2022 Ford Maverick vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Ford Maverick presented a conventional pickup appearance, 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 strong styling statement. Despite being smaller than the Ford Ranger, the Maverick maintained a substantial presence at 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 Maverick's interior was noted for its affordability and unique design, incorporating multicoloured plastics and money-saving touches like exposed fasteners. Even the base model offered a stylish interior, proving that entry-level vehicles could maintain a sense of style.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, despite its long-standing presence in the North American market, began to show signs of aging, particularly in its cabin design. While the exterior maintained a contemporary look with an aggressive grille and headlights, the interior was filled with hard plastics and outdated switchgear. The Tacoma was available in various configurations, including Access and Double Cab styles, with a range of packages like SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD Pro. Standard features included 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims added features like alloy wheels, heated seats, and advanced off-road capabilities. The TRD Pro, in particular, excelled off-road, absorbing rocks and bumps with ease, and featured advanced trail-oriented technologies like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, producing a total system output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine delivered 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's FX4 off-road package added features like different suspension tuning and hill-descent control. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, akin to a small car or crossover, with better ride quality than 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 2022 Toyota Tacoma in Canada came standard with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kilograms. Despite its power, the V6 struggled with highway acceleration due to its transmission gearing. The Tacoma's suspension was trail-oriented, providing a smooth ride and firm handling around corners. The TRD Pro excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing its trail capabilities. The steering, while requiring effort at low speeds, was well-suited for off-road navigation.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering more legroom than the larger Toyota Tacoma. It excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies and storage spaces, including under-seat storage and the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 1,382 mm bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, offered a 680-kilogram payload capacity and featured FlexBed options for maximizing utility. Its towing capacity reached 1,814 kilograms with the 4K Tow Package, providing ample capability for most needs.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma offered Access Cab and Double Cab body styles, with five-foot and six-foot-one-inch bed options. The Access Cab's rear seats were tight on legroom, better suited for storage, while the Double Cab provided slightly more space but remained cramped for adults. The front seats offered ample legroom, though the steering wheel's limited adjustment posed challenges for taller drivers. The Tacoma's cab featured numerous cupholders and storage options, and the bed included in-bed lighting and a power outlet for added convenience.

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

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's base infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering an 8-inch screen and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system was user-friendly, with a familiar layout and large icons. The Tacoma also featured a wireless device charger, though it required manual activation. While lacking advanced tech features, the Tacoma's infotainment system was straightforward and reliable.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane centring. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests.