The Ford Maverick vs Ranger. These two trucks are the most popular pickups on the market today. And it seems like Ford has got an interesting rivalry going on within its lineup of trucks. Both offer great value for money, but which one is right for you? In this article, we put both vehicles head-to-head to help you decide.
Make and Model
The 2022 Ford Maverick was first unveiled in 2021, and it quickly became one of the most popular vehicles on the market. In fact, it quickly scooped up the 2022 North American Truck of the Year award. It’s a compact pickup that offers plenty of features and a great driving experience. It also comes with a standard hybrid powertrain.
The Ford Ranger has been in production since 1983, and it’s been a favorite among truck enthusiasts ever since. It’s a mid-size pickup truck that’s known for its reliability and off-road chops.
It’s too early to tell how the compact Maverick will fare in the long run, but the Ranger and its Ranger Raptor line have a proven track record. Therefore…
Winner: Ford Ranger
Trim Levels
The Maverick is available in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The Ranger is also available in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat trim levels.
Winner: Tie
Engine and Transmission
The 2022 Ford Maverick and the Ford Ranger both come with a variety of engine options. The Maverick offers a 2.5L EcoBoost hybrid powertrain engine that produces up to 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. Though a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission comes as an option for Maverick buyers.
The Ranger offers a 2.3L EcoBoost engine that produces up to 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles offer a variety of transmission configurations, including all-wheel drive, 4WD, RWD, and FWD.
Winner: Ford Ranger
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior of these two vehicles, there are some clear differences. The Maverick’s wheelbase is 121.1 inches, while the Ranger’s is 126.8 inches. The Maverick is also shorter overall, measuring in at 199.7 inches long compared to the Ranger’s 210.8 inches.
The Maverick is narrower than the Ranger, as well, with a width of 72.6 inches versus 77.8 inches for the Ranger. Finally, the Maverick is also slightly lower to the ground than the Ranger, with a height of 68.7 inches compared to 71.1 inches for the Ranger.
In terms of turning diameter, the Maverick has a radius of 40.0 feet, while the Ranger’s is 42.0 feet. This means that the Maverick will be able to make tighter turns than the Ranger, which could be helpful in tight spots.
Winner: Ford Maverick
Interior
The Maverick and Ranger also differ somewhat in their interiors. The Maverick has more headroom in both the front and rear seats, with 40.3 inches of headroom in the front and 39.6 inches in the rear, compared to the Ranger’s 41 inches of headroom in the front and 38.3 inches in the rear.
However, the Ranger has more legroom in both the front and rear seats, with 43.1 inches of legroom in the front and 34.5 inches of legroom in the rear, compared to the Maverick’s 42.8 inches of legroom in the front and 35.9 inches of legroom in the rear.
In terms of shoulder room, the Maverick has slightly more space in both the front and rear seats, with 57.3 inches of shoulder room in the front and 55.6 inches of shoulder room in the rear, compared to the Ranger’s 56.7 inches of shoulder room in the front and 56.3 inches of shoulder room in the rear.
Finally, the Maverick has a slightly larger EPA passenger volume, with 100.3 cubic feet of passenger volume compared to the Ranger’s 97.6 cubic feet.
Winner: Ford Maverick
Technology
Tech is front and center in the 2022 Ford Maverick and Ranger. In their top trims, the two trucks offer an impressive 8-inch touchscreen. From here, drivers can take advantage of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Then there’s FordPass Connect. With it, you get a hotspot with 4G LTE Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows everyone in the cabin to stay connected to their favorite apps and sites. And if you’re looking for an immersive audio experience, both small trucks offer Bang & Olufsen sound systems.
The Maverick comes with a few additional tech features, like a wireless charging pad. This is perfect for keeping your devices charged on long trips. The Ranger is available with the Tremor Package, which adds Trail Control and a Terrain Management System. These features help you tackle any terrain with ease.
Winner: Ford Ranger
Performance
We know that the Ranger has been around for a while, but the Maverick is the new kid on the block. Can it hang with its heavyweight predecessor? Let’s take a look at the numbers.
The 2022 Ford Maverick can go from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of around 110 miles per hour. The Ford Ranger also has a top speed of 110 and can go from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds—a full second slower than the Maverick.
When it comes to hauling capacity, the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds with the proper configuration (2.0L turbo, all wheel drive, 8-speed automatic transmission, and tow kit), while the Ranger can tow 7,500 pounds.
When it comes to outdoor performance, the Maverick has a wading depth of around 11 inches and a ground clearance of 8.6 inches. The Ranger, on the other hand, has a wading depth of 34 inches and a ground clearance of 8.4 inches.
Winner: Ford Ranger
Safety Features
The Maverick and Ranger both come with a variety of standard and available safety features that are designed to help keep you, your passengers, and your vehicle safe.
These features include Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, which is a suite of driver assistance technologies that can help you avoid or mitigate the severity of a collision.
The Maverick also comes standard with an auto lamp feature that turns on the headlights and taillights automatically when it gets dark outside. And, all Mavericks come equipped with a rear view camera to help you see what’s behind you when reversing.
If you opt for a higher trim level, you’ll also get Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffic alert. This system uses sensors to monitor your blind spots and will notify you if someone is in your blind spot or if traffic is approaching from the side while you’re backing up.
The Ranger comes standard with BLIS on all trims, while it is available as an option on the Maverick.
Another safety feature that’s available on higher trims of both the Maverick and Ranger is the lane-keeping system. This system uses a camera to monitor your position on the road and can provide gentle steering adjustments to help keep you in your lane if it senses you’re veering out of it.
Winner: Ford Ranger
Fuel Efficiency
The Maverick and Ranger have different fuel efficiencies. The Maverick has a combined mileage of 33 mpg, while its city miles are also 33 and its highway miles are 42. The Ranger’s combined mileage is only 26, with 21 miles in the city and 23 on the highway.
In terms of emissions ratings, the Ranger’s emissions are 178g/km of CO2. The emissions of the 2022 Ford Maverick are yet unknown.
Winner: Ford Maverick
Price Point
The Ford Ranger has an SRP of $26,400, while the new Maverick SRP starts at $22,195. So, which is the better bang per buck?
Winner: Ford Maverick
And the Winner Is: Ford Ranger
When it comes to 2022 Ford Maverick vs Ranger, both are two of the most popular compact pickup trucks on the market. But given the Ranger’s excellent track record of stellar performance and, it’s no surprise that it’s the better of the two.
