2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 RAM 1500

The 2023 Ford Maverick retained its fresh, modern look, with a blocky front end and headlights that set it apart from other Ford trucks. The Tremor package added off-road capability and street cred with blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights. The Avalanche Gray color option was a standout, lighter and less blue-tinged than other automakers' offerings. The Tremor package also included unique tow hooks, updated fender vents, and a new grille with orange accents. The $1,495 Tremor Appearance Package added a Carbonized Gray roof and mirrors, black side graphics, and special 17-inch wheels with a sporty orange accent.

The base Maverick XL came with 17-inch Sparkle Silver-painted steel wheels, which were less appealing. The XLT trim featured 17-inch Carbonized Gray aluminum wheels, while the Lariat had 18-inch Bright aluminum wheels. The FX4 package for XLT or Lariat swapped these for 17-inch Ebony-painted aluminum wheels. Inside, the Maverick's crew cab had a lot of hard plastic, though the Black Onyx seats with a heathered look were a nice touch. The blue-tinted plastic on the door cards and center console added a surprisingly highbrow look, despite the utilitarian feel of the materials.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered a choice between a quad cab or a larger crew cab with a 6-foot, 4-inch bed, or a 5-foot, 7-inch bed. The Limited trim, near the top of the eight available trims, featured the $4,145 Night Edition option for a stealthy look with a blacked-out grille, badging, headlamp bezels, mirror caps, and 22-inch black aluminum wheels. Inside, the Limited trim boasted plenty of leather with contrasting stitching and embossed logos. The open-pore wood on the dash and metallic trim added an upscale touch, while the steering wheel featured wood and leather trim.

The 12-inch portrait-oriented screen gave the interior a unique look, complemented by chunky volume controls and a Ram logo on the dash. The Limited logo between the seats ensured drivers never forgot which truck they were in. The interior also featured a 12-inch portrait-oriented screen, chunky volume controls, and a Ram logo on the dash. The Limited logo between the seats ensured drivers never forgot which truck they were in.

The 2023 Ford Maverick was notable for its hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). Buyers opting for the 2.0-liter, 250-hp EcoBoost engine received an eight-speed automatic transmission and the option to upgrade to all-wheel drive (AWD) for $2,200. AWD was standard on the Lariat trim and included with both off-road packages on XLT and Lariat trims.

The Tremor off-road package, available on XLT and Lariat trims, introduced Ford's "Advanced 4WD" system, capable of sending most rear-axle torque to either wheel. The Tremor package also included Trail Control, special springs and shocks, steel skid plates, a heavy-duty transmission cooler, and a 1-inch lift for 9.4 inches of ground clearance. The FX4 Off-Road Package, with the EcoBoost engine's 277 lb-ft of torque, allowed for a towing capacity of up to 4,000 lbs, while the Tremor package reduced towing capacity to 2,000 lbs and payload to 1,200 lbs.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered drivers a choice between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). The standard engine was a 3.6-liter V6 with Ram's eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system, while a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque was optional on lower trims and standard on upper trims. A 3.0-liter diesel engine was available on all but the top TRX trim, which featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. All 1500 trucks came with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The eTorque system provided better fuel economy and up to 130 pound-feet of supplemental torque at takeoff. The V8 engine produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, making it strong off the line. The eight-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly, and the EPA rated V8 4WD eTorque models at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. The Ram 1500's coilover rear suspension and available air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the 14.9-inch brake rotors and accurate steering added to the driving experience. The 1500 had a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and could haul up to 2,300 pounds of payload, depending on the configuration.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, with the Tremor package, was 1 inch longer than other Mavericks, but this didn't affect legroom. Gas engine models offered 42.8 inches of front legroom and 36.9 inches in the second row, while hybrid models had 35.9 inches of rear legroom. The Maverick was roomier than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, with 41.4 inches of front legroom and 36.5 inches in the back seat. Headroom was nearly identical, with the Maverick offering 40.3 inches in the front and 39.6 inches in the second row.

The Maverick's interior featured a lot of plastic, but it was in line with the truck's utilitarian nature. The base six-way manual-adjust driver's seat and four-way passenger seat could be upgraded with the $1,730 Luxury Package, which added heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Lariat trim's Luxury Package cost $2,610 and included additional tech and safety features.

The 2023 RAM 1500's cabin was filled with storage options, including a two-tiered center console with sliding upper-level cupholders and a lower-level storage cubby. The center console was large enough to hold a laptop, purse, and a big box of Cheez-Its. The front seats were heated and cooled, with eight-way power adjustments for both the driver and front passenger. Power-adjustable pedals were standard on the Limited trim.

The crew cab provided 45.2 inches of rear legroom, nearly 10 inches more than the quad cab. The rear seats reclined up to eight degrees and could flip up for additional cargo space. The multifunction tailgate could open like a 60/40 split door or a traditional tailgate, and the optional air suspension lowered the open tailgate to 32.8 inches from the ground. The RamBox storage integrated into the rear quarter panel was a useful $995 option for secure tool storage.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, as an entry-level truck, had basic tech features. The 8-inch infotainment touchscreen had unimpressive graphics reminiscent of early '90s computers. Standard features included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. FordPass Connect offered a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with a subscription. The driver-information display was 4.2 inches on most trims, with a 6.5-inch LED screen on the Lariat trim. Two front USB ports were standard, with the Lariat trim adding two more for the second row. The Lariat trim also included a power-sliding rear window, ambient lighting, and push-button start. The Lariat's Luxury Package added an eight-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging pad, SiriusXM Radio, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system.

The 2023 RAM 1500 received a tech upgrade with a new reconfigurable 12-inch gauge cluster, though it wasn't on our tester. Lower trims had a 5-inch infotainment screen, while mid trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Upper trims featured a 12-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, allowing for dual-function display. The Uconnect system could connect two phones to Bluetooth simultaneously. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though there was some lag with Apple CarPlay. The optional Equipment Group 1 added a head-up display, digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system. The truck had multiple USB-A and -C outlets, a wireless charging pad, two 115-volt outlets, and a 12-volt outlet.

The 2023 Ford Maverick came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance technology, including automatic high beams, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane centering, evasive steering assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and hill-descent control. The reverse camera was particularly sensitive to cross traffic. The Maverick earned a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and received mixed ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 RAM 1500 lacked standard advanced driver-assist systems, with features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning being optional or part of a package. The blind-spot monitoring system could cover the length of a trailer. Despite this, the NHTSA gave the 2023 Ram 1500 crew cab a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks across most categories, with Marginal grades for seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use. The Limited, Longhorn, and TRX trims received Good grades for headlights, while other trims received Marginal marks.