2022 Ford Maverick vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward appearance compared to other new trucks. Developed in the mid-2000s and released for the 2007 model year, it featured a massive grille and disproportionately small headlights, giving it an oversized look in some ways. The "Cement" paint color with blacked-out wheels and badging made it look more modern than its underpinnings suggested. Inside, the cabin was dated but functional, with hard plastics and big monotone panels. Despite its mid-2010s styling, the Tundra's interior was user-friendly, with all buttons and dials within easy reach. The infotainment system was updated to include a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, in contrast, looked like a conventional pickup, following the styling cues of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger. However, its front end, with large headlights and a grille crossbar, was a departure from other Ford trucks. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, measuring 199.7 inches long and 68.7 inches tall. It shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs. The base Maverick XL had 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior design was heavy on plastic but incorporated multicolored elements and money-saving touches like exposed fasteners, giving it character. The Maverick's interior was its best feature, showing that entry-level vehicles don't need to sacrifice style.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with four-wheel drive available. The Tundra had a towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The six-speed automatic transmission was responsive, and the V8 provided strong acceleration at both low and high speeds. The Tundra was comfortable over various surfaces, with a stable ride on the highway.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, producing a total of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offered 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive, while the EcoBoost offered front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Maverick FX4 off-road package added features like different suspension tuning and additional underbody protection. The hybrid powertrain provided a smoother and more refined driving experience, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and rambunctious acceleration.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 5.5-foot bed and provided ample legroom for rear seat passengers. The front seats had plenty of room, and the center console was massive, with multiple storage compartments. The optional in-bed storage lockers were smaller than the RamBox system but still useful. The power rear window was a standout feature, providing clean lines of sight and fresh air.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively in a four-door crew-cab configuration. It offered more legroom than the larger Toyota Tacoma and slightly more legroom for the front seats than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, storage space under the rear seats, and an open door-card design. The 4.5-foot bed had a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds and included features like an in-bed power outlet and tailgate tiedowns. The FlexBed system allowed for customizable storage solutions, and the multi-position tailgate made it easy to secure large items. The Maverick's towing capacity was 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost and 2,000 pounds for the hybrid.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system was updated in 2020, featuring a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Amazon Alexa was available. The system was easy to operate, with redundant hard buttons for convenience. The Tundra also came with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. The standard six-speaker stereo could be upgraded to a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system.

The 2022 Ford Maverick used the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but not wireless versions. An 8-inch touchscreen and built-in WiFi hotspot were standard. The system's graphics and functions were basic, but the screen size was decent for the Maverick's price range. The Maverick included a large slot for phones, with available wireless charging, and a stand-up slot for cable management. Hybrids featured a brake-coaching system to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the Safety Sense P suite, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra had eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's crash-test ratings were not yet available. Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, and evasive steering assist.