4WD.ai4x4 · off-road · overlanding

2026 model year · Midsize pickups

Ford Maverick vs Nissan Frontier

The Maverick tows 4,000 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier side by side, 2026 model year, from the makers’ own documents.

This page compares the 2026 Ford Maverick (Maverick C2, 2022–present) and 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present): the newest model year in which both have maker figures, in US-market units. Newer model years in our data (Frontier 2027) have too few maker figures to compare, so the page uses the newest year in which both have enough.

Max towing: 4,000 lb vs 7,150 lb
Max payload: 1,500 lb vs 1,590 lb
Curb weight: 3,890 lb vs 4,865 lb

01 / Verdict

Maverick or Frontier: who leads on what

Each line is the maker’s top figure for each model across its configurations. A lead is on that best configuration, so it depends on cab, bed, engine, axle and options; the closest matching trucks are compared below. Only a maker’s own figure decides a lead.

Towing and GCWR: The Maverick tows 4,000 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. The Frontier leads by 3,150 lb on its best configuration.
Payload and GVWR: The Maverick carries 1,500 lb of payload, the Frontier 1,590 lb. The Frontier leads by 90 lb on its best configuration.
Ground clearance and angles: Only the Maverick has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 9.1 in of ground clearance. The Frontier has none, so no leader is named. At the best configuration: approach angle Maverick 30.8°, Frontier 32.3°; breakover angle Maverick 20.1°, Frontier 20.7°; departure angle Maverick 22.4°, Frontier 23.0°.
Dimensions: Length: Maverick 199.8–200.9 in, Frontier 210.2–224.1 in; width: Maverick 72.6 in, Frontier 73.0–74.7 in; height: Maverick 67.7–69.4 in, Frontier 71.3–72.9 in; wheelbase: Maverick 121.1 in, Frontier 126.0–139.8 in.
Curb weight: Curb weight: Maverick 3,517–3,890 lb, Frontier 4,385–4,865 lb.
Tires: Factory tire sizes. Maverick: 225/65R17, 225/55R19, 235/65R17. Frontier: 265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17.
Fuel tank: Fuel tank: Maverick 13.8–16.5 gal, Frontier 21.0 gal.

02 / Side by side

Every figure, group by group

Each cell is the range across the maker’s 2026 configurations of that model, with the small number of the document it comes from. A figure that is an estimate, an owners’ report or a third-party figure wears its mark and never decides a lead; a group where one model has no maker figure says so.

Towing and GCWR

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: towing and gcwr
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Max towing	2,000–4,000 lb^{source 1}	6,270–7,150 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +3,150 lb
GCWR	5,945–8,315 lb^{source 3}12 of 13 configs	11,960 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +3,645 lb

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Payload and GVWR

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: payload and gvwr
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Max payload	1,045–1,500 lb^{source 1}	1,100–1,590 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +90 lb
GVWR	4,970–5,330 lb^{source 1}	6,012 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +682 lb at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Ground clearance and angles

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: ground clearance and angles
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Ground clearance	7.4–9.1 in^{source 1}	not in our data	no maker figure for one
Approach angle	19.0–30.8°^{source 1}	29.0–32.3°^{source 2}	Frontier +1.5°
Breakover angle	15.9–20.1°^{source 1}	18.9–20.7°^{source 2}	Frontier +0.6°
Departure angle	19.3–22.4°^{source 1}	21.4–23.0°^{source 2}	Frontier +0.6°

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Dimensions

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: dimensions
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Length	199.8–200.9 in^{source 1}	210.2–224.1 in^{source 2}	Frontier +23.2 in at the top
Width	72.6 in^{source 1}	73.0–74.7 in^{source 2}	Frontier +2.1 in at the top
Height	67.7–69.4 in^{source 1}	71.3–72.9 in^{source 2}	Frontier +3.5 in at the top
Wheelbase	121.1 in^{source 1}	126.0–139.8 in^{source 2}	Frontier +18.7 in at the top
Bed length	54.4 in^{source 1}	59.5–73.3 in^{source 2}	Frontier +18.9 in at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Curb weight

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: curb weight
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Curb weight	3,517–3,890 lb^{source 1}	4,385–4,865 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +975 lb at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Tires

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: tires
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Factory tire sizes	225/65R17, 225/55R19, 235/65R17^{source 1}	265/70R16, 265/65R17, 265/70R17^{source 2}

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

Fuel tank

MakerUS units

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier: fuel tank
Figure	Ford Maverick2026	Nissan Frontier2026	Leads
Fuel tank	13.8–16.5 gal^{source 1}	21.0 gal^{source 2}	Frontier +4.5 gal at the top

“Not published”: the maker doesn’t print it. —: not in the documents we hold yet. Scroll the table sideways for every column.

SourcesMakerThe small number by a figure says which document it is from.

Documents last checked Oct 12, 2026. How we read them and what the marks mean: how we source the numbers. A figure doesn’t match its document? Report a wrong number.

03 / Like for like

The closest matching configurations

Ranges mix every cab, bed and engine. Here is one configuration of each, matched on the options that change the figures most, named as the maker names it.

Ford Maverick: 2026 XL SuperCrew AWD hybrid
Nissan Frontier: 2026 S Crew Cab 4x4

Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier, closest matching configurations
Figure	Maverick	Frontier	Leads
Max towing	2,000 lb^{source 1}	6,960 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +4,960 lb
GCWR	6,315 lb^{source 3}	11,960 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +5,645 lb
Max payload	1,400 lb^{source 1}	1,330 lb^{source 2}	Maverick +70 lb
GVWR	5,330 lb^{source 1}	6,012 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +682 lb
Ground clearance	8.1 in^{source 1}	not in our data	no maker figure for one
Approach angle	20.4°^{source 1}	31.4°^{source 2}	Frontier +11.0°
Breakover angle	15.9°^{source 1}	20.6°^{source 2}	Frontier +4.7°
Departure angle	21.0°^{source 1}	22.4°^{source 2}	Frontier +1.4°
Curb weight	3,838 lb^{source 1}	4,626 lb^{source 2}	Frontier +788 lb
Length	199.8 in^{source 1}	210.2 in^{source 2}	Frontier +10.4 in
Wheelbase	121.1 in^{source 1}	126.0 in^{source 2}	Frontier +4.9 in
Factory tire sizes	225/65R17^{source 1}	265/70R16^{source 2}
Fuel tank	13.8 gal^{source 1}	21.0 gal^{source 2}	Frontier +7.2 gal

Each is its model’s lowest trim in a crew cab with four-wheel drive and the shortest bed, with the first engine and gearbox the maker lists for it.
A figure marked “with” needs that factory package; one without is the configuration as it comes.

04 / Top figures

Which configuration earns each top figure

The leads above are between each model’s best configuration. Here is which configuration that is, and the factory package it needs.

Ford Maverick

Max towing 4,000 lb: XL SuperCrew AWD hybrid with 4K Tow Package (53Q)
GCWR 8,315 lb: XL SuperCrew AWD hybrid with 4K Tow Package (53Q)
Max payload 1,500 lb: XL SuperCrew FWD hybrid
Approach angle 30.8°: Tremor SuperCrew AWD 2.0L
Breakover angle 20.1°: Tremor SuperCrew AWD 2.0L
Departure angle 22.4°: XL SuperCrew FWD 2.0L

Nissan Frontier

Max towing 7,150 lb: S King Cab 4x2
GCWR 11,960 lb: S King Cab 4x2
Max payload 1,590 lb: S King Cab 4x2
Approach angle 32.3°: PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 LWB
Breakover angle 20.7°: S King Cab 4x4
Departure angle 23.0°: PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 LWB

05 / Keep going

Both models, and other matchups

Ford Maverick C2 (2022–present): every configuration and spec

Nissan Frontier D41 (2022–present): every configuration and spec

All vehicle comparisons · Rankings · How we source the numbers

06 / FAQ

Questions people ask

Which tows more, the Maverick or the Frontier?

The Maverick tows 4,000 lb, the Frontier 7,150 lb. The Frontier leads by 3,150 lb on its best configuration. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

Which has more payload, the Maverick or the Frontier?

The Maverick carries 1,500 lb of payload, the Frontier 1,590 lb. The Frontier leads by 90 lb on its best configuration. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

Which has more ground clearance, the Maverick or the Frontier?

Only the Maverick has a ground clearance figure in our data: it has 9.1 in of ground clearance. The Frontier has none, so no leader is named. This is the maker’s top figure for each model across its 2026 configurations; what a given truck can do depends on its cab, bed, engine, axle and options.

How do the Maverick and the Frontier compare in size?

Length: Maverick 199.8–200.9 in, Frontier 210.2–224.1 in; wheelbase: Maverick 121.1 in, Frontier 126.0–139.8 in. The range runs across cab, bed and wheelbase choices.

Which model years does this Maverick vs Frontier comparison use?

This page compares the 2026 Ford Maverick (Maverick C2, 2022–present) and 2026 Nissan Frontier (Frontier D41, 2022–present): the newest model year in which both have maker figures, in US-market units. Newer model years in our data (Frontier 2027) have too few maker figures to compare, so the page uses the newest year in which both have enough.