2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Ford Maverick retained its distinctive styling, characterized by a blocky front end and headlights, which set it apart within the Ford truck family. The Maverick Tremor variant added a rugged off-road capability, featuring blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights, along with unique colour options like Avalanche Grey. The Tremor package also included tow hooks in "Tremor Orange," updated fender vents, and a new grille with orange accents. For those seeking a more striking appearance, the Tremor Plus Appearance Package offered additional features such as a Carbonized Grey roof and mirrors, black side graphics, and special 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.

Inside, the Maverick's crew cab was practical but featured a lot of hard plastic, contributing to its utilitarian nature. The Black Onyx seats had a heathered look, and the blue-tinted plastic added a surprisingly upscale touch. However, the steering wheel was only covered in soft-touch materials in certain configurations, and the overall interior feel was more functional than luxurious.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was a full-size pickup that made a bold statement with its massive grille and interlocking design elements. The truck's purposeful and solid appearance was complemented by slim, high-mounted headlights and a character line that added visual length. At the rear, a three-dimensional stamped design added to its robust look. The Tundra was available in ten different trim levels in Canada, offering a wide range of customization options.

The Tundra's interior was spacious and comfortable, with big, expansive seats and a massive 14-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard in higher trims. The TRD Pro trim, in particular, stood out with its off-road capabilities, including a set of clearance lamps, a skid plate, and a stamped "TOYOTA" front grille. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring big physical controls for essential functions and a wireless charging pad for convenience.

The 2023 Ford Maverick was notable for its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid model came with a CVT and front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-litre, 250-hp turbo EcoBoost engine offered an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Tremor off-road package, available on XLT and Lariat trims, introduced Ford's "Advanced 4WD" system, enhancing the truck's adaptability to off-road environments. The Tremor package also included Trail Control, special springs and shocks, steel skid plates, and a 2.5-centimetre lift for improved ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offered two engine choices, both featuring six cylinders. The standard 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine produced 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the Tundra Hybrid's i-FORCE MAX engine delivered an impressive 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed the power smoothly, and the Tundra's multi-link rear suspension improved ride quality over various terrains. The Tundra's maximum towing capacity was 5,045 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 880 kilograms. The TRD Pro trim excelled in off-road performance, featuring a lift, Fox shocks, BBS alloy wheels, and advanced off-road technologies.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, with the Tremor package, was slightly longer than other Mavericks but maintained the same legroom. The gas engine models offered 1,088 millimetres of front legroom and 937 mm in the second row, while the hybrid powertrain reduced rear seat legroom to 912 mm. The Maverick's interior featured a lot of plastic, but it was in line with its utilitarian nature. The XLT trim offered a Luxury Package with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and power-adjustable features, while the Lariat trim added more tech and safety content.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra's interior was designed with practicality and comfort in mind. The Tundra featured big physical controls for essential functions, a wireless charging pad, and a spacious centre console bin with a sliding door. The rear seats in the CrewMax configuration provided ample space for tall and wide adults, and the backseat flipped up for additional storage. The Tundra offered various bed lengths, with the SR5 trim available in double-cab and CrewMax configurations, while the TRD Pro and Capstone trims were limited to the CrewMax body with a short bed.

The 2023 Ford Maverick offered an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The Lariat trim added a 6.5-inch LED driver-information display, a power-sliding rear window, ambient lighting, and a push-button start. The Lariat's Luxury Package included an eight-speaker B&O sound system, a wireless charging pad, SiriusXM Radio, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while a 14-inch multimedia screen was standard on Limited grade and higher. The 14-inch system offered crisp graphics and fast response times, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. A 12-speaker audio system was standard on higher trims, while lower trims had a 9-speaker or six-speaker stereo. The Tundra also boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel with impressive resolution and brightness.

The 2023 Ford Maverick came with the Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance technology, including automatic high beams, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane centring, evasive steering assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and hill-descent control. The Maverick earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and received various ratings from the IIHS for crash prevention.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane departure warning. The Tundra also featured a sway warning system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The IIHS awarded CrewMax models a Top Safety Pick+ in 2023, although the NHTSA had not rated the Tundra.