This hybrid is the most affordable on the market. However, there’s also an EcoBoost option available for heavier towing.
Ford declared a few years back that it would stop making most of its cars (except the iconic Mustang coupe and convertible), and instead focus its efforts on more lucrative crossovers, SUVs and pickups. Many thought that this was a shortsighted move. What if consumers stop buying SUVs and trucks inefficiently? The Blue Oval today addressed that concern by offering a solution that combines the best of both worlds: the 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup.
The $19,995 Ford Maverick, which is able to compete with the similarly-sized 2022 Hyundai Cruz, is the smallest pickup in Blue Oval. It measures 199.7 inches in length and 68.7 inch high. This makes it 11.1 inches shorter than the Ranger and 2.4 inches less than the Santa Cruz . The vehicle will come in a single body type: a four-door crewcab with a 54.4 inch cargo box. This makes it one the smallest pickups on the US market. It might not be popular with the truck-loving crowd, but it will likely draw crossover and hatchback buyers into the Maverick fold. Its four-cylinder engine options will help: a powerful hybrid or a grunty EcoBoost.
The Maverick’s 2.5-liter hybrid inline-four engine makes 191 horsepower (142kW) and is built on the same front wheel-drive chassis as the escape and Bronco Sports. The Escape Hybrid has a similar engine to the Maverick’s standard 2.5-liter inline-four, which produces 191 horsepower (142 kilowatts). However, combined torque ratings are not available. The hybrid is mated to a continuously variable transmission and sends power only the front wheels. This is disappointing considering the Escape’s optional all wheel drive. Consumers will enjoy the Maverick’s 40-mile per gallon city rating. It will also be the most affordable hybrid available among all cars, trucks and SUVs.
The EcoBoost engine is a popular choice for power junkies. It’s a 2.0-liter unit that won in the Bronco Sport drag race. The engine produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet (186kW and 376newton-meters), and has an eight-speed automatic transmission, standard front-wheel drive, and optional all-wheel-drive. Ford has not yet released fuel economy figures for either configuration, but the Bronco Sports gets 21 city, 26 highway and 24 combined mpg when it uses its standard all-wheeldrive. The Maverick AWD weighs roughly the same as the Bronco Sport Badlands and is slightly lighter than the front-drive pickup.
The Maverick hybrid is more efficient that the Hyundai Santa Cruz’s most thrifty configuration, a 2.5-liter four with around 190 horsepower and 21 mpg city. Although the EcoBoost is less efficient than the 22-mpg Santa Cruz 2.5T with its 311 horsepower, the South Korean truck offers more power at 281 hp (210 kW) and 311 lbft (311 lb-ft respectively).
Styled to Impress
The Maverick is more traditional and upright than the Santa Cruz. It clearly borrows a lot of its design from the Hyundai Hyundai Tucson, with which it shares an platform. The F150 is evoked by the standard LED headlights and a wide grille bar. The Maverick’s connection to its larger siblings is further enhanced by the use of square window openings and horizontal bed rails. There is also a small surfacing detail beneath the side mirrors, which recalls the scooped windows in the F Series. Large taillights at the back and a stamped tailgate are very Ranger-esque.
The Maverick is sporty and fun to drive. Only the oversized and poorly-placed headlights make it look less sporty. The truck’s lighter personality would be better suited by a Bronco-style front grille.
A technical-looking bronze accent brightens the Maverick’s large, flat-faced dashboard. The same finish is also seen on the door panels. Ford adds a unique design element to the cabin, such as an anodized feel for the gauge cluster and center stack, and a smooth cross-hatch texture on both the dash panel and door panels. The Maverick’s use of hard plastic will show in your hands. However, the unique surfaces conceal the material well and provide a comfortable environment for occupants to ride in.
Cabin in the Woods
Despite the low starting price of the base XL model at $19,995, the 2022 Ford Maverick is very well equipped. The standard Sync 4 infotainment system comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Ford Co-Pilot360 technology is standard on the Maverick, which includes automatic emergency braking and post-collision brakes, as well as automatic headlights, high beams, and automatic headlights. All trims include front and rear 12-volt power outlets as well as a 4G LTE WiFi modem.
Ford Integrated Tether System slots (FITS), which are designed to hold a variety removable accessories such as cupholders or grocery bag hooks, will be integrated into the interior. Ford plans to make the slot geometry public, so that owners can 3D-print their solutions. The rear console houses one such slot, while several more are located under the rear seat in the huge binnacle. Ford claims that the space is big enough to store a volleyball, and inline skates. We wonder if Ford’s engineers would dream of working in Venice Beach.
Truck Stuff
Every Ford Maverick has a payload rating that is 1,500 pounds. This is impressive, and it’s more than many midsize pickups. Many consumers may find the prospect of a hybrid with 40 mpg that can haul an ATV and 37 bags of mulch in its bed appealing.
Ford claims that the EcoBoost and hybrid can tow 2,000 pounds. However, Ford offers a max-tow package for turbo engines which can lift up to 4,000. This is good for small speedboats or campers of 23 feet. The ratings for towing and payload seem to be comparable to most lifestyle shoppers who would rather load up a boat, horse trailer, or gear hauler than a yacht or sailing yacht.
The Maverick’s towing capabilities are still inferior to that of the Santa Cruz. In its turbocharged version, the pickup from South Korea can tow a trailer weighing 5,000 pounds. However, even the base 2.5-liter four can tow 3,500lbs. The optional FX4 offroad package will help the Maverick earn back points. It is available for trucks with EcoBoost engines and all-wheel drives. The FX4 package adds taller tires, more ground clearance, hill descent control, and two additional off-road modes to the drive selector.
Ford’s multi-functional tailgate earns them brownie points. It can be positioned partially up (level with the wheel arches), which allows 4×8 sheets plywood or drywall to lay flat in the cargo container. The tailgate can be lowered to expose a 6-foot bed floor. There are tie-downs on the rear and front corners of the bed, as well as the tailgate. Additionally, there are movable tie down cleats that slide along a track next to the bed rail. Owners can use strategically placed slots in the bedliner to separate their cargo using pieces of 2×4 and 2×6 wood. This is great for outdoor enthusiasts who need to keep their muddy stuff apart from coolers and duffel bags.
Savings and Sense
The 2022 Ford Maverick XL starts at $19,995 with an unspecified destination fee. This car is an excellent choice considering its standard safety, infotainment and cargo features. For $22,280, the XLT adds cruise controls, alloy wheels and power outside mirrors. The $25,490 Lariat bundles leatherette trim and ambient lighting. Every trim level includes the 2.0-liter EcoBoost at $1,085, while all-wheel drive is an additional $2,220 option.
The XLT will have all-wheel drive and will cost $25,585 while a Lariat with similar specs will cost $28,295. The XLT and Lariat models will be available with the FX4 Off-road Package, along with a variety of optional upgrades. A well-equipped XLTFX4 may not cost $30,000 even with some options and destination fees. This is a fantastic deal for an all-weather adventure machine that costs less than a two-wheel drive Toyota Tacoma. The 2022 Ford Maverick will go on sale in Fall 2021. Reservations are being taken now.