IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
Ford has managed to pack better-than-expected passenger/cargo-hauling versatility, fuel economy, driving fun, and just plain old personality into the Maverick, all at VERY affordable prices.
BUT…
Its compact size and unibody construction mean the Maverick isn’t for heavy hauling or serious off-roading.
WORTH NOTING:
The Maverick’s innovative “Flexbed” pickup bed has been designed to accommodate DIY cargo solutions (such as 2×4 wood bed dividers) and features a Multi-Position Tailgate that’s rated to support up to 400 pounds in mid-position.
WHAT IS IT?
The Maverick is Ford’s new-for-2022 “extra-compact” pickup; it fits in our compact pickup category, though it’s notably smaller than most of the other vehicles in that class. Like the Honda Ridgeline and new-for-2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Maverick uses unibody construction instead of the traditional body-on-frame pickup-truck layout—it shares its basic underpinnings with the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport compact SUVs. Ford has made the unexpected choice of equipping the Maverick with a standard hybrid powertrain—the base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with an electric motor for a total output of 191 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and comes only with front-wheel drive. The step-up engine—an EcoBoost 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission—offers a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. An optional FX4 package for AWD models adds off-road-focused gear such as all-terrain tires, unique suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, and hill descent control.
Trim levels ascend through XL, XLT, and Lariat models, all with a 4.5-foot pickup bed. Payload capacity on all models is 1500 pounds, with a 2000-pound tow rating. An optional 4K Tow Package for EcoBoost-powered models raises the tow rating to 4000 pounds. Standard infotainment features include an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity; FordPass Connect Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices is available. Forward collision mitigation is standard; available safety gear includes the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
WHAT’S NEW?
The Maverick is an all-new vehicle for 2022.
FUEL ECONOMY
EPA fuel-economy numbers for the standard hybrid powertrain are 42 mpg city/33 mpg highway. The turbo 2.0-liter engine is rated at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive and 22/29 with all-wheel drive.
VALUE IN CLASS
The new Maverick is chock-full of smart, thoughtful design touches that help it make the most of its tidy dimensions. Thanks in part to its upright body and efficient cabin design, the Maverick offers a bit more passenger room inside than you might guess, and the pickup bed’s hauling versatility has been similarly optimized. The base engine provides respectable acceleration and should deliver standout fuel economy, and the turbo engine is downright peppy. And despite its predominantly low-buck-plastic interior trim, the Maverick has a sturdy feel and a likeable, fun-to-drive personality.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $19,995 – $25,490 |
| BODY STYLES | Crew Cab |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 191-HP, 2.5-Liter 4-cyl./Electric; Turbocharged 250-HP, 2.0-Liter 4-cyl. |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front or All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | Mexico |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 22-42 MPG |
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