Nowadays, navigation is an essential feature in any car and has been for quite some time now, especially in EVs, which are almost supercomputers on wheels, often having multiple apps for navigating through. Currently, Ford relies on Google Maps for its mapping duties, but that's about to change: Ford has partnered up with Apple to introduce its first-ever built-in Apple Maps in its upcoming electric truck based on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.The first vehicle to be manufactured on the new platform will be a truck rumored to be called the Ranchero, potentially followed by a van and an SUV. Set for a launch in 2027, it's expected to be priced around $30,000 and similar in size to the outgoing Maverick. This new partnership with Apple isn't limited to just being a maps partner, either. Using Apple's new MapKit for Automotive technology, the system will bring turn-by-turn directions with natural language, real-time traffic and incident info, and smarter EV-focused routing that factors in charging stops and battery preconditioning.FordDeveloped alongside Ford's in-house software team, Latitude AI, expect a slew of AI features as well as hands-free driving. This ties into BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free driving tech, which currently only works on select highway sections, Ford says road-level data from Apple Maps will help power a "next-generation" version of BlueCruise for a more seamless experience. It's set to compete with the Slate truck, an entry-level electric pickup.How Good Is Apple Maps?Ever since its release back in 2012 — when it replaced Google Maps as the default on iPhone- Apple Maps has been considered inferior to Google Maps. Google had both an early advantage and way more data to work with, so when we talk about coverage, especially outside the US, Apple's data has historically been more limited.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat being said, there are certain aspects where Apple Maps outshines its rivals these days. Apple has spent years closing the accuracy gap and catching up on features, and it's now considered solid and reliable for everyday navigation — especially if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, or just prefer its cleaner look and voice guidance. Google Maps still wins on raw data coverage, but the gap has narrowed a lot since those early "Mapocalypse" days.This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the Gear section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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