The Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick continues to be a heated debate among new and used vehicle buyers. If you want something bigger and better with load-bearing, or you prefer interior comfort and technology, there will be a difference in preference between these two Ford pickups. Today, in this post, we aim to lay out what makes the Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick a worthy comparison, and we are here to help you decide on the best one for your lifestyle. Stay tuned as we dive into this article!
At a Glance: The Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick
Looking at a Ford Ranger vs. a Ford Maverick, you'll first notice the Ford Maverick is smaller than the Ford Ranger, with the Maverick being a compact pickup truck option. That being said, the Ford Ranger offers more power, towing capacity, and rugged performance, with many preferring it as a true "work" truck. Both trucks have a nice, simple design and vibe, but the Ranger is more rugged while the Maverick is more refined.
Which Has a Better Design: Ford Ranger or Ford Maverick?
Design-wise, the Ford Ranger vs. the Ford Maverick couldn't be more different. Between them, the Ford Maverick feels more on-trend and will have a more modern, compact, and car-like design, while the Ranger boasts a more traditional, rugged, and larger mid-size truck design.
Interior
To start, let's discuss the interiors of both a Ford Ranger pickup and a Maverick. Because these two trucks share a manufacturer, you can expect similar materials, colors, tech, and comfort in both options.
The Ford Maverick boasts standard interior specs that include five-passenger seating, cloth seats, a full bench with a folding seatback, a SYNC 4 system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, and a 6-speaker audio system (newer generation).
The Ford Ranger's interior has plenty of standard features, including cloth seats, a 10-inch touchscreen, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, a six-speaker stereo, a rear bench seat, and a standard SuperCrew cab, which is a four-door configuration that seats up to five people.
Exterior
Exterior comparisons of the Ford Ranger vs. the Ford Maverick will also come down to your taste. However, the Ford Maverick is often complimented for its modern aesthetic and sporty build style. The Ranger, bigger overall, feels more like a work truck, so it might be better suited for someone working with their truck on a weekly basis.
- Ford Ranger: Bigger and more rugged aesthetic, LED lighting, black or body-colored front and rear bumpers, a black bold grille, bigger tires, and bright color options.
- Ford Maverick: Smaller than the Ranger and more stylized, with silver accents, a dramatic black mesh grille, LED light elements, a dual-action tailgate, and fun exterior color options.
Which Performs Better: the Ford Ranger or the Ford Maverick?
Looking at the engine, performance, and general powertrain comparison of the Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick, you will notice that the Ranger is better-suited for heavy-duty towing and driving, while the Maverick might be more enjoyable during everyday city and highway travel.
Ford Ranger Engine Options:
- 2.3L EcoBoost I4 - 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque
- 2.7L EcoBoost V6 - 315 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque
- 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (in the Raptor) - 405 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque
Note: All Ranger engines will be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Ford Maverick Engine Specifications
- 2.5L Hybrid - 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque
- 2.0L EcoBoost - 238 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque
Note: The base hybrid engine gives you a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), while the EcoBoost engine comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Which Truck Tows More: Ford Ranger or the Ford Maverick?
When looking at towing figures for the Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick pickups, the Ranger wins overall. As we mentioned earlier, the Ford Ranger is the bigger, more work-ready truck option, so it comes with a higher towing capacity. Specifically, the Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds, while the Ford Maverick can tow a maximum of 4,000 pounds.
Although both should be suitable for small and medium projects, the Ford Ranger trumps the Maverick in overall towing capability.
Does the Ford Maverick Outperform the Ranger in Fuel Economy?
Yes, the Ford Maverick does see better MPG estimates and EPA ratings when stacked up against the Ford Ranger. Specifically, you see these figures in more recent releases of both trucks:
Ford Maverick:
- Hybrid: 42 mpg city / 33 mpg highway / 37 mpg combined (with front-wheel drive)
- Non-Hybrid: 23 mpg city / 30 mpg highway
Ford Ranger:
- Base engine (4-cylinder): 21 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- V6 engine: 19 mpg city / 23 mpg highway
Is the Ford Ranger Better than the Maverick Safety-Wise?
Between a Ford Ranger and a Ford Maverick, the safety systems in both will be somewhat similar. Both feature Ford Co-Pilot360, which offers the following:
- Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Lane-Keeping System
- Rear View Camera
- Auto High-Beam Headlamps
The Ranger, due to its being bigger overall, also offers things like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and an off-road camera system for enhanced visibility. So, in that way, the Ranger might impress you more.
Which Truck Offers Better Value: Ford Maverick or Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger vs. Ford Maverick shows us two different truck options, with the Maverick being deemed better overall value because of its affordable starting MSRP, high-tech features in newer models, and better fuel economy and savings in both the short and long term. The Ranger outperforms the Maverick in towing and general ruggedness, but falls short in specific categories. For most people who don't need to tow more than 4,000 pounds at a time and those who want a hybrid option, the Maverick is the right choice.
Get the Ford Maverick and Ford Ranger at Tim's Truck Capital
Here at Tim's Truck Capital, we are bringing the Ford Ranger and Ford Maverick to Concord and Manchester, NH. If you want to shop pre-owned, our award-winning sales team is here to answer questions and get you a set of keys for a test drive. Don't wait, come see us today!