After being announced in June of this year, the 2022 Ford Maverick generated quite a bit of buzz. With a name resurrected from a compact car of the seventies and a size and purpose completely different from what Ford is known for, this truck was always going to be a head turner. Since its release at the very end of September, the Maverick is seeing good reviews begin to roll in as drivers are trying it out for the first time.
The Maverick is a compact pickup with a definitive niche. It was designed as a smaller and less expensive alternative to other pickups, for those who need some power and capability but are daunted by trucks like the F-150 or the Super Duty. Built on the same platform used by the Bronco Sport and Escape, the Maverick doesn’t even need a bumper step to allow access to the bed, a major departure from the gargantuan size of other Ford trucks.
Setting the Maverick even further apart is its options for powertrain– this is the first pickup to offer a hybrid engine. The choice between the 2.5L full hybrid or the 2.0L EcoBoost allows specification in terms of the capability each driver needs from their truck. Both have a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 lbs, but the EcoBoost gets 4,000 lbs of towing capacity while the hybrid gets 2,000.
Apart from these differences, however, the Maverick is still intended to be a pickup, and Ford has been adamant about treating it as one. It’s eligible for the same FX4 Off-Roading package as other Ford trucks, went through towing tests and other pickup evaluations, and has pickup accessories available to customize it. In no way is the Maverick meant to be the baby brother of brawnier trucks, just playing at pickup capability. Despite its size, it was designed to work, and that’s just what it does.
Earlier in the week Ford released its September sales report, which documented, among other things, the first few days that the Maverick was available for sale. In that short time, dealers are already reporting that their customers “love the size, maneuverability, and fuel efficiency and its affordable price point.” Online reviews as well have reflected that drivers are pleasantly surprised with the truck’s smaller price tag and with its capability relative to its size. Only time will tell how the Maverick ends up performing on the market and on the road, but its first few steps have been very promising.