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The 2026 Ford Maverick AWD is the best overall AWD truck for most buyers because it combines compact size, a useful 4-foot-5-inch bed and towing that can reach 4,000 pounds with the 4K Tow Package. Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD for a more crossover-oriented daily driver, or the Honda Ridgeline for the most comfort and bed utility. If trail hardware, a transfer case or heavier towing matters more than automatic AWD behavior, compare the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Toyota Tacoma 4WD instead.
The figures below are configuration-specific 2026 manufacturer information. A model’s maximum rating does not apply to every trim or engine, so match the truck, drivetrain and package on the actual build sheet before you buy.
How the 2026 AWD and 4WD choices differ
AWD is the right starting point for shoppers who want year-round traction with a truck that is also a commuter. The Maverick, Santa Cruz and Ridgeline are the three clearest AWD-oriented choices here. The Colorado, Canyon and Tacoma are better fits when selectable 4WD, dedicated trail equipment or a higher tow ceiling is the priority.
| Truck | Drivetrain information | Published towing figures | Bed information | Power or trail hardware | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ford Maverick | AWD available | 2,000 lb standard; up to 4,000 lb with the 4K Tow Package (Ford, 2026) | 4-ft-5-in bed; 33.3 cu. ft. of bed volume (Ford, 2026) | Compact pickup; specific output and clearance not stated here | Most maneuverable all-round AWD choice |
| 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz | HTRAC AWD available on 2.5L trims; standard on turbo trims | Up to 3,500 or 5,000 lb, depending on configuration (Hyundai, 2026) | Bed dimensions not stated here | Turbo output is 281 hp (Hyundai, 2026) | Crossover-style daily driving |
| 2026 Honda Ridgeline | Standard i-VTM4 AWD | Up to 5,000 lb (Honda, 2026) | 50-in width at the wheel wells (Honda, 2026) | 280 hp V-6 (Honda, 2026) | Comfort and flexible bed use |
| 2026 Chevrolet Colorado | Selectable 4WD available on appropriate configurations | Configuration-specific rating not stated here | Dimensions not stated here | 2.7L TurboMax: 310 hp and 430 lb-ft; Z71 and ZR2 off-road variants; selectable drive modes (Chevrolet, 2026) | Trail hardware and midsize truck capability |
| 2026 GMC Canyon | Selectable 4WD on applicable configurations | 7,700 lb for Elevation, AT4 and Denali; 6,000 lb for AT4X; 5,500 lb for AT4X AEV (GMC, 2026) | Dimensions not stated here | TurboMax, 8-speed automatic and 3.42 axle ratio (GMC, 2026) | Highest stated tow ceiling |
| 2026 Toyota Tacoma | 4WDemand part-time 4WD with a two-speed transfer case; full-time 4WD on specified trims; i-FORCE MAX hybrid available | Configuration-specific rating not stated here | Dimensions not stated here | Transfer-case-equipped 4WD and hybrid availability (Toyota, 2026) | Traditional 4WD and off-road use |
Comparable payload, ground-clearance, fuel-economy, 2026 transaction-price and warranty figures are not stated in the published facts used for this comparison. There is also no independent reliability ranking or instrumented fuel-economy test to justify a winner on those measures.
#1 Best Overall
- This item is made in 840-Navy Plush Cut Pile carpet. The item image may be a different color, but the SWATCH image is the correct color. Carpet Fits 2 Wheel Drive Automatic. Unless otherwise noted, the jute padding is heat bonded to the backside of the carpet and a heel pad is welded to the correct location.
- Holes may not be cut in automotive carpet and carpet may require trimming to install.
- Automotive carpet compatible with Chevrolet Standard Cab Pickup Truck will be Heat and Pressure formed using a form that was created from the original floor pan. Carpet will fit to the floor when installed correctly.
- All automotive carpets are Made in USA with Top Quality auto carpet materials. Carpet samples are available if you are not sure of the material or color you need.
- Automotive carpet will fit just like original carpet when installed correctly. This item fits the years: 1981-1987
Best overall: 2026 Ford Maverick AWD
The Maverick is the strongest default recommendation when you need a genuine pickup bed but spend most of your time on pavement. Its compact footprint is easier to maneuver than a midsize truck, while the bed still provides 33.3 cubic feet of volume and measures 4 feet 5 inches.
Choose the right tow configuration
Ford lists 2,000 pounds of towing as the standard figure and up to 4,000 pounds when the 4K Tow Package is selected. Treat those as different configurations: the higher number is not a blanket rating for every AWD Maverick.
Bed-utility considerations
Measure the equipment you actually carry before ordering. A 2026 Ford Maverick tonneau cover can protect cargo, but confirm that the cover fits the Maverick bed and does not interfere with the tie-down or accessory layout you plan to use.
Rank #2
- This item is made in 897-Charcoal Plush Cut Pile carpet. The item image may be a different color, but the SWATCH image is the correct color. Carpet Fits 2 Wheel Drive Automatic. Unless otherwise noted, the jute padding is heat bonded to the backside of the carpet and a heel pad is welded to the correct location.
- Holes may not be cut in automotive carpet and carpet may require trimming to install.
- Automotive carpet compatible with Chevrolet Standard Cab Pickup Truck will be Heat and Pressure formed using a form that was created from the original floor pan. Carpet will fit to the floor when installed correctly.
- All automotive carpets are Made in USA with Top Quality auto carpet materials. Carpet samples are available if you are not sure of the material or color you need.
- Automotive carpet will fit just like original carpet when installed correctly. This item fits the years: 1981-1987
Best crossover-style AWD truck: 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz suits buyers who value crossover-oriented daily driving but still want an open bed. Hyundai lists HTRAC AWD as available on 2.5L trims and standard on turbo trims, so the engine and trim must be checked together.
Towing varies by configuration
Hyundai publishes towing figures up to 3,500 or 5,000 pounds, depending on configuration. The turbo version is listed at 281 horsepower and is the configuration associated with the 5,000-pound maximum in the 2026 information. Verify the exact rating on the vehicle’s build sheet and trailer equipment.
Best for comfort and bed flexibility: 2026 Honda Ridgeline
The Ridgeline is the comfort-first pick among these trucks. Honda lists standard i-VTM4 AWD, a 280-horsepower V-6 and towing capacity up to 5,000 pounds. Its bed is 50 inches wide at the wheel wells, a useful measurement for bulky cargo that must fit between the arches.
Rank #3
- This item is made in 815-Red Plush Cut Pile carpet. The item image may be a different color, but the SWATCH image is the correct color. Carpet Fits 2 Wheel Drive Automatic. Unless otherwise noted, the jute padding is heat bonded to the backside of the carpet and a heel pad is welded to the correct location.
- Holes may not be cut in automotive carpet and carpet may require trimming to install.
- Automotive carpet compatible with GMC Standard Cab Pickup Truck will be Heat and Pressure formed using a form that was created from the original floor pan. Carpet will fit to the floor when installed correctly.
- All automotive carpets are Made in USA with Top Quality auto carpet materials. Carpet samples are available if you are not sure of the material or color you need.
- Automotive carpet will fit just like original carpet when installed correctly. This item fits the years: 1981-1987
Choose it when a composed daily-driving experience and practical bed layout matter more than low-range 4WD hardware or the maximum tow ratings of the strongest midsize configurations.
Best 4WD alternatives for trails and heavier work
Chevrolet Colorado
The Colorado is the better direction when selectable drive modes and off-road variants matter. Chevrolet lists the 2.7L TurboMax at 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, with Z71 and ZR2 variants aimed at off-road use. Select the exact drivetrain and package before comparing it with an AWD truck; the off-road equipment is trim-dependent.
GMC Canyon
The Canyon has the highest stated towing ceiling in this group, but only on specific trims. GMC lists up to 7,700 pounds for Elevation, AT4 and Denali, while AT4X is rated at 6,000 pounds and AT4X AEV at 5,500 pounds. GMC pairs the TurboMax engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a 3.42 axle ratio. Those ratings are not interchangeable across the lineup.
Rank #4
- This item is made in 815-Red Plush Cut Pile carpet. The item image may be a different color, but the SWATCH image is the correct color. Carpet Fits 2 Wheel Drive Automatic. Unless otherwise noted, the jute padding is heat bonded to the backside of the carpet and a heel pad is welded to the correct location.
- Holes may not be cut in automotive carpet and carpet may require trimming to install.
- Automotive carpet compatible with Chevrolet Standard Cab Pickup Truck will be Heat and Pressure formed using a form that was created from the original floor pan. Carpet will fit to the floor when installed correctly.
- All automotive carpets are Made in USA with Top Quality auto carpet materials. Carpet samples are available if you are not sure of the material or color you need.
- Automotive carpet will fit just like original carpet when installed correctly. This item fits the years: 1981-1987
Toyota Tacoma
The Tacoma is the traditional 4WD choice. Toyota documents 4WDemand part-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, full-time 4WD on specified trims and i-FORCE MAX hybrid availability. It is the candidate to investigate when transfer-case operation and trail control matter more than a simple AWD commuter setup.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Pick by the job you actually do
Mostly commuting, errands and winter roads
Start with Maverick AWD, then compare Santa Cruz AWD if crossover manners are more important, or Ridgeline if cabin comfort and bed width are worth moving up in size.
Occasional recreational towing
Match the trailer’s required rating to the exact engine, drivetrain and package. Maverick’s 4K package, Santa Cruz’s turbo configuration and Ridgeline’s listed capacity cover different use cases; do not use a model-level headline in place of the vehicle-specific rating.
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- Please note that while the main product image may show a different color, the swatch image accurately reflects the correct color.Because we offer a wide variety of colors, please double-check your selection before ordering. Please request free samples if you are unsure of the color
- Vehicle Compatibility: This carpet will fit just like original carpet when installed correctly. This carpet is formed to fit a 1981-1987 GMC Standard Cab Truck 4 Wheel Drive 4 Speed
- Installation Notes: This automotive carpet is custom-formed but may require trimming and cutting holes to install. Please review the complete instructions provided in the description before starting. Unless specified otherwise, the jute insulation padding is heat-bonded to the underside, and the protective heel pad is pre-welded into its factory-correct position.
- Custom Manufacturing: This carpet features a standard, flexible polyethylene backing. If you prefer an upgrade to premium Massbacking, please contact us before ordering. Using a form that was cast directly from the original floor pan, each carpet is precision heat and pressure formed. When properly installed following the provided instructions, it will fit the contours of your original floor pan.
- Carpet Quality: All automotive carpets are Made in USA with Top Quality auto carpet materials. This carpet has a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
Frequent heavy towing
Investigate the Canyon first because its published maximum is the highest here, then compare Colorado and Tacoma configurations that meet the trailer requirement. Confirm payload as well as tow rating, since passengers, cargo and hitch load all consume the truck’s available capacity.
Technical off-roading
Favor the Colorado Z71 or ZR2, Canyon AT4-family configurations or a Tacoma with the documented 4WD system. These are 4WD-oriented choices rather than substitutes for the AWD behavior of the Maverick, Santa Cruz or Ridgeline.
A purchase and towing checklist
- Lock the configuration. Save the vehicle build sheet showing engine, drivetrain, cab, axle and tow package.
- Verify the rating for that exact vehicle. Use the owner’s documentation or manufacturer build information, not a dealer’s generic model description.
- Check payload on the door-jamb label. Include passengers, bed cargo, accessories and the trailer’s hitch load.
- Match the hardware. Confirm the receiver rating, trailer plug, a compatible trailer brake controller and the correct hitch wiring kit for the truck and trailer.
- Price the complete purchase. Compare the out-the-door amount, financing term, insurance quote, fuel budget and expected maintenance reserve rather than only the advertised payment.
- Protect the bed and cargo. If you add a cover, rack or liner, verify fit and account for its weight in the payload calculation.
What is not yet an apples-to-apples comparison
The available 2026 specifications do not establish a complete transaction-price set, independent fuel-economy results, reliability ranking, payload comparison or uniform ground-clearance figures for all six trucks. Those omissions matter to a personal-finance decision: obtain current dealer quotes, the window sticker and the door-jamb payload label for the specific vehicle before committing.
Bottom line
Buy the 2026 Ford Maverick AWD for the best balance of maneuverability, bed usefulness and attainable towing. Move to the Hyundai Santa Cruz AWD for a crossover-first daily drive or the Honda Ridgeline for comfort and bed flexibility. Choose the Colorado, Canyon or Tacoma when selectable 4WD, trail equipment or heavier-duty towing is the reason you are buying a truck.
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