Ranger: A Proper Mid-Size Bed

The Ranger offers a 5-foot or 6-foot bed depending on cab configuration. The bed is wider and deeper than the Maverick's, with available spray-in bedliner, bed utility rack system, and 110V outlet. It can handle full sheets of plywood (with the tailgate down on the 6-foot bed), building materials, and heavy gear.

Payload capacity reaches 1,805 lbs, making the Ranger a legitimate work truck for contractors, landscapers, and anyone hauling heavy loads around Transylvania and Henderson counties.

Maverick: Compact but Clever

The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed is smaller but thoughtfully designed. Ford built in D-ring tie-downs, available bed extender, and a FLEXBED system with slots for dividers, cleats, and custom accessories. It handles mulch runs, Costco hauls, furniture moves, and weekend project materials easily.

Payload maxes out at 1,500 lbs. For everyday hauling — bags of soil, lumber for a deck project, mountain bikes, or camping gear — the Maverick's bed is more than adequate. Where it falls short is full-size construction materials and heavy equipment.

Maverick Hybrid: The Efficiency Champion

The Maverick's standard 2.5L hybrid is the headliner — up to 42 MPG city without ever plugging in. It pairs a gas engine with an electric motor and CVT, and the system recharges through regenerative braking. For commuters driving from Brevard to Asheville daily, the fuel savings are substantial.

The available 2.0L EcoBoost adds AWD capability and boosts towing to 4,000 lbs while still delivering around 30 MPG highway. It is the better choice if you need AWD for mountain winters or plan to tow.

Ranger: More Power, More Capability

The Ranger's 2.3L EcoBoost I4 produces 270 horsepower, while the available 2.7L EcoBoost V6 pushes output to 315 horsepower with significantly more torque. Both pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel economy ranges from 24 to 29 MPG highway — very competitive for a body-on-frame mid-size truck. The Ranger's power advantage is most noticeable when towing, hauling heavy loads, or climbing mountain grades on US-276 or I-26.

Maverick: Drives Like a Car

The Maverick's unibody construction delivers a ride quality closer to a crossover than a truck. It is quiet on the highway, responsive in curves, and easy to park in downtown Brevard or the tight lots around Asheville. The hybrid's regenerative braking is actually an advantage on long downhill grades — you get energy back while descending.

Its compact footprint makes it an ideal daily driver for Western NC, where parking spaces are tight and mountain roads reward agility over sheer size.

Ranger: More Truck, More Confidence

The Ranger feels like a proper truck — higher ride height, more commanding driving position, and the kind of body-on-frame solidity that inspires confidence on rough roads. The Tremor off-road package adds FOX suspension, 32-inch all-terrain tires, and a locking rear differential.

On forest service roads in Pisgah, gravel roads in DuPont State Forest, or washboard mountain roads, the Ranger's suspension travel and ground clearance make a real difference. It is the better choice for drivers who regularly leave pavement.

Buy the Ranger If You...

Need to tow more than 4,000 lbs. Haul heavy or bulky materials regularly. Want serious off-road capability (Tremor/Raptor). Need a 5- or 6-foot bed for work. Prefer body-on-frame truck durability. Use forest service roads and rough terrain frequently.

Buy the Maverick If You...

Want the best fuel economy in a truck (42 MPG city hybrid). Use the truck primarily for commuting and daily driving. Need a bed for weekend projects and occasional hauling. Want the lowest cost of entry into a new Ford truck. Prefer car-like ride and handling. Park in tight spaces regularly.