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Ford Maverick Vs. Ford Ranger
Updated on Jun 17, 2025
Ford is no stranger to the compact and midsize truck market. The first midsize Ranger rolled off the assembly line in 1982, spurring an entire movement of American midsize trucks. While Ford formally abandoned the segment to focus on full-size trucks exclusively in the 2010s, the company made a valiant return to the midsize market with the release of the T6-generation Ford Ranger in 2019.
A few years later, in 2021, Ford announced the production of another compact truck—the unibody Maverick. While wearing the same name as the company’s 70s sedan, the new Maverick was a far departure. This compact truck borrowed a chassis from the Ford Escape and outfitted it with a four-door cab and small bed, making it Ford’s smallest truck offering.
With the brand now offering two trucks in the compact/midsize space, Ford fanatics seeking a small, domestic pickup truck now had a choice—do they opt for the smaller, car-like Maverick or the larger, more familiar Ranger? If you’re caught between the two offerings, stay tuned for RealSource™’s coverage of the Ford Maverick vs. the Ford Ranger.
History
For a fair comparison, we’ll need to start at the beginning. Read on to learn the history of both models.
Ford Ranger
While midsize truck fans often credit the Toyota Tacoma as the ultimate small truck, it has serious competition from the Ford Ranger. First introduced in 1982 for the 1983 model year, the midsize Ranger offered muscular styling, solid performance, and practically all the features Americans had grown to love about F-Series pickups, only in a smaller package.
Various engine, transmission, trim level, and body configurations allowed consumers to fine-tune their Ranger to meet their needs. Throughout the years, the Ranger has gone through several revisions and generations. The first generation Ford Ranger ran until 1992, when it was replaced with the more aerodynamic second generation until 1997. The third generation debuted in 1998 and ran until 2011, when Ford officially discontinued the Ranger in the United States.
The rest of the world saw the production of the T6-generation Ranger from 2011 to 2019. However, this design didn’t officially join the US market until 2019, when the Ranger platform was reintroduced in North America. 2023 brought about another refresh, which is still in production today.
Ford Maverick
The Ford Maverick boldly returned to the automotive scene in 2021, though not as the compact sedan many remembered from the 1970s. Instead, Ford revived the Maverick nameplate for a completely reimagined vehicle—a compact, unibody pickup truck designed to meet the needs of modern drivers. Unlike traditional trucks that often come with hefty price tags and fuel-thirsty V8 engines, the new Maverick was engineered to offer practicality, versatility, and fuel efficiency in a more compact and accessible package.
Officially debuting as a 2022 model, the Maverick immediately captured attention for its affordability, impressive fuel economy—especially with its standard hybrid powertrain—and innovative use of space. It filled a gap in the market for buyers seeking the utility of a pickup without the bulk and cost of full-size trucks. First-time truck buyers found it especially appealing, while seasoned truck enthusiasts appreciated its fresh approach.
With its innovative engineering, urban-friendly size, and attractive starting price, the Maverick quickly established itself as a standout in Ford’s lineup. Though still relatively new, the Maverick is redefining what a small pickup can be, offering a compelling alternative for drivers looking for functionality without compromise.
Model Overview
Next, let's examine the key characteristics of both Ford trucks, including notable similarities and differences.
Ford Ranger
The T6 Ford Ranger is undoubtedly a truck. Its body-on-frame chassis, rugged suspension, and torquey powertrain options demonstrate all the characteristics of a traditional North American truck in a smaller, more nimble package.
It’s a truck engineered for truck drivers who no longer need full-size footprints and gas-guzzling V8 engines. However, if you plan to tow, haul, or trek off-road, the Ranger is happy to oblige.
Ford Maverick
Though the Maverick may qualify as a truck because of its small bed, it may seem foreign to long-time truck owners. Rather than being built on a beefy body-on-frame platform, the Maverick shares its chassis with Ford’s compact SUV—the Escape.
A unibody design, four-wheel independent suspension, and small displacement engines make the Maverick feel less truck-like and more like a small SUV with the rearmost portion of the roof lopped off. While not for everyone, the Maverick demonstrates car-like drivability and economy that’ll appease first-time truck buyers.
Ford Ranger Vs. Ford Maverick: Specifications
Now that we know how both models perform characteristically, it’s time to see how they compare on paper. The table below provides a full specification rundown.
Which is Right for You?
Though both trucks are compact Ford products, they demonstrate drastically different designs and performance. Which belongs in your driveway? To provide a detailed answer to that question, we’ll need to consider several factors, like size, reliability, and price.
Size
One of the most notable differences between both models is their size. While the Ranger is a true midsize truck, the Maverick falls into the compact category. It occupies a smaller footprint and possesses a smaller cab, bed, and less potent powertrain. Whether you like the extra room to stretch or simply prefer a larger vehicle, the Maverick may seem a bit on the small side compared to the Ranger. However, the Maverick may be your preferred choice if smaller is better for urban driving.
Reliability and Longevity
Considering that the current Ranger generation and the Maverick have existed for nearly the same amount of time, neither necessarily has a leg-up regarding longevity. Reliability-wise, both employ Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged powertrains and share a chassis with other platforms in Ford’s lineup. All this is to say that just because the model or generation is new doesn’t mean the technology is untested. Ford’s track record is overwhelmingly good, so neither should pose reliability concerns.
Price
Finally, let’s consider the price of both trucks. While we’d all love to have endless budgets, the reality is that everyone has a limit to the amount of money they can comfortably spend on a vehicle. The Maverick costs approximately five to eight thousand dollars less than the Ranger for similar configurations. While a considerable difference, you’ll also need to account for the difference in performance, towing and hauling capacities, and overall size.
In conclusion, both trucks are solid offerings from Ford, though the Ford Ranger is undoubtedly more characteristically “truck-like.” If you plan to do much towing, hauling, or driving off the beaten path, the Ranger is likely the better option. However, the Maverick is a solid contender for urban dwellers looking for a bit more utility.
For additional information on both platforms, check out our Ford Ranger and Ford Maverick features on RealSource.
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