If you’re looking for a car that won’t break the bank but doesn’t feel cheap, finding a Ford Maverick for sale might be at the top of your to-do list. The fact that it comes from one of the most reputable American manufacturers has made it really popular among economic shoppers.
Today, any brand-new vehicle that starts at under $30,000 will have a lot of eyes on it. As everything keeps getting more expensive, being able to buy a fresh-from-the-factory car for under $30,000 is an exciting possibility for budget-conscious drivers. But, price isn’t all that matters in a vehicle, right? It’s only a deal if it backs that low MSRP with high-quality features.
It’s always important to ensure a vehicle lives up to all the hype before handing over your money. So if you’ve been curious about whether the 2025 Ford Maverick deserves its time in the spotlight, today, I’m going to compare it to common competitors. I’ll look at features I know shoppers examine closely, like capabilities, efficiency, and (of course) price, to see if the Maverick should still be on your list.
A Look at the Competitors
First, let’s list out the competitors I’ll be stacking up against the Maverick. The truth is that the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the only other true compact truck offered by a major manufacturer right now. Chevrolet, Nissan, Honda, and others make midsize trucks, but that’s as small as they come. So the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the only genuine competitor.
Still, many people who look at the Maverick also consider crossover SUVs, because the Maverick shares similarities with crossovers. Both vehicle types have unibody designs, solid towing figures, good fuel economy, and seating for five (typically). So I’ll also compare the Maverick to the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Crosstrek. While they don’t offer pickup beds, they could still be contenders for someone shopping in this space.
How Far Can You Go Without a Fuel Stop?
The Ford Maverick is always popular amongst people who prioritize fuel economy but still need the utility of a pickup truck. When you get to know about its efficiency, you’ll understand why. The 2025 Maverick’s traditional gas engine model achieves figures of 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway.
Step up to the Maverick’s hybrid powertrain and you’ll achieve 42 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. That city figure probably catches a lot of city dwellers’ attention. The stop-and-go nature of city driving is usually brutal on a truck’s fuel economy. But the Maverick Hybrid is ready for those congested one-ways and downtown traffic bottlenecks.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz does not offer a hybrid powertrain at the moment. However, its gas engine fuel economy is identical to that of the Maverick, so if you were going to get a gas-engine model, the Santa Cruz could still be a contender for you.
The Subaru Crosstrek also does not have a 2025 model with a hybrid powertrain, although one is coming for 2026. Its gas engine model does achieve 27 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway, making it slightly more efficient than the Maverick’s gas-engine models.
The 2025 Toyota RAV4 offers both hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options. The traditional hybrid gets 41 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, so it does have the Maverick beat with hybrid highway fuel figures.
Time to Tow? Let’s Look at the Numbers
Naturally, the Maverick attracts truck shoppers, and what do truck shoppers want? To tow and haul stuff. The 2025 Maverick can tow 4,000 lbs, which is going to be enough for most small jobs and adventures. If you want to take a one or two-person pop-up camper or small storage unit with you, the Maverick can handle it.
The only competitor that outdoes the Maverick is the Santa Cruz, which can tow 5,000 lbs, but only if you option the top engine. The others on the list, though, fall short. The Subaru Crosstrek can only tow 3,500 lbs, and the Toyota RAV4 can tow 2,500 lbs.
Trucks are known for their towing abilities. Crossovers are not. So not surprisingly, you’ll want to stick with the Maverick or Santa Cruz if you need to tow more than, say, a little boat.
Big Displays Make a Big Difference: Which Model Stands Out?
Today, touchscreens are pretty much the focus of any new vehicle cabin. Most drivers rely on these displays to view their navigation, so the bigger the better. The updated 2025 Maverick rises above its competitors with a 13.2-inch standard touchscreen.
The Subaru Crosstrek has an available 11.6-inch touchscreen, but comes standard with dual seven-inch displays. The Toyota RAV4 has an available 10.5-inch touchscreen, but a standard eight-inch screen. Only the Hyundai Santa Cruz comes close with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Maverick’s touchscreen exceeds the others in size by anywhere from an inch to several inches.
If you can’t stand having to check your display several times to clearly catch that next navigation instruction, you’ll probably like the biggest possible touchscreen.
Where Will Your Dollars Go Furthest?
I started by discussing the appeal of vehicles priced at under $30,000. But just how far below that $30,000 price point do these models sit?
The Maverick is not the lowest-priced option in this roundup. It sits at $28,145, while the Subaru Crosstrek starts at $26,560. But it’s worth noting that the Maverick can tow more than the Crosstrek, and the Crosstrek does not offer a hybrid powertrain. The Crosstrek also has the smallest touchscreen in this roundup.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz, the only other compact truck on this list, starts at $28,750, making it pricier than the Maverick (but not by much). Finally, the RAV4 comes in with the highest starting price of the contenders at $29,550.
Trim Variety; So Many Driver Types, so Many Styles
Trim variety is what can really make a model reach stardom. The more diverse a model is, the more demographics will be interested in it. The Maverick does have an impressively diverse trim lineup. Its starting trims are solid work trucks. The XL is stacked with great standard tech and utility features, and the XLT steps up in the convenience and comfort departments.
The Maverick even has a performance trim in the Lobo, ready for thrillseekers with performance-tuned steering and suspension, as well as paddle shifters. Plus, many drivers love the Maverick’s off-road trim, the Tremor, with its advanced 4WD, skid plates, and off-road tuned suspension.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz does offer a similar variety of trims with a couple of solid starting work trucks, a luxury model, and an off-road model. The RAV4 doesn’t have quite as rugged an off-road trim as the Maverick or Santa Cruz. It’s also worth noting that the RAV4’s off-road trim, the Woodland, is only available on hybrid models.
The Subaru Crosstrek’s lineup is very similar to the Maverick’s and the Santa Cruz’s, with an off-road Wilderness trim, a luxury trim, a performance forward trim, and two solid starting models.
The Maverick Delivers Balanced Appeal at a Competitive Cost
All in all, the Maverick does live up to the hype, especially for its price point. It is the only compact truck from a major manufacturer that offers a hybrid powertrain. If you’re after a small hybrid pickup, the Maverick is your go-to choice.
The Maverick also has the biggest touchscreen among its competitors. Though it doesn’t tow quite as much as the Santa Cruz, its 4,000 lb capacity can still handle most small trailers.
While the Maverick costs a bit more than the Subaru Crosstrek, it is less than the Toyota RAV4 and the Hyundai Santa Cruz. It delivers some pretty great bang for the buck, and those bucks remain at under $30,000.
