Opinion – Time machines: Ford Maverick surpasses Fiat Toro in size and performance, but loses in cost-effectiveness

An unfamiliar button in the middle of the panel piques curiosity. The driver presses and there is the sound of an electric window opening. Looking in the rearview mirror, he finds that the Maverick’s rear window is open.

Imported from Mexico, the Ford novelty uses these different solutions to convince the public to invest BRL 240,000 in a pickup truck with a gasoline engine. A beautiful engine, as shown by the numbers measured by the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia.

The 2.0 turbo took the Maverick to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. It is a technical tie with the Volkswagen Amarok V6 Highline (R$ 309,700), which is a benchmark in performance among midsize models. But this is not the main competitor.

Ford’s direct fight will be with Fiat Toro, which passed the Folha-Mauá test in the Ranch version (R$ 212,200). Its engine is also a 2.0 turbo (170 hp), but powered by diesel.

Although it easily surpasses its rival in terms of performance, Ford has the disadvantage of costing more and not bringing the mechanical set most valued by consumers of this type of vehicle.

Turbodiesel engines are desired in the utility segment, both for their autonomy associated with lower fuel costs and for lower depreciation.

In general, models with flex-fuel or gasoline-only engines cost less. But this is not the case with this comparison.

The Ford is more expensive, but has a larger size and conveys robustness, a feature that goes beyond looks. Its interior is less rococo than the Toro’s, in addition to having buttons and controls that convey durability.

The Maverick’s size is reminiscent of the ’90s double-cab pickup trucks, and it has to be admitted that Ford knows how to make this type of car. The driving position is typical of luxury SUVs, and there are electrical adjustments for the driver’s seat.

The engine has more power than necessary. There’s plenty of power and torque, which justifies the numbers more for sports than for utility.

Toro is more tame, and that’s also a quality. The manufacturer did a commendable job of soundproofing: the driver forgets that it is a model with a diesel engine.

The Fiat pickup maintains the arrow command that, so light, makes the high beam flash when the driver activates the lever. It’s a point that clashes in a well-resolved cabin.

Ford, on the other hand, owes an anti-glare internal mirror. If a car with high beams follows behind, the driver will have to put his hand in the mirror to reduce the inconvenience.

In common, the Lariat and Ranch versions have linings that imitate brown leather. Maverick still uses navy blue parts, while Toro displays plastic frames that refer to the wood on the panel.

Ford also takes advantage of the space available in the back seat, being even more comfortable than the mid-range diesel-powered Ranger pickup. But there is a difficult question there.

The Maverick is sold in a single version and costs practically the same as the Ranger XLS 4×4 (R$ 244 thousand), which also offers a good package of standard items. That is, if the consumer is interested in a Ford pickup, he will have the best cost-benefit option available at the dealership.

And speaking of cost-effectiveness, Fiat Toro Ranch stands out. For R$ 212,200, the owner will have – in addition to the diesel engine and all-wheel drive – a multimedia system with a 10-inch screen, seven airbags, a marine top and an autonomous braking system, among other items.

Maverick also brings this equipment, although the Media Center screen is smaller, at eight inches, and the roof has to be purchased as an option. But what actually limits its market is the lack of versions priced below R$200,000.

Ford wants to position its novelty as an alternative to SUVs of the size of Volkswagen Taos and Toyota Corolla Cross. It makes sense, especially when you consider performance and versatility.

But when thinking specifically about the pickup truck market, the competition is fiercer. Toro caters to a wider range of consumers with its various versions, and those who want more can go straight to a medium-sized pickup truck with automatic transmission.

Maverick sits in the middle, as if it were a segment in itself. The solitude of the Lariat version may end when the waiting list in the US is reduced and the automaker can bring more options of the model to Brazil.

Ford Maverick Lariat

Price: BRL 240 thousand
Engine: front, transverse, gasoline, 2.0 turbo
Power: 253 hp at 5,500 rpm
Torque: 38.7 kgfm at 3,000 rpm
Transmission: All-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic transmission
Tires: 225/65 R17
Weight: 1,744 kg
Bucket: 943 liters
Length: 5.07 m
Width: 1.84 m
Height: 1.73 m
Wheelbase: 3.08 m
Load capacity: 617 kilos
Acceleration: (0 to 100 km/h): 7.8s
Retake (80 km/h to 120 km/h): 5.1s
Braking: (80 km/h 0): 42.8 m
Urban consumption: 9.0 km/l
Road consumption: 15.2 km/l

Fiat Toro Ranch

Price: BRL 212.2 thousand
Engine: front, transverse, diesel, 2.0 turbo
Power: 170 hp at 3,750 rpm
Torque: 35.7 kgfm at 1,750 rpm
Transmission: All-wheel drive, nine-speed automatic transmission
Tires: 225/60 R18
Weight: 1,930 kg
Bucket: 937 liters
Length: 4.95 m
Width: 1.85 m
Height: 1.73 m
Wheelbase: 2.99 m
Load capacity: 1010 kilos
Acceleration: (0 to 100 km/h): 11.6s
Resumption (80 km/h to 120 km/h): 8.1s
Braking: (80 km/h 0) 33 m
Urban consumption: 11.3 km/l
Road consumption: 14.2 km/l

Consumption and performance measurements made by Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia