2022 Ford Maverick Review

The Car Connection praises this truck by calling it a high-efficiency Swiss army knife. Edmunds writes the storage solutions are masterful. JD Power praises it for having the tightest turning radius in its class. Motor Trends likes its clever bed design. The editors call it “the right product at the right time”.

Car and Driver has named it an Editors’ Choice, calling it an impressive package. The truck also earned the Intellichoice Best Overall Value Award.

Without another hybrid on the market, the Maverick has few direct competitors. The closest might be the Hyundai compact truck. According to Motor Trend, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is less capable and yet more expensive. They also note that the Hyundai returns poorer fuel efficiency figures.

This is something one doesn’t often get the chance to write: this truck’s curb weight is under 4,000 pounds. That gives it an incredibly good ratio of weight to horsepower. The hybrid weighs 3720 lb, and the full engine model weighs only 3800 lb. That’s less than any other midsize or compact truck, including the Hyundai Santa Cruz.

To create the Maverick Hybrid powertrain, Ford utilizes a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. This 16-valve inline-4 unit produces 162 horsepower. This is paired with an electric motor and a hybrid battery.

When the whole system is on the go, the output is 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The battery recharges itself and doesn’t need to be plugged in.

This unibody pickup truck is styled to do more with every horse under the hood. It can earn an EPA estimated 40 miles per gallon in the city. When you consider that some trucks get only 15 miles per gallon, this is especially welcome.

Furthermore, there is now worry about the hybrid’s range. The Ford Maverick truck can run about 500 miles on a tank of gas.

The Maverick clearly has low operating costs. Plus Ford covers the hybrid components for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Handling

The lightweight, traction-oriented motor and the continuously variable automatic transmission work together to ensure that this powertrain keeps the truck moving fast. A longer wheelbase than a similarly-sized Ford SUV ensures that the Maverick is well-planted.

Unlike many trucks, the suspension and chassis are adequately tuned to ensure a positive ride quality. The driving experience is more like driving a crossover than a truck. Kelley Blue Book notes that body roll is minimal. The reviewers call it a “smooth operator”.

Ecoboost Performance and the FX4 Off-Road Package

Ford does offer one of its highly capable turbos as the gas-powered alternative on the Ford Maverick truck. The 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine creates a maximum of 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is similar to the one offered on the Bronco Sport crossover.

It is mated with front-wheel drivetrain and an 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available for this turbocharged engine.

The FX4 off-road package is available with the all-wheel drive 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat or XLT. This adds the necessary underbody protection and all-terrain tires. It also improves the suspension with off-road-biased mono-shock absorbers. Hill Descent Control is added for safer downhill travel. An additional drive mode addresses mud and ruts, although Phoenix area drivers may be more interested in the addition of a sand drive mode.

Bed Size and Utility

The truck bed has a low threshold as well as low sides. Users will find it easy to load and unload from the sides as well as the gate. In fact, the Maverick design eliminates the gaps sometimes found between the tailgate and the cabin. The bed rail caps rise vertically all the way to the top of the rear window. This reduces the chance of dings and dents.

The bed measures about 4.5 feet long. However, the floor extends to about six feet with the tailgate lowered. XLT models have cubby storage in the bed. Lariat models offer two more cubbys.

Tie-downs, D-rings and other touches allow users to create their own cargo management system if they don’t want to invest in Ford accessories. Further assistance comes from a number of available features. The main ones include a dozen anchor points, a pair of pre-wired 12-volt/20-amp sources, and a pair of 110-volt outlets.

Payload and Towing

If laid flat, the tailgate can handle about 500 pounds of weight. Overall, the Maverick bed can handle a payload weighing up to 1,500 pounds. A tow-haul mode is standard on all Mavericks.

With the proper trailer hitch receiver and related equipment, the hybrid can pull up to 2,000 pounds. This allows it to tow a pair of JetSkis or a small camper.

The 4K Tow Package allows the Maverick Ecoboost to pull up to 4,000 pounds. That is enough for a 21-foot boat.

Technology

Every Maverick has a helpful 8-inch touch screen. This center-dash display system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. You can get WiFi with a FordPass Connect subscription.

FordPass is a standard system that includes a remote starter. You can use it to check fuel levels or for locking, unlocking or starting the vehicle. It works via an app on your smartphone.

Style and Function

Ford designers were tasked with creating a versatile space that was still stylish. There are some unique materials, such as reground carbon fiber or the stonelike finish of the dash panel. Everything is meant to feel and be solid and long-lasting without being too utilitarian or boring.

Smart pops of color and clever storage are universal across the models and trims. Spaciousness is emphasized throughout. Particular care was given to ensure comfort on both rows, including the width needed for shoulder and hip room.

The driver will appreciate the functional, ergonomic cockpit and a high seating position. Passengers will find plenty of space to keep one-liter water bottles upright or to safely stow their laptops.

A storage bin under the rear seats was designed to handle laptop bags, an inflated volleyball and other sports or work gear. The Ford Integrated Tether System includes FITS slots that can be used to accessorize or personalize the back row. Like the FlexBed, this allows owners to create their own solutions or choose Ford accessories.

Maverick Colors and Trim Levels

The Maverick XL is the entry-level edition. A black mesh grille wears a black surround. The headlights are LEDs for better light while using less energy.

As a hybrid, it is especially advanced given its very affordable pricetag. The interior has the 8-inch touch screen, a six-speaker sound system, rear storage bins, a rotary gear shift dial, and a tilt-telescopic steering wheel.

Seats are covered with a rugged 2-tone cloth upholstery. The color scheme combines Black Onyx and a Medium Dark Slate. The front bucket seats are matched to a split-fold rear seatback.

Stepping up to the XLT, the unique cloth upholstery combines a Navy Pier blue with a medium slate gray. The XLT luxury package adds an 8-way driver’s power chair and LED box lighting.

Dressed for a night out, the Lariat wears a handsome Desert Brown upholstery in ActiveX synthetic leather. The Ford Maverick 2022 Lariat can be upgraded to the First Edition, a limited availability package. This adds a black roof, unique graphics, black-painted aluminum wheels, and other exterior upgrades.

Among the Maverick color choices, you’ll find Carbonized Gray and Area 51. The First Edition is also often in an exclusive Rapid Red.

Safety

Piling value into the XL package, Ford includes its automatic emergency braking system. This includes a forward collision warning, a pedestrian watch and pre-collision assist. Another standard is the automatic high beam function for the headlamps.

You can get even more by choosing the blind spot monitor with its rear cross-traffic alert system. The lane departure warning comes with a lane keeping aid. Lariat models offer Ford’s recently updated adaptive cruise control. This comes with stop-and-go capability and lane centering.

Lariat models can also come equipped with Ford’s exclusive evasive steering feature. Helpful rear parking sensors are on the menu, too. Of course, a rearview camera is standard to assist with backing into parking spaces or backing out of the driveway.

With so much to recommend it, the Maverick is definitely worth a test drive. This is the one time in life where you can actually save money by getting a truck. And you can bet this one is built Ford Tough.