2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2022 Ford Maverick
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2021 Toyota Tacoma is 6.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Ford Maverick scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Ford Maverick emerges as the more compelling choice, offering a well-rounded package with modern features, impressive fuel efficiency, and excellent value for consumers seeking a versatile and affordable small truck.
Choose the 2022 Ford Maverick if:
Shop Now- You seek a fuel-efficient and versatile daily driver with ample interior storage.
- You prioritize affordability and value in a small truck.
- You prefer a modern design with advanced technology features.
Choose the 2021 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You prioritize off-road capability and towing capacity.
- You prefer a traditional truck look and body-on-frame construction.
- You value a proven track record of reliability and rugged styling.
Overview | |
MSRP$26,400 | MSRP$20,995 |
Average price$36,057 | Average price$29,084 |
Listings3723 | Listings730 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews8.2 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2021 Toyota Tacoma Reviews SummaryLast redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way. Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models. Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions. Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup. | |
2022 Ford Maverick Reviews SummaryAmericans buy more Ford pickup trucks than they do any other vehicle, but that doesn’t mean the Blue Oval is satisfied. The 2022 Ford Maverick aims to further expand the market by offering a more approachable version of the pickup. The Maverick is the smallest Ford truck in over a decade, uses car-like unibody construction for greater refinement, and emphasizes fuel economy with an available hybrid powertrain. The Maverick’s closest rivals are the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Honda Ridgeline, other unibody pickups of similar size. But while the new Santa Cruz was conceived more as an SUV with a bed, the Maverick is more like a conventional pickup, just smaller than Ford’s other offerings. The Maverick slots just below the Ford Ranger in size, although it’s still a bit larger than the compact pickups of old. With the demise of the EcoSport crossover, the Maverick is also now Ford’s de facto entry-level vehicle, which seems fitting for a company whose bestselling product is the F-150. Ford isn’t really a car company; it’s a truck company. While the Ford F-150 is available in a dizzying array of configurations, the automaker kept things simple with the 2022 Maverick. The new Ford pickup is available in just three trim levels—XL, XLT, and Lariat—with a single bed length and cab configuration. At Ford’s invitation, we sampled the full lineup over two days on the roads around Nashville, Tennessee. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.7L 159 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 191 hp I4 Hybrid |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity4 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City20 | MPG City42 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway33 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.7L 159 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 191 hp I4 Hybrid |
Torque180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
Drivetrain4X2 | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City42 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway33 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity4 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Bed Length73.7 in | Bed Length54.4 in |
Curb Weight3915 lbs | Curb Weight3674 lbs |
Height70.6 in | Height68.7 in |
Length212.3 in | Length199.7 in |
Width74.4 in | Width83.5 in |
Wheelbase127.4 in | Wheelbase121.1 in |
Maximum Payload1685 lbs | Maximum Payload1500 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity2000 lbs |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2021 Toyota Tacoma is 6.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Ford Maverick scores 8.2 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Ford Maverick emerges as the more compelling choice, offering a well-rounded package with modern features, impressive fuel efficiency, and excellent value for consumers seeking a versatile and affordable small truck.
Choose the 2022 Ford Maverick if:
Shop Now- You seek a fuel-efficient and versatile daily driver with ample interior storage.
- You prioritize affordability and value in a small truck.
- You prefer a modern design with advanced technology features.
Choose the 2021 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You prioritize off-road capability and towing capacity.
- You prefer a traditional truck look and body-on-frame construction.
- You value a proven track record of reliability and rugged styling.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $26,400 | $20,995 |
Average price | $36,057 | $29,084 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.9 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | 8.2 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Last redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way. Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models. Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions. Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup. | Americans buy more Ford pickup trucks than they do any other vehicle, but that doesn’t mean the Blue Oval is satisfied. The 2022 Ford Maverick aims to further expand the market by offering a more approachable version of the pickup. The Maverick is the smallest Ford truck in over a decade, uses car-like unibody construction for greater refinement, and emphasizes fuel economy with an available hybrid powertrain. The Maverick’s closest rivals are the 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Honda Ridgeline, other unibody pickups of similar size. But while the new Santa Cruz was conceived more as an SUV with a bed, the Maverick is more like a conventional pickup, just smaller than Ford’s other offerings. The Maverick slots just below the Ford Ranger in size, although it’s still a bit larger than the compact pickups of old. With the demise of the EcoSport crossover, the Maverick is also now Ford’s de facto entry-level vehicle, which seems fitting for a company whose bestselling product is the F-150. Ford isn’t really a car company; it’s a truck company. While the Ford F-150 is available in a dizzying array of configurations, the automaker kept things simple with the 2022 Maverick. The new Ford pickup is available in just three trim levels—XL, XLT, and Lariat—with a single bed length and cab configuration. At Ford’s invitation, we sampled the full lineup over two days on the roads around Nashville, Tennessee. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.7L 159 hp I4 | 2.5L 191 hp I4 Hybrid |
Drive Train | 4X2 | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 |
Horsepower | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
MPG City | 20 | 42 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 33 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.7L 159 hp I4 | 2.5L 191 hp I4 Hybrid |
Torque | 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm | |
Horsepower | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 42 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 33 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Bed Length | 73.7 in | 54.4 in |
Curb Weight | 3915 lbs | 3674 lbs |
Height | 70.6 in | 68.7 in |
Length | 212.3 in | 199.7 in |
Width | 74.4 in | 83.5 in |
Wheelbase | 127.4 in | 121.1 in |
Maximum Payload | 1685 lbs | 1500 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 2000 lbs |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.