2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2022 Ford Maverick presented a conventional pickup appearance, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, with its prominent 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 with its multicoloured plastic interior and innovative design elements.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma exuded an assertive stance, with an upright grille and tall bed that conveyed substance without excessive size. Available in various trims, including the TRD Pro, the Tacoma offered a range of configurations with multiple powertrain options and bed lengths. The TRD Pro trim, in particular, stood out with its off-road-oriented features like underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a distinctive grille. Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic to well-appointed, with the TRD Pro featuring Softex leather-trimmed upholstery and heated front seats, providing a comfortable and functional interior.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, delivering 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 front-wheel drive only, while the EcoBoost offered all-wheel drive. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package added features like different suspension tuning and additional underbody protection, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On pavement, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, with the hybrid powertrain offering a more refined driving experience.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, featured a standard 3.5-litre V6 engine with 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Despite its power advantage, the Tacoma wasn't particularly quick, with noticeable engine and wind noise at highway speeds. The TRD Pro's off-road suspension handled city streets well, but its steering felt vague. Fuel economy was a concern, with the TRD Pro delivering 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres in winter conditions. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl control, but its performance was hindered by its outdated design.

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

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma provided various configuration choices, with the access cab featuring clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, while the double cab offered a choice between a long bed and a shorter five-foot bed. The double cab's rear seats were tight on legroom, but the front seats offered ample cubby space and comfort. However, the steering wheel's limited extension posed challenges for tall drivers. The Tacoma's bed, even in its short form, accommodated gear for extended trips, showcasing its practicality for outdoor adventures.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, offering standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, but lacking wireless versions. An 8-inch touchscreen and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, providing basic functionality. The infotainment system's graphics were simple, but Ford included practical features like a large phone slot and available wireless charging, ensuring essential tech needs were met.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma, while not class-leading in technology, offered an intuitive interface with a 7-inch touchscreen in base trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. It included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Tacoma's tech was functional but outdated, with wireless charging available on higher trims. The premium JBL audio system and USB-A ports enhanced the experience, but the Tacoma lagged behind competitors in offering advanced tech features.

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

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro added blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera, but lacked lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. The Tacoma received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, missing top marks in frontal crash and rollover tests.