Can Ford Do No Wrong With the 2022 Maverick?
To make a sub-$20k truck these days, some concessions are necessary.
Living up to the Hype
For years, many have clamored for a more affordable, simple, compact pickup. The 2022 Ford Maverick is all of those things and more, as well as an impressively efficient vehicle. Thus, it's no surprise that Ford has secured over 100,000 reservations for the Maverick, which just began arriving on dealer lots after entering production early this month. But will it really live up to all the hype, or are there some disappointments in the making?
Photos: Ford
Lower Weight
First, we must note that the Maverick isn't going to tow or haul considerable amounts of weight because it isn't designed to. The top-rated version touts an impressive 1,500-pound payload rating, while the 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 model with the 4K Tow Package can pull up to 4,000 pounds, but all other models can only tow up to 2,000 pounds. Not much, but then again, not everyone needs more capability than that.
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Truck for Everyone
The Maverick also sports a rather small 4.5-foot bed, which will be a sticking point for some. But luckily, folks that need more can get it, thanks to Ford's now-full family of pickups that includes the mid-size Ranger, full-size F-150, and heavy-duty Super Duty. There's literally a truck to suit every need at your local Ford dealer, now that the Maverick has arrived.
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Modular Space
The Maverick is fittingly geared toward fleet customers and younger buyers who don't need all the creature comforts and capability in the world. They just need a simple, affordable vehicle that has room for friends and some cargo. The Maverick's FlexBed is also quite ingenious, designed as a modular space that can house a variety of accessories.
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More Usable
The beauty of the FlexBed is that one can use either Ford accessories or aftermarket ones to do things like create segmented storage, elevated floors, or even a place to carry kayaks, bicycles, and other adventure gear. There are even bed extenders that allow you to carry things that won't quite fit in the small bed, which makes the Maverick much more usable.
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Nice Features
Simply dropping the tailgate adds a foot and a half of length, and there are plenty of other nifty features built into the bed as well. Those include a pair of 12-volt wiring sources that can be used to add thing like lighting or even an air pump, as well as optional 110-volt 400-watt outlets to power other sorts of gear.
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Filling the Gap
The base Maverick XL is lacking a few basic things like cruise control and SYNC 3, which will be a sticking point for some. But choose an XLT or higher trim level, and you'll get all of those creature comforts for a couple of grand more. Even taking all of this into consideration, it's clear that the Maverick is a great value and a truck that looks destined to fill a much-needed gap in the automotive market that has existed for years now.
Photos: Ford
>>Join the conversation about the Maverick right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
For help with the service of your truck check out the how-to section of Ford-Trucks.com.