The 2025 Ford Maverick vs Ford Ranger for Florida drivers — which truck is the better choice? Our comparison guide helps you decide whether Ford’s compact or midsize truck is a better fit for your idyllic Dade City driving.
Key Takeaways
- Both trucks are affordable alternatives to the full-size F-150, but the Maverick comes at the lowest price!
- Compared to the Maverick, the Ranger is available with more luxury features for your long Florida drives.
- The compact Maverick delivers major fuel savings, earning up to 42 mpg around town.
- Have a boat to tow? Work supplies to haul? Make sure you choose the Ford truck that meets your personal towing and hauling needs.
Budget-Friendly Pricing
Both models are affordable alternatives to a full-size truck like the Ford F-150. For rugged Florida driving at a great price, there’s no better option than the 2025 Ford Maverick. This budget-friendly compact truck starts at just $26,995*! For a midsize truck, the 2025 Ford Ranger also comes at a great price, from $33,080*.
*Prices as of 4/7/25.
Long-Haul Comfort & In-Cabin Technology
Floridians love road trips, and both trucks have a lot to offer when it comes to long-haul comfort and connectivity. The budget-friendly Maverick is ready to roll with standard SYNC 4 infotainment, a 13.2-inch central touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. When you hop on the highway, standard forward collision mitigation and lane-keeping assist help you stay safe. Climb the Maverick’s list of trim models for even more luxury, with upgrades that include premium audio and a 360-degree camera.
By comparison, the 2025 Ford Ranger is even bigger on tech and comfort features. The standard tech adds to the Maverick’s items with a digital gauge cluster and a bigger, 10-inch central touchscreen. Ford’s midsize truck is also available with more luxury items, like leather seating and remote ignition. The Ranger also adds exclusive tech upgrades, like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology!
Huge Fuel Savings
When it’s time to hit the road for a vacation in Destin or Disney World, the Ford Maverick delivers major savings at the pump. With its standard hybrid powertrain, this compact truck earns up to 38 mpg combined (42 city/35 highway)! Even equipped with all-wheel drive, the hybrid Maverick stays thrifty, achieving 37 mpg combined (40 city/34 highway).
While the 2025 Ford Ranger delivers more muscle, it also does a pretty good job of balancing power with efficiency. Thanks to its entry-level EcoBoost engine, this midsize truck earns up to 23 mpg combined (21 city/26 highway).
Your Florida Projects & Adventures
The 2025 Ford Maverick can tow your fishing boat and haul your gardening supplies, no problem. Thanks to the available bed extender, the Maverick can even haul larger items, like your paddle board! These compact trucks can tow up to 4,000 pounds and haul payloads of up to 1,500 pounds. And now that every Maverick (even the hybrid models) is available with all-wheel drive, this compact truck can handle Florida’s intense summer thunderstorms better than ever.
2025 Ford Maverick Powertrain Options
- Standard 2.5L hybrid four-cylinder engine (191 hp, 155 lb-ft)
- Optional 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine (250 hp, 280 lb-ft)
- Continuously variable transmission (with hybrid) or 10-speed automatic transmission (with 2.0L engine)
- Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive
By comparison, the 2025 Ford Ranger is up for more intense off-roading. Not only does this midsize truck provide more power, but it’s also available with true four-wheel drive, boosting rugged traction compared to the Maverick’s all-wheel-drive setup. The Ranger Raptor is especially extreme, heading into extra-difficult terrain with 405 horses, Fox shocks, locking differentials, and more! During the workweek, the Ranger is also the better choice for contractors and landscapers, because it can move more gear. Properly equipped, this truck can tow up to 7,500 pounds or haul max loads of 1,805 pounds.
2025 Ford Ranger Powertrain Options
- Standard 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine (270 hp, 310 lb-ft)
- Optional for the XLT, Lariat: 2.7L turbocharged V6 (315 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- Raptor-exclusive 3.0L turbo V6 (405 hp, 430 lb-ft)
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- Rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive
For drivers who want to hit Pasco County’s rural backroads and save on fuel at the same time, there’s the 2025 Ford Maverick. Meanwhile, for Floridians who crave more power and luxury, the 2025 Ford Ranger has the most appeal. No matter what truck is better suited to your Dade City lifestyle, you can get behind the wheel at Jarrett Ford, your local friendly Ford dealer!