Trucks are big business and Ford has the bestselling vehicle in America, the large F-150 light-duty pickup.
But what if you want a truck and the F-150 is too large or pricey? Ford has you covered with the smaller Ranger and now the even more petite Maverick.
The new little truck is one hot ticket and even more so in our strange car market with limited supply and high demand.
After just a day or two behind the wheel, I can see why. The Maverick is a good, smaller truck that maneuvers well and has a peppy 2.0L turbo engine that offers plenty of power for most buyers. The eight-speed automatic tries to do its best to keep it in the best fuel economy mode. Want better fuel economy? Choose a Maverick with available 2.5L hybrid engine for impressive MPGs.
The handling in ride is a different feeling than the large F-150. It’s not as isolated and you sit much lower, but it deals with bumps very well, with very little of that unsettled feeling you get with larger trucks over bumps with an empty bed.
I spent a week with the top-of-the-line Maverick Lariat model and the fit and finish inside is a big improvement over the larger Ranger, which seems old and outdated when compared to the new Maverick. The front bucket seats are comfortable but not as padded as the large F-150. Ford has the corner on the market on heated seats and a heated steering wheel that is a welcome amenity on colder days. The rear bench seat fit three children but do not expect as much space as other larger pickups. The bed is usable but certainly not as large as a mid-size or larger truck.
The new Maverick’s proportions are great for tighter city streets and the ever-shrinking parking space. The 2022 Maverick has its own look compared to other Ford trucks. My ride for the week came packing some special items like the first-year package with a unique decal package. The blacked-out wheels and trim also give the Maverick a bit of a sport truck look. Footing the extra coin for the Lariat model scores you a spray-in bed liner and a soft Tonneau cover to keep the bed looking as good as it can to match that flashy Rapid Red Metallic paint.
Cost: $25,860; as tested $37,050
MPG: 17.6 MPG in 202 miles of mixed driving
Options: $3,305 AWD with 2.0L EcoBoost engine; $1,495 first edition package; $3,750 Lariat luxury package; $650 Ford co-pilot 360; $495 Rapid Red Metallic; $135 floor liners, all-weather tray liners; $1,495 destination chargers
Safety: Advanced security pack; BLIS with cross-traffic alert; lane-keeping assist; pre-collision assist with AEB; reverse sensing and rear view camera; evasive steering; Ford co-pilot 360; rear parking sensors; auto high beam.
Things to know: The Ford Maverick is an all-new, affordable small truck that is easy to drive and still useful.
Pros:
- Smaller size allows for easier maneuvering in the city and parking lots.
- Standard hybrid engine means this will deliver big MPGs for a truck.
- Starting price is very low for a truck when you choose lower trim levels.
Cons:
- Hard to find this popular new model.
- Price tag jumps with options and higher trim levels.
- Smaller size means a snugger cabin than larger pickups.
