Key Features:
- Attainable price
- Surprisingly capable
- Potent powertrain (2.0T)
Nowadays, a decent pickup truck will set you back at least $35,000. Whatever happened to the affordable pickup? It seems that not long ago; one could buy a Ford Ranger for under 20 grand. Indeed, times have changed. Trucks have gotten big, expensive, and highly sophisticated. But do they need to be? Ford believes not and releases the Maverick. It’s small, it’s simple, and it’s affordable, slotting underneath the Ranger in Ford’s pickup truck lineup. But does it deserve the coveted “Built Ford Tough” slogan? We took out for a spin to find out.
Related – 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat: Premium Vibes, Small Truck
Pricing and Rivals
The Ford Maverick arrived at the same time as the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Yes, the Hyundai sells for a considerably higher price point ($38,499) than the Maverick, but it’s still its only real rival (at time of writing). Both are unibody compact pickup trucks that are powered by four-cylinder engines.
This powerplant is smooth, with good low-end torque. Sadly, it never sounds particularly exciting when put through its paces.
With the EcoSport now gone, the Maverick is now Ford’s most affordable vehicle at $25,900 starting price. You need to add an extra $2,800 for the upgraded turbocharged engine and $140 for a tow hitch. The top-dog Maverick Lariat towers the lineup at $34,750 before options and packages.
Interior
Ford did everything it could to keep the Maverick’s price low, which means it had to cut on costs inside. Some hard plastics and fit and finish issues do reveal the Maverick’s cheap nature. But that doesn’t prevent its cabin from being highly functional and practical.
There’s a smart use of space here, with well-integrated cubbies and compartments for you to throw your gear. The deep door pockets have a built-in secret compartment, while the rear seat lifts upwards to reveal an enormous storage area.
Generally speaking, the Maverick’s seats are comfortable if a little hard. Rear leg room is a bit of a squeeze for tall people, but head room is never an issue. You sit upright in the Maverick, leading to a commanding view of the road, with impeccable all-around visibility.
Even the base Maverick XL allows you to connect to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but the list of standard equipment is a little scarce. Ford unfortunately skips essential features like cruise control, a push-button start, and heated seats. You’ll need to upgrade to a Maverick XLT to get these features.
Maverick Gas Mileage, Performance & Driving Impressions
Contrary to its sole rival from Hyundai which only comes with one engine, the Maverick offers two powertrain options. Base trucks are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid good for a combined 191 horsepower. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In this specification, the Maverick is front-wheel drive only.
The non-hybrid Maverick brings a lot to the table
The second option is a much more interesting turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for a substantial 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive comes standard with this engine. The turbocharged unit also gives the Maverick a higher towing rating, allowing it to go from 2,000 lb (907 kg) in hybrid form to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg). Max payload is rated at 1,500 lb (680 kg) for both engines.
The Maverick drives like a car, because it kind of is. Underneath its truck body lies Ford’s C2 transverse architecture which also underpins the European market Ford Focus.
There’s a sporty, nimble feel in the way the Maverick drives, especially in urban situations. Its small size makes it easy to park, and the turbocharged engine puts down more power and torque than a compact truck buyer would ever need. This powerplant is smooth, with good low-end torque. Sadly, it never sounds particularly exciting when put through its paces. Ford does allow you to fiddle with drive modes, but Sport mode only leads to more noise from the engine bay, without quicker acceleration. We suggest leaving it in Normal mode. We pulled a 9.8-liter or about 24 mpg combined fuel consumption average with that setting.
Fuel economy
In everyday use, that translates to roughly 24 mpg combined, which is in line with EPA expectations for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost Maverick. Real-world Ford Maverick gas mileage will vary based on driving style and load, but the turbo gas model strikes a solid balance between performance and efficiency for a compact pickup.
| Powertrain | Drivetrain | EPA Combined (US) | EPA Combined (Canada) | Real-World Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L EcoBoost (Gas) | AWD | 24 mpg | 9.8 L/100 km | ~24 mpg |
| 2.5L Hybrid | FWD | 37 mpg | 6.4 L/100 km | — |
Unfortunately, the Maverick’s suspension is stiff all the time, leading to a bouncy ride. And while we appreciate this little truck’s unquestionable versatility, we feel Ford could have given consumers a bit more cab and bed options. The Maverick only comes with four doors and a 4.5-foot (1.2 meters) bed.
Takeaway: Is the Ford Maverick Worth It?
We absolutely adore the Ford Maverick’s small package, potent turbo powertrain, and affordable price point. And with two different engine options available, there’s definitely a Maverick for everyone.
If you’re simply looking for a compact urban vehicle with a small bed to carry light equipment, then a Maverick hybrid should suffice. But if what you’re after is the full package in a small truck and still need to haul a light trailer for instance, then we’d tell you to skip the hybrid and go straight for a Maverick 2.0T. Whichever one you choose, however, you’ll be getting a lot of compact truck for the price. In all its forms then, we feel the Ford Maverick is worth a shot.
