Compare performance (250 HP vs 265 HP), trunk space and price (27,000 $ vs 39,300 $ ) at a glance. See which model fits your needs and budget better – Ford Maverick or Toyota Highlander?
This is not your usual apples-to-apples matchup: Ford Maverick, a city-savvy pickup with a useful bed, versus Toyota Highlander, a family-size SUV built for calm miles. Different shapes, similar mission: make life easier Monday through Sunday. One leans into playful utility, the other into polished serenity. The question is which attitude suits your driveway and your calendar.
The Maverick feels like a denim jacket—casual, clever, a little mischievous, with a squared-off stance and smart storage touches inside. The Highlander is more like a tailored blazer—clean lines, muted flash, and a cabin that aims for hush and harmony. Materials and switchgear in the Toyota project refinement, while the Ford counters with honest textures and helpful cubbies that invite weekend projects. Neither shouts; they just speak different dialects of getting things done.
In the daily grind, the Maverick’s smaller footprint makes errands, urban parking, and quick hops feel easy, and the open bed swallows home-store runs without drama. The Highlander plays the long game, with a quiet ride and a flexible cabin that keeps kids, pets, and luggage civilized on cross-town shuttles and interstate hauls. The Ford can feel a touch firmer over bumps when it’s empty, but it’s light on its feet and happy to zig through traffic. The Toyota glides more than it darts, encouraging a smoother pace and less stress when the miles pile up.
Choosing the Maverick says you value hands-on usefulness and a bit of personality without needing a massive truck in your life. Opting for the Highlander signals a preference for comfort, continuity, and an easygoing travel vibe that keeps everyone unruffled. One scratches the itch to do more with less; the other soothes the urge to arrive rested and unbothered. Both make sense, but they frame success differently—either by what you can haul or how calmly you get there.
If what matters to you is squeezing real utility from a city-friendly package, the Ford Maverick hits the sweet spot with its bed-first versatility and clever cabin solutions. It suits commuters who moonlight as DIYers, cyclists, and weekend warriors who’d rather load gear in seconds than fold seats and play Tetris. Value hawks will appreciate how it feels purposeful without pretense, and its straightforward tech doesn’t get in the way of getting stuff done. You want a vehicle that feels spry, useful, and a little fun every time you spot a curbside Craigslist find—that’s the Ford’s lane.
If what matters to you is a calm cabin, low drama, and easy family logistics, the Toyota Highlander leans into serenity in a way the Maverick simply doesn’t aim to match. It’s the pick for long-distance planners, carpool chiefs, and anyone who values quiet confidence, polished manners, and helpful driver assists working in the background. Those who prize a more upscale impression and a seamless ownership experience will feel right at home, while the Ford stays the choice for expressive utility. Curious how the story shifts when you look at the hard facts on paper? Keep going.
Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.
Ford Maverick is considerably cheaper – starting at 27,000 $ , while the Toyota Highlander costs 39,300 $ . That’s a price difference of around 12,275 $.
Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.
When it comes to engine power, the Toyota Highlander offers only slightly more power – delivering 265 HP compared to 250 HP. That’s roughly 15 HP more horsepower.
There’s also a difference in torque: the Toyota Highlander delivers barely more torque with 310 lb-ft compared to 280 lb-ft. That’s about 30 lb-ft more.
Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.
Seats: Toyota Highlander offers more seats – 8 vs 5.
In terms of curb weight, Ford Maverick is slightly lighter – 3,685 lbs compared to 4,155 lbs. The difference is around 470 lbs.
The Toyota Highlander sits just ahead overall in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.
The Ford Maverick proves a pickup can be easy to park, easy on your wallet, and still ready for weekend projects. It blends smart cabin space and clever bed tricks with a surprisingly smooth ride, making it a no-drama daily driver that still loves a muddy detour.
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The Toyota Highlander is a trusty family hauler that blends calm road manners with a thoughtfully finished cabin and a bonus row for occasional adults. It won’t set your hair on fire, but with a refined hybrid option, easy-to-use tech, and resale strength that makes rivals sweat, it’s the sensible choice that still feels a bit special.
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Costs and Consumption |
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Price
27,000 - 40,800 $
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Price
39,300 - 53,400 $
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FuelEconomy City
-
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FuelEconomy City
21 - 36 mpg
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FuelEconomy Hwy
-
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FuelEconomy Hwy
28 - 35 MPG
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Electric Range
-
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Electric Range
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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Battery Capacity
-
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Fuel tank capacity
13.8 - 16.5 gal
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Fuel tank capacity
17.1 - 17.9 gal
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Dimensions and Body |
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Body Type
SuperCrew
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Body Type
SUV
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Seats
5
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Seats
7 - 8
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Doors
-
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Doors
-
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Curb weight
3,685 - 3,892 lbs
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Curb weight
4,155 - 4,595 lbs
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Trunk Volume
-
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Trunk Volume
-
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Length
199.7 - 200.7 in.
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Length
194.9 - 197.4 in.
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Width
72.6 in.
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Width
76 in.
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Height
68 - 69 in.
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Height
68 in.
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Engine and Performance |
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Engine Type
Gasoline,
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Engine Type
Gasoline, Hybrid
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Transmission
Automatic
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Transmission
Automatic
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Drive Type
All Wheel, Front Wheel
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Drive Type
Front Wheel, All Wheel
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Power HP
191 - 250 HP
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Power HP
243 - 265 HP
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Torque
155 - 280 lb-ft
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Torque
175 - 310 lb-ft
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Number of Cylinders
-
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Number of Cylinders
-
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Engine Displacement
2 - 2.5 L
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Engine Displacement
2.4 - 2.5 L
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Gears
-
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Gears
-
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General |
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|---|---|
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Model Year
2,025
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Model Year
2,024
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Brand
Ford
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Brand
Toyota
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