The compact Ford Maverick takes a hero's pose.
The Ford Maverick carries with it a storied history that stretches from 1970 to 1977. It came as a fastback coupe, a four-door sedan and even badge-engineered as the Mercury Comet during those same years.
The Ford Maverick disappeared almost 45 years ago. It just made a triumphant return last year, but this time as a compact pickup truck. Napleton News had a chance to go giddy up in the new Maverick Pickup truck. How was it getting back in the saddle? Read on to find out how it feels to get back in the saddle again.
Unlike most so-called light duty pickup trucks that feature body on chassis construction, the Ford Maverick is a unibody pickup. That means it features a platform and other body parts that form a main structure. From there, the engine mounts in a cradle along with the front-wheel continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the rear axle bolts to a torsion beam suspension.
Our tester was the Maverick XLT FWD 4×2. It features a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder hybrid engine with a 94 kW battery pack. That package produces 191 horsepower combined, and 155 lb-ft of torque.
For those needing all-wheel drive, it is available as a non-hybrid 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine that makes 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This EcoBoost engine couples to an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD system.
The overall feel is very SUV-like. That’s probably because the Maverick shares a platform with the Ford Bronco Sport and Ford Escape.
It competes head to head with the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz.
The new Maverick looks like a 3/4-scale version of an F-150…to a certain degree. That’s because it’s built with unibody construction so there is no separate gap between the cab and the bed. It’s also a bit more upright than its F big brother. The grille is a no-frills design with single lamella cutting through the middle and festooned with a Blue Oval.
Vents are found at the rear edge of the front fenders. They add a certain bit of aggression to the overall look of the Maverick. The bed sides flow to the rear tailgate, which is stamped loud and proud with a Ford Maverick Logo.
Our tester included a Ford factory spray-in bedliner which is available for $495.
The ¾ scale sizing carries on inside the Maverick, too. Start with two-tone dashboard and door panels. They resemble countertop material like Formica, but to our eyes, they look like a byproduct of what happens when you grind up soda bottles for post recycling use. Opposite the dash sits a pair of front seats with gray cloth seating material that carries into the back seat as well.
A nice touch is the under rear seat storage that can hide valuables from prying eyes. There’s more storage space in the doors and a stand-like device that’s just the place for placing a mobile phone.
The dash is typically laid out and includes an 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Inside, there’s also a built-in modem with Wi-Fi for up to ten devices.
The engine starts up effortlessly. We reach for the gear selector on the center console and twist it to reverse gear, to back out of the driveway. With the sound off (The SiriusXM subscription had expired) I could hear a tiny ping sound to those outside the vehicle, letting them know of my backing.
Its ride is comparable to the Ford Escape. It absorbs many of the jolts and shocks that a normal body-on-frame pickup truck would transmit. That helps to soften the ride, while still allowing a decent amount of road feel. In other words, the Maverick is the perfect vehicle for a cross-country road trip.
Acceleration is decent from the 2.5-liter inline-4. That’s because of the hybrid motor working with the Atkinson-cycle engine. If there is a shortcoming with the Maverick, we would call it the CVT transmission. It’s loud when driven in anger, but settles down adequately once the Maverick reaches cruising speed.
Get into the Maverick, say giddy up and ride to see if the Maverick is right for you.
| Ford Maverick Hybrid 4×2 | ||
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine Type | 2.5-liter inline-4 | |
| Horsepower | 191 combined horsepower @ 5,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 155 LB-FT @ 4,000 rpm | |
| Transmission | CVT automatic | |
| Fuel Economy | 37 mpg (42 city/33 hwy) | |
| Suspension (F/R) | MacPherson Strut/Torsion Beam | |
| Turning Circle | 40.0 ft. | |
| Also Available | Super Crew Cab, 2.0-liter Turbo with AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | 4 stars | |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Wheelbase | 121.1 inches | |
| Overall Length | 199.7 inches | |
| Width | 72.6 inches | |
| Height | 68.7 inches | |
| Cargo Capacity | 1,500 pounds | |
| Headroom, Front | 40.3 inches | |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.6 inches | |
| Legroom, Front | 42.8 inches | |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.9 inches | |
| Shoulder, Front | 57.3 inches | |
| Shoulder, Rear | 55.6 inches | |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 pounds |
This post was published on March 6, 2023
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