2021 Ford F-150 vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2021 Ford F-150 had an exterior design that maintained the rugged and robust styling synonymous with its predecessors. It showcased oversized wheel arches and a tall hood, contributing to its tough appearance. The stepped front windows, a hallmark of Ford trucks, were a notable feature. This model introduced a refreshed front fascia with larger headlights and a rounder grille shape, offering 11 different grille designs and new tailgate appliques.

Externally, Ford aimed to improve the aerodynamics of the 2021 F-150 with active grille shutters, an auto-deploying air dam, and modifications to the cab and tailgate shapes. These updates were designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, consequently enhancing fuel efficiency. The use of an aluminum cab, bed, fenders, and hood, paired with a steel frame, significantly cut down on weight compared to traditional steel construction. This weight reduction allowed for a higher payload without breaching the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Inside, the F-150 retained its characteristic truck-like design with large, angular air vents and a high center console featuring a traditional shift lever. Material quality ranged from basic in the XL trim to luxurious in the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims. The King Ranch version boasted leather upholstery and wood trim, presenting a more upscale feel than many high-end trucks.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick adhered to a conventional pickup aesthetic, inspired by larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, but with a distinctive front end. The Maverick’s front featured a grille crossbar and elongated headlights, differentiating it from other Ford trucks, albeit without making a bold styling statement.

The Maverick was notably smaller than the Ford Ranger, which was underscored by its nearly foot shorter length and lower height. Sharing the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, the Maverick was lighter and offered better fuel efficiency. The base XL came with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims featured 17-inch or 18-inch alloy options, and the exclusive First Edition package included unique graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and specialized wheels and paint colors.

The Maverick’s interior design turned budget constraints into a stylistic advantage, using multicolored, speckled plastic reminiscent of children's play equipment and cost-saving touches like exposed fasteners. The base XL trim featured woven-patterned seats, with higher trims offering leather upholstery, striking a balance between affordability and style.

For performance, the 2021 Ford F-150 offered an impressive range of powertrains. The base engine was a naturally-aspirated 3.3-liter V6 delivering 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, there was a 5.0-liter V-8 engine with 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engines included a 2.7-liter option with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, and a 3.5-liter version that also produced 400 hp but increased torque to 500 lb-ft.

A Power Stroke 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 was available, offering 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission was the sole transmission option across all engine choices. The newly introduced PowerBoost hybrid powertrain combined a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with an electric motor and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, producing a total of 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful 2021 F-150 powertrain. It outperformed competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado’s 6.2-liter V8 and the Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter V8 in terms of horsepower and torque.

The F-150 also led the class in payload and towing capacity, with a maximum of 3,325 pounds for payload (with the 5.0-liter V8) and a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds with the non-hybrid 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (the hybrid was rated at 12,700 pounds). During driving tests, the PowerBoost hybrid demonstrated ample power and smooth electric motor usage, although the transition between electric and hybrid modes was slightly jarring.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, however, focused on a balance of performance and efficiency. Its standard hybrid powertrain featured a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor, producing a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, managed by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid Maverick was front-wheel-drive only, while the EcoBoost version offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. An FX4 off-road package for AWD models included specialized suspension tuning, extra underbody protection, and specific drive modes like Mud/Rut and Sand. All-terrain tires were an optional add-on for the FX4 models.

During test drives, the Maverick demonstrated surprising off-road capability for its class, performing admirably on a Ford-constructed course with rocky and muddy terrains. The hybrid powertrain provided a smoother and more linear power delivery than the turbo-four, but the EcoBoost version offered better towing capability, all-wheel drive, and more spirited acceleration.

Ford designed the 2021 F-150 with practicality and versatility in mind. The interior featured a shifter that folded flat, creating a substantial work surface ideal for laptops, particularly in the higher King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims with Max Recline Seating. The storage solutions were extensive, with large bins in the center console and sizable cupholders. Wireless charging pads ensured devices stayed in place during transit.

The F-150 came in several cab configurations: a two-door regular cab, a SuperCab with rear half doors and jump seats, and a SuperCrew cab with full-size rear doors. Bed sizes included 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot options. Accessibility features included power running boards and a fold-out step in the tailgate, which also offered etched rulers and power opening/closing. In-bed power outlets (up to four 120-volt and one 240-volt with the highest output) added further utility.

Incredibly, the 2022 Ford Maverick also excelled in interior practicality, despite its smaller size. Exclusively a four-door crew cab, it surpassed the larger Toyota Tacoma in legroom and comfortably fit more rear-seat legroom in its 2.0-liter EcoBoost form than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Storage options inside the Maverick were plentiful, with several cubbies and storage bins, under-seat storage, and Ford’s Integrated Tether System (FITS) offering multiple accessory slots.

The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed, although shorter than the Ranger’s crew-cab bed, offered a competitive 1,500-pound payload capacity. The FlexBed system allowed easy configuration with tiedown cleats, indents for dividers, and a multi-position tailgate for securing large items. The bed also featured power outlets and innovative tailgate tiedowns that doubled as bottle openers. Though its maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds (2,000 pounds for the hybrid) was lower than that of some rival crossover SUVs, it still provided sufficient utility for most needs.

The 2021 F-150 came equipped with Ford’s advanced Sync 4 infotainment system, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, and an available 12-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch trim benefitted from both the larger touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster with clear and intuitive displays. Physical controls were included for essential functions, though some minor latency in system menus was noted.

The 2022 Maverick, aiming for simplicity, used the older Sync 3 system with basic Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity (not wireless). It featured an 8-inch touchscreen and built-in WiFi hotspot capabilities to support up to 10 devices. Simple and practical, the infotainment system provided essential features without advanced options like embedded navigation. It included convenient slots for mobile devices, encouraging easy organization.

The safety amenities for the 2021 Ford F-150 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams as standard under the Ford Co-Pilot360 package. Additional features such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, hill-descent control, and intersection assist were optional. The state-of-the-art Active Drive Assist system, promising semi-autonomous driving capabilities on highways, was slated for future release.

Likewise, the 2022 Ford Maverick featured standard Co-Pilot360 safety technologies such as forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, and evasive steering assist.