Between these two 2023 Ford trucks, you’re going to get two very different results. The 2023 Ford Maverick and the 2023 Ford Ranger offer different uses depending on what you need out of your truck. If you want a truck that is limited in capacity but great on fuel mileage, side with the Maverick. If you need a reliable, all-around impressive truck it’s better to go with the Ranger. Despite the Maverick being more fuel efficient and cheaper all around, if you need a better-performing vehicle we recommend the Ranger – in this comparison guide we’ll show you why.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Maverick gets double the EPA rating the Ranger does.
- The Ranger has a much better engine, bed size, and maximum towing rating.
- More offered features on the Ranger, both standard and optional.
THE SUPERIOR POWER OF THE RANGER
If you know you’re going to be towing a lot or hauling a lot – then the Ranger is the better truck for you. The Maverick is a compact truck and is not built for heavy lifting. In the midsize Ranger, you have a 2.3-liter I-4 turbocharged engine with 270 horsepower. The compact Maverick has a 2.5-liter Hybrid I-4 with 191 horsepower. It offers a payload capacity of up to 1,500 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds if you side with a larger engine, making it ideal for light-duty tasks.
The Ranger on the other hand, with its larger size and power, provides a more substantial payload capacity of up to 1,860 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds, best for those requiring heavier hauling and towing capabilities. The fuel efficiency of the Maverick is what sets the truck apart from all others like it. What it doesn’t have in power it makes up for in gas savings – the Maverick gets 40 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway while the Ranger gets 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
CARGO AND SIZE
The Ranger is overall the bigger truck and looks more traditional with its SuperCab body style while the Maverick is smaller and looks more compressed as a SuperCrew body style. To show just how much room you’re missing in the Maverick, the maximum cargo space in the Ranger is 51.8 cubic feet compared to the Maverick’s 33.3 cubic feet. Passengers in the Maverick do get about five inches more leg and headroom than the Ranger – making it a little roomier in the back seat – but that’s at the expense of a smaller truck bed.
OTHER FEATURES
If you spend time off-road, the Ranger is going to be better for you. The Ranger has an available FX4 Off-Road Package that equips it with features such as an electronic-locking rear differential, off-road-tuned suspension, all-terrain tires, and multiple driving modes for different terrains. The Maverick is just ok for off-roading, because while it doesn’t have all the same great features of the Ranger - still offers sufficient ground clearance and is available as an all-wheel drive for mild off-road adventures.
Regardless of where your journey takes you, they both prioritize safety. They come equipped with features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Ranger does have the edge however, as it also offers features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with brake support, which isn’t included with the Maverick.
THE WINNER
Looking to save gas on your next truck? The Maverick wins against just about every other truck there is out on the market. However, the Ranger is going to offer more utility over the many years to come with your truck and will allow you to drive off the lot in confidence.