Starting at
Starting at
Est. 40 | Fuel Economy (combined mpg) | 23 |
277 | Torque (lb-ft) | 310 |
4,000 | Towing (lbs) | 7,500 |
It was Henry Ford's innovative spirit that led him to launch the Ford Motor Company in the early 1900s. It's this same sense of innovation that we find today when comparing the 2022 Ford Maverick vs 2021 Ford Ranger. These trucks are not only revitalizing the Ford lineup, but they're also revolutionizing the truck industry by delivering a new standard of capability, performance, and value. But how do they compare?
When you compare two trucks like the all-new Maverick and the Ranger, you might expect to find a clear winner. One has to be better than the other, right? That's not entirely the case because the Maverick and Ranger are two entirely different road warriors. The Maverick is a compact truck that defies expectations as the only standard full-hybrid truck in America. On the other hand, the midsize Ranger has already proven its capability and what it means to be "Built Ford Tough," whether you're looking at the bare-bones base model or a top-tier, fully-loaded trim with the Tremor Off-Road Package.
With that said, determining a winner in the race against the Maverick and the Ranger comes down to what you need in a truck. As part of the Ford lineup, you'll find plenty of similarities between the trucks - especially in terms of safety and connectivity features. That means you'll have to look closer at performance and capability to determine which truck inches ahead in the race to win a coveted spot in your garage.
The 2022 Maverick proves that you shouldn't judge a truck's capability only by its size. The compact truck may be small, but it has plenty of heart. It's the first truck in America to come standard with a full hybrid powertrain, and, believe it or not, its hybrid power doesn't limit its capability.
The Maverick's standard 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid powertrain works with an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission to optimize performance and maximize efficiency. This combination delivers 191 horsepower and 173 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, the latter of which makes the Maverick a capable hauler because of its ability to pull and quickly accelerate. You can expect to tow up to 2,000 pounds with the base engine, which makes it a great truck if you're hauling a pop-up camper or a jet-ski to the lake for the weekend. What's even better is that this capability doesn't come at the cost of efficiency - the Maverick hybrid averages an estimated 40 mpg and has a 500-mile driving range on a single tank of fuel.
If you're looking for more capability, you don't have to look far, thanks to the available 2.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine that's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which makes the gas-powered Maverick even quicker to accelerate and more responsive overall. You'll also see this pairing boost the Maverick's towing capability to 4,000 pounds with the available 4K Tow Package, which means you can tow a pair of jet skis or a full-size ski boat with ease.
The 2021 Ranger is an entirely different beast as a midsize truck that offers even more power and capability than what you'll find on the Maverick. This impressive power is found under the hood, where a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine with automatic start-stop technology is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This combination delivers 270 horsepower and best-in-class 310 lb-ft of torque to boost the truck's towing capability to a remarkable 7,500 pounds.
To push this capability even further, Ford offers the Tremor Off-Road Package that readies the Ranger for the trail right from the factory. The Tremor Package takes inspiration from the FX4 Off-Road Package (which is also available on the Maverick) and delivers a smoother ride thanks to a lifted suspension with FOX 2.0 monotube dampers that are specifically tuned for off-road terrain. The rear multi-leaf springs and 32-inch tires add to the Ranger's performance on the trail, while details like the rear recovery hooks, front grille with black crossbars, and red nostril inserts distinguish the Tremor from every other Ranger in the lineup.
Ford earns high praise for its ability to blend style with function, and that's exactly what you'll find on the 2022 Ford Maverick. Although the Maverick is the smallest truck in the Ford lineup, its interior is spacious and versatile thanks to its strategic design that boasts high-quality textures and finishes as well as clever storage areas that utilize every inch of the cabin. You'll find the door pockets can easily stow a tablet or notebook, while the bins under the rear seat can comfortably fit a laptop bag, tools, and other gear.
Ford's Integrated Tether System (FITS) also adds to the Maverick's functional design and is a multitasking solution system for rear passengers. There's a FITS slot at the back of the front console, which allows you to fit a variety of accessories like cupholders, trash bins, storage bins, a cord organizer, hooks for bags, etc. While you can buy these accessories from Ford directly, the automaker is also working to make the dimensions readily available so that people with 3D printers can create their own DIY solutions for the Maverick. This means the possibilities are endless!
Another unique design feature of the 2022 Maverick is its FLEXBED system. Ford knows that every truck is pushed to its limits, and that's the inspiration behind the FLEXBED - a solution that allows you to fully customize the bed so that it works with you and for you. With slots stamped into the side of the bed as well as a variety of tie-downs, D-rings, threaded holes, and power outlets, the bed is a paradise for creative DIY-ers. You can build an elevated floor, add a bike or kayak rack, or create segmented storage with a few 2x4s. Your only limitation is your creativity.
The 2021 Ranger is slightly larger than the Maverick and offers exceptional interior storage options as well as a spacious bed for hauling equipment. However, what truly sets the 2021 Ranger apart is the available appearance packages that allow you to customize the design of the truck. These packages include the STX, STX Special Edition, Sport, Chrome, and Black. You can also opt for the FX4 or the FX2 Off-Road packages that ready the Ranger for rugged terrain.
The Black Appearance Package transforms the Ranger into a stealthy road warrior with 18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels, black running boards, and a black Ford logo, as well as a Tough Bed spray-in bed liner to make the bed even more durable. Depending on trim, the Chrome Package adds various chrome accents that extend from the bumpers and fog lamps to the tow hooks, mirror end caps, and exhaust tip. If you're looking for a sportier Ranger, the Sport Appearance Package answers that need with its black front grille, Magnetic bumpers, and exclusive 17-inch Magnetic-painted aluminum wheels.
The STX Appearance Package gives the Ranger a bolder look with silver-painted fog lamps, wheels, and a box decal, as well as premium interior upholstery. The STX Special Edition takes the STX package to the next level. This upgrade adds the SYNC 3 infotainment system on an 8.0-inch LCD screen and dual-zone climate control, as well as 18-inch wheels and privacy glass windows.
When it comes to technology, you can expect a lot of similarities between the 2022 Maverick and the 2021 Ranger since both trucks share the Ford badge. Connectivity is at the heart of this technology and starts on the Maverick with a standard 8.0-inch center touchscreen display that allows you to sync your smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The display is also home to the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which is intuitive and includes a lot of modern features.
You'll find the Maverick is equipped with FordPass Connect, which you can download on your smartphone. Through the app, you have access to an available WiFi hotspot that has room for up to 10 devices. You can also use the app to start and stop the engine, lock and unlock the doors, check the fuel level, and locate the truck. The best part? Unlike similar apps from other manufacturers, FordPass is entirely free and does not require a monthly subscription.
Ford offers the same level of connectivity on the 2021 Ranger, which is also equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system. However, despite being the larger truck, the Ranger actually comes standard with a smaller screen. While an 8.0-inch center touchscreen display with SYNC 3 is found in the upper trims, the base trim Ranger still comes standard with an older 4.3" LCD screen. However, we expect this deficiency to be fixed soon with the upcoming Ranger redesign.
Beyond connectivity, you'll find loads of safety and driver-assist technology on both the 2022 Maverick and the 2021 Ranger. Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite is a centralized hub of tools that are designed to enhance your visibility around the truck and minimize the potential for collision. This suite includes tools like Automatic High Beam Headlamps that dim for oncoming traffic and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking that can enhance your braking or apply hard emergency braking to bring the truck to a complete stop when a collision is imminent.
The biggest difference between the models is the safety tools that come standard on the different trims across the Maverick and Ranger lineups. For example, the base Ranger offers a few more safety tools than the Maverick's base model. However, the tools themselves are the same and include enhanced features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, a Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Evasive Steering Assist, and Lane Centering.