Have you stumbled upon the news about the new Ford Maverick and this got your attention? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because this article will be all about the Maverick and its quirks and features.
Research when it comes to buying a car is the way to go. The market is flooded with new models and each of the carmakers tries to push the boundaries and create something new and different than the competition with the hope of getting more sales and also more profit.
And this is good for us the buyers who want to get the new and latest models. But you still need to do a lot of research when it comes to buying a new car. As we noted, the competition is significant, especially in the pickup segment where manufacturers try to bring the best and coolest models.
And frankly, the Ford Maverick is one of these models. The Ford Maverick is a new compact pickup truck that caught the attention of a lot of folks out there. This is why we are going to cover all the important information for you when it comes to buying a Ford Maverick.
First, we are going to learn the general concepts of this model and understand the idea behind it. Then we will cover the specs of the new Ford Maverick including the dimensions, engines, transmissions, fuel economy, safety, practicality, and a lot more. So, if you want to learn more about the new Maverick, follow us along while we explain everything.
Ford Maverick
Now before we dive into the details and learn more about the specs of the new Ford Maverick, let’s first learn in general about this model and get a general concept of it. We bet that there are a ton of people who never came across the Maverick and understand what this model is all about. So, if you are one of them, this chapter will be perfect for you.
So, what is the Ford Maverick? The Maverick is a compact pickup truck that is manufactured by Ford. So, what is a compact pickup truck?
Well, this means that it is based on a compact car platform and also it has the same proportions as any other compact car on the road. And assumably, the proportions of compact cars are rather tiny. They are quite perfect for parking in tight parking lots.
Not all people out there want to get a full-size F-150. Some of us, including me, want something smaller and more practical.
And that is the Maverick. A highly versatile and practical pickup truck. This model debuted in 2021 and 2022 is the first model year. This means that it is rather fresh and very up-to-date.
The compact pickup truck segment is a whole new segment that came up in recent years. And as of today, there are only two models available. The Hyundai Santa Cruz and the Ford Maverick.
Hopefully, in the near future, we are going to see new models coming in. This is why if you are interested in buying one right now, the new Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz are your only options. But what has the Ford Maverick has to offer in terms of specs? Let’s discuss more about that next.
Ford Maverick Specs
So, we have covered the basic concepts when it comes to the new Ford Maverick and we learned that this is a model that falls in the compact pickup class. And basically, this model is the only one besides the Hyundai Santa Cruz in this segment. And is also known as “Ford’s smallest truck”.
Nevertheless, the Maverick was introduced in 2021, and 2022 is the first model year of this first generation.
The model is based on the Ford C2 platform that is shared with other compact class models that Ford makes. Namely, the Ford Focus, Ford Bronco Sport, Ford Escape, and Lincoln Corsair.
This means that, unlike the bigger F-150 which uses a ladder frame, the Maverick uses a unibody design. This type of design has its flaws when it comes to trucks and we are going to cover that later on.
In terms of the layout in which you can get the Maverick, there are two options. A front-engine FWD model, and a front-engine AWD model. The all-wheel drive comes only with the turbo engine since this type of drive needs that extra power to make it work well. What is interesting is that this model also comes as a hybrid. But more on that, we will cover it in a bit.
The important thing to note is that this model is assembled in Mexico. More precisely at the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly plant by Ford.
But what about the dimensions and size of the new Ford Maverick? Well, more on that, we are going to cover in the following chapter, where we will elaborate all in detail in terms of the dimension, size, and practicality.
Ford Maverick Dimensions, Bed Size, And Practicality
Now let’s cover the specs of the new Ford Maverick. We shall start with the dimensions and size and see how practical this model is. Then we will cover the engines, trims, and other important aspects when it comes to purchasing a Maverick.
What is worth noting is that this model has a wheelbase of 121.1 inches and an overall length of 199.7 inches. Still, even though it is based on a unibody chassis of a compact car, the wheelbase was enlarged allowing the Maverick to be more truck-like rather than car-like.
Nevertheless, the width of the model is about 72.6 inches and the height is 68.7 inches. The curb weight of the model is 3,674lbs. The ground clearance of the Maverick is 8.6 inches. Which is pretty good for a vehicle of its size. But what about the bed size and the practicality?
When it comes to the bed size, we can say that the Maverick has a 4.5 ft long bed. Or 54.4 inches to be more precise, the bed is 53.3 inches wide and has a depth of 20.3 inches.
Overall, the total cargo volume of the bed of the new Ford Maverick is 33.3 cubic ft or 1,500lbs in terms of weight. Which is plenty if you are a person that does not need a big bed.
In our opinion, the bed is pretty much perfect for carrying supplies for your farm or carrying a bike for some off-road adventures. The versatility of the Ford Maverick is pretty impressive.
But what about the interior and trim levels of the Ford Maverick? More about the trim levels, we are going to elaborate in the following chapter.
Ford Maverick Interior & Trims
Now let’s take a look more at the trims that the Maverick comes with. Trim levels are really important for people who want to get the best for their money. So, let’s elaborate more on them.
In terms of trim levels, it is worth noting that for the 2023 model, there are three trims available to choose from. The base trim is the XL, then comes the XLT, and the best-equipped trim is the Lariat.
What is good is that in each of these trims you can seat up to five people. So, the standard cab size is the crew cab with 4-doors. You don’t have the extended cab or regular cab options with this model, unfortunately.
The interior with the XL is pretty basic, you only get an 8-inch screen with a 6-speaker audio system. There is manual air conditioning with a single zone only. 12V power outlets for the front and rear are standard, as well as cruise control, and keyless entry. The materials in this version are rather hard to touch and you don’t have that luxury feel while driving this model.
The XLT on the other hand is quite similar. But with this trim, at least you have six-way adjustable seats and a 4.2-inch screen on the cluster. If you want to pay more, you can add a 6.5-inch cluster screen, remote start, heated seats, moonroof, leather steering wheel, and heated steering wheel. Overall, the XLT is a much better trim since you can add a lot more features to it.
The Lariat on the other hand is the premium trim on the new Ford Maverick. The Lariat includes everything that the XLT has, and even more customization options.
Ford Maverick Engine & Transmissions
So, we covered some of the specs and learned about the new Ford Maverick interior and trim levels that you can choose from, now let’s see the powertrain options that are available with this model.
In terms of engines, there are two options available. The first option is the 2.0L inline-4 EcoBoost engine that is making 250hp and 277lb-ft of torque.
But you can also choose a hybrid. The hybrid version of this model is running a 2.5L Duratec Atkinson cycle inline-4 engine. This engine is making about 191hp. The electric motor on the other hand produces about 118hp.
Combined the output is roughly 250hp. The battery used in this engine option is 1.1 kWh lithium-ion. What is good is that with the hybrid the fuel economy is excellent. And more on that, we are going to cover more in a bit.
Nevertheless, the transmissions used in this model are an 8-speed automatic with a 2.0L turbo and a CVT with the hybrid. A CVT transmission is a continuous variable transmission.
They are excellent for fuel economy, but they have some drawbacks. Which is the poor towing performance and also the substandard lifespan. But what about the towing capacity of the new Ford Maverick? More on that, next.
Ford Maverick Towing Capacity
Now let’s discuss the towing capability of the new Ford Maverick since towing is one of the most important aspects when it comes to purchasing a new pickup truck. How much the new Ford Maverick can tow?
The maximum towing capacity for both engines is 2,000lbs. Which is rather low. So, if you have a heavy trailer, you should definitely go for an F-150 in our opinion. Or possibly go for a bigger mid-size truck from the competition like the Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, or GMC Canyon.
Also, even though this is the maximum towing capacity, we would not recommend that you push the Maverick that hard. Especially the CVT transmission. CVTs are not highly regarded when it comes to towing and they can fail. This could cost you thousands of dollars to fix.
So, keep this in mind. If you want to tow regularly, going for the classical automatic is the way to go when it comes to the new Ford Maverick. But what about the fuel economy of this model? Is it any good? Let’s elaborate more on that next.
Ford Maverick MPG
Now let’s take a look a the miles per gallon that you can squeeze from the new Ford Maverick. Is this model any good in terms of fuel efficiency?
Well, actually, yes. The Maverick is one of the best performers in its class. If not the best since it has only one competitor. Especially the hybrid version.
The 2.0L turbocharged engine gets about 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The combined fuel economy is 25 mpg. Which is rather decent.
But the fuel economy of the hybrid is excellent. This 2.5L engine gets 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. The combined fuel economy is 37 mpg. And in this aspect, this model is our personal favorite.
But beware that the 2.5L hybrid models are all FWD, which means that they do not have AWD like the turbocharged models. So, this can affect off-road performance, as well as towing.
Also, another thing to add is the fuel economy will suffer if you decide to drive these vehicles under load. Especially on the 2.0L turbo, its gas mileage will dwindle if you push it over the limit. But what about the safety of this model? Let’s elaborate more on that next.
Ford Maverick Safety
So, we have covered the new Ford Maverick specs and learned about the specs that this vehicle comes in. But what about the safety score of this model? Since after all, you want the car that you buy to be safe. Safety is the number one priority, as many people say. Now let’s see how the Maverick performs in this aspect.
In terms of safety, the performance of the Maverick is a rather mixed bag. The model was tested by the IIHS and they gave it different scores.
When it comes to front crash prevention, they gave it a superior rating. But when it comes to pedestrians, it gave it a basic score. On the headlights test, the Maverick only got an Acceptable rating. And for the seatbelts, they gave it a poor score.
But we couldn’t find any crash test data for the Maverick yet. This is probably because the data is not available yet to the public. So, there is not much to add.
When it comes to comparable performance, this model should be similar to the Ford Escape. Mainly because these two models share the same platform between them and are expected to perform similarly.
But don’t take our words for granted. If you are really into safety, you should wait and see if there is any official data available on the model when it comes to crash testing. Now let’s discuss our final topic and that is the price of the new Ford Maverick.
Ford Maverick Price
The price is probably one of the best-selling aspects of this new Ford Maverick. Namely, this model can be found on the low end.
The base XL trim starts at $22,195. Which is an excellent value if you only need a truck without many luxury features.
The XLT trim starts at $25,455. This is also a great value since there is not a very big price difference between the base and the XLT. Frankly, we recommend this model because it is much better and has a lot to offer and also more to option-out compared to the base model.
The top of the line is the Lariat model which starts at $27,955. This model in our opinion is not a crazy good value. Unless you want to have the best specs with all the bells and whistles. That’s our take on the new Ford Maverick. Now let’s take a look at another topic.
Ford Maverick vs Ranger
Now let’s discuss another topic and that is the difference between the new Ford Maverick vs Ranger. A lot of people are confused by these two models. So, we feel obliged that we need to clear some misunderstandings for you.
Even though these two vehicles are made by Ford, they are actually very different. The Ranger has a wheelbase of 128.7 inches and a length of 211.3 inches. Compared to the Maverick which has a wheelbase of 121.1 inches and a length of 199.7 inches. And when you put these numbers into perspective and place these two models side to side, the difference is quite obvious.
The Ford Ranger is bigger. And not only that it is bigger, this model basically obliterates the Maverick in performance. The new Ranger will come with a 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine that is much more capable. Also, there will be a 10-speed automatic transmission available as well.
And also the price is rather high. This new Ranger will start at $28,000. So, the comparison between the two in performance is rather impossible.
But in terms of fuel economy and practicality, the Maverick is a true winner. The Ranger will not be even close to the Maverick hybrid in terms of fuel economy. This is why if you need a small pickup truck, we would definitely recommend the new Ford Maverick to you.
Alternatives
What is worth discussing is the alternatives that are available for the new Ford Maverick. And honestly, this market is not saturated. The Maverick only has one alternative. And this is the Hyundai Santa Cruz. Still, this model is significantly more expensive and starts at $26,745.
For another alternative, you would like to go into the mid-size market. In the mid-size market are a ton of different options like the Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Honda Ridgeline. So, it is definitely worth checking these models as well.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the new Ford Maverick. First, we learned about the general concept of the Maverick.
Then we discussed the specs of the model and learned more about the dimensions, trim levels, and engine options. As well as the pricing and whether the Maverick is a good option to purchase or not. Lastly, we discussed the alternatives to the Ford Maverick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
What Truck Brand Is The Best
When it comes to the best truck brand, then the choice is probably simple. Ford with its F-Series of trucks is the best in the game. Even though Chevy, GMC, and RAM also have good trucks and you should also check them out and compare.
What Is The Smallest New Pickup Truck
The smallest new pickup truck is the Ford Maverick. This is a new model that debuted in 2021 and 2022 is the first model year. Another good alternative is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is another small pickup truck in this segment of compact trucks.
Where Is The Ford Maverick Made
The Ford Maverick is made in Mexico. More precisely in Hermosillo, Mexico at the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly factory owned by Ford. This model is assembled there along with the Ford Bronco Sport.
Is The Ford Maverick Electric
No, the Maverick is not electric. But what is good is that this model comes with a 2.5L Duratec engine that is paired with an electric motor. In other words, the Maverick comes as a hybrid. And the fuel economy is excellent with more than 37 mpg combined.
How Much Can A Ford Maverick Tow
The Maverick is not a very capable truck when it comes to towing. The maximum weight that this model can tow is only 2,000. So, if you plan to tow a lot, we would not recommend it. Especially not the 2.5L engine equipped with CVT transmission. If you plan to tow, it is better to go for the AWD version with the 2.0L turbo.
Can I Order A Ford Maverick
Yes, you can order. There are also a lot of these trucks in the dealerships nationwide, so you might even purchase one right off the dealership if you want so.
Image Notes:
- New-Ford-Maverick.png sourced from https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/06/08/all-new-ford-maverick.html
- New-Ford-Maverick-1-1.jpg sourced from https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/06/08/all-new-ford-maverick.html
- New-Ford-Maverick-2-1.jpg sourced from https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/06/08/all-new-ford-maverick.html
- New-Ford-Maverick-3-1.jpg sourced from https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2021/06/08/all-new-ford-maverick.html
