Ford has proven with the Maverick compact pickup that disruptive explosion can happen with small and humble packages as well! A segment that was started by Nissan with the 1959 Datsun 1000 Pickup slowly got diluted away after leaving consumers confused.
But the long-forgotten segment is back, and the Ford Maverick has turned out to be a smashing hit. The Maverick is so good, that it should be used as a case study for business schools around the world on how cheap things can be segment disrupters. The top-spec 2023 Maverick starts under $30,000. And this humble Ford can tow up to 4,000 pounds.
While a standard hybrid engine and FWD might sound horrible on a pickup truck, the Maverick shows us that it is the most sensible combination for an urban hauler. Excusing the bland styling, this is possibly the best all-rounded pickup and can even shame big boys like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500 when it comes to value for money. Come on! It is not by mere luck that the Ford Maverick won HotCars Best 2022 Pickup award!
Ford Maverick Is An Affordable Pickup For Everyone
The most impressive part about the 2023 Ford Maverick is how cheap it is! The base 2023 Maverick XL starts with an MSRP of $22,195, and the top-spec model comes in at just $27,955. Its arch-rival (and the only rival as well!), the 2023 Santa Cruz, starts from $25,450. But this Hyundai Pickup lags behind notably in terms of capabilities.
Ford has a smashing hit with the Maverick compact pickup. And despite being puny, all three trim levels of the 2023 Maverick has been bifurcated to cater to three varying sets of audience, from work truck lovers to tech-savvy urban dwellers, there's an affordable Maverick for all!
Ford Maverick Has A Reliable And Efficient Set Of Engines
Ford Maverick is the only pickup truck that comes with a hybrid powertrain as standard. The 2.5-Liter hybrid engine churned out a combined 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a CVT gearbox.
This package might sound puny in truck terms, but bear in mind the cost and use-case scenarios of this humble pickup, which makes the Maverick pickup ever so impressive. It also comes with a more traditional and powerful optional 2.0-Liter EcoBoost engine. It churns out 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque and is for those who want a wider grin.
This engine comes coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This tiny Ford pickup is offered with FWD only for the hybird and AWD for the optional turbo-four model. The most impressive part here is its fuel efficiency. According to Ford, the Maverick with the hybrid motor returns an impressive 500 miles of driving range in one tank.
Compactness Makes Ford Maverick The Perfect Urban Pickup
We generally associate trucks with huge dimensions. But it's the opposite with the Ford Maverick. One of the greatest fortes of Ford's small pickup truck happens to be its compact form factor. This helps drivers maneuver it with ease, even in tight urban jungles.
Making this even better is the Maverick's Ford C2 platform, which is modular and a lot more flexible than the clumsy body-on-frame chassis that we generally associate with trucks. Ford has managed to strike a balance between hauling and ride quality.
Ford Maverick Interior Is Every Practical Person's Happy Place
Despite being aggressive on the pricing, Ford has managed to fill the Maverick interior with technology, comfort, and a lot of practical features. The Maverick is offered as a crew cab only and gets two full-sized rows.
The material quality is good and will keep the occupants happy, despite flaunting fabric upholstery. The second row is a bench seat with a sizable hidden storage compartment hidden under it. The Maverick's storage saga continues forth with loads of cubbyholes and cup-holders in and around the cabin.
It is very rare to see comfort and storage blend in well with such a cheap proposition. But here Ford is proving the norms wrong. The dashboard is pretty straightforward and has a utilitarian vibe. Technology features are up to mark with this cheap Ford pickup.
All Mavericks come with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment screen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For the instrument cluster layout, the analog dials have a 4.2-inch digital display stuck in between.
The Humble Maverick Is An Impressive Workhorse
With the "efficient" hybird powertrain, the Maverick can two up to 2,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. But if you dial everything to the max with the more powerful turbo four-cylinder and the optional Towing Package, the Maverick can tow an impressive 4,000 pounds.
This is, however, one of the few arenas where the Hyundai Santa Cruz outshines with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. But Ford bounces back with a slew of additional accessories for the Maverick's bed to help load a variety of cargo with ease and safety.
Off-Roading Tremor Packages Are The Cherry On The Maverick Cake
Just when we think that Ford can make the Maverick any better, here are two rugged off-road packages. The $2,995 Tremor Off-Road Package makes the Maverick off-road-ready. Based on the AWD turbo-four models only, it adds a one-inch lift kit and upgrades the transmission cooler and drive train components, including an adjustable differential. It also gets a distinctive visual overhaul with this Package.
Another off-roading package is the much cheaper $800 FX4 which adds more technological wizardry than mechanical upgrades. It gets Drive modes that include Mud, Slipper, Sand, and Tow. It also gets a standard 6.5-inch screen in the instrument cluster and a Hill Descent Control. The engine cooling has been upgraded here. The visual makeover is subtle here with 17-inch custom wheels wrapped with A/T tires, skid plates, and an FX4 decal set.
Source: Ford