Trucks have always been popular in the American market, but with rising vehicle and fuel prices, more buyers are looking for smaller and more fuel-efficient options. Enter the compact truck, a crossover with a truck bed that offers the practicality of a truck in a more economical and maneuverable package. Ford’s Maverick has been the most famous compact truck so far, but Ram has recently introduced the Rampage for the South American market, and there are rumors of it coming to the U.S. market.
Ram Rebel Vs. Ford Maverick: Trims
The Ram Rebel trim is the starting point for the model, offering a turbo diesel engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and several safety features. It also comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment system and 17-inch wheels as standard. On the other hand, Ford’s equivalent XL trim has steel wheels, automatic LED headlights, a wifi hotspot, and a smaller infotainment system. The base model of the Maverick is more basic compared to the Rampage.
The Ram offers more premium options with the Laramie trim, which includes leather seats, a chrome exterior finish, and 18-inch diamond-cut wheels. The Maverick’s XLT trim, on the other hand, features 17-inch aluminum wheels and body-colored bumpers. The top-of-the-line Ram Rampage R/T is focused on sportiness, with leather and suede seats, a sport suspension, dual exhaust, and 19-inch gloss black wheels. The Maverick’s most luxurious trim is the Lariat, which offers leather seats, ambient lighting, keyless entry, 18-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, and a leather steering wheel.
These Upgrades Include
- One inch of suspension lift
- Rear locker
- Bedside graphics
- Smoked headlights and taillights
- Orange accents
- Dark-painted 17-inch wheels.
Which Compact Pickup Has The Better Interior?
The Ram’s interior is more premium with better materials and an upscale design. All trim levels come with a big 12.3-inch infotainment system and a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Every Rampage model also has dual-zone climate control and an optional 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. On the other hand, the Ford Maverick has a more budget-friendly interior with cheaper materials like hard plastics and a smaller eight-inch touch screen. However, it still offers unique textures and colors, useful storage pockets, storage under the second row, and an off-road trim level called Tremor. The Maverick also has an optional eight-speaker sound system with a subwoofer.
Which Small Truck Looks Better
The aesthetic preference is subjective, but the Maverick sticks to Ford’s design language and resembles their larger trucks, giving it a cohesive look within the brand’s truck lineup. It may look more basic, but it still fits in as a light-duty truck. The Rampage, on the other hand, has a more aggressive look but retains the unmistakable Ram design. It comes down to personal opinion on which one looks better, but the Rampage appears sportier while the Maverick has a more rugged look.
The Ford Has The Edge In Performance
The Ram Rebel and Laramie come standard with a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that offers 170 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. While it excels in efficiency and low-end torque for towing, its performance isn’t exceptional. The Rampage also offers an optional 2.0-liter hurricane turbo engine with 272 horsepower and 292 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a faster 0-60 time of 6.9 seconds. However, this engine’s fuel economy is not great at 19 MPG city and 23 MPG highway.
The base Maverick comes with a 2.5-liter hybrid engine paired with a CVT transmission, producing a combined output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. It boasts impressive fuel economy at 42 MPG city and 32 MPG highway, with a 0-60 time of 7.6 seconds. The Maverick’s optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine offers 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has a faster 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds but slightly lower fuel economy at 23 MPG city and 30 MPG highway.
Can The Rampage Match The Ford?
While not confirmed for the U.S. market yet, the Rampage has the potential to compete with the Maverick and offer a more luxurious option. The Ram brand has managed to fill a segment within the compact truck niche that hasn’t been fully explored. If the Rampage comes to the U.S., there might be slight differences in powertrain options, and an off-road-oriented trim level would be a welcomed addition. This would provide further competition to the Maverick Tremor and appeal to consumers who enjoy exploring off-road terrain.
