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2025 Honda Accord vs 2025 Toyota CamryFord Maverick vs Ranger Truck Battle
We take Ford’s ‘other’ trucks and pit them against one another in this head-to-head between the Ranger and the Maverick.
Ford’s Smaller Trucks
Big trucks get a lot of love for their brawny abilities, but the reality is that the vast majority of people who own them don’t need them. Instead, smaller trucks like the Ford Maverick and Ford Ranger offer a better balance of value thanks to their smaller, more nimble stature and improved fuel economy. Today, we’re testing these two smaller trucks against one another to see which is better. We’ll test driving performance, interior comfort, trims, and more before rendering a verdict on which Ford is best.
Specs
Let’s kick things off with the Ford Ranger since it’s been around longer while its latest generation is newer than the Ford Maverick. The 2024 Ford Ranger comes standard in most trims with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic is also standard and typically sends power to the rear wheels only but 4WD is available as an option. This engine gets up to 22 mpg combined which is about average for the segment.
Ford also offers an optional 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 that comes with 315 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. Those who go for it also get 4WD as standard. Fuel economy drops to 20 mpg combined but it can tow up to 7,500 pounds. Then, there’s the Ranger Raptor, a Baja-running pickup built for off-road scenarios. It comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, 405 horsepower, and 430 lb-ft of torque. However, all that added performance drops fuel economy to just 17 mpg combined. Buyers can expect to spend between $34,265 and $57,065 depending on which trim they choose for the Ranger.
Turning our attention to the 2024 Ford Maverick, the recipe for success is decidedly different. Under the hood of a base Maverick, one will find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It sends that power to the front wheels or all four via an eight-speed automatic. It also gets up to 26 mpg. Ford also offers AWD as an option on it, but fuel economy falls to 25 mpg combined.
In addition, there’s a hybrid version of the Maverick which comes with a 2.5-liter engine paired with an electric motor to produce 191 horsepower. It gets up to 37 mpg combined which is by far the most of any truck anywhere. Sadly, it’s only available with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission so don’t expect it to be a huge hit where AWD is a desirable feature. Pricing for the Maverick starts at $25,410 but can rise to $39,945 depending on trim and options.
Driving and Performance
The Ford Ranger really does blend the personality of a larger truck with its own smaller stature in a great way. It feels planted and hefty but isn’t so big that taking it through a drive-thru requires driving up onto the curb. Passing power comes on slowly but is more than ample once the turbo(s) is spooled up.
The steering and pedal feedback is notably muted compared to most cars and SUVs. In the Ranger Raptor trim everything gets dialed up though. It’s by far the quickest pickup in the mid-sized segment and has the off-road chops to go head-to-head against anything in the class. Again, its smaller stature makes it even better to drive because it simply fits in more tighter spaces than a full-size truck can.
The Ford Maverick feels like the pint-sized pickup that it is. It still feels very solid and truck-like on the road but it’s clearly not as heavy as the Ranger. It’s even easier to slip in and out of parking lots, through heavy traffic, and in between congested roads. The steering and pedal feedback feels more brisk too. It’s easy to place the Maverick and power delivery feels more linear. Notably, it’s nowhere near the performer that the Ranger is. On the highway, it requires real intention to overtake other cars.
In addition, it’s worth noting that the Maverick isn’t going to be anywhere near as capable as the Ranger when the road runs out. That’s not only true because of the Raptor trim either. The Maverick is built to perform on the road. Ultimately, we think that’s fine since even the vast majority of Ranger drivers will spend most of their time on paved roads too.
Comfort and Interior
The cabin of the Ford Ranger is a mix of comfort and ruggedness. That’s by design though so don’t expect massaging seats or quilted leather and you’ll have a good time. The seating that does exist is supportive and adjustable enough for most buyers. We like the low hood which aids in visibility and the switchgear which appears as though it’ll be just as responsive and functional several decades from now. The rear seats aren’t very spacious, so transporting adults back there isn’t something we’d recommend regularly. At the same time, it’s worth noting that the ride comfort in the Ranger is better than in the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.
Where the Ford Maverick perhaps shines most is in the comfort and interior category. Remember, it features a lower price than the Ranger, but the cabin feels at least as nice if not better. It’s more spacious, it’s easier to stretch out in both rows, and it’s even easier to see out of than the Ranger. That’s right, this smaller truck has more interior space than the larger one. For example, rear seat occupants get 39.6 inches of headroom and up to 36.9 inches of legroom. Those in the Ranger get only 38.3 inches and 34.6 inches in those categories. These pickups are similar in that the Maverick isn’t luxurious though. The switchgear is meant to be long-lasting and there are no frilly features available for now. Everything we like about the ride quality in the Ranger is a small tick better in the Maverick though. It’s a bit more comfortable over poor road conditions.
Trims and Features
Ford offers the Ranger in four distinct trims. Things kick off with the XL which gets 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, and a 10-inch infotainment system. Next is the XLT with LED bed lighting, remote start, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet. The Lariat is the luxury Ranger and it gets 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and leather upholstery. All three trims come standard with the 2.3-liter engine while the 2.7 remains optional. Finally, the Ranger Raptor comes with a 3.0-liter engine, 4WD, 17-inch wheels, 33-inch tires, bucket seats with additional bolstering, and locking differentials.
The Maverick comes in five trims. It starts with the XL which comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, and an 8-inch infotainment system. Next is the XLT with alloy wheels, a rear-seat armrest, and a locking tailgate. Then there’s the Tremor with the 2.0-liter engine and AWD standard. It also gets all-terrain tires and an off-road-tuned suspension. The Lariat comes next with faux leather upholstery, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and adaptive cruise control. The Lariat Tremor sits at the top of the pile and combines the off-road equipment of the Tremor with the luxury features of the Lariat.
The Verdict
Most people looking at these vehicles will need something to commute with, to live with every day, and to sometimes take on adventures. For that, we think the Ford Maverick is the clear winner. It’s capable of far better fuel economy, it can still tow up to 4,000 pounds, and it’s more comfortable in the cabin. It’s simply more flexible and is better to drive where most people will take these trucks.
