Honda Ridgeline vs Ford Maverick

The 2025 Ford Maverick retained its familiar chunky styling, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the Ranger and F-150, while introducing some fresh updates. The removal of the cross bar that previously bisected the headlights gave the Maverick a more conventional look, opening up the grille with various designs depending on the trim level. The Maverick offered a range of trims, including the base XL, XLT, and Lariat, as well as the specialty Tremor and Lobo models. The Tremor was an off-road model with dedicated suspension tuning and all-terrain tires, while the Lobo paid tribute to the street truck trend with a cleaner front fascia and lowered suspension. The Maverick's interior was praised for its fun design and high-quality feel, even with the use of mainly plastic materials.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline stood out among pickups with its unibody platform, contrasting the body-on-frame construction of rivals. Its exterior styling, with a snub nose and curvaceous lines, set it apart from other midsize trucks. However, this styling made the Ridgeline look somewhat dated compared to other Honda models. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, TrailSport, and Black Edition trims, with the TrailSport offering off-road-focused features like all-terrain tires and unique suspension tuning. Inside, the Ridgeline's interior was functional and durable, with a focus on practicality rather than luxury. The cab was designed for work and play, with a decent amount of standard features and excellent fit and finish.

The 2025 Ford Maverick offered two powertrain options, with notable changes to drivetrain configurations. The standard hybrid powertrain, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, produced 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. It was available with FWD or AWD. The optional 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged engine delivered 238 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission for most trims. The Lobo model featured a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, lowered suspension, and performance enhancements like dual-piston front brake calipers and a track-focused drive mode. The Maverick's unibody platform contributed to a passenger-car-like ride and handling, making it a great daily driver.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline continued with a single powertrain spec, a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The V6 was smooth and responsive, while the transmission efficiently utilized its nine forward ratios. The Ridgeline's unibody construction provided excellent ride quality, handling, and refinement, making it feel more solid than traditional trucks. However, its off-road capability was limited compared to rivals, and its towing and payload capacities were not class-leading. Despite these limitations, the Ridgeline excelled on pavement, where most trucks spend their time.

The 2025 Ford Maverick had a base towing capacity of 907 kilograms, which could be increased to 1,814 kilograms with the optional 4K Towing Package. Its payload capacity varied depending on the drivetrain, with hybrids offering up to 680 kilograms. The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed featured innovative cargo solutions, including molded pockets for cargo dividers and a tailgate that could be locked at an angle for additional cargo space. Inside, the Maverick offered clever storage solutions, such as intricately molded in-door cubbies and mounting points for 3D-printed accessories. The unibody platform provided similar headroom and legroom to larger trucks, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available on higher trims.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was available in a single configuration with a 5-foot, 4-inch bed. Its dual-action tailgate and reinforced cargo box design allowed for versatile cargo handling, including accommodating 4x8 sheets of plywood. The Ridgeline featured a lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, doubling as a cooler, and a power-sliding rear window. Inside, the Ridgeline offered reasonable headroom and legroom, with a high-and-wide centre console for front-seat occupants. Rear-seat comfort was compromised by upright angles needed for under-seat storage. Heated outboard rear seats were available on higher trims.

The 2025 Ford Maverick received a tech upgrade with the introduction of the Sync 4 infotainment system and a standard 13.2-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard, along with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. The Maverick also borrowed towing tech from larger Ford trucks, including Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. However, the reliance on touchscreen controls for temperature and seat heaters was a drawback.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Black Edition trim included navigation and an eight-speaker audio system. Wireless phone charging was standard, but the Ridgeline's USB ports were outdated, with only one data-capable USB-A port. The Ridgeline's infotainment system was functional, with physical buttons for key functions, making it easy to use while wearing gloves.

The 2025 Ford Maverick offered a range of driver-assist features, with forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams standard on the base XL. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. The Maverick received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results from the IIHS.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was the only midsize pickup with a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It also earned high scores in various crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Ridgeline's driver aids were mostly unobtrusive, but the adaptive cruise control system was slow to accelerate.