You Could Spend $28,590 On A Ford Maverick, Or You Could Do This...

A Toyota Tacoma is a smart pick, or you could go wild with a diesel-powered Jeep Gladiator.

In AutoGuide’s review of the Ford Maverick, we call it “all the truck most people need.” And that’s true. For Americans who want an open pickup bed to haul stuff for projects around the house and yard, the “cheap and cheerful” Maverick is an excellent tool for the job.

But we also point out that it “becomes less appealing the more it costs.” The bad news is that it costs more for 2025 than it did before and the asking price skyrockets very quickly when some desirable options are tacked on.

The 2025 Ford Maverick starts at $28,590 (including destination) in the United States in its most basic XL form. Two powertrain packages are offered. The standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine sends 238 horsepower to the front or optionally (for an added cost, naturally) all four wheels. The optional hybrid powertrain offers 191 horses, and for the first time ever can also be optioned with all-wheel drive.

For that base price, buyers get steel wheels with “sparkle silver-painted” plastic covers, cruise control, single-zone air conditioning, and power windows and door locks. It’s basic but workable. Most buyers would likely rather opt for the XLT for $31,090 which adds aluminum wheels, a nicer interior, a towing hitch, and some extra tie-downs in the truck bed.

That under-$30,000 starting price may be a far cry from the under-$20,000 original asking price that made headlines in 2022, but it’s still the cheapest new truck you can buy in 2025. In Canada, the price rises to $36,795 at the low end for a Maverick, but again, that’s still the cheapest way to park a new pickup in your driveway. Unless you consider the used market, that is.

Trucks are extremely popular in North America, and the fact that so many are bought and sold every year means there are lots of great options with low miles that could serve as a viable alternative to the little Ford. We’ve picked three used vehicles with excellent utility that you can buy for the same price as a Ford Maverick.

We’ve limited our picks to cars sold within the last few years and with no more than the average of 12,000 miles per year on their odometers.

Option 1: Toyota Tacoma

So, you want a truck. The Maverick is a reasonable and responsible choice, but so is the Toyota Tacoma. It’s one size larger than the Maverick, and that means it can haul and tow (up to 6,800 pounds versus up to 4,000 pounds) more stuff. But the real draw of the Tacoma is its stellar reputation for reliability and resale value.

Since it commands a premium on the used market, you may need to look for a slightly older Tacoma than you’d expect. That’s not much of a problem considering the truck ran from 2016 through 2023 with few changes. Skip the base four-cylinder and look for the 278-hp V6. Both automatic and manual transmission options were offered. The TRD Sport model is a street-oriented option while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro are designed for the dirt.

Option 2: Ford Mustang Mach-E

What if you’re looking specifically at the Maverick Hybrid in order to cut down on fuel costs? That’s not a bad plan – its 37-mile-per-gallon combined rating is excellent. But you could potentially save even more money by choosing a fully electric car, particularly if you have the ability to install a charger at home.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an electric contender to consider. It’s not a truck, obviously, but it does have a generous cargo area with nearly 60 cubic-feet of storage space in back, plus an extra frunk up front. Granted, an EV isn’t going to work for everyone. Some versions of the Mach-E can travel more than 300 miles per charge, and the range will drop in especially cold weather. Plus, not everyone can plug in at home. Still, for some buyers, the covered cargo area and extremely efficient powertrain that lowers the total cost of ownership are real draws.

Option 3: Jeep Gladiator

Want to go off-road? Ford does sell a version of the Maverick called the Tremor that gets a suspension lift, aggressive tires and a fancier all-wheel-drive system, but it’s pricey at nearly $42,000 in the States or $50,000 in Canada. Or you could opt for a used Jeep Gladiator. The rock-crawling Rubicon and desert-specialist Mojave editions are particularly desirable for off-road functionality, and if fuel economy is a concern, a diesel engine was offered from 2021 through 2023 that actually has better efficiency ratings from the EPA.

Like the Tacoma, Jeep’s Gladiator can haul and tow quite a bit more than the Ford Maverick. It can also be driven with its top off, its doors removed and even its windshield folded down if that’s your thing. If you choose the base V6, you can also choose to shift the optional manual transmission yourself.

Should I Just Buy a Maverick?

You absolutely should go buy a Ford Maverick if it’s the perfect vehicle for you. It’s a solid truck, and in hybrid form is solidly efficient. But it’s not nearly as cheap as it used to be, and in its base form, it’s awfully austere. If you’re put off by the rapid price creep as you run up the trim level ladder, consider the used market. You may be surprised by all your options at the Maverick’s starting price.

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