Vehicle comparison
Ford Maverick vs Hyundai Santa Fe
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Ford Maverick wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ford Maverick costs about $1592 per year, roughly $64 less than the Hyundai Santa Fe. Over 5 years, that's about $318 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Fe |
|---|---|---|
| Type | TRUCK | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 23 | 22 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 30 | 28 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 26 | 25 |
| Tank / Battery | 13.8 gal | 17.7 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.133 | $0.138 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Santa Fe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1062/yr · $88/mo | $1104/yr · $92/mo | $42 (Ford Maverick) |
| 12,000 | $1592/yr · $133/mo | $1656/yr · $138/mo | $64 (Ford Maverick) |
| 15,000 | $1990/yr · $166/mo | $2070/yr · $173/mo | $80 (Ford Maverick) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Ford Maverick
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Ford MaverickBest for road trips
Ford Maverick
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Ford MaverickBest for families
Hyundai Santa Fe
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Hyundai Santa FeBest for lowest running cost
Ford Maverick
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Ford MaverickHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Fe?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Ford Maverick costs about $1592 per year vs $1656 for the Hyundai Santa Fe — roughly $64 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Ford Maverick is rated around 26 combined MPG versus 25 MPG for the Hyundai Santa Fe. Highway figures are 30 vs 28.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $7962 for the Ford Maverick and $8280 for the Hyundai Santa Fe, a difference of roughly $318.
Is the Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa Fe better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Ford Maverick wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Ford Maverick is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.