VS
At a Glance
Power
405hp @ 5750
191hp @ 6100
Torque
430lb-ft @ 3250
181lb-ft @ 4000
Fuel
17 mpg est.
25 mpg est.
Towing
5510lbs
3500lbs
Engine
3.0 L/180ci
2.5 L/152ci
Choosing between the Ford Ranger and the Hyundai Santa Cruz is one of the most common decisions car buyers in the United States face. The Ford Ranger delivers 405hp @ 5750 while the Hyundai Santa Cruz produces 191hp @ 6100. On fuel, the Ranger returns 17 mpg est. while the Santa Cruz uses 25 mpg est. — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at $57,270 for the Ranger and $29,750 for the Santa Cruz. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Specification
Ford RangerRaptor 4WD SuperCrew 5' Box 2026 - From $57,270
Hyundai Santa CruzSE AWD 2026 - From $29,750
Performance
Power Output (hp)
405hp @ 5750
191hp @ 6100
Torque (lb-ft)
430lb-ft @ 3250
181lb-ft @ 4000
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
3.0 L/180ci
2.5 L/152ci
Engine Layout
V
—
Cylinders
6
4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Forced Induction Device
Turbocharged
—
Transmission
Automatic w/OD
Automatic
Number of Gears
—
8
Drive Wheels
Four Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy (Combined, est.)
17 mpg est.
25 mpg est.
Fuel Economy - City (mpg)
16mpg
21 (Est)mpg
Fuel Economy - Highway (mpg)
18mpg
29 (Est)mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)
20.3gal
17.7gal
Dimensions
Length (in)
210.9in
195.9in
Width (in)
75.9in
75in
Height (in)
79.8in
66.7in
Wheelbase (in)
128.7in
118.3in
Curb Weight (lbs)
5363lbs
3922lbs
Cargo Volume (cu ft)
48.5cu ft
27cu ft
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity (lbs)
5510lbs
3500lbs
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Backup Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Rear Parking Aid
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Power Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Trailer Hitch
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Tie
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Ranger
Fuel Economy
Santa Cruz
Value
Santa Cruz
Practicality
Ranger
Pros & Cons
Ford Ranger
Higher towing capacity (5510lbs)
Higher fuel consumption (17 mpg est.)
Higher starting price
Hyundai Santa Cruz
Better fuel economy (25 mpg est.)
Lower starting price ($29,750)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Ranger or Santa Cruz?
The Ranger gets 17 mpg est. and the Santa Cruz gets 25 mpg est. on the combined cycle. The Santa Cruz is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Ranger or Santa Cruz?
The Ranger produces 405hp @ 5750 and 430lb-ft @ 3250 of torque while the Santa Cruz delivers 191hp @ 6100 and 181lb-ft @ 4000 of torque. The Ranger is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Ranger and Santa Cruz?
The Ranger starts from $57,270 and the Santa Cruz from $29,750. The Santa Cruz is cheaper by $27,520 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Ranger or Santa Cruz?
The Ranger has a braked towing capacity of 5510lbs and the Santa Cruz can tow 3500lbs. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Ranger or the Santa Cruz?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the mpg figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day driving - commutes, school runs and highway trips - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.
Also Consider