Vehicle Type: Compact pickup truck with crew cab body style.
Price Range: $19,995 - $26,575 excluding the $1,495 destination fee.
Powertrain: Hybrid powertrain setup with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 191-horsepower paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
There is an available 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Front-wheel-drive is standard across all models, and all-wheel-drive is available only on the gas engine powertrain.
What’s New for 2022?
The Ford Maverick is an all-new compact pickup truck. This means there are no previous models to compare it to.
What’s Good?
- The low starting price of under $20,000.
- Standard hybrid powertrain returns excellent fuel economy.
- SUV-like ride and handling.
- Stylish cabin.
What’s Bad?
- Hybrid trim isn't available with all-wheel-drive.
- Some advanced safety features are optional, even on the highest trim level.
- Small cargo bed.
Would we buy one? We would! Despite its small size, the Ford Maverick is an immensely practical vehicle and comfortable at the same time.
More Photos:
See more 2022 Ford Maverick Photos.
Overview:
Originally, the Maverick nameplate was used on a less-than-stellar compact car lineup in the 1970s, but Ford has revived the Maverick name and placed it on its new compact pickup truck. The 2022 Ford Maverick slots into the lineup below the mid-size Ford Ranger, although they do not share any mechanical components. Instead, the new Maverick rides on the same chassis as the Bronco Sport compact crossover. The all-new pickup competes well against the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
The new Ford Maverick combines the best elements of an SUV with the expected capabilities and versatility of a small pickup truck. It is the perfect vehicle for motorists who want a fuel-efficient and affordable small SUV with more capability.
It may also capture the attention of young drivers who want a small truck but don't think they can afford one. It is a capable family vehicle that can just about anywhere, especially when kitted with the FX2 Package for off-road excursions; however, since it lacks many creature comforts many drivers would consider necessities, it may be better used as a work truck.
The 2022 Maverick comes standard with a hybrid powertrain and front-wheel-drive across all trim levels. The hybrid powertrain features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 191-horsepower 155 lb-ft of torque when paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
If you need more power, there is an available 250-horsepower turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive is standard; however, this powertrain does offer AWD as optional.
Overall Score: 3.7/5 stars
Practicality: 4/5 stars
The Ford Maverick has mastered small-item storage with its massive number of cubbies and interior storage areas. The doors can accommodate large water bottles, and there are all kinds of useful dividers inside the large center console.
The storage space underneath the rear seats is relatively large and useful, but this storage space is accessed by lifting the entire rear seat bottom. If you have child seats, you would need to go through the hassle of removing them first to reach this storage space.
The Maverick has a 4-foot-6-inch bed and carries a payload rating of 1,500 pounds, which is among the smallest in its class; however, it makes up for its smaller capacity with its clever features. The flexbed sides have integrated channels to fit 2x4s, which helps divide the cargo space and prevent items from rolling around. The tailgate can secure easily in a midway position to help support long flat items. A couple of tie-down cleats and power outlets are standard.
The Maverick's maximum towing capacity is impressive for a compact vehicle at 4,000 pounds. All models, however, have a standard towing capacity of 2,000 pounds, which is less than the Santa Cruz. The Maverick offers a four-pin and seven-pin connector and an integrated trailer brake controller; the latter is missing from the Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz may have a higher towing capacity, but the Maverick is better equipped.
Driving Experience: 4.5/5 stars
The 2022 Maverick rides on Ford's C2 platform and, as a result, rides a lot like the Ford Bronco Sport and Escape. The unibody construction may limit the Maverick's off-road abilities, but it does wonders for its smooth everyday driving experience. The compact pickup feels stable around turns with minimal side-to-side swaying, and the suspension easily soaks up any bumpy road surfaces. Overall, the Maverick drives as well or is even better than some compact SUVs.
The Maverick features nicely weighted steering and a tight turning radius, making the truck easier to park and maneuver. There isn't too much noise from the engine when driving on the highway, but it's a little unrefined at idle and under full-throttle acceleration.
If you want stronger acceleration (and more towing capability), then the 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-4 powertrain is the higher-performance option. However, its eight-speed automatic transmission requires better programming because it lurches and becomes indecisive at low to medium speeds.
Five different drive modes help give the compact pickup the ability to grip the ground better, including Normal, Eco, Slippery, Sport, and Tow/Haul modes. If you want to go off-roading, then the Maverick Lariat FX4 with AWD is an excellent option for lighter courses.
Safety Features: 2.5/5 stars
Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has crash-tested the 2022 Maverick at the time of writing this review.
The Maverick offers several driver-assistance and safety features; however, most of the commonly sought-after items can only be found on a more expensive trim level or in an optional package. Rivals, like the Hyundai Santa Cruz, offer a longer list of standard safety features.
Standard safety features include a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Available safety features include lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.
Value: 4/5 stars
The Maverick XL FWD model we tested had a sticker of $24,695, including destination (that includes the optional EcoBoost turbo engine and unexpected goodies like a sunroof). That's a great value for what it is.
Models like the Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma grew in size and became more expensive mid-size trucks. Their growth left a gap in the automotive market for a more affordable compact pickup truck. The Ford Maverick helps fill that void together with the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
The Maverick has the lowest starting price of $19,995, making it the most affordable new pickup truck in the U.S. by a large margin. It also has the best fuel economy in its class, giving you more value for money as you save on fuel costs.
While the 2022 Maverick is the cheapest pickup around, unfortunately, it falls short on many creature comforts and driver aids that other pickup trucks typically offer as standard features. To make up for that loss, the Luxury Package adds on most of those desirable features at a cost that still helps the Maverick remain affordable with all the bells and whistles its rivals have.
Ford offers the same standard warranty package as its other new vehicles, which is fairly basic without any complimentary scheduled maintenance program. The Maverick comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is pretty basic among pickups. However, the Santa Cruz shadows the Maverick with its five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Tech Features: 2.5/5 stars
The Maverick's infotainment system consists of an 8-inch touch screen with straightforward menus, quick responses, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which easily mirror your smartphone interface on the touch screen.
Other standard infotainment system features include Bluetooth, two USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker stereo system. FordPass Connect is standard across all trim levels too.
The audio and climate controls are easy to adjust while driving, thanks to the well-placed buttons and knobs located on the dashboard.
Unfortunately, the screen's resolution is somewhat dull and can be extremely difficult to see in direct sunlight. We also found the infotainment screen to be oddly tilted towards the driver, making it harder to see clearly. The standard sound system is underwhelming when comparing its output volume to other pickups.
Available infotainment and tech features include wireless device charging, two additional USB ports, HD radio, satellite radio, an 8-speaker stereo, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control.
Many reviews suggest adding the Luxury Package for an upgraded infotainment system, enhanced voice controls, and wireless charging. Many of these driver aids are missing from even the top trim Lariat model and found standard on the Hyundai Santa Cruz base model.
Styling & Design: 4/5 stars
Inside the Maverick, its cabin is laden with basic materials and refreshingly plain, and while it may not illuminate luxury, it is fit for purpose for a pickup truck. Most cabin surfaces are trimmed with hard plastics, but its overall styling remains attractive, and it is easy to clean after conquering dirt roads. Unfortunately, the hard plastic door panels next to your knees are uncomfortable to brace against when navigating down bumpy roads—the Hyundai Santa Cruz shares more positive reviews for a higher-end interior.
All Maverick models are crew cabs, which means four full-sized doors, loads of storage compartments, and roomy rear seats which can fold up to reach two large storage bins. The front seats are firmly padded but supportive, and there is enough headroom in the back for taller passengers. The space under the front seats for feet is a little tight, making legroom limited for the rear seats.
The boxy cab style provides excellent visibility with its big, squarish windows, enabling you to see well in every direction. The integrated blind-spot mirrors are a bit on the small side but remain helpful for drivers.
The Maverick plays the pickup truck part to perfection, with a bluff front end and a grille with a high bar that keeps the compact pickup from looking too low or small. The flat body sides and square-rigged corners owe plenty to its sibling Ford trucks.
Efficiency: 4/5 stars
The new Ford Maverick receives impressive EPA ratings. The Maverick hybrid is rated at 42 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined, which is better than the fuel economy of the Hyundai Santa Cruz and most compact cars.
The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine with front-wheel-drive gets EPA ratings of 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway.
In 265 miles of testing in mixed driving, we averaged 23.1 MPG for the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That's not great for the size of this vehicle, but we did find that we needed to push the engine a bit to get meaningful power out of it, sapping its fuel economy in the process.
The AWD version gets 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
The new 2022 Ford Maverick comes in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. Al three trim levels feature a crew cab body style and a 4-foot-6-inch bed.
The base model features a hybrid engine (2.5-liter four-cylinder) and an electric motor to produce a combined 191-horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This base engine is available across all three trims with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
A second available powertrain features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional for this powertrain.
The Ford Maverick XL has a starting MSRP of $19,995, excluding the $1,495 destination fee. Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, automatic high-beam headlights, a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and forward automatic emergency braking.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine costs $1,085, and AWD with this option adds $3,305.
Add ons include a moonroof ($795), a Ford Co-Pilot360 package ($540) with blind-spot monitoring and lane keep assist, and a sliding rear window ($155).
The Ford Maverick XLT starts at $22,280 for the hybrid models and $23,365 for the gas engine turbo models, excluding the $1,495 destination fee. This trim adds a power-locking tailgate, an in-bed cargo compartment, an exterior keypad, 17-inch alloy wheels, and cruise control.
An XLT Luxury Package costs $2,345 and adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, remote start, two additional USB ports, a trailer hitch receiver, a spray-in bed liner, and bed lighting.
Finally, the Ford Maverick Lariat has a starting MSRP of $25,490 for the hybrid models and 26,575 for the gas engine EcoBoost models (excluding the $1,495 destination fee). This trim gains power-adjustable front seats, a push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, two additional USB ports, ambient interior lighting, and 18-inch wheels.
For $3,340, the available Lariat Luxury Package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, wireless device charging,, an eight-speaker stereo, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, bed lighting, a spray-in bed liner, and a trailer hitch receiver.
The First Edition Package starts at $1,495 and features First Edition decals, a moonroof, a tonneau cover, and black-painted roof and side mirrors.
Ford Maverick Work and Performance Options:
4K Tow Package (prices start at $745; available in all-wheel-drive EcoBoost models): This package increases the Maverick's towing capacity to 4,000 pounds and adds on a trailer hitch receiver, integrated trailer brake controller, 7-pin wiring harness, external transmission oil cooler, and a larger radiator.
FX4 Off-Road Package (prices start at $800; available on the XLT and Lariat trims): This package adds on skid plates, rugged all-terrain tires, an off-road-biased mono-shock suspension setup, hill descent control, extra underbody protection, exposed front tow hooks, Mud/Rut/Sand driving modes, FX4 decals, a trailer hitch receiver, and a 4-pin wiring harness.
