2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2022 Ford Maverick was a revolutionary take on a classic design, setting itself apart from models like the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its aesthetics bore a striking resemblance to larger Ford trucks, with significant wheel arches and tail lights reminiscent of the F-150 and Ranger. However, the front end presented a distinct look with larger headlights and grille crossbar, breaking the familiar Ford mold, yet not making a particularly strong stylistic statement.

Sized smaller than the Ford Ranger, the Maverick was notable for its compactness, being almost a foot shorter at 199.7 inches in length. It stood 68.7 inches tall, 4.6 inches shorter than the Ranger. While larger Ford trucks employed traditional body-on-frame construction, the Maverick was based on the C2 unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs.

Entry-level Maverick XLs rolled on 17-inch steel wheels, whereas higher trims offered 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. Exclusively available for the model year was the Maverick First Edition package on the Lariat trim, which included black graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and model-specific wheels and paint colors. Luxury packages added perks like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and heated seats in the XLT and Lariat trims.

Inside, the Maverick made economical materials seem appealing. Despite heavy use of plastic, the interior featured multicolored, speckled plastic evocative of playground equipment. Exposed fasteners and minimalistic door cards added character, with even the base XL seats showcasing a distinctive weave pattern. Mid to high trims offered leather upholstery, but the standout was the innovative design that proved entry-level vehicles didn’t have to skimp on style.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty exhibited an evolution in its design rather than a revolution. The available trims—XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited—catered to various tastes and needs. The XL trim embodied a work truck ethos but still included 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, a four-speaker stereo, a USB port, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Moving up the trims, the XLT added features like cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Lariat trim introduced luxuries such as leather upholstery and heated and ventilated front seats. King Ranch took it further with 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and luxurious interior touches, including the trim’s signature Flying W logo and brown leather with saddle stitching.

Higher trims like Platinum and Limited offered even more posh features. The Super Duty maintained its massive presence but avoided the exaggerated look of off-road packages like the Tremor. The model elegantly integrated modern design with practical touches such as the front aero dam for a subtle lower presence.

The 2022 Ford Maverick impressed with its standard hybrid powertrain, centered around a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor and a CVT, producing a combined output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine churned out 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While the hybrid was only available as a front-wheel drive (FWD), the EcoBoost model offered standard FWD or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The FX4 off-road package, available for AWD XLT and Lariat trims, added enhancements like different suspension tuning, underbody protection, and specialized drive modes like Mud/Rut and Sand.

On the road, the Maverick’s unibody platform ensured a ride akin to a small car or crossover, superior to the often bumpy rides of body-on-frame trucks. It handled well on off-road terrains during tests, although it may not satisfy hardcore off-roaders. The hybrid powertrain proved smoother and more refined, while the EcoBoost engine provided rambunctious acceleration and better towing capabilities.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of potent engines. The base 6.8-liter gas V8 delivered 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. An optional 7.3-liter V8 increased those figures to 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet. For diesel enthusiasts, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 was available, generating 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque in standard form or a jaw-dropping 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet in its high-output version.

Power was transmitted to the rear or all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission, which managed engine output efficiently. The Super Duty’s diesel engine was lively and capable, even achieving highway speeds with ease. However, its massive size necessitated careful maneuvering in tight spaces, although it handled traffic well once on open roads.

Equipped aptly, the F-250 boasted a towing capacity of 22,000 pounds, particularly with the turbodiesel engines. The truck facilitated towing with features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales for accurate cargo load assessment.

The 2022 Ford Maverick was exclusively available in a four-door crew-cab configuration, offering ample legroom, surpassing the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz in some areas. The Maverick’s interior was replete with storage solutions, featuring numerous cubbies around the center console and behind the touchscreen. The innovative FITS systems allowed for various accessories, enhancing practicality.

The Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed, although shorter than the Ranger’s, offered an impressive 1,500-pound payload capacity. FlexBed features maximized the bed space, including tiedown cleats and indents for dividers. The multi-position tailgate allowed for convenient loading of large items like 4x8 sheets of plywood, and the model included useful additions like an in-bed power outlet and tiedown bottle openers. However, its towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds for the EcoBoost and 2,000 pounds for the hybrid fell short of higher-end pickups.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations with 6.75-foot or 8-foot beds. This versatility allowed for various passenger and cargo needs. The extended SuperCab’s rear-hinged clamshell doors required front door access but provided a wide opening.

Practical features included an integrated Warn winch in the front bumper and soft-opening tailgates with bed steps for easier access. Inside, the Super Duty had ample storage, including numerous cupholders, a large center bin, dual glove boxes, and extensive door storage. The rear seats in Super Crew models folded up to reveal a substantial protected cargo space.

Remarkably, the F-250’s towing capacity peaked at an impressive 22,000 pounds with the right configurations, a testament to its heavy-duty design.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (though not wireless), and an 8-inch touchscreen. The system was basic, but functional, and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. Although it lacked some advanced features like embedded navigation, it catered well to the Maverick’s price point. Hybrid models offered a brake-coaching feature for optimizing regenerative braking.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty provided an 8-inch touchscreen in the base model with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, scaling up to a 12-inch screen with wireless functionality in higher trims. This larger screen allowed for a split display of connectivity apps and additional information. The logical layout of controls and the inclusion of redundant dials for radio and climate controls made it user-friendly.

The Super Duty was equipped with multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, and wireless device charging. Trailer Navigation was another standout feature, allowing the driver to set routes based on trailer dimensions to avoid problematic routes.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a suite of standard safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner, including 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. However, it hadn’t been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA yet.

By contrast, starting from the XLT trim, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came equipped with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite. Depending on the trim, it included features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and traffic sign recognition. A 360-degree parking camera system was crucial for managing a vehicle of this size.

The Super Duty’s power-adjustable trailer mirrors and trailer blind-spot monitoring system provided further confidence for towing. Additionally, an industry-first backup camera for the lowered tailgate improved visibility during specific tasks. Like the Maverick, it hadn’t been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA yet.