Honda Ridgeline vs Ford Maverick

The 2025 Ford Maverick retained its familiar chunky styling, reminiscent of larger Ford trucks like the Ranger and F-150, while introducing a more conventional look by removing the cross bar that previously bisected the headlights. This change opened up the grille, which varied in design depending on the trim level. The Maverick offered several trims, including the base XL, XLT, and Lariat, as well as the specialty Tremor and Lobo models. The Tremor was an off-road model with dedicated suspension tuning and all-terrain tires, while the Lobo paid homage to the street truck trend with a cleaner front fascia and lowered suspension. The Maverick's interior was praised for its fun design and high-quality feel, even with its primarily plastic materials.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline stood out among pickups with its unibody platform, similar to most cars and crossover SUVs, unlike its body-on-frame rivals. Its exterior styling, with a snub nose and curvaceous lines, set it apart from other midsize trucks, though it appeared somewhat dated compared to Honda's current lineup. The Ridgeline was available in Sport, RTL, TrailSport, and Black Edition trims, with the TrailSport offering off-road-focused features. Despite its car-like construction, the Ridgeline maintained a true truck interior, designed for work and play, with excellent fit and finish and a decent amount of standard features.

The 2025 Ford Maverick offered two powertrain options, with the standard hybrid now available in both FWD and AWD, while the non-hybrid was AWD-only. The hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The optional 2.0-liter Ecoboost turbocharged engine delivered 238 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, except for the Lobo, which used a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The Lobo's lowered suspension and performance enhancements made it unique among pickups, emphasizing handling over off-road capability.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline continued with a single powertrain: a 3.5-liter V6 generating 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The V6 and transmission combination provided smooth and responsive performance, while the unibody construction contributed to excellent ride quality and handling. The Ridgeline's fully independent suspension and torque-vectoring AWD system offered precise handling, though its off-road capability was limited compared to rivals. With a 5,000-pound towing capacity and 1,583-pound payload capacity, the Ridgeline was adequate for most needs but not class-leading.

The 2025 Ford Maverick had a base towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, which could be increased to 4,000 pounds with the optional 4K Towing Package, except for the Lobo and Tremor models. The hybrid's payload capacity was 1,400 pounds with AWD and 1,500 pounds with FWD. The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed featured innovative cargo solutions, including molded pockets for cargo dividers and a tailgate that could be locked at an angle for additional cargo space. Inside, the Maverick offered clever storage solutions and similar headroom and legroom to larger trucks like the Ford Ranger.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was available only as a four-door crew cab with a 5-foot, 4-inch bed. Its dual-action tailgate and reinforced cargo box design allowed for versatile cargo handling, including accommodating a 4x8 sheet of plywood. The Ridgeline also featured a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, doubling as a cooler. Inside, the Ridgeline offered reasonable headroom and legroom, though rear-seat comfort could be improved. The high-and-wide center console provided convenient storage and drink access for front-seat occupants.

The 2025 Ford Maverick upgraded to the Sync 4 infotainment system with a 13.2-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an eight-inch digital instrument cluster. The tech was user-friendly, though the reliance on touchscreen controls for temperature and seat heaters was less convenient. The Maverick also introduced Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist for improved towing capabilities.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most models featured a seven-speaker audio system, with the Black Edition offering an eight-speaker system. The Ridgeline's infotainment system was functional, with physical buttons for key functions, making it easy to use even with gloves. However, the system's graphics and USB port options showed the Ridgeline's age compared to newer rivals.

The 2025 Ford Maverick offered standard forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams on the base XL, with additional features like lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise control available on higher trims. The Maverick received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed results from the IIHS.

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline was the only midsize pickup with a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, earning top marks in frontal and side crash tests. The Ridgeline's standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. While the adaptive cruise control system was slow to accelerate, the Ridgeline's safety features were generally effective, though it lacked a 360-degree camera system.