Trucks have been gaining popularity over sedans, prompting Ford to focus more on trucks like the F-150. But the company wanted to cater to budget-conscious buyers looking for an affordable option in the pickup segment. Enter the 2022 Maverick: a compact truck designed to attract compact sedan buyers seeking more versatility.

The Maverick, based on a unibody platform like the Bronco Sport and Escape, sports a mini-F-150 look with a tough, squared-off style. It stands out as a truck, in contrast to its more stylish competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Unlike larger trucks, the Maverick comes in one configuration: a four-door with a 4.5-foot cargo box. Despite its short box, it offers more length than the Santa Cruz. The Maverick’s Flexbed can carry up to 1,500 pounds and features an available 110-volt power outlet. With standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive, the Maverick is tailored for versatility.
The Maverick Hybrid can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while the turbocharged version can handle up to 4,000 pounds, falling short of the Santa Cruz’s 5,000-pound capacity.
Inside, the Maverick boasts a spacious and comfortable interior adorned with textured hard plastics. With a cost-conscious approach, it lacks a push-button start but features an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Synch 3 software. The interior may have some dated graphics, yet it includes a 6.5-inch cluster display upfront.
Compared to the Ranger, the Maverick offers more interior space, taller headroom for both rows, and 1.4 inches of added rear legroom. The rear seat flips up to reveal a storage cubby.
Under the hood, two powertrain options are available. The base is a 2.5-liter hybrid generating 191 horsepower, achieving up to 37 mpg combined. The Maverick Hybrid delivers an impressive 42 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. If more power or all-wheel drive is desired, the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque is available. This engine yields 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, with the all-wheel drive version rated at 22/29/25 mpg, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
On the road, the Maverick Hybrid provides adequate acceleration, similar to a compact sedan. It offers a smooth start without fuss, making it an excellent companion for local errands. Despite a firm ride, it remains comfortable even on rough roads, with nicely weighted steering. Impressively, the Maverick drives better than most midsize trucks, second only to the Honda Ridgeline, another unibody-based truck.
The 2022 Ford Maverick starts at a reasonable $21,490, making it more affordable than a Honda Civic. Available in three trim levels – XL, XLT, and Lariat – with the Lariat priced at $27,335, the Maverick undercuts the Hyundai Santa Cruz, starting at $25,175.
In summary, the 2022 Ford Maverick stands out as a no-compromise pickup, blending the fuel efficiency of a compact sedan, the agility of a crossover, and the versatility of a truck into one appealing package.
Image Source: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock
