2025
Ford Maverick
vs Honda Ridgeline​

COMPARING THE MOST POPULAR TRIM LEVEL OF EACH MODEL

2025 Ford Maverick XLT AWD
vs
2025 Honda Ridgeline​ RTL AWD

When it comes to midsize and compact pickup trucks, few matchups spark as much interest as the Ford Maverick and Honda Ridgeline. On paper, they cater to different audiences—one aiming for attainable versatility, the other leaning into premium comfort—but for Savannah‑area drivers, the decision often comes down to how each handles the unique blend of historic streets, coastal highways, and weekend escapes the Lowcountry offers.

In this in‑depth comparison, we put the most popular trims of each — 2025 Ford Maverick XLT (Hybrid AWD and EcoBoost AWD) and 2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL AWD — head‑to‑head across price, performance, capability, size, interior comfort, technology, and everyday usability. You’ll see how the Maverick’s dual‑powertrain lineup provides flexibility for city commutes and coastal adventures, while the Ridgeline counters with greater towing muscle and upscale cabin amenities.

We’ll break down everything from towing stats and payloads to bed features, passenger space, and tech packages, translating the numbers into real‑world scenarios—from backing into tight River Street parking to trailering watercraft toward Tybee Island. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of which truck better fits your lifestyle, priorities, and budget in Savannah and beyond.

COMPARING THE SPECS OF THE FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE

 
 
When you compare these three powertrains head‑to‑head, the 2025 Ford Maverick XLT lineup immediately shows its versatility. Starting price is a major differentiator—both Maverick options undercut the Ridgeline RTL by a wide margin, with the Hybrid AWD offering exceptional efficiency and the EcoBoost AWD delivering higher performance while still costing nearly $10,000 less. For Savannah shoppers, that price gap could easily cover a season of Lowcountry weekend trips or a full set of accessories.

The Hybrid’s 191‑hp system isn’t built for speed records, but its smooth electric assist and 40 city mpg rating make it ideal for commuting between Pooler, Richmond Hill, and the Historic District with minimal fuel stops. The EcoBoost AWD steps up to 250 hp and a healthy 277 lb‑ft of torque, providing confident acceleration for merging onto I‑16 or hauling gear toward Tybee Island, while still beating the Ridgeline’s fuel economy.

Honda’s 280‑hp V6 is the clear leader in raw output, paired with a refined 9‑speed automatic, but its 18 city / 24 highway mpg figures come at a cost both at the pump and upfront. All three offer AWD traction, giving peace of mind during coastal downpours, yet the Maverick’s lighter weight and more compact footprint make it easier to maneuver through Savannah’s narrower streets. Ultimately, the Maverick’s dual‑powertrain approach lets buyers match performance and efficiency to their lifestyle, while keeping the bottom line comfortably in check.

COMPARING THE TOWING CAPACITY & PAYLOAD
OF THE FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE

 
 
When we look at real‑world usability for drivers in Savannah and the surrounding Lowcountry, the 2025 Maverick XLT’s two AWD setups give shoppers a flexible range of capability without the bulk of a full‑size truck. The lighter EcoBoost AWD, at just 3,685 lbs curb weight, feels especially maneuverable weaving through the Historic District’s narrower streets or sliding into a tight spot near River Street. It still delivers 1,500 lbs of payload and up to 4,000 lbs of towing with the 4K Tow Package—plenty for trailering a skiff to the boat ramp on Lazaretto Creek or hauling a pair of jet skis for a weekend at Tybee.

The Maverick Hybrid AWD trades higher towing for efficiency, with a 2,000‑lb tow limit and 1,400‑lb payload—ideal for garden projects in Pooler, festival gear for Forsyth Park, or camping supplies headed toward Skidaway Island. Its GVWR matches the EcoBoost, so both maintain stability even when fully loaded.

Honda’s Ridgeline RTL pulls ahead in raw numbers with a 5,000‑lb towing max and slightly higher payload, making sense for those regularly moving larger campers or heavier boats along the Georgia coast. But its extra 800 lbs of curb weight and higher GVWR mean more bulk to maneuver through downtown or over the narrow causeways.

For most Savannah‑area buyers, the Maverick’s mix of lighter build, capable payloads, and cost‑efficient operation offers a smart fit—whether weekday errands keep you in Chatham County or your weekends take you from the riverfront out to the barrier islands.

COMPARING THE EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS & BED SIZE
OF THE FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE

 
 
In the tight, often historic streets of Savannah, the Maverick XLT’s more compact footprint is a real advantage. At just under 200 inches long and 72.6 inches wide, it’s noticeably easier to park along River Street or navigate the narrower lanes of the Victorian District compared to the Ridgeline’s longer, wider stance. That slimmer body also makes weaving through downtown traffic or backing into a crowded farmers’ market lot far less stressful.

Ground clearance tips in the Maverick’s favor as well—up to 8.3 inches—giving it a little extra buffer on uneven boat ramps around Lazaretto Creek or when venturing onto sandy pull‑offs near Tybee. While the Ridgeline stretches the wheelbase for a more planted highway ride, its added size can feel cumbersome on the causeways and in tight marina lots.

Bed size tells another story: the Ridgeline offers more length and width, plus its clever in‑bed trunk for secure storage. It’s a great fit for larger paddleboards or bulkier fishing gear. The Maverick counters with a versatile 54.4‑inch bed, multi‑position tailgate, and available LED lighting—handy for late‑evening hauls back from Skidaway Island or organizing gear during a pre‑dawn departure.

Both provide ample cargo volume for their class, but for many Savannah‑area drivers, the Maverick’s blend of manageable proportions, useful bed features, and higher ground clearance makes it especially suited to the city‑to‑coast lifestyle.

COMPARING THE INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
OF THE FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE

 
 
Inside, both the 2025 Maverick XLT and Honda Ridgeline RTL seat five, but the way they use their space tells two different stories for Savannah‑area drivers. The Ridgeline offers more overall passenger volume, along with greater width in the shoulders and hips—advantages you’ll notice when loading up with a full crew for a run out to Tybee or Hilton Head. That extra cabin width also makes it easier to install child seats or haul bulkier gear inside the cab.

The Maverick, while narrower, matches or even exceeds the Ridgeline in several key comfort dimensions. Front headroom tops the Honda, giving taller drivers and passengers a more open feel on the way down Victory Drive or across the Talmadge Bridge. Its generous 42.8 inches of front legroom is a standout—great for stretching out on longer drives to coastal campgrounds or up toward Beaufort. Rear headroom is also slightly better than the Ridgeline, keeping back‑seat passengers more comfortable on those weekend trips.

Rear legroom is close between the two, with the Honda holding a small edge, but in day‑to‑day use—whether carpooling around Chatham County or loading friends for a beach day—the Maverick’s mix of open front quarters, good rear headroom, and smart space management makes it feel more accommodating than its smaller footprint suggests. For many Lowcountry buyers, that balance of maneuverable exterior size and genuinely comfortable seating hits a sweet spot.

COMPARING THE AMENITIES
OF THE FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE

 
 
For Savannah‑area shoppers, the 2025 Maverick XLT and Honda Ridgeline RTL approach comfort and tech from different angles. The Ridgeline leans toward luxury with standard leather‑trimmed seats, heated fronts, and full power adjustments (including lumbar and memory for the driver)—a nice touch for brisk winter mornings heading down Abercorn. The Maverick instead offers premium cloth and manual adjustments, though heated seats come with the XLT Luxury Package for those blustery Tybee evenings.

It’s worth keeping in mind the sizable price gap between the two. For many buyers, starting thousands lower with the Maverick means that adding comfort upgrades—like the Luxury Package, premium audio, accessory lighting or higher trim levels — still keeps the total well under Ridgeline territory, making the jump to a well‑equipped truck far easier to justify. A fully-loaded Maverick comes in around the same price as a base Ridgeline.

Rear‑seat storage is clever in both, with the Maverick’s flip‑up bench and the Ridgeline’s 60/40 split each offering versatile ways to stash beach gear, groceries from the Forsyth farmers market, or tools for a weekend project. Tech tilts toward the Maverick with its larger 13.2‑inch SYNC® 4 screen—great for navigating to Skidaway or streaming road‑trip playlists—while the Ridgeline counters with richer audio from its 7‑speaker system with subwoofer. Both bring wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ and robust driver‑assist suites for confidence in city traffic or I‑95 runs.

FORD MAVERICK VS HONDA RIDGELINE
WHICH IS THE TRUCK FOR YOU?

In this head‑to‑head matchup, the 2025 Ford Maverick XLT proves that capability doesn’t have to come at the cost of efficiency or affordability. Its standout strengths include:
 

• Two distinct AWD powertrains — an exceptionally efficient Hybrid AWD (40 city mpg) for cost‑conscious commuting, and a responsive EcoBoost AWD for stronger acceleration and higher tow ratings.
• Significant starting‑price advantage — leaving room in the budget for comfort, tech, or adventure‑ready accessories.
• Compact, maneuverable footprint — perfect for threading through Savannah’s historic streets, backing into tight marina lots, or slipping into downtown parking with less stress.
• Flexible utility — payloads up to 1,500 lbs, the available 4K Tow Package for 4,000 lbs of towing, a multi‑position tailgate, and solid ground clearance for mixed city‑to‑coast driving.

 
 
On the other hand, the 2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL makes its case as the more premium, power‑focused choice, delivering:

• Strong V6 performance — 280 hp, smooth 9‑speed automatic, and confident acceleration for heavier towing or long‑distance highway hauls.
• Greater towing and payload capacity — 5,000‑lb towing max and a slightly higher payload rating for larger boats, campers, or work gear.
• Wider, more spacious cabin — added shoulder and hip room that’s appreciated on longer trips or with a full crew.
• Upscale standard amenities — leather‑trimmed, heated front seats with full power adjustments, plus a clever in‑bed trunk for secure cargo storage.

 
 
For Savannah and the surrounding Lowcountry, the choice often comes down to priorities:

• If you value efficiency, value, and agility in a package that still handles weekend projects and coastal adventures, the Maverick XLT delivers a compelling balance.
• If you want maximum towing muscle, a roomier cabin, and a more premium feel—and you’re comfortable with the higher price—the Ridgeline RTL is built to please.

Either way, both trucks bring capable AWD systems, smart storage solutions, and the versatility to serve as weekday workhorses and weekend escape vehicles. It’s a matter of finding the one that best matches your budget, your driving style, and the Savannah‑to‑seashore life you lead.

DISCLAIMERS:

* Current Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for base vehicle. Excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge, and any emission testing charge. Optional equipment not included. Starting A, Z and X Plan price is for qualified, eligible customers and excludes document fee, destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration. Not all vehicles qualify for A, Z or X Plan.

*EPA-estimated rating of 42 city/35 hwy/38 combined mpg, 2.5L hybrid engine, Automatic Continuously Variable Transmission, and FWD. Actual mileage will vary.

* Max towing on AWD models with available Max Trailer Tow Package. Excludes Maverick® Lobo™ and Tremor® models. When properly equipped. Max towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, and number of passengers.

* Max payload on Maverick® pickup with AWD 2.0L engine and FWD 2.5L hybrid engine. Excludes Maverick® Lobo™ and Tremor® models. Max payload varies and is based on accessories and vehicle configuration. See label on doorjamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Always properly secure cargo.

* Horsepower, torque, payload and towing are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. For additional information, see your Ford Dealer.