2025 Ford Maverick vs 2024 Ford Ranger

The 2024 Ford Ranger presented a design reminiscent of a smaller F-150, featuring C-shaped daytime running lights and double chrome bars that intersected the headlights and grille. The XLT model, equipped with the Chrome Appearance Package, even had fog lights with C surrounds to match the headlight shapes. While it was a handsome truck, it didn't quite match the burly appearance of competitors like the Colorado or Canyon. The Ranger Raptor, with its 33-inch all-terrain tires, didn't exude the menacing stance of the Bronco Raptor or F-150 Raptor. The Ranger's subtlety made it an appealing choice for those seeking a midsize truck with understated elegance.

The 2025 Ford Maverick retained its chunky styling theme, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the Ranger and F-150, while sharing its C2 platform with the Ford Escape crossover. Ford removed the cross bar that previously bisected the headlights, giving the Maverick a more conventional look and opening up the grille for different designs based on trim levels. The Maverick offered a range of trims, including the base XL, XLT, and Lariat, along with specialty Tremor and Lobo models. The Maverick Lobo, a tribute to the street truck trend, featured a cleaner front fascia, painted rear bumper, side skirts, and 19-inch wheels, emphasizing its lowered suspension. This design aimed to stand out more than the Tremor, which was one of many off-road-themed pickups and SUVs available.

The 2024 Ford Ranger catered to local tastes with three engine choices. The standard 2.3-litre turbo inline-four engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, providing swift and smooth acceleration. An optional 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6 engine offered 315 hp and 400 lb-ft, ideal for towing, with a capacity of 3,400 kilograms (7,500 pounds). The Ranger Raptor, with its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, boasted 405 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 2,500 kilograms (5,510 pounds). The FX4 package added a locking rear differential and smaller all-terrain tires. Fuel economy was decent, with the base four-cylinder achieving 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.8 on the highway.

The 2025 Ford Maverick offered two powertrain options, with notable changes to drivetrain configurations. The standard hybrid powertrain, available with FWD or AWD, combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 238 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. The Maverick Lobo featured a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, lowered suspension, dual-piston front brake calipers, and a track-focused Lobo drive mode. The Lobo's emphasis on handling made it unique among pickup trucks, offering a fun and satisfying experience on winding roads. The basic Maverick hybrid provided a passenger-car-like ride, with the 2.0-litre turbo-four available for those seeking more power.

The 2024 Ford Ranger featured a longer wheelbase and a 5.5-centimetre wider body, with a base ground clearance of 23.6 centimetres. The extended wheelbase provided more room in the rear seat, which felt roomier than any other truck in its class. Up front, visibility was excellent, with physical climate controls and a volume knob. The bed, with a capacity of 1,231 litres, included a damped tailgate and optional 400-watt AC outlet. Ford's Zone Lighting illuminated the headlights, reverse lights, and cargo light, providing convenience for extended use.

The 2025 Ford Maverick had a base towing capacity of 907 kilograms (2,000 pounds), which could be increased to 1,814 kilograms (4,000 pounds) with the optional 4K Towing Package. The bed featured specially designed pockets for cargo dividers and a 110-volt outlet. The 4.5-foot bed, though shorter than conventional pickups, allowed for secure stacking of cargo. Inside, Ford optimized space with intricately molded in-door cubbies and mounting points for 3D-printed accessories. The Maverick's unibody platform provided similar headroom and legroom across both rows as the larger Ranger, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the Lariat trim.

The 2024 Ford Ranger's Lariat trim featured a widened gear selector and push-button engine start, integrating with automatic parking and trailer reversing systems. The 12.4-inch instrument panel displayed crisp animations and unique gauges. The 10-inch portrait touchscreen, standard on the XL and XLT, mimicked the Mustang Mach-E layout, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto resized for optimal display. The Lariat and Raptor trims included a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo and 360-degree cameras.

The 2025 Ford Maverick upgraded to the Sync 4 system, with a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The tech was straightforward, with easy-to-find functions and a clear instrument cluster. The Maverick borrowed towing tech from larger Ford trucks, with Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist available on the Lariat trim.

The 2024 Ford Ranger had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. The XLT and above trims included standard forward and reverse emergency braking, auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring, front cross-traffic braking, and evasive steering assist. Adaptive cruise control was optional on the XLT and standard on Lariat and Raptor.

The 2025 Ford Maverick received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with four stars in rollover crash testing and five stars in frontal and side crash tests. IIHS ratings were mixed, with a "Good" rating in the updated side crash test but a "Marginal" rating in the moderate overlap front test. The base XL included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, with blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist as options.