Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Maverick
Nobody wants to make the wrong choices when it comes to purchases, especially with big-ticket items like vehicles.
A case in point is shopping for a decent pre-owned pickup truck, where shoppers are faced with too many choices, and getting it right can become nerve-wracking.
Thankfully, the two pickup trucks we look at in this article are both very popular choices.
Read on as we share what each has to offer prospective buyers.
Toyota Tacoma
There's no going wrong with a Toyota product; the world's leading automaker did not get to their #1 spot by chance. The latest Tacoma in its third generation was introduced in May 2023, and buyers can expect to find some excellent preowned examples of this latest Tacoma.
The Tacoma is the best-seller in the midsize truck segment, and buyers will be pleased to note that plenty of aftermarket products are available for this truck thanks to its impressive off-road capabilities, toughness, and excellent build.
Eight trim levels are available: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, and TRD Pro, plus the overlanding equipment kitted Trailhunter trim.
Ford’s Maverick is an extremely popular buy in the midsize pickup market. The compact Maverick is Ford's smallest truck and features a four-door cab. The Maverick has only been around since 2021 with a recent update, so just like the Tacoma, it will make for an excellent preowned buy if you can find one. Ford simply cannot keep up with the sales demand.
The Maverick is available in three trim levels with the same trim designations as other Ford trucks: XL, XLT, and Lariat, plus two additional editions, the Tremor and Lobo.
Exterior Designs
The Tacoma sports an aggressive front fascia with angular headlights, bulging hoods, and an imposing on-road stance.
The Toyota's rugged looks extend to exterior features like Auto Off Projector Beam Halogen headlights, Daytime Running Headlamps, Black Grille with Chrome Surround, Light Tinted Glass, Body-Colored Door Handles, and Front Bumper with Tow Hook and body-colored power side mirrors with manual folding function and a sliding rear window.
Steel wheels are found on lesser trims, while alloy rims of various diameters are fitted to higher-specced Tacomas.
The Ford Maverick is, in fact, built on an FWD platform but features optional AWD on turbo trims. The bold bodywork shows a large square front grille with large inverted L-shaped LED headlamp treatment.
The Maverick lineup receives a styling update for 2025 that now sees darkened headlamp covers, a redesigned front bumper, and grille, plus new wheel designs.
Trim-dependent exterior features on the Ford Maverick include:
- Cubby Storage In Bed Passenger Side
- 10 Tie-Downs
- 17-Inch Carbonized Gray-Painted Aluminum Wheels
- LED Bed Lighting
- 400W In-Bed Power
The TREMOR® Off-Road Package is available on XLT and Lariat trims that features
an Off-Road Tuned Suspension system with increased ride height plus all-terrain tires and stylish TREMOR® Orange Accents.
Up to nine exterior colors are available, and an available 4K Tow Package offers a trailer hitch receiver with a 7-pin connection.
Powertrains
The base Tacoma trims see fitment of a 2.7L inline four-cylinder, and buyers needing more grunt for towing should consider the Tacoma trims equipped with the bigger 3.5-liter V6 that produces 278 horsepower and impressive 265 pound-feet of torque.
These engines are paired with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission and both 2WD and 4WD systems are available across all Tacoma trim levels.
The Maverick's base engine is a 238-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. An optional hybrid powertrain is available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder assisted by an electric motor, making a combined output of 191 horsepower.
The hybrid engine is fitted with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT)
All models feature FWD with all-wheel drive, which is optional with either engine.
The Maverick Lobo edition sport truck features a turbo four-cylinder with standard all-wheel drive. However, the eight-speed transmission makes way for a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Interior Design
The Tacoma's interior design may be getting on in years, but it remains a largely functional and comfortable space. The straightforward dashboard focuses on practicality with its simple three-dial climate control knob layout.
There is good cabin construction despite the abundance of plastic panels. Some highlights of the Tacomas cabin include:
- Fabric upholstery with available heated front seats
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Air conditioning
- Available leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Available cruise control
- Available rear-view camera
The latest Tacoma features a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth with connectivity available such as mobile app integration, and a rearview camera is available.
All Ford Mavericks are available as crew cabs only with four doors. The smaller dimensions of the Maverick reduce the rear seat space somewhat, but Ford has cleverly fitted the Maverick out with plenty of useful storage cubbies and bins throughout the sensibly appointed cabin.
Lower trims may not be the ultimate in luxury, but standard niceties such as a tilting and telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, and adjustable lumbar support for the front seats are there.
Upper XLT and Lariat trims add further features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and power front seats, which are standard features.
All trims feature a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with integrated Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.
Safety Features
The Tacoma offers key standard safety equipment such as:
- ABS And Driveline Traction Control
- Driver And Passenger Front Dual Stage Airbags with Passenger Off Switch
- Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
- Driver And Passenger Knee Airbag
- Low Tire Pressure Warning
The newer Ford Maverick offers up-to-date safety and driver assistance features inclusive:
- Four-wheel disc Brakes With ABS
- Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
- Safety Canopy® Side-Curtain Airbags
- Co-Pilot 360® Technology, such as Pre-Collision Assist With Automatic Emergency Braking
Visit Tim’s Trucks For Your Next Pickup Purchase
Visit Tims Trucks near Concord, NH, where buyers will appreciate our standout selection of quality pre-owned trucks, SUVs, vans, and cars.
Expect only exceptional customer service from our experienced sales team as we make sure that we become your first choice for your next truck purchase.
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