When you visit your local Ford dealer, you’ll find plenty of big vehicles that are well suited to big jobs, from towing and hauling to carrying lots of passengers and cargo in their cavernous interiors. These models certainly have their place, but they aren’t right for everyone. Plenty of drivers want a truck or SUV that has enough capability to come in handy during the occasional DIY project or move across town but is also small enough to be affordable, efficient, and convenient as a daily driver for getting to work or school and running errands around town.
The two most affordable vehicles in Ford’s 2025 lineup are the Escape, a compact SUV, and the Maverick, a compact pickup truck. Since these models have different body styles, they each have their own unique set of pros and cons, which can make it difficult for shoppers to decide between the two. Today, we’re going to take a practical look at how each of these vehicles works as a daily driver.
Affordability
For some drivers, budget is the number one priority that comes before all else, so let’s start by finding out which of these models is more affordable. Since prices are objective numbers that are easy to compare, that matchup has a clear winner: the Maverick. The 2025 Maverick XL, the entry-level trim of the truck, has a starting MSRP of $26,995.[a] The Escape Active starts at $29,150.[a] So, if you just want the most affordable option, the Maverick is certainly the way to go.
Of course, when you look above the base trims, things get a bit more fuzzy. The top-tier trim of the Maverick is an off-road capable model called the Tremor, which has a starting MSRP of $40,350.[a] For the Escape, the top-of-the-line model is a Plug-in Hybrid variant that starts at $37,400 and will probably provide more value to a daily driver with its great fuel economy and ability to drive up to 37 miles on electric power alone than the Maverick Tremor will with its off-road tuned suspension, skid plates, and rear drive unit lock.[a] In the middle, both models offer a range of in-between trims so that each driver can strike their own balance between the value of additional features and the limit of their budget.
Fuel Economy
While the Maverick may have the potential to save you the most with the sticker price, it’s the Escape that’s best equipped to save you money over time by letting you cut back on visits to your local gas station. Both of these vehicles offer multiple powertrain options, though, so there is some nuance here. Let’s take a closer look.
The Maverick has two powertrain options in its lineup: a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 engine and a 2.5L I-4 hybrid setup. The non-hybrid engine can only be paired with all-wheel drive and has an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating of 25 MPG. When equipped with the hybrid powertrain, the Maverick gets a big boost, delivering 37 MPG combined when paired with all-wheel drive and 38 MPG combined when paired with front-wheel drive. Both of these powertrains can be had on the Escape, and they have very similar ratings (the Escape gets 26 MPG combined with the 2.0L engine and AWD and 39 MPG combined with the 2.5L hybrid for both front- and all-wheel drive setups).
If the Escape only offers one or two more miles per gallon, this would be pretty close to a tie. However, the Escape has two additional powertrains for drivers to choose from. The most affordable of these is its base engine, a 1.5L I-3 that delivers less power but gets 28 MPG combined with all-wheel drive and 30 MPG combined with front-wheel drive (both significantly better than the 25 MPG you’ll get with the Maverick’s sole non-hybrid option). And on top of that, the Escape can also be had with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. If you never remember to plug it in, this is still the most efficient option, delivering 40 MPG combined with front-wheel drive. When you do charge the battery, you can get up to 101 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and drive up to 37 miles at a time without drawing any power from the gas engine at all. If your daily commute is less than that, you can essentially get the savings benefits of driving an EV most days, while still having a gas engine handy for the occasional road trip or a day when you forget to plug the SUV in overnight.
Cargo Space
Comparing the cargo space offered by these vehicles is a bit like comparing apples and oranges since one is a pickup truck and the other is an SUV. The Escape provides up to 37.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the back row of seating and offers up to 65.4 cu.ft. of space with the rear seats folded down. The Maverick’s 4.5-foot-long bed has 33.3 cu.ft. of cargo volume, but since the top is open, you have some flexibility with the height of bulky objects that won’t fit through the Escape’s rear hatch. On the other hand, the cargo area in the Escape is protected from the elements and can be locked when you walk away, which does offer advantages.
Both vehicles allow you to get extra cargo space by towing a trailer. Depending on how your model is equipped, the Escape can tow anywhere from 1,500 lbs to 3,500 lbs of weight. Since the Maverick is a truck, you probably won’t be surprised to know that it can handle more than that, with a standard towing capacity of 2,000 lbs that can be raised to 4,000 lbs with the available 4K Tow Package.
Size
Up in the front row, you’ll get about the same amount of room for your legs, head, shoulders, and hips regardless of whether you’re in a Maverick or an Escape. But if you often drive with passengers in the back row, you may want to consider the fact that the Escape has about five extra inches of legroom for the second row compared to the Maverick. Because it doesn’t have a full cargo bed attached to the back, the Escape is also shorter overall by nearly 20 inches, which is worth keeping in mind if you often parallel park on crowded streets or have a garage that’s on the smaller side. The Escape’s more compact footprint also makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
The Winner? Depends on Your Priorities
These vehicles may share a few powertrains and have their fair share of other similarities, but they’re just different enough that it’s hard to say which one is better overall. When it comes to the needs of most drivers, the Escape probably has a slight edge with its solid fuel economy, passenger-friendly interior, and compact, easy-to-park size. But every driver is different, and there are plenty of reasons why someone might choose the Maverick, even if they’re not typically a “truck person.” The pickup’s low cost makes it the more affordable option, and because it’s built more similar to a car than most trucks, it offers the usefulness of an open cargo bed and high towing capacity without bringing along baggage like low fuel economy or a rough ride on paved roads, factors that can drive shoppers away from midsize or full-size models.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to what factors you find most important. Now that you know some of the strengths and weaknesses of both of these models, you have the tools you need to decide. Happy shopping!
