The short answer
Maverick wins on price (~$10k less), hybrid mpg (37 city), unibody ride comfort, parking footprint. Tacoma wins on body-on-frame durability, off-road capability (TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro, Trailhunter), max tow (~6,500 lbs), Toyota reliability reputation, and resale. Different vehicles for different buyers — Maverick is a small unibody truck for daily use, Tacoma is a midsize body-on-frame truck for off-road and work.
Engines
Maverick: 2.5L Hybrid (191 hp, 37/33 mpg) or 2.0L EcoBoost (250 hp, AWD). Tacoma (2024+, all-new gen): 2.4L turbo I-4 (228 hp / 270 hp / 278 hp depending on trim), or 2.4L i-FORCE MAX Hybrid (326 hp combined). Tacoma hybrid is more powerful; Maverick hybrid is more efficient.
Off-road capability
Tacoma TRD Off-Road / TRD Pro / Trailhunter: locking rear diff, FOX shocks (TRD Pro), Old Man Emu suspension (Trailhunter), real overland spec. Maverick Tremor: light off-road / beach access — twin-clutch RDU, raised suspension. Tacoma is a real off-road truck; Maverick is not. If off-road matters, Tacoma.
Towing and payload
Tacoma: up to 6,500 lbs tow / ~1,700 lbs payload. Maverick: up to 4,000 lbs tow (EcoBoost + 4K Tow) / 1,500 lbs payload. Tacoma wins both. Maverick covers light tow (jet ski, small utility trailer); Tacoma covers real boat / camper tow.
Daily driver
Maverick is significantly easier as a daily — smaller footprint, smoother unibody ride, better fit in compact parking, much better mpg. Tacoma is a real truck — taller, bigger, less efficient. If your truck is your only vehicle and you commute, Maverick is more livable.
Reliability and resale
Toyota Tacoma is famous for resale value — the strongest in midsize trucks historically. Maverick has been holding value strong (demand outpacing supply since launch) but does not have Tacoma's long-term reputation. If long-term resale is a priority, Tacoma.
Price
Maverick starts low $20s (XL Hybrid). Tacoma starts mid $30s (SR). Loaded: Maverick Lariat / Tremor / Lobo mid-$30s. Tacoma TRD Pro / Trailhunter / i-FORCE MAX mid-$60s. Maverick is roughly half the price at entry.
How to decide
Pick Maverick for: lowest price, hybrid mpg, daily driver comfort, compact parking, light truck duty. Pick Tacoma for: real off-road capability, body-on-frame durability, higher tow, Toyota reliability reputation, strongest resale. Eugenio at Sunrise Ford handles the Maverick side.