2022 Ford Maverick: A Compact Pickup for Daily Driving
- 1 Key Features of the 2022 Ford Maverick:
- 1.1 Generous Payload and Towing Capacities
- 1.2 Available Trim Levels and Major Options
- 1.3 Top Safety Features and Ratings
- 1.4 Which to Buy and Pricing?
- 1.5 Transmission, Engine, Performance
- 1.6 Pros and Cons of the 2022 Ford Maverick
- 1.7 Should I Buy The 2022 Ford Maverick
- 2 FAQs
- The long-awaited Maverick pickup vehicle is here. Finally, it is on sale and ready for ordering.
- The 2022 Ford Maverick costs $22,470 to $28,335 depending on trim and extras.
- Ford restored the Maverick moniker for its new little pickup truck, placing it underneath the mid-size Ranger. There was a poor compact vehicle line in the 1970s.
The Ford Maverick is an all-new compact pickup truck aimed at everyday drivers who want the versatility of a truck bed without the size or price tag of a full-size pickup. The Maverick slots into Ford’s lineup below the midsize Ranger with a starting price under $23,000. Its novel design, generous standard hybrid powertrain, and hefty payload capacity could make it the perfect weekday workhorse for contractors, DIYers, and small families.
All models come as a four-door crew cab body style with a short 4.5-foot bed able to fit 18 sheets of plywood. At just 200 inches long bumper-to-bumper, the Maverick is nearly a foot shorter than a base Ford Ranger. The front fascia features Ford’s signature trapezoidal grille flanked by standard automatic LED headlights. Higher trims get stylish 17” aluminum wheels, while the base XL rides on less flashy but durable steel wheels with silver covers.
Key Features of the 2022 Ford Maverick:
| Feature | XL | XLT | Lariat |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 hybrid <br>(191 hp, 155 lb-ft torque) | 2.5L I4 hybrid <br>(191 hp, 155 lb-ft torque) | 2.5L I4 hybrid <br>(191 hp, 155 lb-ft torque) |
| Optional Engine | – | 2.0L turbo I4 <br>(250 hp, 277 lb-ft torque) | 2.0L turbo I4 <br>(250 hp, 277 lb-ft torque) |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive | Front- or all-wheel drive | Front- or all-wheel drive |
| Transmission | CVT automatic | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Max Towing | 2,000 lbs | 4,000 lbs | 4,000 lbs |
| Infotainment | 8-inch touchscreen 6 speakers <br>Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | 8-inch touchscreen <br>6 speakers <br>Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | 8-inch touchscreen <br>6 speakers <br>Apple CarPlay/Android Auto |
| Safety | Automatic emergency braking <br>Rearview camera | Adds blind spot monitoring | Adds adaptive cruise control |
Generous Payload and Towing Capacities
One area where the Maverick punches far above its weight class is its payload and towing capabilities, which rival some full-size pickups. The Maverick offers a 1,500-pound max payload and 2,000 pounds of towing capacity with the standard hybrid powertrain. Opting for the turbo 2.0L gas engine boosts those figures up to 1,800 pounds of payload and 4,000 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. That’s enough hauling power to meet the needs of most personal-use truck owners.
Available Trim Levels and Major Options
The Maverick is offered in three familiar Ford trim levels:
- XL ($22,790): Steel wheels, 8-inch touchscreen, manual front seats, single-zone air conditioning
- XLT ($26,985): Alloy wheels, power driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, more driver assist tech
- Lariat ($31,450): Upgraded trim and upholstery, power passenger seat, ambient cabin lighting
The XLT and Lariat can both be outfitted with the 2.0L turbo gas engine, while the base XL is hybrid-only. Other notable options include a Tow Package with a transmission cooler, upgraded stereo system, spray-in bedliner, and built-in bed trunk storage. With so many customization options, it is easy to scale a Maverick to your specific needs whether using it as a daily commuter or rugged work site companion.
Top Safety Features and Ratings
The 2022 Maverick comes standard with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and post-collision braking, helping earn impressive safety scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Maverick an overall 5-star crash test rating. The non-profit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also named the Maverick a 2022 TOP SAFETY PICK+ thanks to its good ratings in all crashworthiness and front crash prevention evaluations. Buyers can rest assured knowing the Maverick employs the latest protective safety features and structural engineering.
Which to Buy and Pricing?
The 2022 Ford Maverick costs $22,470 to $28,335 depending on trim and extras. Ford sells the Maverick in three trims—XL, XLT, and Lariat—with the XL being the most affordable. Although it lacks basic creature amenities, it would be a decent work truck. The XLT is the bargain variant, featuring 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, a tailgate power lock, power external mirrors, and more. Our upgrade would be the $1085 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and $3305 all-wheel drive. We’d get the $745 Tow package to unleash the Maverick’s 4000-pound towing potential.
Transmission, Engine, Performance
Ford chose a hybrid powerplant for the Maverick instead of the Bronco Sport’s turbocharged three-cylinder. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric motor produces 191 horsepower in all grades. This arrangement has only front-wheel drive and a CVT. A nonhybrid powertrain with a 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automated gearbox is also available. All-wheel drive is optional. The optional turbo four makes the Maverick lively on the road, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds at our test track. The hybrid powertrain is less lively and took 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph in our tests, but it works. The Maverick’s suspension is firm for its excellent payload capacity, making it harsh over broken pavement.
Pros and Cons of the 2022 Ford Maverick
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent standard hybrid fuel efficiency. | The ride is firm. |
| Huge cargo and hauling capabilities | Not as towable as Hyundai Santa Cruz |
| Many customized options | Turbo engines are far less fuel-efficient than hybrids. |
| Price and operating expenses low | |
| Connectivity and simple tech | – |
Should I Buy The 2022 Ford Maverick
The 2022 Ford Maverick redefines compact pickup truck capabilities with substantial passenger and bed space, low base price, class-leading fuel efficiency, and class-leading payload and towing. Ford made the Maverick appealing and affordable by combining utility, practicality, comfort, and new technology. The Maverick transforms fleet and family light-duty vehicles. Ford’s technological and creative expertise built the most economical and practical small truck ever. The Maverick elevates segment standards.
FAQs
What is the maximum tow rating on the Maverick?
When equipped with the Tow Package, turbocharged engine, and optional all-wheel drive, certain Maverick configurations can tow up to 4,000 pounds. That matches or beats some rival midsize pickups.
Can you customize or upgrade the Maverick’s bed?
Yes, Ford offers customizable bed storage compartments, bed extenders, bed liners, bed covers, and more official aftermarket accessories. The compact bed size also makes it easy to find third-party truck bed add-ons.
Does every Maverick model come as a crew cab?
For now, Ford is only offering the Maverick as a four-door crew cab body style. There is no extended-cab or single-cab option. Surprisingly, Ford has no immediate plans to offer a short-bed regular cab configuration.
