The Ford pickup truck lineup expands in 2022, and the Ford Maverick will make its debut. Pre-orders are available now, and at least 100,000 have sold as of early December. The Ford Maverick enters the market in the small pickup category with much to offer at a stellar price point.
The FWD Hybrid 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine comes standard, and gets an amazing 42mpg city and 33mpg highway. This engine produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-feet of torque.
The Ford Maverick is available in three trims:
- XL $19,995
- XLT $22,800
- Lariat $26,985
There are rumors that Ford may offer a Maverick Tremor, an off-road version of the vehicle. Ford trademarked the Maverick Tremor with the CINPI, but that's not necessarily indicative that there will actually be one. Automakers trademark any potential names just in case. The Tremor package is already offered on the F-150 and Superduty in Ford's lineup. We will never see a Raptor edition of the Maverick, naturally.
Body
The Ford Maverick looks a bit like it could be the Ford Ranger's little brother, resembling the mid-size pickup. In fact, the Maverick is about one foot shorter than Ranger and sits almost five inches lower than the Ranger. The Maverick, however, is only available in a four-door cab.
The Bed
The truck's bed is particularly impressive for it's stature. It is 4.5 feet long and can handle up to 1,500 lbs. The vehicle's overall low profile and low sidewalls make it easy to reach into. A 12-volt electrical outlet is on either side of the bed, and you can add an optional 110-volt power outlet as well.
Transporting cargo with the Maverick is essentially worry-free, with plenty of tie-down points and D-rings. The Maverick makes storing your accessories easy with threaded holes in the sidewalls and covered storage nooks. It has slots stamped inside for dividing the bed, supporting cargo, and lumber transportation. An adjustable tailgate is also available.
Interior
The four-door Maverick seats five. Motor Trend described the Maverick's cabin as "spacious despite tight dimensions." Leather is not available on the Maverick at any trim level. Upholstery options include cloth and vinyl seats. Dash and door trim is made from a reground carbon fiber, adding strength and an interesting texture & appearance.
The rear seat is reportedly "adult-habitable." The rear seats also lift, providing additional storage underneath. There are plenty of other storage spaces, including door panels large enough to accommodate 1-liter bottles upright.
The Competition
The Ford Maverick fits quite nicely into a niche market of small pickup trucks. Its prime competitors are the new Hyundai Santa Cruz, and the updated Nissan Frontier. Still, the Maverick undercuts both at the price point.
The Maverick starts at an extremely competitive base price of $19,995 and tops out at just under $30,000. The Hyundai Santa Cruz, on the other hand, ranges from $23,990 to $39,720. Finally, the Nissan Frontier will set you back at least $27,840 and up to $37,240 for all the frills.
Optional Features
While the Maverick's base price is right at $20k, you get an 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Ford has many more packages available; below are a handful.
- The luxury package includes heated seats and a heated steering wheel. It is an extra $2345 for the XLT or the $3340 for the Luxury.
- The tow package at only $745 increases tow capability up from 2000 to 4000 pounds.
- All-wheel drive is an extra $2200.
- The Ford Co-Pilot 360 package is an additional $540 and gives drivers lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and a full-sized spare.
- The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine with 250-horsepower is available for all three trims at an additional $1085.
- Ford is offering a First Edition package for the first year only, which is essentially the Lariat Luxury package plus a black roof, mirror caps, a moonroof, and tonneau cover. In addition, it adds decals to the exterior and comes in an exclusive color, Rapid Red. The total cost for this package is $1495.
Is The Ford Maverick a Viable Off-Road Truck?
In short, no. Although there is an available 'Intelligent AWD' option available for models with the EcoBoost engine, it's not a true 4WD powertrain. Sure, it can handle some slightly rough dirt roads. But it's not going to be able to handle any kind of challenging off-road trails. With the competitive price, low profile, good gas mileage, and considerable tow and payload capabilities; the Maverick is a sound choice for anyone looking for a solid all-around city pickup (keyword here is city).
ADD Offroad will not be creating any off-road bumpers for the Maverick, but we're glad to see a more affordable option hit the market for those who want to drive a truck. At SEMA Show 2021, our Raptor build sat next to a couple of modded Mavericks. One was a slammed city cruiser, and the other was outfitted as a lifeguard truck. The beach is about as off-road as the Maverick should be.
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