Compare the2025 Honda RidgelineVS 2024 Ford Maverick

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Ridgeline deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Ridgeline’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Maverick’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ridgeline. But it costs extra on the Maverick.

The Ridgeline’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Maverick.

The Ridgeline TrailSport/Black Edition has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Maverick doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Ridgeline has standard Cross Traffic Monitor, helping the driver avoid collisions. Ford charges extra for Cross-Traffic Alert on the Maverick.

Compared to metal, the Ridgeline’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Ford Maverick has a metal gas tank.

Both the Ridgeline and the Maverick have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Honda Ridgeline weighs 689 to 941 pounds more than the Ford Maverick. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Ford Maverick:

	Ridgeline	Maverick
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	104	129
Neck Stress	166 lbs.	234 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	41/39 lbs.	139/49 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	168	202
Neck Injury Risk	32%	51%
Neck Stress	121 lbs.	184 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Ford Maverick:

	Ridgeline	Maverick
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	150 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	174
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	57 G’s
Hip Force	423 lbs.	971 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	33 G’s	35 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda Ridgeline is safer than the Maverick:

	Ridgeline	Maverick
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	123	146
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis Force	1249 lbs.	1272 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	121	295
Neck Tension	22 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.18 in	2.2 in
Shoulder Force	290 lbs.	580 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.77 in	1.81 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Reliability

The engine in the Ridgeline has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Maverick have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Honda higher than Ford.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 17 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The Ridgeline’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 89 more horsepower (280 vs. 191) than the Maverick Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Ridgeline’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 30 more horsepower (280 vs. 250) than the Maverick’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Ridgeline is faster than the Ford Maverick:

	Ridgeline	Maverick Hybrid	Maverick turbo 4 cyl.
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	7.7 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.9 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.2 MPH	89.8 MPH	88.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Ridgeline’s fuel efficiency. The Maverick doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Ridgeline uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Maverick requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Ridgeline has 5.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Maverick Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 13.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Ridgeline has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Maverick 2.0 EcoBoost’s standard fuel tank (19.5 vs. 16.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

The Ridgeline stops much shorter than the Maverick:

	Ridgeline	Maverick
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	137 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ridgeline has larger tires than the Maverick (245/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Ridgeline’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Maverick (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17).

The Ridgeline’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Maverick’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ridgeline has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Maverick.

The Ridgeline has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Maverick doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Ridgeline has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Maverick has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ridgeline’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the Maverick (125.2 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ridgeline is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Maverick.

The Ridgeline’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.1% to 42.9%) than the Maverick’s (58.8% to 41.2%). This gives the Ridgeline more stable handling and braking.

The Ridgeline Sport handles at .80 G’s, while the Maverick XLT Tremor pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Ridgeline has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Maverick uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Ridgeline uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Maverick doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Ridgeline has 9.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Maverick (109.7 vs. 100.3).

The Ridgeline has 3.7 inches more front hip room, 4.7 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear legroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and 5.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Maverick.

Cargo Capacity

The Ridgeline has a larger cargo box than the Maverick shortbed (33.9 vs. 33.3 cubic feet).

The Ridgeline’s cargo box is larger than the Maverick’s in almost every dimension:

	Ridgeline	Maverick
Length (short/long)	64”	54.4”
Max Width	60”	53.3”
Min Width	50”	42.6”
Height	16.9”	20.3”

Payload and Towing

The Ridgeline’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Maverick’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Ridgeline has a higher standard payload capacity than the Maverick (1543 vs. 1500 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Maverick doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Maverick doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Ridgeline’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Maverick’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Ridgeline the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Maverick can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Ridgeline’s standard Smart Entry allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the tailgate, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Access is only offered on the Maverick Lariat, and doesn’t offer a sensor on the tailgate.

The Ridgeline has standard power remote mirrors. The Maverick XL doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

When the Ridgeline RTL/Black Edition is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Maverick’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Maverick doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Both the Ridgeline and the Maverick offer available heated front seats. The Ridgeline Black Edition also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Maverick.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Ridgeline Black Edition keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Maverick doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Ridgeline has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Maverick Lariat.

Both the Ridgeline and the Maverick offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Ridgeline has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Maverick doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Ford Maverick, the Honda Ridgeline RTL/TrailSport/Black Edition eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda Ridgeline has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Maverick.

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