2022 Nissan Titan vs 2022 Ford Maverick

The 2022 Ford Maverick had a conventional pickup look, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, with its large wheel arches and taillights. However, its front end, featuring large headlights and a grille crossbar, deviated from the typical Ford truck design without making a strong styling statement. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, measuring 199.7 inches in length and 68.7 inches in height, and utilized a unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs. The base Maverick XL came with 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. The Maverick First Edition package added unique graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and model-specific wheels and paint colors. The interior, heavy on plastic, was designed to be affordable yet stylish, with multicolored elements and exposed fasteners giving it character. Even the base XL trim featured seats with a neat weave pattern, and higher trims offered leather upholstery.

The 2022 Nissan Titan, despite being a relative newcomer in the full-size truck market, boasted a rugged yet elegant exterior with strong lines and an expressive face. It had an assertive stance and well-proportioned design, with first-rate fit and finish. Inside, the Titan continued the theme of clean lines and excellent material selection, offering a spacious and airy cabin with many cup and bottle holders. The optional moonroof package further enhanced the cabin's roominess. The Titan's interior was well-built and clutter-free, making it a comfortable and practical choice for drivers.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came standard with a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing a total of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid model was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the EcoBoost offered standard FWD or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The FX4 off-road package for AWD XLT and Lariat trims added features like different suspension tuning, underbody protection, hill-descent control, and specific drive modes. The Maverick FX4 performed well on off-road courses, but hardcore off-roaders might prefer a more traditional pickup. On pavement, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smooth ride, and its smaller size made it easier to park than full-size trucks. The hybrid powertrain offered a smoother and more refined driving experience, while the EcoBoost provided more towing capability and acceleration.

The 2022 Nissan Titan featured a 5.6-liter gasoline V8 engine with variable valve timing and direct gasoline injection, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard on the S, SV, and Platinum Reserve models, while four-wheel drive (4WD) was standard on the Pro-4X off-road model and available on other trims. Fuel economy for RWD models was estimated at 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined, while 4WD models rated at 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway/18 mpg combined. The Pro-4X model had a slightly lower fuel economy. The Titan's fully boxed, full-length ladder frame, independent double-wishbone front suspension, and leaf springs in the rear provided a stable and comfortable ride. The Pro-4X model included off-road features like an electronically locking rear differential, Bilstein off-road shocks, and nearly 10 inches of ground clearance. The Titan's V8 engine delivered plenty of power and a throaty engine note, making it a good daily driver or family vehicle. The Titan's towing capacity was 9,310 pounds, and its maximum payload was 1,710 pounds, with various towing and hauling features available.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was available exclusively in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering more legroom than the larger Toyota Tacoma and slightly more front legroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, storage spaces, and the innovative Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) for customizable accessories. The 4.5-foot bed had a 1,500-pound payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet, tailgate tiedowns, and the FlexBed system for maximizing bed space. The Maverick's towing capacity was 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost model and 2,000 pounds for the hybrid.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came in two body styles: King Cab and Crew Cab, both with two rows of seating. The King Cab had rear-hinged clamshell doors and a 60/40-split bench seat in the second row, with 24.8 inches of legroom. The Crew Cab offered a more spacious second row with 38.5 inches of legroom and full front-hinged doors. The King Cab had a 78.7-inch bed, while the Crew Cab had a 67-inch bed. Both body styles shared a 139.8-inch wheelbase and 228.2-inch overall length. The Titan's bed included features like fixed tie-down hooks, the Utili-track Channel system, and optional Titan Boxes for additional storage. The Titan's tailgate was well-balanced and easy to operate, with available electronic locking.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but not wireless versions. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard, along with a built-in WiFi hotspot that could support up to 10 devices. The infotainment system's graphics and functions were basic, but the screen size was decent for the Maverick's price range. The Maverick also included a large slot for phones, available wireless charging, and a brake-coaching feature for hybrids.

The 2022 Nissan Titan received an upgrade to Nissan's latest infotainment system, with a standard 8-inch display and an available 9-inch touchscreen interface. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a WiFi hotspot that could accommodate up to seven devices. The standard audio system included SiriusXM satellite radio capability, AM/FM with RDS, MP3/WMA playback, and six speakers. The upgrade system was a Fender-branded 12-speaker setup with a subwoofer. NissanConnect with navigation was available on SV models and standard on Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve trims, offering features like 3D building graphics, over-the-air map updates, and online POI search.

The 2022 Ford Maverick had not yet received crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional extras included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane centering, and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 Nissan Titan came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Titan also featured intelligent forward collision warning and eight airbags. The Titan received top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" rating for the "small overlap front: passenger-side" test. The Titan earned "Superior" ratings for front crash prevention tech but received a "Poor" rating for the standard halogen reflector headlights on S and SV trims. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Titan, but the 2020 model received four out of five stars for overall safety.