2022 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2022 Ford Maverick had a conventional pickup look, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, with its larger wheel arches and taillights. However, its 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 saw a Maverick First Edition package with black graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and model-specific wheels and paint colors. The interior design of the Maverick, even at the base level, was noted for making economical materials look stylish. The interior was heavy on plastic but incorporated multicolored, speckled plastic that added character. The base XL had seats with a neat-looking weave pattern, and higher trims offered leather upholstery. Ford’s design team was credited for creating an interesting and stylish interior without sacrificing affordability.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra, on the other hand, was a massive truck with a strikingly large grille and an equally impressive grille surround, which, when painted chrome, had a bit of a Sam Elliot mustache vibe. This design was likely aimed at appealing to the Texas customer demographic. The Tundra featured interlocking design elements from the grille surround to the headlights and taillights, creating a purposeful and solid look. Slim, high-mounted headlights framed the Tundra’s face, and a character line down the side profile added visual length. The rear featured a three-dimensional stamped design.

A new SX Package was introduced in 2023, available on the SR5 trim level, adding dark gray metallic 18-inch wheels, body-color trim pieces, and a blacked-out “4x4” badge on the tailgate. The Tundra was available in seven different trim levels, with the TRD Pro trim featuring clearance lamps and a “TOYOTA” stamp on the grille. The interior of the Tundra boasted big, expansive seats and a massive 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Despite its polarizing exterior, the Tundra’s interior offered ample space and comfort, making it a practical choice for truck buyers.

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 a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing a total system output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was available, delivering 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid version was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the EcoBoost offered standard FWD or optional all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Maverick’s FX4 off-road package for the AWD XLT and Lariat trims added different suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, hill-descent control, and Mud/Rut and Sand drive modes. The Maverick FX4 demonstrated decent off-road capability, although it was better suited for light off-roading compared to more traditional pickups. On pavement, the Maverick’s unibody platform provided a smoother ride quality 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 Toyota Tundra, by contrast, replaced its old V8 engines with two new V6 options. The standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a hybrid version of this engine, known as the i-FORCE MAX, delivered 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid engine was available on the Limited, Platinum, and 1794 Edition trims, and came standard on the TRD Pro and Capstone trims. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed the Tundra’s power smoothly, with no sudden drops or surges in power.

The Tundra’s new multi-link rear suspension replaced the old leaf-spring setup, providing a more composed ride over various terrains. The Tundra’s maximum towing capacity was 12,000 pounds, and its payload capacity increased to 1,940 pounds due to lighter bed materials. The TRD Pro trim featured genuine off-road capabilities with a 1.1-inch lift, 2.5-inch fox shocks, BBS 18-inch wheels, and 33-inch tires. However, the Tundra’s large size could be a hindrance on narrow trails, despite the multi-terrain monitor and other off-road tech.

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 space under the rear seats, a large storage bin, cupholders, and an open door-card design. The Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) allowed for customizable storage solutions, with slots for various accessories.

The Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed, though shorter than the Ranger’s, offered 1,500 pounds of payload capacity. It featured an in-bed power outlet, tailgate tiedowns that doubled as bottle openers, and a multi-position tailgate for securing large items. The FlexBed system included tiedown cleats and indents for dividers or a false floor, allowing for versatile cargo management. The Maverick’s maximum towing capacity was 4,000 pounds (2,000 pounds for the hybrid), providing useful capability for a small pickup.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra, designed with practicality in mind, featured a blend of forward-looking technology and simple interface controls. Below the touchscreen, large physical controls for volume, climate control, seat heaters, and driving-related functions were easily accessible. The Tundra’s center console included big cupholders, a large space for phones with an optional wireless charging pad, and a big center console bin with a sliding door for easy access.

The Tundra’s rear seats offered ample space for tall and wide adults, with additional storage under the flip-up backseat. The Tundra was available in various size configurations, with the SR5 trim offering a double-cab with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed, and the CrewMax body available with a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. The TRD Pro and Capstone trims were available only with the CrewMax body and a 5.5-foot bed.

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 supporting 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 hybrid models included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offered an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR and SR5 trims, with a 14-inch screen available on higher trims. The 14-inch system featured new software, crisp graphics, and fast response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all Tundras, with a wireless phone charger standard on the Limited trim and above. A 12-speaker audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on higher trims, while the SR and SR5 had a 9-speaker system in the CrewMax cab and a six-speaker stereo in the double-cab. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel provided impressive resolution and brightness.

The 2022 Ford Maverick had not yet been rated by 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 2023 Toyota Tundra came with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) suite, including automatic emergency braking, road-sign detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. A sway warning system was standard, helpful for towing. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available but not standard across all trims. The IIHS awarded CrewMax models a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022, while the NHTSA had not yet rated the Tundra.