2022 Ford Maverick vs 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2022 Ford Maverick presented a conventional pickup aesthetic, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, with its substantial wheel arches and taillights. However, its front end diverged from this pattern, featuring large headlights and a grille crossbar that didn't make a particularly bold styling statement. Despite being smaller than the Ford Ranger, the Maverick maintained a robust presence, measuring 5,073 millimetres in length and 1,879 millimetres in height. It utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, differing from the traditional body-on-frame construction of larger Ford trucks.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, with its all-new Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanded on the premium Denali and AT4 trims. The Sierra appeared larger and more aggressive, thanks to an updated grille, front fascia, and headlight design. The Denali's grille transitioned to a "tri-linear" theme with thicker chrome inserts, while the Denali Ultimate featured dark-coloured "Vader bars." The Sierra's exterior design remained largely unchanged, offering various cab and bed configurations, including a CarbonPro composite cargo bed and MultiPro tailgate. The interior saw significant updates, with the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims elevating luxury with premium materials and design elements.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, delivering a total system output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine provided 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick FX4 package enhanced off-road capabilities with features like hill-descent control and all-terrain tires. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, with the hybrid powertrain offering a more refined driving experience.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured four engine options, including a 2.7-litre turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine boasted a class-leading towing capacity of up to 5,987 kilograms. Other engine options included a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-litre V8 with 420 horsepower. The Sierra's ride was smooth and comfortable, with the Denali Ultimate offering a luxurious experience. The AT4X trim excelled in off-road conditions, equipped with Multimatic DSSV dampers and e-locking differentials for enhanced capability.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, available exclusively as a four-door crew cab, offered impressive interior space, surpassing the Toyota Tacoma in legroom and providing more rear legroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz in its 2.0-litre EcoBoost form. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, featuring numerous cubbies, under-seat storage, and the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. Its 1,382 mm bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, offered 680 kilograms of payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet and FlexBed system for versatile cargo management.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 provided exceptional roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed configuration. Front headroom measured 1,093 mm, while legroom for front-seat occupants was 1,131 mm. The crew cab offered 1,102 mm of rear legroom, ensuring comfort for all passengers. The Sierra's interior featured ample storage options, though the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The cabin's ergonomics were somewhat perplexing, with low-positioned screens and an abundance of knobs and buttons, contrasting with the trend towards larger, integrated digital touchpads.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came equipped with the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, though not in wireless form. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, providing basic but functional infotainment. The system included a large slot for phones and available wireless charging, while hybrids featured a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen featuring Google built-in. The infotainment system was fast and responsive, though the similarity between in-car and smartphone navigation screens could be confusing. The touchscreen allowed for personalization and dual modes, while wireless charging and a 15-inch head-up display were available on higher trims. A 12-speaker Bose audio system further enhanced the Sierra's tech offerings.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams, with optional extras like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, as a standard feature on the Denali Ultimate. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra featured up to 14 camera views and a GCW Alert for trailering safety. Standard safety features included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Sierra received mostly "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a "Poor" grade for headlights. NHTSA ratings were four out of five stars for 2WD models.