The Ford Maverick is Ford’s new compact pickup truck that slots below the F-Series trucks and below the Ford Ranger Series. The Maverick was introduced about a year ago and has since been selling like crazy. The reason why the Maverick is so popular is that Ford is now offering you a true Ford pickup experience with a starting price of under $20,000. So, is Ford Maverick a good car?
The Ford Maverick is indeed a good car for those who like simple and down-to-earth trucks that can be both daily drivers and workhorses. The Maverick comes with a simple inline 4-cylinder engine that promises efficiency and enough pulling power for most people. The powertrain aspect of the Maverick might not be the most exciting, but it surely does the trick.
Design-wise, the Maverick looks like a nice, simple truck without any overly daring design touches. That extends to the interior as well and the Maverick also offers great interior ergonomics. It drives like a regular truck which means that it is not all that dynamic, but it is not wallowy either.
Reliability seems to be okay as Ford is continuously ironing out many issues that plagued the very first Maverick models that came out. Practicality is not as good as in the Ranger or the F-Series, but the Maverick still offers a sizeable bed and enough interior space for five adults.
Ford Maverick – The powertrain
The Maverick range starts off with a 2.5L Duratec 4-cylinder hybrid engine with a combined output of 190hp 155lb-ft of torque. This engine is standard across all Maverick models, but you can pay extra to get the 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder with 250hp and 277lb-ft of torque if you want more pulling power and you are not a fan of hybrid engines.
There are no diesel engines available which could be seen as a drawback as far as diehard diesel truck owners are concerned. Both of these engines are paired with a CVT 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Maverick comes standard with a FWD system, but you can get the optional AWD system if you opt for the EcoBoost engine.
The Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds and it offers a maximum payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. Ford says that the Maverick can return up to 40MPG which is sight unseen for a modern-day pickup truck.
Ford Maverick – Design and chassis
The Maverick is not going to win any awards as far as the exterior design is going to be concerned, but it also isn’t going to offend anyone. The truck is simple with a classic trunk silhouette without any extreme design touches or big beefy tires. The regular XL trim comes with steely wheels and a relatively bland design while the range-topping Lariat looks much better.
The interior of the Maverick is as simple as the exterior is but you can get quite a lot of stuff with the fully equipped Lariat model. The Maverick drives like it looks – simple. There is nothing particular to brag about nor to criticize. The Maverick does its job easily and is likely going to satisfy most compact pickup truck customers.
Ford Maverick – Reliability and common issues
When the Maverick first came out, people were relatively mad because the truck experienced a lot of issues and consecutive recalls. Now it seems like the Maverick is much better and that it should be able to do its job without leaving you stranded.
The most common Ford Maverick issues are related to the engine, the transmission, the safety systems, the electricals, and the fuel system. Most of these have been solved with various recalls, but you should still pay close attention because the Maverick is really new. As such, we can’t really say how it is going to stack up in the long term.
Ford Maverick – Value and practicality
As mentioned in the beginning, the Ford Maverick XL starts at just $19,995 which is not a sight you are used to. The next in line, the Maverick XLT starts at $22,280 and it adds stuff like 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, power mirrors, and the available XLT Luxury package. The top-of-the-line Lariat starts at $25,490 and gets LED headlights, power seats, dual-zone A/C, and larger 18-inch wheels.
The Maverick is a relatively practical truck given the fact that it is the smallest Ford truck you can get. It offers a decent amount of space both in the truck and in the cabin. Visibility is good and the car is really easy to get in and out of thanks to higher ground clearance.
FAQ Section
Is the Ford Maverick an off-roader?
The standard Ford Maverick is FWD, it gets a relatively weak 190hp and it does not benefit from any off-road features. If you go for the top-of-the-line Lariat model and you spend extra on the FX4 package, it turns the Maverick into a fairly capable truck. It does not come with a low-range gearbox or locking diffs.
The FX4 package gets beefier tires, underbody protection plates, off-road driving modes, and a few graphic extras. It’s worth mentioning that the FX4 package is only available if you go for the EcoBoost engine and the AWD system.
Is the Ford Maverick too small?
The Ford Maverick is about an inch longer than the 3-row Explorer SUV. Sure, the Maverick comes with a sizeable bed but that does not hurt the Maverick’s interior space. All in all, you’d be wrong to think that the Maverick is too small because it can comfortably sit 5 adults and it can pack lots of stuff into the bed.
If you are used to driving the Ford F-Series of trucks, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Maverick is too small. Either way, most people deem the Maverick to be large enough.
Should I buy the Ford Maverick?
If you are on a budget, but you want a brand-new truck that can do what most trucks can, the Maverick is a great choice. It may not be the most powerful, nor the most exciting truck Ford has ever made, but no one can argue the value prospect the Maverick truly is.