The Ford Maverick is brand-new for 2022. This compact pickup truck is small, inexpensive, and practical. The interior isn’t as upscale as many full-size pickups, but it can haul a surprising amount of stuff and it drives like a small SUV. It’s available as a hybrid or with a turbocharged traditional engine.
Base Price: $25,490
As Tested: $32,910
Horsepower: 191
Mileage: 42 mpg city/33 mpg highway/37 mpg combined
The five-passenger Maverick is the smallest pickup made by Ford, the little sibling to the compact Ranger and the full-size F-150. It comes in three trims: XL, XLT and Lariat. The XL starts at $19,995 which is the lowest price for a pickup in the U.S. The XLT starts at $22,280 and the XLT at $25,490. All have a four-door crew cab and a 4-foot-6 bed. Front-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available.
The standard engine is a hybrid with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor that combine to make 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. An EcoBoost turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 250 horses and 277 pound-feet is available. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic.
The Maverick handles like a small SUV—it has unibody construction on the same platform as the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. My tester has the hybrid powertrain. Performance is zippy. Acceleration is quick and there’s plenty of power for merging and passing at freeway speeds. The Maverick is easy to drive in busy city traffic and the tight turning radius makes it easy to squeeze into tight parking spaces. Steering is responsive and there’s little body lean when cornering. The brakes have that squishy feel that is common in hybrids. The ride is fairly firm, as you’d expect in a pickup, so you’ll notice some bumps and rough roads, but the ride isn’t jarring.
The hybrid gets excellent fuel economy. EPA ratings for my front-wheel-drive tester are 42 mpg city and 33 mpg highway with a combined rating of 37. I got 36 mpg during my week with a mx of city and highway driving. The EcoBoost powertrain with front-wheel-drive gets 23 mpg/30 mpg/26 mpg, and the all-wheel-drive EcoBoost gets 22 mpg/29 mpg/25 mpg.
When properly equipped, the Maverick can to up to 2,000 pounds. The bed has a payload rating of 1,500 pounds which is one of the smallest among compact pickups. But there are some nifty features that can make it easy for you to haul your stuff including integrated channels that keeps things from rolling around in the bed. Some tie-down cleats and power outlets are standard, and options include a bed liner, bed crossbars, bed lighting and a bed-mounted toolbox that swings out.
The cabin isn’t as upscale as some of the posh interiors you’ll find in some full-size pickups. But it doesn’t look low rent, either. Yes, there’s a fair amount of hard plastics but some nice textures and colors make the interior appealing. Front seats have good leg-and headroom for adults, and there’s room for either two adults or three kids in the second row. While seats are comfortable for shorter rides, they could use a bit more support for long road trips.
Standard features include keyless entry, rear view camera, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, infotainment system with eight-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Wi-Fi hot spot, and automatic high-beam headlights
Available features include push-button start, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel, eight-speaker audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, two additional USB ports, wireless device charging, ambient interior lighting, sliding rear window, a moonroof, and a power-locking tailgate.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
Available driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
The infotainment system doesn’t feature Ford’s latest technology. But it’s user-friendly and easy for the driver to reach. The system responds quickly to touch and voice commands, and physical controls make it easy to perform common functions. While Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, the wireless versions aren’t available.
The good:
Low MSRP
Zippy performance
Excellent fuel economy with the hybrid
Lots of standard and available features and tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Some cheap materials in cabin
Infotainment system isn’t Ford’s latest
Relatively low hauling, towing capability
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $25,490. Alton Blue Metallic paint is $390. Floor liners without carpeted mats are $135. Tonneau box cover is $1,160. Lariat Luxury Package is $3,340. Ford Co-Pilot 360 is $540. Protective film for hood and fenders is $360. Destination fee is $1,495 bringing the grand total to $32,910.
Bottom line:
The all-new 2022 Ford Maverick is a small pick-up that’s especially nice for city dwellers. It costs less than its larger siblings, gets better gas mileage, and its small size makes it easy to drive. It will appeal to anyone who wants the capability of a pickup but doesn’t need a full-size rig.
