2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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 particularly strong styling statement. Despite being smaller than the Ford Ranger, the Maverick maintained a substantial presence, measuring 5,073 millimetres in length and standing 1,879 mm tall. It utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, offering a unique blend of affordability and utility. The interior, heavy on plastic, was creatively designed with multicoloured elements and money-saving touches, making it both stylish and functional.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's design was a mix of timeless and bold elements. While some design choices, like the small headlights and aggressive grille, were polarizing, they aligned with Chevrolet's current vehicle portfolio. The Silverado offered various appearance packages, such as the Rally Edition and Redline Edition, for added visual flair. Inside, the cabin was functional and varied based on trim levels, with the WT and Custom trims featuring pre-facelift interiors. Higher trims boasted a modern dash with a large touchscreen. The Silverado's interior was praised for its practicality, with controls conveniently placed and a range of trims offering different levels of luxury and technology.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came standard with a hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a total 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, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost variant offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package added suspension tuning and drive modes for enhanced off-road capability. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, akin to a small car or crossover, with the hybrid powertrain offering a more refined driving experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Optional V8 engines included a 5.3-litre with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, and a 6.2-litre with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. A six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel was also available, delivering 305 hp and 495 lb-ft. The Silverado's towing capacity reached up to 6,000 kilograms with the 6.2-litre V8 and Max Towing package. The truck handled well for its size, with the Trail Boss trim excelling off-road. The Silverado's 10-speed automatic transmission was praised for its refinement, and the truck's capability tiers, including the ZR2 Bison, offered impressive off-road features.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively as a four-door crew-cab, offering more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its interior storage was exceptional, with numerous cubbies and the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 1,382 mm bed, though shorter than the Ranger's, provided 680 kilograms of payload capacity and featured FlexBed for versatile cargo management. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 1,814 kilograms with the 4K Tow Package, offering practical utility for its size.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered various body styles, including regular, double, and crew cabs, with bed lengths ranging from 1,776 mm to 2,494 mm. The regular cab was suited for work-focused trims, while the double cab provided easy rear seat access with conventional doors. The crew cab was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The rear bench folded for additional in-cabin cargo space, making it ideal for securing valuable items.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. While the system lacked wireless versions and embedded navigation, it included a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot and practical phone storage solutions. The hybrid model offered a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's base infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity and a fully digital instrument panel. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports. The Silverado's infotainment system was praised for its functionality and modern features, catering to both tech-savvy and simplicity-seeking drivers.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams as standard. Optional features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner 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 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. The LTZ trim added blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors. The Silverado received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS, highlighting its robust safety credentials.