Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger: What's The Difference?
We break down the differences between the Ford Maverick and Ford Ranger, comparing everything from performance to price point and beyond.
With pickup trucks, Ford is one of the best in the game. They’ve created many masterpieces, with two standouts: the Maverick and the Ranger. These pickups have been head-to-head for a long time, but which is the winner? Should you go with the Maverick or the Ranger if you need something to work for you?
There are considerable details when looking at the Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger, from what it’s able to do on the go to the technology built into the system. We’ll also help decide which truck is the better of the two. Keep reading to better understand the differences, assisting no matter your preference in a machine like the Maverick or Ranger.
Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger: What’s the Difference?
There are considerable differences when looking at the Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger. Both are agile and smaller selections, but they aren’t created equal. While each is built to be a work truck, some are better for daily driving than others. Also, there are different details and technology in each.
Other areas of exploration include the following:
- Performance and handling
- Exterior
- Infotainment and technology
These are just a few points of consideration when determining the right vehicle.
Let’s dive into better detail about the differences between the Ford Maverick and the Ford Ranger. Once we figure out these details, it will be much easier to determine which truck selection is the best choice for your life.
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Performance and Handling: Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick and Ranger each can perform well on the road, kicking it into high gear when necessary. However, the Maverick seems to be the winner in several categories.
According to cars.usnews.com, here are some performance features you’ll find in the Ford Maverick:
- Four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional hybrid powertrain
- 37 MPG combined
- More relaxed driving experience
It’s a straightforward and enjoyable experience.
Here are the features you’ll find in the Ford Ranger:
- Turbocharged four-cylinder and ten-speed automatic transmission
- 25 MPG combined
- Jittery and more truck-like experience
These are significant differences between the Ranger from the Maverick.
Unfortunately, it’s trickier to enjoy the driving experience with the Ranger once you’ve been behind the wheel of the Maverick. We recommend the Ford Maverick for the best performance in the long term.
FORD MAVERICK PROS & CONS
If you’re interested in this vehicle, it’s vital to know what you’re getting yourself into. One of the best ways to determine if a car is ideal is to check out the Ford Maverick pros and cons.
Interior Features and Styling: Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick wins yet again with the interior features and styling, adding more to the experience of the driver and the passenger than the Ford Ranger does.
According to cars.usnews.com, here are the features available in the Ford Maverick:
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wi-Fi hotspot
- Knobs and buttons for use in the climate control system
There’s a solid number of selections, along with several available features.
Here are the available features in the Ford Ranger:
- 3.5-inch screen
- Limited standard features
You must pay to get most of what the Ford Maverick already has.
The Ford Maverick has far more features than the Ford Ranger. It offers a significantly higher amount of bang for your buck.
Safety: Ford Maverick
Another valuable item to check out with the Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger is the safety features. In a truck, the more safety features, the better. It’s a vehicle that’s meant for work and even off-roading, which means you’re at a higher risk of an accident than drivers behind the wheel of other car selections.
Both cars come with the following features:
- Rearview camera
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Forward collision warning
These are standard selections.
Both also have the following available features:
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane-departure warning
- Blind-spot warning
These can receive an optional upgrade.
The difference appears in the ratings each truck received from professional rating systems. The Ford Maverick received four out of five stars from the NHTSA, accessing four stars in the rollover portion and five stars for the collision in the front and the side of the vehicle.
You’ll also see four stars for the Ford Ranger. However, it got five stars from the side, four stars in the front, and three once it went under the rollover test. It did much worse than the competing Ford Maverick in safety.
THE FORD RANGER YEARS TO AVOID
Not all years are created equal, and we’ll share which ones you should jump on and which Ford Ranger years you should avoid at all costs.
Price Point: Ford Maverick
You guessed it, the Ford Maverick yet again comes on top in the price point. Though the price is rising slightly each year, the Maverick tends to beat the base price for the Ranger by around $2,000 or more. Those who want to save will enjoy the significantly cheaper cost.
What you get with the price point for the Ford Maverick is far more substantial than the Ford Ranger. If you want to pay more, you can equate it with the Ford Ranger.
Towing Capacity: Ford Ranger
Finally, the Ford Ranger can clock a winner with the towing capacity. A truck’s ability to tow is a part of its purpose, and the Ranger can do it better than its Maverick counterpart.
With the right equipment, the Ford Ranger can handle up to 7,500 pounds behind it. On the other hand, the Ford Maverick can take on 2,000 pounds, though it can go up to 4,000 with specific models. That’s a significant and problematic difference for someone who needs a work truck.
Which Vehicle Is the Winner?
We’ve gone over ample items when considering the Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger, which means you know far more than before about these sleek and agile truck selections. That leaves a final and vital consideration. Should you put your money into the Ford Maverick or the Ford Ranger?
We recommend the Ford Maverick if you want to make the wisest decision for your wallet and your life. It’s the better option for going off-roading or using it as a work truck for most of its life. It’s also better for daily driving than the Ranger, which means you get the best of all worlds. Of course, ultimately, it’s your call at the end of the day.
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