2023 Honda Ridgeline vs 2022 Ford Maverick

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, 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, offering a unique blend of affordability and style, particularly in its interior design, which creatively used multicoloured plastics and exposed fasteners to add character.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline had undergone a styling update a couple of years prior, resulting in a more rugged appearance with a new front end, LED lighting, and larger exhaust outlets. The Ridgeline shared its platform with the Honda Passport SUV, offering a sophisticated driving experience on pavement. Its interior, while not as modern as some rivals, exuded quality with leather-lined seats and a sensible layout. The Ridgeline's design, dating back to the 2016 Honda Pilot, still appeared modern and upscale, providing comfort and practicality for daily driving.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered two powertrain options: a standard hybrid with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor, producing 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick's unibody platform contributed to a car-like driving experience, with a smooth ride quality and improved maneuverability compared to larger trucks. The hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and refinement, while the EcoBoost provided more towing capability and spirited acceleration.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline featured a 3.5-litre VTEC V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system. The Ridgeline's unibody construction limited its towing capacity to 2,268 kilograms, but it offered a competitive payload capacity of 694 kilograms. The Ridgeline excelled in on-road driving dynamics, providing a comfortable and refined experience with its four-wheel independent suspension and torque-vectoring capabilities. It averaged 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a road trip, showcasing its class-leading fuel efficiency among midsize pickups with gas-powered V6 engines.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its interior boasted numerous storage solutions, including cubbies, 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, provided 680 kilograms of payload capacity and featured FlexBed options for maximizing utility. With a maximum towing capacity of 1,814 kilograms, the Maverick offered practical capability for its size.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline prioritized function with features like shelves in the front door panels, a giant storage console, and a dual-action tailgate. Its interior, shared with the Honda Passport, provided comfortable seating and practical storage solutions, including a rear underseat storage system. The Ridgeline's 1,625 mm bed featured a dual-action tailgate and a lockable, weatherproof trunk with a drain plug, offering versatility for various cargo needs. Despite its reduced towing and off-roading capabilities, the Ridgeline excelled in daily-driving practicality.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. While the system's graphics and functions were basic, it provided essential connectivity features. The hybrid model included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2023 Honda Ridgeline, with its mid-2010s engineering, lacked the latest infotainment systems. It offered Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The 8-inch touchscreen, though smaller than expected, provided a simple user interface. However, the system exhibited slow content loading and delayed voice recognition. The Ridgeline's technology, while functional, was in need of an update to match modern standards.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time. 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 2023 Honda Ridgeline relied on aging driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. While effective, the systems lacked the refinement of newer Honda models. The Ridgeline received favourable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and top marks from the NHTSA, with a four-star rollover resistance rating.