
Toyota Corolla Cross vs Ford Maverick vs Honda Ridgeline
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
Choose your shortlist
The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Ford Maverick edges ahead by just 1.7 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Ford Maverick
52.6
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
50.9
2026 Honda Ridgeline
41.5
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
$25,560 incl. destination — $4,280 less than the runner-up
2026 Ford Maverick
42/33 city/hwy
2026 Honda Ridgeline
280 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross and the 2026 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Honda Ridgeline. Start with the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross at $25,560 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Toyota · Compact SUV
2026 Toyota Corolla Cross
“Exceptional fuel economy for the class”
See the full reviewTrim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- Corolla Cross$27,890
- Maverick$32,340
- Ridgeline$45,090
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- Corolla Cross$552/mo
- Maverick$640/mo
- Ridgeline$893/mo
vs. Base Trim
- Corolla Cross+$2,330
- Maverick+$2,500
- Ridgeline+$2,800
| Corolla Cross LE | Maverick XLT | Ridgeline RTL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $27,890 | $32,340 | $45,090 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $552/mo | $640/mo | $893/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$2,330 | +$2,500 | +$2,800 |
12 of 12 features shown
Corolla CrossMaverickRidgeline
Rear-seat vents
Included Not included Not included
LED headlights
Included Not included Not included
Roof rails
Included Not included Not included
Blind Spot Monitor
Included Not included Not included
17-inch painted aluminum wheels
Not included Included Not included
Upgraded cloth upholstery
Not included Included Not included
i-VTM4 AWD System
Not included Not included Included
Lockable In-Bed Trunk
Not included Not included Included
9-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Smartphone Integration
Not included Not included Included
Leather-Trimmed Interior
Not included Not included Included
One-Touch Power Moonroof
Not included Not included Included
Heated Front Seats
Not included Not included Included
| Rear-seat vents | Included | Not included | Not included |
| LED headlights | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Roof rails | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Blind Spot Monitor | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 17-inch painted aluminum wheels | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Upgraded cloth upholstery | Not included | Included | Not included |
| i-VTM4 AWD System | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Lockable In-Bed Trunk | Not included | Not included | Included |
| 9-inch Touchscreen with Wireless Smartphone Integration | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Leather-Trimmed Interior | Not included | Not included | Included |
| One-Touch Power Moonroof | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Heated Front Seats | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Full Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- Corolla Cross$24,210
- Maverick$28,145
- Ridgeline$40,795
Est. dealer invoice
- Corolla Cross$22,273
- Maverick$26,175
- Ridgeline$37,531
Destination fee
- Corolla Cross$1,350
- Maverick$1,695
- Ridgeline$1,495
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- Corolla Cross$25,560
- Maverick$29,840
- Ridgeline$42,290
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- Corolla Cross$506/mo
- Maverick$591/mo
- Ridgeline$837/mo
Trims offered
- Corolla Cross3 (from $24,210)
- Maverick3 (from $28,145)
- Ridgeline4 (from $40,795)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- Corolla Cross2.0L 4-Cyl, Hybrid
- Maverick2.5L Hybrid, 2.0L EcoBoost I-4
- Ridgeline3.5L V6
Horsepower
- Corolla Cross169 hp
- Maverick191 hp
- Ridgeline280 hp
Fuel economy
- Corolla Cross31/33 city/hwy
- Maverick42/33 city/hwy
- Ridgeline18/24 city/hwy
Seating
- Corolla Cross5 seats
- Maverick5 seats
- Ridgeline5 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- Corolla CrossCompact SUV
- MaverickCompact Pickup
- RidgelineMid-Size Pickup
Assembly location
- Corolla CrossHuntsville, AL, USA & Takaoka, Japan
- MaverickHermosillo, Mexico
- RidgelineLincoln, AL, USA
Safety awards & ratings
- Corolla CrossIIHS Top Safety Pick (2026)
- Maverick—
- RidgelineNHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (2026)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- Corolla CrossLE
- MaverickXLT
- RidgelineTrailSport
Trim to skip
- Corolla CrossXLE
- MaverickLariat
- RidgelineSport
Key rivals
- Corolla CrossHonda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos
- MaverickHyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda Ridgeline
- RidgelineToyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $24,210 | $28,145 | $40,795 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $22,273 | $26,175 | $37,531 |
| Destination fee | $1,350 | $1,695 | $1,495 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $25,560 | $29,840 | $42,290 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $506/mo | $591/mo | $837/mo |
| Trims offered | 3 (from $24,210) | 3 (from $28,145) | 4 (from $40,795) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 2.0L 4-Cyl, Hybrid | 2.5L Hybrid, 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 | 3.5L V6 |
| Horsepower | 169 hp | 191 hp | 280 hp |
| Fuel economy | 31/33 city/hwy | 42/33 city/hwy | 18/24 city/hwy |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Compact SUV | Compact Pickup | Mid-Size Pickup |
| Assembly location | Huntsville, AL, USA & Takaoka, Japan | Hermosillo, Mexico | Lincoln, AL, USA |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick (2026) | — | NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (2026) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | LE | XLT | TrailSport |
| Trim to skip | XLE | Lariat | Sport |
| Key rivals | Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos | Hyundai Santa Cruz, Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda Ridgeline | Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Honda · Mid-Size Pickup
2026 Honda Ridgeline
“Unmatched ride refinement and daily comfort”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Compact SUV
Pros
- Exceptional fuel economy for the class
- High predicted resale value
- Simple and intuitive controls
Cons
- Conservative styling may feel too plain for some
- Acceleration is leisurely compared to turbo rivals
Ford Maverick
Compact Pickup
Pros
- Unbeatable fuel economy for a pickup
- Clever and functional interior storage
- Highly competitive starting price
Cons
- Interior materials feel basic on higher trims
- Lariat trim pricing enters mid-size truck territory
Honda Ridgeline
Mid-Size Pickup
Pros
- Unmatched ride refinement and daily comfort
- Highly functional dual-action tailgate and in-bed trunk
- Proven and smooth V6 powertrain
Cons
- Lower ground clearance than off-road focused rivals
- Less towing capability for heavy-duty tasks
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
Toyota Corolla Cross
Performance
- Reliable and efficient 2.0L engine
- Smooth power delivery in Hybrid variant
- 169 hp can feel underpowered during highway passing
Handling
- Compact dimensions make city parking effortless
- Stable and predictable steering feel
- Noticeable body roll during spirited cornering
Comfort
- Suspension soaks up road imperfections well
- High seating position offers great visibility
- Engine noise can be intrusive under heavy acceleration
Ford Maverick
Performance
- Exceptional hybrid efficiency in city traffic
- 191 hp provides plenty of zip for urban merging
- Smooth transition between gas and electric power
- Engine can get noisy under heavy acceleration
- Top-end power is limited for highway passing
Handling
- Car-like agility makes it easy to park
- Tight turning radius for a pickup
- Composed steering with good feedback
- Noticeable front-wheel-drive tug under hard launches
- Not as refined as a dedicated crossover
Comfort
- Supportive front seats for long commutes
- Excellent outward visibility from the driver's seat
- Smart interior storage keeps the cabin clutter-free
- Rear legroom is tight for three adults
- Ride can be slightly bouncy when the bed is empty
Honda Ridgeline
Performance
- Linear power delivery from the 280 hp V6
- Smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission
- Lower maximum towing capacity than body-on-frame competitors
Handling
- Car-like agility and cornering stability
- Excellent traction from the i-VTM4 AWD system
- Limited wheel articulation for technical off-roading
Comfort
- Best-in-class ride quality over broken pavement
- Exceptionally quiet cabin for a pickup truck
- Rear seat cushions can feel slightly firm on long journeys
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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