Ford has officially unveiled its 2022 Maverick compact pickup, which it calls “a new kind of truck for people who never knew they needed a truck.” Maverick is built on a unibody platform with an all-in-one body that forgoes the typical bed-and-cab setup of traditional pickups. Compared to other Ford trucks, Maverick is the kid brother of the bunch, measuring 199.7 inches long overall, compared to 210.8 and 231.7 inches for Ranger and F-150, respectively.
2022 Ford Maverick
Payload capacity is 1500 pounds, which works out to around 37 bags of 40-pound mulch, according to Ford. Or, if you get swept up in Ford’s rugged Western brand names of late, that’s just about enough to carry a full-grown Holstein dairy cow—although it probably wouldn’t fit in Maverick’s bed, which is 4.5 feet long.
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The bed does, however, have Ford’s FLEXBED system, designed to provide a wide range of organization and storage possibilities. Users can create their own storage and carrying solutions by sliding 2×4 or 2×6 boards into slots stamped into the side of the bed. Also included are two tie-downs, four D-rings, and built-in threaded holes in the bed sides to bolt in various elements.
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An unexpected standard feature is a hybrid powertrain: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder combines with an electric motor to produce a combined 191 horsepower, and the transmission is a CVT automatic. Ford says the hybrid drivetrain has a targeted EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg city—better than most compact cars, let alone pickup trucks—with 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas. Also available is a 250-hp “EcoBoost” 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
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Three trim levels are offered—XL, XLT, and Lariat. Available for Maverick’s inaugural year is the Maverick First Edition package. Built on the Lariat trim level, the First Edition package includes unique paint and graphics, a soft tonneau cover for the bed, and special wheels and tires.
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In the cabin, Maverick is designed to seat five adults and entertain them with today’s expected infotainment features, including Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, with available FordPass Connect Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. Available safety features include Ford Co-Pilot360 technology, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
Maverick won’t go on sale until this fall, but Ford says reservations and orders can be placed now at Ford.com. Prices start at $19,995 for the XL; $22,280 for the XLT; and $25,490 for the Lariat.
CG Says:
With the launch of the 2022 Maverick, Ford is bringing back a truly compact pickup truck—a type of vehicle it stopped making when the original Ford Ranger was discontinued after the 2012 model year. (The current crop of “compact” pickups, which includes the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma, are more equivalent to midsize SUVs in size and price.) Maverick’s most obvious rival is Hyundai’s new-for-2022 Santa Cruz pickup, which also has front-wheel drive and unibody construction—and is also set to go on sale later this year. Ford has several aces up its sleeve with the Maverick, however—aggressive base prices, excellent projected fuel economy from the standard hybrid powertrain, innovative cargo solutions, and a good range of available technology features. The Maverick does indeed seem poised to attract more than a few shoppers who would have otherwise never considered a pickup truck.
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2022 Ford Maverick Gallery
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