Choosing the best midsize truck for the money can be challenging. In the Ford lineup, the midsize Ranger has some competition in its compact sibling, the Maverick. There are reasons to buy a Maverick over the Ranger, like a standard hybrid powertrain with excellent fuel economy. However, there are also a few advantages of the 2023 Ford Ranger over the Maverick. What makes the Ford midsize truck a better option than the tiny, affordable hybrid specialist?

Advantages of the 2023 Ford Ranger: Horsepower

First and foremost, the base engine of the 2023 Ford Ranger is more potent. Additionally, it’s got more power than even the optional turbocharged unit Maverick buyers can get. Regardless, the Ranger’s most basic engine will give owners more power and overall capability. Every Ranger uses the same 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine good for 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, there is no optional or additional engine for the Ranger, which is an advantage of the Maverick.

Comparatively, the Maverick starts with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system making 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. Although it’s fuel-efficient, it falls short of the Ranger’s power by a good margin. Additionally, the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 250 hp and 277 lb-ft, which still fails to match or exceed Ranger numbers.

A high-quality interior

Another of the most important highlights of a midsize truck is the interior. To match titans like the Toyota Tundra or Honda Ridgeline, the 2023 Ford Ranger must be luxurious inside. Although it’s not the best, it still outclasses the Maverick in this category. Edmunds says the Ranger has roomy seats that are easy to get in and out of. Additionally, it uses high-quality materials and feels more expensive than it actually is.

Alternatively, one of the biggest drawbacks of the Maverick is the interior quality. Unfortunately, Ford had to sacrifice something to sell it at such a low price. One of those things is the materials used inside the Maverick. It’s filled with cheap-to-touch and look-at plastics and hard surfaces. Although the Ranger isn’t particularly luxurious, it’s a step above the Maverick in most ways.

Many 2023 Ford Ranger packages

One of the highlights of the bottom-tier Ford Ranger models is the optional packages. For example, the 101A and Co-Pilot360 packages are available, even for the most basic XL trim. Feature highlights from them include cruise control, power mirrors, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Sync 3 infotainment system, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

For the Maverick, some packages aren’t available for the base model. Others require all-wheel drive, which costs extra for all trim levels, plus it requires the optional turbocharged engine. For example, the Lariat Luxury package is exclusive to the Maverick Lariat. Furthermore, the FX4 Off-Road package requires a non-hybrid engine and AWD.

Advantages of the 2023 Ford Ranger over Maverick

In conclusion, there are a few advantages the 2023 Ford Ranger has over the Maverick. As Ford’s midsize offering, the most apparent benefits are space and size. However, the Ranger also has a more potent engine than the Maverick’s offerings, a higher quality interior, and more packages. Since lower trims have access to more packages, the Ranger is far more well-equipped in cheaper models.