Are you available in the market for an inexpensive pickup truck however don’t need to spend – or refuel – a full-size mannequin? The 2024 Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier are simpler to park, kinder in your price range, and able to performing truck-related duties.
They’re contemporary and have up to date security tools, powertrains, and onboard expertise. Utilizing the identical chassis that underpins the Ford Escape compact SUV, the Maverick first burst onto the small truck scene in 2022, the identical mannequin yr Nissan gave the Frontier an entire redesign.
Are you curious to see how they evaluate? Let’s check out the highlights of every truck.
2025 Ford Maverick

As a result of it makes use of a platform shared with a family-friendly SUV, the Maverick has extra car-like trip and dealing with traits than you usually discover in a truck. This compact truck acquired a major refresh for 2025. This refresh consists of up to date styling, the addition of the Tremor off-road trim and Lobo avenue truck trim, and the supply of all-wheel drive with the hybrid powertrain.
For the 2025 mannequin yr, a 191-hp 2.5-liter hybrid 4-cylinder is the bottom engine. Nevertheless, the 238-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder prices solely $125 extra — and that distinction is the bundled price of including all-wheel drive.
The Maverick has 5 trims: XL, XLT, Lobo, Lariat, and Tremor. Entrance-wheel drive (FWD) is customary; all-wheel drive (AWD) is elective. The Tremor comes customary with 4-wheel drive (4WD).
Ford Maverick Highlights
Gasoline economic system: You received’t discover a pickup truck with higher gas mileage than the Ford Maverick Hybrid. When fitted with its elective hybrid powertrain, it returns an EPA-reported 38-mpg score. The Frontier doesn’t come wherever near this determine. Even the punchier customary engine is sweet on fuel at 25 mpg mixed.
Rugged Tremor trim stage: For Maverick customers desiring to do some off-road driving, we propose the Tremor. Now its personal separate trim stage, the Tremor features a lifted suspension that’s higher tuned for all-terrain driving. The Tremor will get trim-specific entrance and rear bumpers for higher strategy and departure angles, locking 4WD, and underbody skid plates.
Again-friendly cargo mattress: In comparison with the Frontier, the decrease trip top of the Maverick means you don’t have to elevate issues as excessive when loading up the 4.5-foot-long cargo mattress. Not needing painkillers after getting a troublesome job accomplished is all the time a superb factor.
Low base worth: The numbers communicate for themselves. The Maverick not solely sits decrease to the bottom, its worth is considerably lower than the Frontier. Even going wild with choices on a range-topping Lariat mannequin leads to a Maverick with a worth hovering round $42,000.
Test this week’s Truthful Buy Worth or see the Maverick fashions close to you.
2025 Nissan Frontier

After what appeared like an eternity, Nissan lastly gave its midsize pickup truck an entire makeover for the 2022 mannequin yr. This newest model of the Frontier isn’t the cut price that its predecessor as soon as was, nevertheless it’s additionally extra up-to-date and has much-improved driving dynamics.
Fitted with a robust V6 engine and a selection of RWD or 4WD, the Frontier is usually a day by day runabout for commuting or a rugged go-anywhere truck for out of doors adventures.
Nissan Frontier Highlights
Robust V6: Throughout miles of street exams, we’ve loved the acceleration and passing energy of the 310-hp 3.8-liter V6 fitted to each Frontier. This engine additionally provides the added grunt wanted to scale obstacles throughout all-terrain driving.
Professional-4X mannequin: Talking of all-terrain, the Professional-4X is the trim that may attraction to anybody who likes venturing the place paved roads finish. It has 4WD, additional underbody skid plates, an digital locking differential, upgraded shocks, and off-road tires at every nook.
Entrance seat consolation: Throughout our take a look at drives of the Frontier, we’ve found that the entrance seats ship distinctive ranges of assist and luxury. This consolation is superb for truck house owners who routinely journey lengthy distances and spend hours behind the wheel.
Towing capability: The Frontier doesn’t have class-leading towing, although it outguns the Maverick on this division. When correctly outfitted, the Nissan can tow 6,640 kilos, versus 4,000 kilos with the Ford.
Test this week’s Truthful Buy Worth or see the Frontier fashions on the market close to you.
Similarities
The Maverick and Frontier ship quite a lot of truck in your buck. They will every be optioned for off-road driving, although they’re equally adept at zipping by metropolis site visitors or offering loads of consolation for lengthy freeway voyages.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue E-book Truthful Buy Worth for any particular person used automobile can range enormously in keeping with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here replicate what consumers are presently paying for New 2025 Ford Maverick autos and New 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s instructed retail worth (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
Specs
| 2025 Ford Maverick | 2025 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab | |
| Widespread Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 3.8-liter 6-cylinder |
| Drive Wheels | FWD | 2WD |
| All-Electrical Vary | N/A | N/A |
| Complete Vary | N/A | N/A |
| Towing Capability | N/A | 7,040 kilos |
| Payload Capability | N/A | 1,460 kilos |
| Floor Clearance | 8.1 inches | 9.3 inches |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 310 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 155 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 281 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | Automated, CVT | computerized, 9-speed |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Battery Guarantee | N/A | N/A |
| NHTSA General Security | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 121.1 inches | 126 inches |
| General Size | 199.8 inches | 210.2 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | 83.5 inches | 73.0 inches |
| Width With out Mirrors | 77.9 inches | N/A |
| Peak | 68.8 inches | 71.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.0 ft | 42.7 ft |
| Headroom, Entrance | 40.2 inches | 39.9 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 38.6 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Entrance | 42.8 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.9 inches | 33.2 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 57.3 inches | 58.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.6 inches | 58.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Final Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | N/A |
Specification desk displays the standard configuration of autos proven.
Conclusion
There are a lot of causes to suggest every of those pickup vans. We love the agility and gas economic system of the smaller unibody Maverick, to not point out its inexpensive worth and a few first rate off-road prowess. No shock, it has been our Compact Truck Finest Purchase award winner for 4 years in a row.
With the midsize Nissan Frontier, you pay somewhat extra, although you additionally get extra truck. It’s taller, wider, and sits larger than the Maverick, and it’s accessible with a protracted mattress behind both cab. It’s a body-on-frame truck, engineered for off-roading and towing regularly.
We want the Frontier provided a couple of engine selection. Whereas it supplies a number of King Cab or Crew Cab, the latter is extra comfy for adults perched within the second row. Take each for a take a look at spin, however we predict in case you are buying primarily based on worth, the Maverick is the truck to beat.
