that your truck is protected out on the trail. This can make a huge difference when things get wild, and your truck can pay the price.

Innovative Tech for Adventurous Driving

Tech features are a big draw for many vehicles these days, which makes sense, since we’ve come a long way from the kinds of options many of us grew up with. Today, you’ll find large interior displays, advanced convenience features, and much more that can improve your time on the road. But bold technology isn’t just about your daily routine.

A great off-road truck also comes with impressive tech that enhances your time on the trail, too. Ford understands this well, and you can find excellent features on the Maverick Tremor model that make heading off-road a lot easier. Sadly, Hyundai has missed the message on this one, and we don’t see any of these tech improvements on the Santa Cruz XRT. What does Ford offer?

• Trail Control: Activate it, and it will handle acceleration and braking for you so you can focus on maneuvering at low speeds. Think of this like cruise control, specifically designed for off-road, challenging terrain.
• Trail 1-Pedal Drive: When you activate this system, you still handle acceleration and braking, but use a single pedal rather than both pedals you normally use. Again, this lets you focus more on maneuvering in rough conditions, while still keeping you in control.

These two systems elevate your time away from the busy streets of San Leandro, making it easier to go where you want while heading off-road. Other features, like Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist, are also fantastic if you have a boat or camper you want to take with you, making camping and heading outdoors on the weekend much easier.

What About Your Daily Driving?

As much as we might like the idea, you can’t spend every day heading off-road, so your truck needs to be a fun drive the rest of the week, too. It should come as no surprise that Ford delivers on this with terrific features like a gorgeous 13.2-inch infotainment display and an eight-inch driver screen, both standard on every Maverick model.

By comparison, the Santa Cruz comes with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 4.2-inch gauge cluster display, which fall short of what Ford offers. What’s more, the best Santa Cruz can do for gas mileage is an estimated 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, while the Maverick, with its hybrid engine, offers an EPA-estimated 42 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, letting you go further each day.

The Maverick Is Great for San Leandro and Beyond

As you can see, the 2026 Ford Maverick isn’t just a terrific all-around pickup; it’s also an amazing off-road truck, making it an excellent choice if you want something small and incredibly capable. Even other popular options, like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, can’t stack up and fall behind in numerous ways. So if you’re ready to see the Maverick for yourself, then we can show you everything it offers here at The Ford Store San Leandro.