Ford Maverick vs Ranger | The Car Connection

The Ford F-Series may dominate every other vehicle in Ford’s lineup—as well as every other pickup truck sold—but Ford has a couple more compelling options for shoppers who want pickup truck utility without pickup truck hangups.

The Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck has a crew cab and 5-foot bed like the F-150, and it also has a Raptor off-road model. With a 7,500-pound towing capacity, it can’t tow or haul as much as an F-150, but it’s easier to maneuver, better for off-roading as well as parking, and less expensive.

Ford applies a more road-friendly formula to the Ford Maverick compact pickup truck and its standard hybrid powertrain. It was so popular when launched new in 2022 that Ford couldn’t keep up with initial demand, and we bestowed it our Best Car To Buy 2022 award. Even though prices have risen, supply has matched demand, and it faces competition from the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Maverick still outshines its size.

Presuming you don’t need the full-size F-150 even though you may want it in one of its many configurations, the Ranger and Maverick present compelling pickup truck cases. Which one is right for you? Let’s kick some virtual tires to find out.

2025 Ford Maverick Lariat

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

What is the difference in design between the Ford Ranger and Ford Maverick?

Both trucks borrow design elements from the F-150
Ranger measures nearly one foot longer and half-a-foot wider than Maverick
Ranger has a crew cab and 5-foot bed; Maverick has a tighter cab and 4.5-foot bed

Both models have five seats, but only four people in relative comfort. The Ranger has more back seat space and flexibility with flip-up rear seats and underseat storage, but the vertical rear seats aren’t comfortable for long trips. Rear legroom is snug—less than 35 inches—in both models.

They both come in one configuration: a crew cab with a small bed. The Ranger is longer and wider, and has a 5-foot bed, effectively splitting the difference between the larger F-150 and the Maverick. The Ranger has all the truck capability you’d expect from the smaller brother of the F-150.

Sharing a platform with the Ford Escape crossover, the Maverick has a 4.5-foot bed, a hybrid powertrain option, and seating similar to the Escape’s. It’s an ideal small truck for fleets, but also as a weekend warrior that drives like a crossover but can be used for odd jobs such as landscaping projects, moving, loading up the toys, and to satisfy so many other wants and needs without all the heavier hang ups of larger trucks.

Both trucks have clamp-shaped headlights and a bar across the broad, vertical grille that looks like a dumbbell. The Maverick curls those clamps toward the grille top to give it more of an electric vibe like that on the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck. Neither has the stepped window design in the front doors, but the F-150’s same fender plates mark the trim level on the front fenders. Round wheel arches house 17-inch steel wheels for both, but the Maverick has available 19-inch wheels compared to the Ranger’s 18 inchers. In either case, the larger Ranger has more pickup truck presence.

There’s something honest about the Maverick’s plasticky interior, as if its textured moldings say this is a budget truck, but it can still have some flair. The Ranger dash mimics the long, broad, rectangular grille, and it’s a no-frills affair as well, with large ear-shaped vents flanking either a 10.1-inch or 12.0-inch touchscreen. It has a dual glovebox, too.

Curiously, the less expensive Maverick houses a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility. Both have a flimsy circular dial shifter in the console that belies their rugged bones, though Ranger XL and XLT stick with a mechanical gear shifter that feels right.

Advantage: Ranger on the outside, Maverick on the inside.

2024 Ford Ranger

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

Ranger vs. Maverick prices and features

Ranger ranges from about $34,000 for the XL to the $57,000 Raptor
Maverick ranges from $28,000 for the XL to the $42,000 Lobo
Best picks: Ranger XLT, base Maverick XL Hybrid

How much is a Ford Ranger?

The base Ranger starts at about $34,000, and comes standard with cloth seats, vinyl floors, power features, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone compatibility, and cruise control. Ford gets you on the four-wheel-drive system, however, which adds about $3,700.

The $41,000 XLT 4x4 meets most of our needs, with blind-spot monitors, wireless smartphone charging, LED fog lights and bed lighting, as well as remote start. But it still requires a bulky key in the ignition. For regular towing, consider the Advanced Towing Plus Technology Package ($2,305) with the surround-view camera system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Also add the FX4 Off-Road Package ($1,295) for Raptor-lite capability. That would check out under $45,000.

The $45,120 Lariat has power front seats, 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound, a surround-view camera system, twin 12.0-inch displays, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. At the peak of performance, the $56,960 Ranger Raptor gets Lariat gear plus beefier shocks, all-terrain tires, and the 405-hp V-6. It’s a hoot.

2025 Ford Maverick Tremor

2025 Ford Maverick XLT

2025 Ford Maverick Lariat

2025 Ford Maverick XLT

How much is a Ford Maverick?

Even though the starting price has risen about $6,000 since it launched in 2022, the base Maverick and its hybrid powertrain is still a deal at $28,000. It has cruise control, 17-inch steel wheels and cloth seats with manual adjustments like the Ranger, but Ford supersizes it with a 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That’s still a bargain.

The $32,000 XLT adds 17-inch alloy wheels and a power tailgate lock, and it also unlocks options such as heated front seats and the FX4 Off-Road Package with skid plates and chunky tires.

The new Lobo builds on the XLT with a lowered suspension, 19-inch wheels, and available adaptive cruise control, though it’s also bundled with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power sunroof.

The all-wheel-drive-only Lariat has synthetic leather upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, premium sound, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, and a tow package. It tops $40,000, which steers us toward the Ranger.

The $45,000 Tremor starts with the Lariat and adds off-road pieces like skid plates, 17-inch wheels wearing all-terrain tires, and a locking rear differential. It comes only with the turbo-4 and it’s only available with a few options, including a sunroof.

What is the Ford Ranger and Maverick warranty?

They have a basic 3-year/36,000-mile warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Advantage: Maverick.

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

Ranger vs. Maverick performance and engines

The Ranger’s 2.3-liter turbo-4 puts out 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque
The Ranger’s 2.7-liter turbocharged V-6 makes 315 hp and 400 lb-ft; Ranger Raptor has a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 good for 405 hp and 430 lb-ft
Ranger comes with rear-wheel drive, though four-wheel drive is optional
Maverick’s 2.5-liter inline-4 and electric motor generate 191 hp and 155 lb-ft
Maverick’s optional 2.0-liter turbo-4 boosts it to 250 hp and 277 lb-ft
Maverick comes with front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is optional

How does the Ford Maverick drive?

It’s a tale of two trucks, with the standard Maverick Hybrid ideal for efficient around town errands and smooth cruising. It lacks the hustle of the turbo-4, but makes up for it in quiet operation and a CVT that responds well to the driver’s inputs and doesn’t hold gear ratios too long. The turbo-4 option better suits the Tremor and Lobo models, with more spirited jumps off the line and more available power throughout the range. The 8-speed automatic can seem indecisive, but that’s usually reflective of the driver.

Sharing a platform with the Escape crossover, the softly-tuned suspension lacks the bouncing, bounding nature of a pickup truck with a cab bolted onto the frame. The Maverick Hybrid employs MacPherson struts with coil springs up front, and a twist-beam rear axle with a stabilizer bar. It reminds the driver that this is no performance pickup, despite its more compact size. It’s made for comfort and for hauling. The turbo-4 models use a more robust independent suspension with trailing arms for more responsive off-roading and it can tow more. In either setup, the Maverick maneuvers easier and handles lighter than other trucks because of its unibody architecture.

How does the Ford Ranger drive?

The base Ranger comes with a 2.3-liter turbo-4 that makes 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Expectedly, it’s more potent than the Maverick’s optional turbo-4, and the 10-speed automatic transmission is more decisive in lower gears than the Maverick’s. A 2.7-liter turbo V-6 spins out 315 hp but 400 lb-ft, resulting in the ideal towing powertrain. The Ranger Raptor’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 throws off 405 hp. Along with its suspension upgrades, including 2.5-inch Fox Live Valve shocks, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and 33-inch BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires, the Ranger Raptor might be the most fun, dollar for dollar, you can have in Ford’s truck lineup.

The Ranger uses rear leaf springs and a solid rear axle that make the bed and bod bounce around, even more so than other midsize trucks such as the GMC Canyon. It’s great for towing, hauling, and, in the Raptor’s modified suspension, bounding around at high speeds off-road.

Advantage: Ranger for fun, Maverick for comfort.

2025 Ford Maverick Lariat

Ranger vs. Maverick fuel economy

The Maverick Hybrid with front-wheel drive earns an EPA rating of 42 mpg city, 33 highway, 37 combined; expect AWD to knock it down 3- to 4 mpg
Maverick turbo-4 rates at 23/30/26 mpg; AWD drops 1 mpg to 22/29/25 mpg; Tremor to 20/24/21 mpg
The Ford Ranger turbo-4 rates at 21/25/22 mpg with rear-wheel drive; four-wheel drive stays at 22 mpg combined
Ranger V-6 with standard 4WD rates at 19/23/20 mpg; Ranger Raptor drops to 16/18/17 mpg

2024 Ford Ranger

Ranger vs. Maverick towing capacity and payload

The Maverick’s payload is 1,500 pounds; the turbo-4 tows up to 4,000 pounds
The Ranger tows up to 7,500 pounds, has a payload of 1,805 pounds
The Ranger handles more trucking duties

For regular towing and for doing more designated truck things, the Ranger exceeds the Maverick’s capabilities. With the basic trailer package and a bumper-mounted ball, the Ranger tows only 3,500 pounds. Upgrade to the Max Trailer package with extra cooling and a Class IV receiver to unlock the 7,500-pound towing capacity with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The turbo-4 provides plenty of power, and the 10-speed automatic essentially disables the top cruising gears while towing, so there’s plenty of torque. It can judder through the frame, seats, and steering wheel, however, so you never forget what you’re hauling, but the leaf springs counter trailer sag. Payload tops out at 1,805 pounds with RWD or 1,711 pounds with 4WD.

Those who aren’t confident towing should consider Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist ($825). Enter in a few stats in the touchscreen, press the tow-haul button in the dial, put it in reverse, and the dial becomes the controller, like a video game: instead of having to steer counter to where you want the trailer to go, you use the dial to incrementally turn the trailer where it should go.

The Maverick lacks such features, but a $745 tow package with all-wheel drive on XL, XLT, and Lariat models adds a trailer brake controller and a hitch with 7-pin connector, as well as more engine and transmission cooling. That enables the 4,000-pound capacity, which is good for the compact crossover segment. For occasionally hauling water toys or a teardrop camper, it’ll get the job done.

Advantage: Ford Ranger.

2024 Ford Ranger Raptor

Ranger vs. Maverick safety

The Ranger has not been tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA
Both agencies faulted the Maverick’s front-crash protection
Automatic emergency braking comes standard on both

How safe is the Ford Ranger?

The IIHS and the NHTSA haven’t crash-tested the redesigned Ranger yet. Ford equips it with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and active lane control. Adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and blind-spot monitors can be fitted to some models, but Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assistance is not an option.

How safe is the Ford Maverick?

The IIHS rated its front crash protection as “Marginal” and the NHTSA also faulted it on passenger-side front protection.

It has the same standard driver-assist tech as the Ranger, while Lariat and Tremor models come with adaptive cruise control with stop-and go. A surround-view camera is optional.

Advantage: Neither.

2024 Ford Maverick

Which is better: Ranger or Maverick?

With its combination of pickup truck style and versatility, yet the driving manners of a crossover, and the hybrid starting price of under $30,000, the Ford Maverick reigns as our highest rated gas pickup truck (6.6 out of 10) and last year’s Best Pickup Truck To Buy. But it can’t do all the things you might expect from a pickup truck, which is part of its charm. For towing and off-roading, the Ford Ranger is better, despite its TCC Rating of 5.6 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.) The Ranger Raptor is also in a class of its own as a thrilling off-roader.