2022 Ford Maverick vs 2021 Nissan Titan

The 2021 Nissan Titan retained its refreshed look from 2020, offering a variety of trim levels with distinct design identities. The Titan S and SV featured dark grilles, while the SL and Platinum Reserve boasted chrome finishes. The Pro-4X stood out with a black grille and lava-red accents. New headlights provided significantly improved light output, and LED lighting enhanced visibility around the truck. The Titan's bed featured a Utili-track Bed Channel System, offering ample utility for securing cargo. Inside, the Titan's modernized center stack and large infotainment screen were complemented by attractive upholstery, though the steering wheel design felt outdated.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick presented a more conventional pickup appearance, drawing inspiration from larger Ford trucks. Its compact size, based on the C2 unibody platform, made it more maneuverable than traditional pickups. The Maverick's interior embraced a playful, cost-effective design with multicolored plastics and clever storage solutions. The FITS system allowed for customizable accessories, enhancing practicality. The Maverick's bed, though shorter, offered innovative features like FlexBed and a multi-position tailgate, maximizing utility. Overall, the Maverick's interior design was a standout feature, showcasing that entry-level vehicles could still offer style and functionality.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it a class leader in standard powertrain performance. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Titan offered smooth acceleration, though it struggled in mid-range gear selection. Fuel efficiency was moderate, with both RWD and 4WD models achieving an EPA-estimated 18 mpg combined. The Titan's towing capacity reached up to 9,310 pounds, with trailer sway control as a standard feature. The Pro-4X variant excelled off-road, thanks to specialized equipment like hill-descent control and an electronic locking rear differential.

The 2022 Ford Maverick offered a standard hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, producing 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. An optional EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivered 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid was available only with FWD, while the EcoBoost offered AWD. The Maverick's FX4 off-road package enhanced its capabilities with features like hill-descent control and all-terrain tires. On-road, the Maverick's unibody platform provided a smoother ride compared to traditional pickups. The hybrid powertrain was praised for its linear power delivery, while the EcoBoost offered more towing capacity and spirited acceleration.

The 2021 Nissan Titan accommodated five or six passengers, with front bench or bucket seats available. Nissan's Zero Gravity seat design ensured comfort on long journeys, and heated and cooled front seats were optional. While seating space was adequate, petite drivers might struggle to find an ideal driving position. The Titan offered ample storage, including a spacious center console and smartphone holders. Optional features like a panoramic moonroof and power-sliding rear window added convenience. The Titan's interior layout was thoughtfully designed, with easy-to-reach grab handles and versatile rear seat configurations.

The 2022 Ford Maverick, available only in a four-door crew-cab configuration, provided more legroom than the Toyota Tacoma and Hyundai Santa Cruz. Interior storage was a highlight, with numerous cubbies and the innovative FITS system for customizable accessories. The Maverick's 4.5-foot bed, though shorter, offered 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and included features like an in-bed power outlet and FlexBed system for versatile cargo management. The Maverick's towing capacity reached 4,000 pounds, providing practical capability for a compact pickup.

The 2021 Nissan Titan featured a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. Additional options included navigation, HD Radio, and a Fender Premium Audio System. The Titan's WiFi hotspot supported up to seven devices, though a subscription was required. The infotainment interface was responsive, but graphics were less modern compared to competitors. The 7-inch driver information display provided useful data, and the NissanConnect system offered concierge services for added convenience.

The 2022 Ford Maverick came with the older Sync 3 infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system lacked advanced features like embedded navigation, it offered a built-in WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices. The Maverick's infotainment setup was basic but functional, with practical phone storage solutions. Hybrid models included a brake-coaching feature to optimize regenerative braking, though its everyday utility was debatable.

The 2021 Nissan Titan was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety options included an Around View Monitor, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. The Titan's standout feature was its class-exclusive rear automatic braking. Nissan provided a five-year/100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, the best in its class.

The 2022 Ford Maverick's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams as part of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. Optional safety enhancements included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane centering. Crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available for the Maverick.