Ford has resurrected a moniker from its largely forgotten 1970s compact car for its newest pickup truck: the 2022 Maverick. Based on the Ford Escape small SUV (which additionally supplies the architecture for the Bronco Sport), the Maverick is a small pickup truck that slots below the Ranger and the F-150 in Ford's lineup.
Its unibody construction differs from the Ranger's and F-150's classic body-on-frame construction, but the Ford Maverick pickup still delivers some impressive tow ratings. It also has lower pricing and a more nimble size than its larger siblings. This makes the Maverick a solid choice if you want the versatility of a pickup but don't need all of the capability offered by a midsize or full-size truck.
Also of note: The Ford Maverick can be a hybrid. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to produce a combined 191 horsepower. The EPA estimates this Maverick will get 37 mpg combined (42 city/33 highway), which is considerably better than other pickups. If you're looking for more power and a more traditional driving experience, there's an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 hp.
And what about doing pickup-type stuff? Well, there's a 1,500-pound payload across the lineup regardless of engine. That's respectable even by midsize-pickup-truck standards. Tow ratings are impressive too, at least when you consider the Maverick's small size. Maximum towing capacity is up to 2,000 pounds with the hybrid powertrain and as much as 4,000 pounds with the turbo 2.0-liter engine and optional towing package.
The Ford Maverick may be small, but it's no city runabout. From the way it drives to its few-frills interior, the Maverick feels like a truck first and foremost. This is a compact pickup for towing and hauling with confidence — just at a smaller size and lower price point than other trucks on the market. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to get our full evaluation of the new Maverick's performance, capabilities and more.
The 2022 Ford Maverick is a compact crew-cab pickup that's available in three main trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. Each trim comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system to produce a combined 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This combo sends its power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
2022 Ford Maverick
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz
Your search for a compact pickup will start and end with the Maverick and Santa Cruz. They're broadly similar in price, capability and purpose, so picking one or the other will come down to the details. The Maverick has a lower starting price than the Santa Cruz and a standard hybrid powertrain that gets impressive fuel economy. For its part, the Santa Fe is more comfortable to drive and has a classier interior design.
Check out the Honda Ridgeline if you like the Maverick but want more space and capability. It has a carlike unibody design, just like the Maverick, but it's a midsize truck rather than a compact. That results in a roomier cab, a bigger bed and slightly more maximum towing capacity. It also has a smoother ride. The Maverick, though, is less expensive and gets better fuel economy.
Ford reintroduced its midsize Ranger a few years ago. It's certainly the more rugged and capable of these two Ford pickups, particularly in regards to towing and off-roading. However, it's more expensive than the Maverick and not particularly competitive as far as midsize trucks go. We like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma more.
Ford has resurrected a moniker from its largely forgotten 1970s compact car for its newest pickup truck: the 2022 Maverick. Based on the Ford Escape small SUV (which additionally supplies the architecture for the Bronco Sport), the Maverick is a small pickup truck that slots below the Ranger and the F-150 in Ford's lineup.
So, check this out: The Ford Maverick can be a hybrid. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to produce a combined 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This combo sends its power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Ford unabashedly calls the Maverick a truck, and from the driver's seat it plays the part. The Maverick feels more like a truck than a compact SUV. On the road, even smooth pavement elicits small rumbles and bumps that make their way into the cabin. It's not enough to be noisy or harsh exactly, but it's just enough to give the impression that you're driving something of considerable heft.
The interior is pretty cool. Ford constructed the interior with seemingly inexpensive plastic and other materials without making the entire vibe feel cheap. There are robust, tough-looking surfaces that feel like they'll hold up to abuse over time and interesting textures, colors and design elements that jazz up the cabin. Then, there's hard, hollow plastic where it should be — holding water bottles in place, helping to keep the Maverick's price in a respectable range.
All Maverick trim levels come standard with a number of tech features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, an 8-inch center screen, two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C), 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability and a six-speaker stereo. That's an impressive suite of tech when you consider the Maverick's low starting price. The list of standard driver aids is shorter, but you do get forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) regardless of trim level.
Ford has done some really interesting things to accommodate buyers here. For starters, there's a 1,500-pound payload across the lineup regardless of engine. That's respectable even by midsize-pickup-truck standards, and the Maverick is comfortable carrying as much of that payload in its bed as you like. (By contrast, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has a higher payload capacity but can only carry 660 pounds in its bed.)
Impressively frugal if you get the base hybrid powertrain. The EPA estimates this Maverick will get 37 mpg combined (42 mpg city/33 mpg highway). Going with the optional turbocharged engine drops the Maverick down to an EPA-estimated 26 mpg with front-wheel drive or 25 mpg with all-wheel drive.
The 2022 Ford Maverick is available in three main trim levels: XL, XLT and Lariat. The XL doesn't have much equipment, but it's eligible for most of the upper trim levels' options. For instance, the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and the 4K towing package (trailer brake controller, trailer hitch receiver with seven-pin wiring harness, transmission oil cooler, higher-capacity radiator) are available in any trim level.
Edmunds saysThe Ford Maverick may be small, but it's no city runabout. From the way it drives to its few-frills interior, the Maverick feels like a truck first and foremost. This is a compact pickup for towing and hauling with confidence — just at a smaller size and lower price point than other trucks on the market. We can't wait to see whether its real-world hybrid fuel efficiency elevates the Maverick into a higher standing still, so check back once we're able to conduct a full evaluation.
The 2022 Ford Maverick has finally been confirmed as Ford's newest pickup. While the details are still scarce, Ford has confirmed the new compact pickup's name, resurrecting a moniker from the 1970s. Based on the Ford Escape (which shares its architecture with the Bronco Sport), the Maverick will be a compact truck that slots below the Ranger and the F-150 in Ford's lineup.
Its unibody construction differs from the Ranger's and F-150's classic body-on-frame construction, which might ultimately put a limit on how much the Maverick can tow and haul. But this crossover SUV backbone will also likely deliver a more comfortable, refined ride than its larger siblings provide. This could make the Maverick a solid choice for buyers who want the versatility of a pickup but don't need an old-school truck's absurdly high capabilities.
Urban environments don't favor large pickups, and it's under these circumstances the Ford Maverick should truly shine. It is far easier to navigate narrow streets in a small truck than the hulking F-150, and the Maverick probably won't exhibit the same poor ride quality that draws our derision in the Ranger. If the Maverick shares the Escape's duo of turbocharged four-cylinder engines, it could also be one of the most fuel-efficient gasoline trucks on the market.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Ford Maverick:
The least-expensive 2022 Ford Maverick is the 2022 Ford Maverick XL 4dr SuperCrew SB (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid EVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $20,995.
Other versions include:
