2026 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Honda Ridgeline: Full Comparison
The 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid returns 42 MPG city, more than double the Ridgeline's 18 MPG city rating. The Maverick undercuts the Ridgeline on size while adding a hybrid powertrain option the Ridgeline cannot match. This page compares both trucks spec by spec so you can find the right fit in George Coleman Ford's current inventory.
The Short Answer
The Maverick is the truck for buyers who want the lowest operating cost, a hybrid drivetrain, and a compact footprint that fits a normal garage. The Ridgeline is the stronger choice for buyers who need maximum towing, a longer bed, and standard AWD on every trim. Neither truck is a clear loser, but they are built for different priorities.
Specs Head-to-Head
| Spec | 2026 Ford Maverick | 2026 Honda Ridgeline |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.5L Hybrid or 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 184 combined (Hybrid) / 250 hp (EcoBoost) | 280 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft (EcoBoost) | 262 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT (Hybrid) / 8-speed auto (EcoBoost) | 9-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard; AWD or Advanced 4WD available | AWD standard (all trims) |
| EPA MPG (city/hwy/combined) | 42 / 35 / 38 (Hybrid FWD) | 18 / 24 / 21 |
| Towing (max with package) | 4,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Payload (max) | 1,500 lbs | 1,583 lbs |
| Bed Length | 4.42 ft (53.3 in exposed) | 5.33 ft (64 in) |
| Ground Clearance | 8.1 in (Hybrid) / 9.1 in (Tremor) | 7.6 in |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
| Warranty (Basic/Powertrain) | 3yr/36k, 5yr/60k | 3yr/36k, 5yr/60k |
Performance and Powertrain
The Maverick offers two genuinely different powertrains. The 2.5L full hybrid runs on a Power-Split Electronic CVT and produces 184 combined horsepower. The 2.0L EcoBoost produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic (or a 7-speed in Lobo trim). Buyers who want serious off-road credentials can step into the Tremor AWD, which carries 9.1 inches of ground clearance and Advanced 4WD.
The Ridgeline uses a 3.5L V6 producing 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque through a 9-speed automatic. AWD comes standard on every trim via Honda's i-VTM4 system, which is a genuine advantage for buyers who do not want to think about drivetrain configuration. The V6 pulls harder in outright horsepower terms, but it does so at a steep fuel economy cost.
The fuel economy gap is significant. The Maverick Hybrid FWD returns 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined. The Ridgeline returns 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined. For a daily driver or a work truck covering high annual mileage around Travelers Rest and the surrounding Upstate South Carolina region, that gap adds up fast over months of fill-ups.
Interior, Space, and Cargo
Both trucks seat five occupants with a SuperCrew-style four-door layout. The Maverick's interior measures 42.8 inches of front legroom and 40.2 inches of front headroom. Rear legroom on EcoBoost and Hybrid AWD models runs 36.9 inches. Front shoulder room is 57.3 inches.
The Ridgeline's interior is slightly more spacious. It offers 40.1 inches of front headroom, 40.9 inches of front legroom, and 62.0 inches of front shoulder room. The Ridgeline also offers a 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage adding 2.9 cubic feet of lockable space behind the rear seat.
The Ridgeline's biggest practical cargo advantage is its bed. At 5.33 feet (64 inches with tailgate up), the Ridgeline bed is meaningfully longer than the Maverick's 4.42-foot bed (53.3 inches exposed width). The Ridgeline also adds a 7.3-cubic-foot lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug, a feature the Maverick does not offer. The Ridgeline's dual-action tailgate opens down or swings sideways, which improves loading access.
The Maverick answers with available Pro Power Onboard, which delivers onboard AC power from the cab and bed outlets. That is a tool-friendly feature the Ridgeline cannot match from the factory.
Technology and Safety
The Maverick carries a 13.2-inch touchscreen running SYNC 4 with SiriusXM 360L. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Remote start is standard on every Maverick trim. The Ford Connectivity Package, included for one year, adds an unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices, Connected Navigation, and a voice assistant. Available upgrades include adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centering, Predictive Speed Assist, and Intersection Assist. Pro Trailer Backup Assist with rear camera and corner radar is also available.
Standard Maverick safety includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure steering assist, driver-attention monitor, and automatic high beams.
The Ridgeline runs a 9-inch touchscreen with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Honda Sensing is standard on all trims and bundles collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind-spot information system, and cross-traffic monitor. Parking sensors (2 front, 4 rear) are also standard across all trims.
The Ridgeline's standard safety suite is broader out of the box. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control require no option box on the Ridgeline. On the Maverick, those features are available but not standard on base trims. Buyers who want the fullest driver-assist coverage from the moment they drive off the lot should factor that into their trim-level decisions.
Value and Ownership
Both trucks carry identical warranty coverage: 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain. The Maverick also includes a 5-year / 60,000-mile Safety Restraint System warranty and 5-year corrosion (perforation) coverage with unlimited miles. Roadside assistance runs 5 years / 60,000 miles on the Maverick.
Fuel cost over time is where the Maverick Hybrid separates itself most sharply. At 42 MPG city versus 18 MPG city, a Maverick Hybrid owner filling a 13.8-gallon tank will cover far more ground between stops than a Ridgeline owner managing a 19.5-gallon tank.
The Ridgeline brings genuine value in standard content. AWD, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats (RTL and above), and a comprehensive Honda Sensing suite are included before many comparable Maverick options are added. Buyers who want the higher-trim Ridgeline experience delivered without option hunting will find competitive content per trim.
Which One Should You Buy
Choose the 2026 Ford Maverick if:
- Fuel savings over a high-mileage ownership cycle matter most to you
- You want the only hybrid option in the compact truck segment
- A smaller, maneuverable footprint fits your parking and garage situation
- You want available off-road hardware through the Tremor AWD with 9.1 inches of ground clearance
- You need onboard power capability for tools and job-site equipment
Choose the 2026 Honda Ridgeline if:
- You need to tow up to 5,000 pounds without adding a tow package
- A longer 5.33-foot bed and a lockable in-bed trunk fit your hauling needs
- Standard AWD on every trim is a non-negotiable requirement
- You want the broadest driver-assist suite standard from the base trim up
For buyers in Travelers Rest and throughout Upstate South Carolina who prioritize fuel economy, hybrid technology, and a compact form factor, the Maverick is the stronger daily-driver argument. For buyers who load and pull regularly and want standard AWD across the board, the Ridgeline deserves a hard look. George Coleman Ford carries the 2026 Maverick in all available trims, including the Hybrid and Tremor, so you can drive both configurations back to back before committing.
See the 2026 Ford Maverick at George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest
The 2026 Maverick's hybrid powertrain, 13.2-inch touchscreen, and available Tremor off-road package put it in a category no other compact truck occupies. George Coleman Ford's team in Travelers Rest, SC can walk you through every trim, run a side-by-side spec sheet, and get you behind the wheel of the exact configuration that fits your work, commute, or weekend plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Ford Maverick or the 2026 Honda Ridgeline tow more?
The Ridgeline tows more, at a maximum of 5,000 pounds versus the Maverick's maximum of 4,000 pounds (with the available 4K Tow Package). Standard towing on both trucks without the package is 2,000 pounds.
Which truck gets better fuel economy, the Maverick or the Ridgeline?
The Maverick Hybrid wins decisively. The Maverick Hybrid FWD returns 42 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG. The Ridgeline returns 18 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG.
Does the 2026 Ford Maverick have AWD?
Yes. AWD is available on XL and XLT trims, standard on the Lariat, and the Tremor and Lobo trims come with Advanced 4WD. The base XL and XLT with the Hybrid engine are FWD standard.
Does the Maverick have a hybrid option in 2026?
Yes. The 2.5L I-4 full hybrid with a Power-Split Electronic CVT is available on XL, XLT, and Lariat trims and is the standard engine on those trims.
Is the Honda Ridgeline's in-bed trunk available on the Maverick?
No. The lockable 7.3-cubic-foot in-bed trunk is exclusive to the Ridgeline. The Maverick offers available Pro Power Onboard AC outlets in the bed as its primary cargo-area tech feature.
Which truck has a bigger touchscreen?
The Maverick carries a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen. The Ridgeline uses a 9-inch touchscreen. The Maverick holds the advantage on display size.
Is blind-spot monitoring standard on the 2026 Ford Maverick?
Blind-spot monitoring is not listed as a standard feature on base Maverick trims based on the provided specs. The Ridgeline includes a Blind-Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Monitor as a standard Honda Sensing feature on all trims.
Where can I test drive the 2026 Ford Maverick near me?
George Coleman Ford in Travelers Rest, SC stocks the 2026 Maverick. Visit the inventory page linked on this page or schedule a test drive directly through the dealer to see in-stock configurations.