2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2022 Ford Maverick had a conventional pickup look, contrasting with the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its styling followed the lead of larger Ford trucks, with larger wheel arches and taillights reminiscent of the F-150 and Ranger. However, the front end deviated from this pattern with large headlights and a grille crossbar that didn't make a particularly strong styling statement. The Maverick was smaller than the Ford Ranger, measuring 199.7 inches in length and standing 68.7 inches tall. It shared the C2 unibody platform with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs, unlike Ford’s larger trucks that used traditional body-on-frame construction.

The base Maverick XL featured 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels. The 2022 model year also introduced a Maverick First Edition package based on the Lariat trim, adding black graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and model-specific wheels and paint colors. Luxury packages on XLT and Lariat trims included perks like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and heated seats. The interior design, even for the base model, made clever use of plastic, incorporating multicolored and speckled materials that added character. The Maverick’s interior was praised for its affordability without sacrificing style, making it a standout feature.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 received a styling update for the 2022 model year, evolving an already great design for a full-size truck. It featured a wider, more imposing grille and updated headlights. While the exterior changes were subtle, the interior saw a significant departure from the previous model. The new dash design included a large screen, moving controls further down the dash but retaining traditional climate controls, a volume dial, and a home button. This evolution aimed to make the cabin experience more like daily driver cars and SUVs.

The Sierra 1500 offered various trims, including Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate. The base Pro trim retained the simpler infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a fully digital instrument panel, larger touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional USB ports. The AT4 and AT4X trims were off-road-oriented, with features like skid plates, lifted suspension, and upgraded air filters. The Denali Ultimate trim included nearly every optional feature, such as a Kicker sound system in the Multi-Pro tailgate, massaging front seats, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came with a standard hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, paired with a single electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup produced a total system output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the EcoBoost offered standard FWD or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Maverick FX4 off-road package for the AWD XLT and Lariat added different suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, hill-descent control, and Mud/Rut and Sand drive modes. The Maverick FX4 demonstrated impressive off-road capability on a short course, but hardcore off-roaders might prefer a more traditional pickup. On pavement, the Maverick’s unibody platform provided a smoother ride compared to body-on-frame vehicles. The hybrid powertrain was noted for its linear power delivery and smoothness, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capability and rambunctious acceleration.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-liter Duramax turbocharged inline-six diesel engine produced 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. Buyers could also choose between two gas V8 engines: a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, or a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The gas four-cylinder engine came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all other engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic.

The Sierra 1500 had a towing capacity of up to 13,200 pounds with the diesel engine and RWD, and a maximum payload capacity of 2,240 pounds with the turbo-four and 5.3-liter V8 engines. The diesel engine provided a lively performance, aided by the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sierra Denali Ultimate offered a smooth and composed ride, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. However, maneuverability in tight spaces was challenging due to its wide turning radius and blocky styling. The AT4 and AT4X trims were designed for off-road use, with features like skid plates and upgraded dampers, but full-size trucks could be cumbersome on narrow trails.

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 front legroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick excelled in interior storage, with numerous cubbies, storage space under the rear seats, a large storage bin, cupholders, and an open door-card design. The FITS (Ford Integrated Tether System) provided slots for various accessories, and Ford planned to publish measurements for customers to 3D-print their own accessories.

The Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed offered 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet and tailgate tiedowns that doubled as bottle openers. The FlexBed system allowed for dividers or a false floor, and the multi-position tailgate could secure 4x8 sheets of plywood. The Maverick’s maximum towing capacity was 4,000 pounds (2,000 pounds for the hybrid), which was less than some crossover SUVs but more than the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered various cab and bed configurations, including regular cab with a standard-size bed, single cab with a long bed, double cab with a standard bed, full four-door crew cab with a short bed, and crew cab with a standard bed. Trim availability depended on the bed/cab configuration. The crew cab/short-bed setup provided ample cabin space, with large storage trays in the doors, multiple spots for large water bottles, and a deep center storage compartment with an organizer. The rear bench folded up for additional storage space.

The Denali Ultimate trim featured GMC’s MultiPro tailgate, which offered multiple configurations, including a bed step-up, fold-out workstation, and a passage for longer items. All trims came with bed steps cut into the rear bumper corners for easy access. The Sierra 1500’s interior was designed for practicality and convenience, with thoughtful storage solutions and versatile bed features.

The 2022 Ford Maverick featured the older Sync 3 infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (not wireless), and an 8-inch touchscreen. The 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, with available wireless charging, and a stand-up slot with space to thread a cable to the USB port above. Hybrids had a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen and a carryover infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google-connected apps. The new infotainment system had a logical layout, large icons, and a home button. The Sierra Denali Ultimate included a wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a wall-style power outlet. All trims except the base Pro had a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display.

The 2022 Ford Maverick had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features 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.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and GM’s Teen Driver system. Higher trims and optional packages added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise driver assist system. The Sierra also had rear headrests that flipped down for better rearward visibility and a rear-vision camera mirror.