2025 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Toyota Tacoma

The Ford Maverick really shook up the pickup-truck market when it arrived as a 2022 model. Ford’s compact pickup utilizes the same basic platform as the Escape and Bronco Sport crossovers, but it offers real truck capability and a hybrid powertrain to boot. The 2025 model features styling and tech updates, but the biggest news is a Maverick Lobo performance variant and an all-wheel drive (AWD) hybrid, so that’s what we focused on for this first drive.

Verdict: The Maverick is still a great vehicle, but it’s not quite the bargain it once was.

We’d bet good money that most people who buy a Tacoma TRD Pro — one of the most off-road-capable Tacoma models — won’t use it to blast across the desert with wild abandon. Buyers will probably want to consider a different version of Toyota’s midsize pickup truck, which is available in Canada as a Double Cab with two bed lengths, several powertrain combinations, and multiple packages.

Verdict: The 2026 Tacoma TRD Pro sells a fantasy, not a reality. Given some of the compromises it requires, we think people who want an expensive off-road-ready Tacoma would be happier with the Trailhunter model.