2022 Ford Maverick

The 2022 Ford Maverick is the return of the smaller sport truck! And by smaller, I mean just the right size. 

This time around it's on a more agile unibody platform wrapped in a fun design that looks capable, rugged and cute at the same time. The unique interior with its ice cooler-esque door panels, huge water bottle holders, and chunky grab handles, strong dash lines, durable seating materials and decent storage are well matched to the active lifestyle set.  

On the outside a smartly designed cargo box that can haul a 1,500-lb payload. Yeah, fifteen hundred pounds!

"I've got a thousand pounds in this one right now and you can definitely feel the squat in the rear but the steering doesn't lighten up and this is the base engine, the hybrid with the CVT, and it does an excellent job holding the vehicle on downgrade slopes. It's pretty incredible that such a small engine and a CVT trans manages a thousand pounds so easily. I mean you can definitely feel it's back there, don't get me wrong, but it feels extremely capable and it feels like you could do this on a daily basis."

It also handles loads you wouldn’t think possible like full sheets of plywood by easily relocating the straps to change tailgate angle. There's pockets for 2 x 4 and 2 x 6 dividers, plenty of tie downs and even a couple that double as bottle openers. 

Maverick can tow too. Standard rating is 2,000-lbs with the base 2.5-liter hybrid CVT setup or an optional 4,000-lbs can be pulled with the 4K Tow Package and 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder. I towed a 1,600-lb trailer with an XLT hybrid and was quickly a believer in how much regenerative braking helps out on steep downgrades.  

Maverick comes in three trim levels, with two available engines, optional 4K Tow Package, optional all-wheel drive and an FX4 Off-Road Package, so it’s easy to build one directly within your budget. 

The base XL starts at $19,955. With the standard 40 mpg city front wheel drive 2.5 liter hybrid / CVT combo and handsome painted steel wheels, it kinda has a fleet use look to it but still impressively equipped with standard 8 inch touchscreen, WIFI, and a good bit of safety tech.  

Moving up, from $22,280 the XLT adds more style, comfort, convenience, and a few more wheel choices. The Maverick is a solid design in any trim but these fancier aluminum wheels sure go a long way.

Lastly, the highest trim with a $25,490 starting price is Lariat. 

The Maverick is one to watch and we’ll be showing you a lot more soon on MotorWeek!