Critics, publications, and consumers like to compare trucks to the Ford Maverick, but the Blue Oval’s small pickup truck is truly one of a kind. There’s nothing on the market that rivals the Ford Maverick because of some of its key specs. Here are two reasons why the Ford Maverick doesn’t have any real competition.

The Ford Maverick makes every small pickup truck seem expensive

The Ford Maverick is currently the most affordable pickup truck on the market. It makes every other small and midsize truck seem expensive in comparison. The Ford Maverick starts at $20,995. It is the only pickup truck on the market with a starting price of under $21K. The Maverick tops out at $26,860 with the final Lariat trim.

When it comes to affordability, there’s no truck on the market that competes with the Ford Maverick. The base model may be barebones, but consumers can opt for the $23,360 XLT trim or the Lariat for better standard features.

The closest competitor to the Maverick is the Hyundai Santa Cruz because of its size. The Ford Maverick is 200 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 69 inches tall. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is 196 inches long, 75 inches wide, and 67 inches tall.

The Santa Cruz starts at $24,440. It may have similar dimensions to the Maverick, but it isn’t really in the same price range. The second Maverick trim is still more affordable than the base model Santa Cruz. Hyundai’s small pickup truck tops out at a whopping $40,170.

The Maverick’s fuel economy is unrivaled

The second reason that the Ford Maverick small pickup truck has no true rival is because of its superior fuel economy. The Ford Maverick’s standard hybrid powertrain gives it the fuel efficiency of a small SUV or even a sedan or coupe. No other pickup truck can compete with the Maverick’s stellar gas mileage.

The Ford Maverick achieves an incredible 42 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway. Its “rival” the Santa Cruz gets 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

It’s safe to say that the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz are just too different to be rivals. They may be a similar size, but the Maverick works out to be much more affordable because of its lower starting price and better fuel economy.

Is the Ford Maverick worth buying?

The Ford Maverick’s starting price seems too good to be true. The most affordable pickup truck on the market provides incredible value, especially at higher trim levels. Car and Driver recommends the Ford Maverick XLT trim because it comes with more standard features than the base model while still being more affordable than other small trucks.

The Maverick Hybrid XLT and Lariat are worth the money, but the small truck has been experiencing some quality and reliability issues. Ultimately, the value proposition will make the Maverick a popular choice for years to come as long as the nameplate doesn’t experience any major mechanical recalls.