2025 Ford Maverick

The compact Ford Maverick is obviously not as utilitarian as its larger pickup siblings, but it can still handle plenty of truck duties. The bed is wide enough to hold a 4-foot sheet of plywood or drywall, but 8-foot lengths will extend past the tailgate by several feet. Towing maxes out at 4,000 pounds, so you can easily pull smaller trailers. As the smallest Ford pickup, it's also the most affordable, and the savings won't end when you buy one. The hybrid model can potentially save you hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs compared to what you'd pay to drive a midsize truck.

The only direct competitor to the Maverick is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which has similar capabilities but distinguishes itself with more of an SUV personality inside and out. The Santa Cruz can tow 1,000 pounds more than the Maverick, but the lack of a trailer brake controller evens the playing field. We like both trucks, so picking one will likely come down to what you want from your compact truck. If neither suits your needs, the midsize Ford Ranger is a more capable alternative. Check out our test team's full Expert Rating on the Maverick to help you decide if it's best for you.