The Ford Maverick has taken the compact pickup truck vehicle segment by storm. The Honda Ridgeline was once considered the best small truck by many different automotive publications. The two small pickup trucks are nowhere near the same price range. Is the more affordable Ford Maverick Lariat final trim level a better buy than the base model Honda Ridgeline?

The Ford Maverick Lariat is an inexpensive small pickup

The Ford Maverick Lariat costs over $5,000 more than the base model Maverick. It starts at $25,860. Since the affordable Maverick is so barebones, the final trim level adds much-needed tech and creature comforts to make the small pickup more modern.

The Maverick Lariat is still more affordable than most base model small pickup trucks. The Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, and Jeep Gladiator base models are all more expensive than the Maverick’s final trim level. That being said, the Ford Maverick is much smaller than most pickup trucks.

The Maverick is 200 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 69 inches tall. The Ford Ranger is 11 inches longer than the Maverick. The Maverick Lariat comes packed with standard features for an affordable price. The 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat comes with a Desert Brown interior and ActiveX (high-end synthetic seating material) seats.

It includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and ambient lighting. The small pickup also features a cabin particulate air filter, a 12-volt powerpoint, and cruise control. Ford offers many optional upgrades, including a wireless charging pad and a truck bed outlet.

The Honda Ridgeline is no stranger to first place

RELATED: Used Honda Ridgeline Years to Avoid: What You Need to Know Before Buying

The Honda Ridgeline dominated compact pickup truck rankings long before the Ford Maverick existed. It intrigues consumers because of its unique unibody design. This allows the Ridgeline to provide a more comfortable ride and better fuel economy than some of its rivals.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline is 210 inches long, 79 inches wide, and 71 inches high. It’s longer and wider than the Maverick Lariat. It also tows 3,000 more pounds than the Ford Maverick.

The Ridgeline starts at $37,640. It uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine to make 280 horsepower. The midsize SUV achieves 18 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The base model Ridgeline Sport includes a lockable in-bed trunk, a lift-up rear seat with under-seat storage, and a dual-action tailgate.

Which small pickup truck is the better buy?

Neither the Ford Maverick Lariat nor the Honda Ridgeline Sport have conventional pickup truck capabilities. The Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 can tow more and better fit the typical pickup truck mold. The Maverick Lariat and Honda Ridgeline Sport are great alternatives to trucks that are considered average.

If you’re looking for the more conventional truck, the Ridgeline Sport is larger, tows more, has a larger bed, and generally is more truck-like than the Maverick Lariat. The Maverick Lariat is a small SUV or car alternative with the added utility of a truck bed. It’s the most affordable truck on the market and provides great value for its price.

If you can deal with a much smaller, less powerful truck, the Maverick is new, innovative, and quickly becoming popular. Forbes Wheels calls it the best small truck of 2022.

Learn why the 2022 Ford Maverick is so cheap in the next article below.