2023 Ford Maverick vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Ford Maverick retained its distinctive design, showcasing the Ford truck family resemblance with its side and rear styling. The blocky front end and headlights set it apart, especially in the Tremor variant, which added off-road capability and street cred with blacked-out logos, headlights, and taillights. The Tremor package introduced a unique Avalanche Gray color, tow hooks in "Tremor Orange," updated fender vents, and a new grille with orange accents. The Tremor Appearance Package further enhanced its sporty look with a Carbonized Gray roof and mirrors, black side graphics, and special 17-inch wheels. Inside, the Maverick's crew cab featured a lot of hard plastic, with Black Onyx seats offering a heathered, salt-and-pepper look. The blue-tinted plastic on the door cards and center console contributed to a surprisingly highbrow appearance, despite the utilitarian feel of the materials.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Tundra was a massive truck with a commanding presence, highlighted by its enormous grille and interlocking design elements. The Tundra's purposeful and solid look was complemented by slim, high-mounted headlights and a character line that added visual length. The rear featured a three-dimensional stamped design. The new SX Package on the SR5 trim added dark gray metallic wheels, body-color trim pieces, and a blacked-out "4x4" badge. The Tundra offered seven trim levels, with the TRD Pro standing out for its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Tundra boasted expansive seats and a massive 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Despite its polarizing exterior, the Tundra's interior provided ample space and comfort, making it a practical choice for truck buyers.

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 Mavericks featured a CVT and front-wheel drive, while the 2.0-liter, 250-hp EcoBoost engine offered an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The Tremor off-road package, available on XLT and Lariat trims, introduced Ford's "Advanced 4WD" system, capable of sending torque to either rear wheel. The Tremor package also included Trail Control, special springs and shocks, steel skid plates, and a 1-inch lift for improved ground clearance. The EcoBoost engine's 277 lb-ft of torque allowed for a towing capacity of up to 4,000 lbs with the 4K Tow Package, although the Tremor package reduced towing capacity to 2,000 lbs.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offered two engine choices, both featuring six cylinders. The standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid i-FORCE MAX engine delivered 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. The Tundra's 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth and consistent power delivery. The new multi-link rear suspension improved ride quality over various terrains. The Tundra's maximum towing capacity was 12,000 pounds, with a payload of 1,940 pounds. The TRD Pro trim featured off-road enhancements like a 1.1-inch lift, 2.5-inch fox shocks, and 33-inch tires. Despite its size, the Tundra's off-road capabilities were impressive, although its large dimensions could be a limitation on narrow trails.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, with the Tremor package, was 1 inch longer than other Mavericks but maintained the same legroom. Gas engine models offered 42.8 inches of front legroom and 36.9 inches in the second row, while the hybrid powertrain reduced rear legroom to 35.9 inches. The Maverick's interior featured a lot of plastic, but it was in line with its utilitarian nature. The Luxury Package offered upgrades like heated seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra prioritized practicality and thoughtful design. It featured big physical controls for volume, climate, and driving functions. The Tundra's center console had a clever sliding door for easy access to storage. The rear seats provided ample space for tall and wide adults, with additional storage under the flip-up backseat. The Tundra offered various size configurations, with different bed lengths available depending on the trim level.

The 2023 Ford Maverick, as an entry-level truck, offered basic tech features. It had an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim added a 6.5-inch LED driver-information display, additional USB ports, and features like a power-sliding rear window and ambient lighting. The Lariat's Luxury Package included an eight-speaker B&O sound system, wireless charging pad, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR and SR5 trims, with a 14-inch screen available on higher trims. The 14-inch system offered crisp graphics and fast response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 12-speaker audio system available on higher trims. The Tundra's 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was impressive, providing great resolution and brightness.

The 2023 Ford Maverick came with Ford's Co-Pilot 360 suite, including automatic high beams, pre-collision assist, and a rearview camera. Additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available. The Maverick earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some concerns noted in crash tests. The IIHS gave it a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available but not standard on all trims. The Tundra had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the IIHS awarded CrewMax models a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022.