Which should you choose, the 2024 Ford Maverick or the 2024 Ford Ranger? Both are rugged options, but they’re so different that they can’t help but appeal to different drivers. Read on to discover whether you need a compact truck, like the Maverick, or a midsize truck, like the Ranger.
Key Takeaways
- The compact Maverick gives you the lowest price on a new Ford truck!
- You should choose the Ranger for a stronger performance, but you should choose the Maverick for maximum fuel economy!
- Both trucks provide a roomy, five-passenger crew cabin. However, the Ranger delivers a little extra bed space.
- Although the Maverick offers many innovative features, the Ranger provides a longer list of available luxuries.
Price
Both the compact Ford Maverick and midsize Ford Ranger are competitively priced for their respective segments. However, in a contest between these Ford trucks, the Maverick offers the much better deal, with an MSRP of $23,815. The Ranger comes standard with more features, additional power, and stronger capabilities, all of which is reflected in its starting price of $32,670.
Power & Performance
Power and performance are big factors in whether you should choose the Maverick or the Ranger.
For an especially thrifty pickup truck, choose the Maverick. With its available hybrid powertrain, the 2024 Maverick earns up to 37 mpg combined (42 city/33 highway). This compact pickup is also pretty capable. All models can haul payloads weighing up to 1,500 pounds. With the base 2.0-liter engine, the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Hybrid Mavericks can tow up to 2,000 pounds.
The 2024 Maverick engine options include:
- Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 277 lb-ft) and eight-speed automatic transmission
- Optional 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain (191 hp, 277 lb-ft) and continuously variable transmission
- Front-wheel drive
- Optional all-wheel drive (2.0L engine only)
To maximize power and capabilities, the Ranger is the best option. Thanks to a newly available turbocharged V6, Ford’s midsize truck is faster than ever. Properly equipped, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul payloads of up to 1,805 pounds. There’s also a brand new Ranger Raptor trim model designed for high-speed off-roading, featuring an exclusive 405-horsepower turbocharged engine.
The 2024 Ranger engine options vary according to trim model:
- XL: 2.3L EcoBoost inline four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- XLT, Lariat: 2.7 EcoBoost V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- Raptor: 3.0L EcoBoost V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear- wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive
Body Style Configurations
Both trucks come standard with only one body style configuration. If you need more leeway in terms of cabin and bed size, check out the bigger Ford F-150, which offers three cabins and three bed sizes!
Both the Maverick and Ranger offer five-passenger seating in their roomy crew cabins. Although the Maverick is technically a compact truck, it provides nearly the same amount of passenger space as the midsize Ranger. The Maverick pairs its crew cabin with a 4.5-foot bed, and the Ranger features a 5-foot bed.
Modern Features
In spite of being the economy option, the 2024 Ford Maverick has a great standard lineup. Every Maverick includes an 8-inch central touchscreen and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base Maverick XL is also big on utility, with handy rear under-seat storage compartments, power accessories, cruise control, and the forward collision mitigation system.
The midlevel Maverick XLT improves utility and comfort, adding to the base lineup with upgraded seating upholstery and a power-locking tailgate. The Lariat is the most luxurious option, with comfort (heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, faux-leather upholstery), tech (an eight-speaker B&O sound system, wireless smartphone charging pad, navigation, SYNC 3 infotainment), and utility upgrades (adaptive cruise control, power-adjustable driver’s seat, trailer hitch).
The Ford Ranger comes in the same trim levels (XL, XLT, and Lariat). But compared to the Maverick, the Ranger offers more features at lower levels. For example, the base XL includes the newer SYNC 4 infotainment system, plus the wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The XL also includes an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, LED headlamps, and cloth upholstery. Moving up to the XLT means you’ll also enjoy in-bed lighting, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver aids. The Lariat provides real luxury, with leather-trimmed seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a bigger 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster.
Your Ford Truck
In the end, choosing between the 2024 Ford Maverick and Ford Ranger is really about which truck makes the most sense for you. If you need a truck that can tow and haul more weight, deliver more power, and offer extra luxury upgrades, then the Ranger is the right choice. But if you’re after a truck that comes at a great price and optimizes fuel economy, then the Maverick is the better option!