Ford Maverick Is the Goldilocks of Pickups

Enough Truck?

The Ford Maverick has been a smashing success since its launch last year, which isn't a huge surprise given its incredibly affordable price tag, impressive efficiency, and solid utility. Turns out, folks like cheap compact pickups, even if automakers did their best to kill off that segment before reviving it. And as one Maverick owner at Gear Junkies recently found out, it's all the truck that many people really need.

Photos: Ford

Too Much Truck?

In the old days, people bought trucks because they needed to tow or haul things. Today, however, most full-size pickup owners rarely ever do those types of things, and instead, drive them because they like them, or simply because modern trucks are great all-around vehicles. The Maverick is plenty capable of hauling a few bags of mulch on the weekend, as well as carrying five people comfortably, making it a suitable alternative for those folks.

Photos: Ford

Mid-Sizer In a Small Body

That's also the case with this Maverick owner, who wanted a less expensive alternative to feature-rich trucks that were also capable of taking him to trailheads and remote campsites. "You can call the Ford Maverick a trucklet, a baby truck, or a unibody truck," he said. "For me, it’s a mid-size truck that fits four passengers comfortably and offers the utility of packing camping gear, bikes, and dirty equipment in its short bed."

Photos: Ford

Glowing Praise

After racking up 3,000 miles, this Maverick owner has little more than praise for the pickup. "Not only did the Maverick surpass my expectations in terms of engine power and utility, but it also handles the road much better than larger trucks I’ve driven," he notes.

Photos: Ford

Nicely Equipped

This nicely equipped XLT model topped out at just over $30k, but it's pretty loaded with the 2.0L EcoBoost I-4, all-wheel-drive, and the FX4 Off-Road Package. Regardless, the owner has averaged a very good 24.5 mph thus far, and it's provided a comfy on-road ride while also proving to be reasonably capable off the pavement.

Photos: Ford

Minor Quibbles

There are some frustrations, of course, including thin paint that caused a chip, a low-mounted rear-view mirror, and a display that blocks out maps when you adjust things like radio volume. Otherwise, however, this Maverick ownership experience has proven to be pretty glowing thus far.

Photos: Ford

Solid Value

Even living in the rugged confines of Colorado, this owner has found his Maverick to be plenty capable of handling all sorts of weather, as well as surfaces and road conditions. It's quite simply "all the truck I need," as he sums it up, also noting that "if you’re looking for an off-road capable vehicle priced like a sedan, you should consider this truck."

Photos: Ford

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