Although the nameplate originally was used on a less-than-stellar compact car line in the 1970s, Ford has revived the Maverick name for its new small pickup truck and has slotted it into the lineup below the mid-size Ranger.
This time, the Maverick is an impressive package worthy of an Editors’ Choice award. Instead of sharing parts and mechanicals with the Ranger, the Maverick rides on the same chassis as the Bronco Sport compact crossover.
The standard powertrain is a hybrid setup that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and a front-wheel-drive.
Ford also offers all-wheel drive, but only with the optional nonhybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.
All models sport the same four-door crew cab body style with a 4.5-foot bed. The Maverick is part of a new class of small pickup trucks that Hyundai is also entering with the upcoming Santa Cruz.
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What’s the Price of the 2022 Ford Maverick?
The base LX model with the hybrid powertrain is priced at $19,995, which includes the destination fee of $1,495. A 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will increase the cost by $1,085, and the combo that comes with AWD with EcoBoost will cost you $3,305. EcoBoost engine will increase the cost by $3,305.
The mid-priced XLT costs $22,280, while the Lariat with a well-equipped engine costs $25,490. Upgrades to an EcoBoost engine, or to the EcoBoost equipped with AWD will cost the same price as the XL.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz starts at $23,990. That’s nearly $4,000 higher than its predecessor, the Maverick XL.
Ford Maverick Truck Features
Base Maverick XL is equipped with the most crucial features needed to keep the driver as well as passengers in a comfortable position.
The driver’s seat is adjustable by hand, and the front passenger’s seat has four ways for adjustable manually.
Air conditioning with a single zone, manual, is included, along with two power points 12V and a Wi-Fi hotspot. the remote for keyless entry as well as a tilt/telescoping wheel and a rearview camera on an 8.0-inch touchscreen.
The XL features automatic high-beam headlights as well as pre-collision assistance with automatic braking.
The upgrade to XLT comes with cruise control as well as a keyless entry keyboard and a lock for the tailgate that is powered as well as rain-sensing windshields.
Its Lariat is a version and features an eight-way, power-adjustable driver’s seat and ambient lighting, as well as the power-sliding rear windows with dual-zone climate controls, the push-button ignition, and a bigger 6.5-inch productivity screen in your instrument cluster.
Ford Maverick Truck Specification
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Instead of starting with instead of launching with Bronco Sport’s three-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is the powertrain of choice, Ford has gone hybrid with the Maverick’s standard powertrain.
Every trim comes with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is assisted by an electric motor, resulting in 191 horsepower total.
The system is only available with front-wheel drive and variable auto transmission. Customers can opt for a nonhybrid engine and also swap for a spry 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automated transmission.
An all-wheel drive is an option with this engine. In the open, the Maverick feels very smooth when equipped with the turbo four. At the track, we tested it hit 60 miles per hour in just 5.9 seconds.
The hybrid powertrain isn’t quite as lively and took 7.7 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour during our tests however, it does the job.
In order to provide the impressive payload capacity, the suspension of the Maverick is quite stiff, which leads to bumpy riding on pavement that is cracked.
When we have the chance try the Maverick at our track We’ll update this article with our findings.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Even with the standard hybrid engine, the Maverick has 1500 pounds payload as well as 2500 pounds towing capability.
With the turbocharged four-cylinder and the available Towing Package, the Maverick could tow as much as 4000 pounds. Want to tow further by using a smaller truck? This Santa Cruz is rated to haul up to 5000 lbs.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
It is estimated that the EPA states that hybrid versions of the Maverick can achieve 42 mpg in the city as well as 33 miles per gallon on the highway and the nonhybrid model is rated at 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway when driving with front-wheel drive, and 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway when using the all-wheel drive.
In our 75-mph highway route for fuel economy, the all-wheel-drive XLT Fx4 model equipped with the nonhybrid motor was able to match the 29-mpg EPA rating, however, it was not quite up to the benchmark of the EPA, with only 30 mpg. For more details on the Maverick’s fuel efficiency, you can visit the website of EPA.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Every one of the Mavericks has crew cabs. This is four doors that are full-sized and have a decently spacious back seat.
Ford has included a number of storage bins and storage cubbies all over the interior, including huge spaces under the back seats.
The base models aren’t extravagant, but they do come with basic amenities like an adjustable steering wheel tilt and telescoping equipped with audio controls and remote keys for entry, and adjustable lumbar assistance on the seats in front.
Additional features are available in standard packages or as optional packages available on models like the XLT as well as the Lariat models which include dual-zone temperature control as well as ambient lighting and power front seats.
Ford claims that its 4.5-foot bed can hold at least 18 sheets of 3/8-inch 4×8-foot plywood without having to stack them at an angle. It also comes with an electric power point that is 12-volt and the option of a 110-volt outlet as an alternative.
2022 Ford Maverick Review
Pros
- Starting prices are low for base versions
- Lots of equipment available that can enhance off-roading, towing, and safety
- Standard hybrid powertrains deliver outstanding fuel economy
- Rapid acceleration thanks to the turbocharged engine
Cons
- Bumpy ride quality
- A few features that are not included in expensive optional packages
- The Interior has a very low-buck feel to it.
- A limited range of adjustments for the driver’s seat as well as the steering wheel.
What’s new
- Ford has introduced a brand new compact pickup truck. Ford
- City-friendly, small dimensions, and less expensive than the mid-sized Ranger
- Based using the exact same platforms as Ford Escape and Bronco Sport
- Introduces the very first Maverick pickup generation of trucks.
2022 Ford Maverick Comparisons
| COMPETITOR | HORSEPOWER | MPG | PRICE (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 250 hp | 22/29 mpg | $19,995 |
| Honda Ridgeline | 280 hp | 18/24 mpg | $38,140 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | 191 hp | 21/26 mpg | $24,440 |
The Final Call
Its 2022 Ford Maverick fills the “cheap truck” segment that consumers are clamoring for and automakers have avoided for more than a decade.
The Maverick is a real pickup truck with capabilities and a relaxed driving experience as well as clever technology and storage options and a price that is unbeatable.
It’s not the ideal vehicle for those who love off-road adventures or heavy-duty haulers, however, the Maverick excels as an enjoyable alternative to the current compact automobiles and SUVs for those who can appreciate the option of a pickup bed but do not require the added capabilities that larger trucks offer.