2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was a truck that stood out for its styling and the upscale Denali trim level, which was often compared to owning a Mercedes in the truck world. Even without opting for the Denali's chrome-heavy appearance, buyers could still configure other Sierra variants to reach similar high-end pricing. The Sierra AT4, priced at $78,938 Canadian, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a 5 cm suspension lift, off-road suspension, and unique design elements like red front recovery hooks. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a carbon fibre composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System, enhancing its rugged appeal. However, the black-on-black colour scheme, while visually striking, was impractical for a truck meant to get dirty. Inside, the Sierra's cabin was dominated by black plastic, with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents, but it lacked the luxury expected at its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick presented a more conventional pickup look, drawing inspiration from larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger. However, its front end deviated from this pattern with large headlights and a grille crossbar that didn't make a strong styling statement. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, with a length of 5,073 mm and a height of 1,879 mm. It shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, offering a more car-like driving experience. The Maverick's interior was notable for its creative use of plastic, with multicoloured elements and exposed fasteners adding character. Despite its entry-level status, the Maverick's interior design was praised for not sacrificing style, making it a standout feature of the vehicle.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, which was considered a bargain at $1,995 Canadian. This engine produced 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm, matching the torque of the Sierra's 6.2-litre V8 but at a much lower rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax engine provided smooth gear changes and efficient power delivery. The Sierra's automatic 4WD system was user-friendly, allowing for easy switching between RWD and 4WD modes. During testing, the Sierra maintained impressive traction in various weather conditions and achieved a fuel economy of 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating. The AT4's off-road suspension handled rough terrain with ease, and the truck's towing capacity reached up to 4,173 kilograms with the Duramax engine.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came standard with a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a CVT, delivering a total output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged engine offered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with FWD, while the EcoBoost offered AWD. The Maverick FX4 package added off-road capabilities, including different suspension tuning and additional drive modes. On an off-road course, the Maverick FX4 demonstrated its capability, although it was not intended for hardcore off-roading. On pavement, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smoother ride compared to traditional pickups. The hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and spirited acceleration.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, as a full-size crew-cab truck, provided ample seat comfort with large, supportive front chairs and spacious rear seats. The test truck featured durable leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and cooling, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed heated outboard seats and rear air conditioning vents. The Sierra's innovative six-position Multipro tailgate and CarbonPro Edition package enhanced cargo bed functionality, offering a carbon fibre composite bed that improved durability and increased payload capacity. The bed held between 1,781 and 2,523 litres of cargo, with multiple tie-downs for added utility. However, interior storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups, with limited innovative storage solutions.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offered more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, under-seat storage, and a large storage bin. The FITS system allowed for customizable accessories, and the FlexBed system maximized the utility of the 1,382 mm bed. The Maverick's bed featured tiedown cleats, a multi-position tailgate, and an in-bed power outlet. With a maximum towing capacity of 1,814 kilograms with the 4K Tow Package, the Maverick provided practical capability for its size, although it fell short of some crossover SUVs in towing capacity.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped with advanced camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror, enhancing visibility and maneuverability. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen, with fast loading times and responsive controls. The test truck featured the 8-inch display, with physical knobs and buttons for ease of use. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The available Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' offerings.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, but not wireless versions. An 8-inch touchscreen and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, providing basic but functional infotainment. The Maverick included a large slot for phones and available wireless charging. While the infotainment system was not groundbreaking, it covered the essentials effectively. Hybrid models included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking, although its practical impact on everyday driving was uncertain.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection, which were standard on some competitors. The Denali trim included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, with additional options for lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise control. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for certain tests. The 2022 model year promised improvements with the introduction of GM's Super Cruise technology.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's crash-test ratings were not yet available, but it came with standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane centring, providing a comprehensive suite of safety technologies.