Ford startled us four years ago when it revealed that it will stop producing all sedans (save the Mustang), and it has been feverishly looking for replacements ever since. The most common choice was a little pickup vehicle. Why can't pickup trucks accomplish what SUVs and CUVs do now, which span all categories and sizes? With just the medium-sized Ranger and full-size F-150 on the market, it makes perfect sense for Ford to launch a tiny truck before GM and Toyota.
Pickup trucks have long been a cornerstone of North American culture, reflecting not just our culture or image, but also our commitment to a carefree and do-it-yourself lifestyle. Ford has resurrected the Bronco, this time by picking "Maverick" from a bag of discarded automobile names. It makes little difference that the Maverick from the 1970s was a sedan rather than a pickup truck. Its namepuller had to be a die-hard Mavericks fan, or else it would have been the Dallas Mavericks. They won two straight games to go to the Western Conference finals despite almost being eliminated (they trailed the Suns 3-2). Who said they couldn't duplicate their 2011 championship success? Ford product planners had better plan ahead of time (a fleet of Mavericks for the homecoming parade, literally).
Pricing
Ford not only defies industry rules by manufacturing a vehicle, but also revolutionizes the industry by positioning hybrids as a more cost-effective option to identical gasoline counterparts. With a starting MSRP of $25,900 and no direct competitors in the truck segment, the Maverick Hybrid targets the $25,370 Honda Civic Sedan, the $24,880 Toyota Corolla Cross, and almost all compact sedans and crossovers.
The Ford Maverick is available in hybrid and EcoBoost trims. The Hybrid variant is limited to the XL and XLT trim levels, but the EcoBoost model includes the lavishly equipped Lariat. All Maverick Hybrids come standard with front-wheel drive, while all EcoBoosts come standard with all-wheel drive. The XL is $25,900, the XLT is $28,500, the EcoBoost XL is $28,400, the XLT is $31,000, and the Lariat is $34,450. Do you need AWD in addition to fuel efficiency? I'm sorry to inform you that you cannot have your cake and eat it as well.
In addition to power windows and air conditioning, standard features include remote keyless entry, automatic high beams, an 8-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, FordPass Connect with integrated modem and WiFi, a rear view camera, and a tire pressure monitor. XLT models come standard with enclosed bed storage, a motorized tailgate lock, a SecuriCode keypad, 12V powerpoints, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and other amenities. Lariat trim levels provide more expensive-looking interior and exterior upgrades, such as body-colored mirrors and door handles, standard LED headlights, and rear windows with "windows-in-windows." On the XL and XLT, a manual, non-power rear window costs $220.
The Luxury Package, which includes heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver seat, is only available on the XLT and Lariat. The XLT Luxury Package includes a 400W/110V outlet, a leather steering wheel, a full-size spare tire, eight bed tie-downs, and a trailer hitch. Adaptive cruise control, a blind spot warning system, lane centering, wireless phone charging, SiriusXM, and an eight-speaker B&O sound system are standard on Lariat models.
The Ford Maverick shares a unibody chassis with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. Despite its light weight, it meets all "Built Ford Tough" manufacturing requirements. The Maverick seems to be significantly larger than the Escape and Bronco Sport, and its actual dimensions support this image. It is not a little automobile, but rather a small pickup truck.
The Maverick is not only physically larger than the Bronco Sport, but it also has a more dominating front end with a larger grille and headlights. The body shapes are comparable to those of other Ford trucks, and there is nothing unique about the aesthetics or design language. The name of the vehicle is neatly engraved on the rear door, as it is on all modern pickups.
The interior design is simple, functional, and simplistic. The recycled material used for the door and dash panels gives the interior a stone-like appearance while keeping the building components easy to clean and maintain. The Maverick has a few novel design elements, such as how the door grips terminate to accommodate longer water bottles, the not-original but wonderfully replicated exposed screws, and the eyeglass holder buried behind the screen.
Owners of pickup trucks are more interested with cargo bed design than SUV owners are with trunk design. The "Flexbed" bed from Ford is 4.5 feet long, which is more than enough to accommodate a two-seater sofa (50"). However, the Ranger and F-150 are just half a foot and one foot longer, respectively, but the Maverick's bed can be enlarged to six feet with the tailgate open. Six tie-downs are standard, with a total of ten available. The whole bed, according to Ford, is a DIY enthusiast's dream; just scan the QR code on the bed wall and begin customizing it as desired. In terms of do-it-yourself, you may download the orange plastic holder that "plugs" the hole next to the screen onto your 3D printer. The printer is not included.
When combined with a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 98-watt electric motor, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. If the battery is fully charged, the vehicle will travel in EV mode until it reaches a speed of less than 40 km/h, at which time the engine will start. In Sport mode, the Maverick employs the Escape Hybrid's ECVT transmission, which generates simulated shifts to emulate gear changes.
The Lariat comes standard with the much more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine found in the XL and XLT. At 5,500 rpm, the engine develops 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. The EcoBoost is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. We were able to determine after just a few minutes of driving that the automobile is highly polished and pleasurable, and that every shift and throttle prod feels exciting.
If you value performance or hauling capacity, the EcoBoost with AWD is the way to go. EcoBoost owners may add a 4K Pull Package ($800) to increase towing capacity to 4,000 pounds, enough to pull a camper, boat, or the 2,900-pound Airstream camper seen above. Another important issue for pickup truck purchasers is payload capacity. The Hybrid and EcoBoost models can each tow 1,500 pounds.
Driving Modes
Even the base Maverick has a variety of driving modes that vary based on the engine. The hybrid has Eco, Normal, Sport, Slippery, and Snow settings, while the AWD EcoBoost has Sand and Mud/Rut modes instead of Eco and Sport. Hill Descent Control is also available (EcoBoost).
In addition to the Maverick, the XLT and Lariat EcoBoost with FX4 Off-Road Package ($1,120) were available for testing on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The sprint was accompanied by a camper weighing 2,900 pounds and a 4x8 wooden load weighing 480 pounds. It's surprising and pleasant to realize how simple it is for someone who doesn't tow on a daily basis to drive and manage a mass of 6,631 pounds (2,900 + 3,731 lb curb weight). The EcoBoost engine provided sufficient acceleration, the turning radius is less than anticipated, and we never got hot when driving around the island.
The suspension and brakes took the brunt of the damage when the truck bed was packed with wood. Load adjustments and weight shifts are sensed immediately since the Maverick is a lightweight pickup truck. Fortunately, the brakes were adequate, and the Falken tires, despite their increased weight, provided confidence.
Features
Ford Maverick 2022
MSRP: $25,900-$34,450
3,076 mm wheelbase
Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,072/1,844/1,745
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder Hybrid/2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder Horsepower: 191/250
155/277 lb-ft of torque
Transmission: ECVT/8-speed automatic
Suspension
-Front: MacPherson strut
Suspension
-Rear: Independent twistbeam (Hybrid)/Multi-link trailing arm (EcoBoost)
Fuel consumption (city/highway/combined): 5.6/7.1/6.3 (Hybrid)/10.7/8.1/9.6 (EcoBoost) L/100 km
Conclusion
Many manufacturers, like Jeep and Subaru, have attempted to expand their truck offerings, such as the Jeep Gladiator and Subaru Baja. Ford, on the other hand, was among the first to turn a compact SUV into a crossover. It has advantages. Because of its low starting price, hybrid engine, and flexible, lively bed, the all-new Ford Maverick should have no trouble breaking into the traditional family car market.