Automotive

2022 Ford Maverick debuts as truly compact, hybrid pickup

2022 Ford Maverick debuts as truly compact, hybrid pickup
The 2022 Ford Maverick will be the first standard hybrid pickup truck in America and reportedly the most fuel-efficient truck on the market
The 2022 Ford Maverick will be the first standard hybrid pickup truck in America and reportedly the most fuel-efficient truck on the market
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The Maverick will debut with three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat with four-wheel drive (FX4) available on the upper two trims
1/23
The Maverick will debut with three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat with four-wheel drive (FX4) available on the upper two trims
The 2022 Ford Maverick will be the first standard hybrid pickup truck in America and reportedly the most fuel-efficient truck on the market
2/23
The 2022 Ford Maverick will be the first standard hybrid pickup truck in America and reportedly the most fuel-efficient truck on the market
The Ford Maverick is a truly compact pickup truck, being about 11 inches (297 mm) smaller than the Ranger or the Honda Ridgeline
3/23
The Ford Maverick is a truly compact pickup truck, being about 11 inches (297 mm) smaller than the Ranger or the Honda Ridgeline
Towing in the Ford Maverick will total up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) in the non-hybrid model (shown) and 2,000 lb (907 kg) in the hybrid
4/23
Towing in the Ford Maverick will total up to 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) in the non-hybrid model (shown) and 2,000 lb (907 kg) in the hybrid
Payload in the Maverick's bed is rated at 1,500 lb (680 kg), with versatile tie-down and organization options available
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Payload in the Maverick's bed is rated at 1,500 lb (680 kg), with versatile tie-down and organization options available
The extended bed rail (shown) will be available from Ford dealerships, but accommodations for do-it-yourself setups are also included
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The extended bed rail (shown) will be available from Ford dealerships, but accommodations for do-it-yourself setups are also included
The tailgate tethers can be hooked higher to lift the tailgate so its top lip is even with the wheel wells, allowing full sheets of plywood and the like to be laid flat into the Maverick's bed
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The tailgate tethers can be hooked higher to lift the tailgate so its top lip is even with the wheel wells, allowing full sheets of plywood and the like to be laid flat into the Maverick's bed
Being compact in size means easy urban versatility for the Ford Maverick
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Being compact in size means easy urban versatility for the Ford Maverick
Maneuverability, including a tight turning radius, are a big part of the Ford Maverick's appeal
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Maneuverability, including a tight turning radius, is a big part of the Ford Maverick's appeal
The standard Ford FlexBed in the Maverick has several features to accommodate various uses and needs, including options for additional power outlets
10/23
The standard Ford FlexBed in the Maverick has several features to accommodate various uses and needs, including options for additional power outlets
Ford-installed bed lighting can be augmented or replaced with DIY lighting kits that utilize the built-in 12-volt plug in the Maverick's bed
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Ford-installed bed lighting can be augmented or replaced with DIY lighting kits that utilize the built-in 12-volt plug in the Maverick's bed
Slots on the Maverick's bed liner allow standard construction lumber like 2x4 and 2x6 boards to be used as platforms, dividers and more
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Slots on the Maverick's bed liner allow standard construction lumber like 2x4 and 2x6 boards to be used as platforms, dividers and more
Storage for small air pumps and other accessories is also found in the in-bed liner
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Storage for small air pumps and other accessories is also found in the in-bed liner
With the tailgate in the half-cocked position, the Maverick can haul up to 18 sheets of plywood
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With the tailgate in the half-cocked position, the Maverick can haul up to 18 sheets of plywood
With creative use of construction lumber, several configurations for load dividing and securement can be devised – Ford offers suggestions via the Maverick's in-bed QR code panel
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With creative use of construction lumber, several configurations for load dividing and securement can be devised – Ford offers suggestions via the Maverick's in-bed QR code panel
While the 12-volt outlet in the bed is standard on the Ford Maverick, a 110V outlet can also be added
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While the 12-volt outlet in the bed is standard on the Ford Maverick, a 110V outlet can also be added
The latch tie-downs on the Maverick's tailgate double as bottle openers, while the tailgate itself can hold 500 lb (227 kg), allowing two or three people to sit on it
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The latch tie-downs on the Maverick's tailgate double as bottle openers, while the tailgate itself can hold 500 lb (227 kg), allowing two or three people to sit on it
The Maverick's 4.5-ft (1.4-m) bed can haul up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload
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The Maverick's 4.5-ft (1.4-m) bed can haul up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload
Inside the Ford Maverick, an 8-inch touchscreen is standard as are multiple USB ports and other technology inclusions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
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Inside the Ford Maverick, an 8-inch touchscreen is standard as are multiple USB ports and other technology inclusions like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Creative storage areas, like the spot behind and next to the touchscreen, are found throughout the Ford Maverick's interior
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Creative storage areas, like the spot behind and next to the touchscreen, are found throughout the Ford Maverick's interior
The storage found underneath the rear seating can hold a fully inflated basketball, and has optional dividers for organization
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The storage found underneath the rear seating can hold a fully inflated basketball, and has optional dividers for organization
The Ford Maverick has a digital instrument cluster and includes several drive modes, depending on packaging
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The Ford Maverick has a digital instrument cluster and includes several drive modes, depending on packaging
Slots in the rear door handles allow a bicycle tire to slide between, extending the rear cabin's width enough to accommodate most mountain bikes
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Slots in the rear door handles allow a bicycle tire to slide between, extending the rear cabin's width enough to accommodate most mountain bikes
View gallery - 23 images

Ford has unveiled the 2022 Maverick pickup truck and has delivered on the promise of a truly compact truck with the fuel efficiency and pricing that consumers would expect in that category. It's fully hybrid as standard, offering up to 40 mpg (5.9 l/100km) in the city.

Ford is clearly marketing this truck towards urbanites, emphasizing its versatility, compact size, and maneuverability. Pricing will start just under US$20,000.

Unlike most pickup trucks, the Maverick is a unibody design, unlike any other truck in Ford’s lineup. Its hybrid powertrain is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (in an Atkinson cycle) mated to an electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT). These combine to produce 191 horsepower (142.5 kW) and 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque. An upgraded 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline-only engine will also be available, boosting output to 250 HP (186.5 kW) and 277 lb-ft (375.5 Nm) through an eight-speed automatic transmission. If the latter engine sounds familiar, it’s also what powers the Ford Bronco Sport.

The Ford Maverick will have all of the capabilities of a pickup truck, but in a compact package. Payload is rated at 1,500 lb (680 kg) with enough bed space to carry a four-wheeled ATV. Towing is rated at 2,000 lb (907 kg) for the hybrid model and 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) for the gas-only model. Ford equates that to a small pop-up camper or pair of personal watercraft for the lower end, and an average 21-foot boat for the higher end.

Slots in the rear door handles allow a bicycle tire to slide between, extending the rear cabin's width enough to accommodate most mountain bikes
Slots in the rear door handles allow a bicycle tire to slide between, extending the rear cabin's width enough to accommodate most mountain bikes

Inside, the new Maverick will come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect with an embedded Wi-Fi modem will also be standard, but will require a subscription for connectivity. FordPass also allows smartphone connectivity for vehicle control, location and so forth, via Ford’s app.

The Maverick will seat five passengers "of adult size," Ford says. There are drink holders in the rear door armrests, storage underneath the rear seating, and door pockets capable of holding a tablet or notebook. Plug-ins throughout the pickup allow connectivity and charging of various devices, plus the Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) offers modular storage space for additional gear. Upgrade options in the Maverick trim levels will include added cupholders, storage dividers for the underseat storage bin, and so forth. Ford will publish the FITS slot geometry to allow DIYers to contrive their own storage solutions and accessories for the system.

Built into the pickup truck will be Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety system with pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, and automated high beams. Upgrade options will include adaptive (radar) cruise control with stop and go capability, blind spot information, cross-traffic alerts, lane centering and evasive steering assist.

Ford seems very proud of the new Maverick’s functional cargo bed. Called the FlexBed, it’s described as "a DIY fan’s paradise." The engineering team members at Ford watched people at home improvement stores, at moving and storage sites, and while moving into college dorms, in order to get ideas for how people modify or rig their pickup truck beds for various uses. With that knowledge, they designed the FlexBed to be capable of accommodating several configurations.

A QR code on the FlexBed itself gives ideas for some of these, which include slots made to fit standard 2x4 construction lumber to make a platform, tie-in points for things like DIY bicycle racks and motorcycle holdfasts, and more. Even homemade lighting options are accommodated with the built-in 12-volt accessory port, so consumers can avoid "hacking" the truck’s wiring harness and the potential disaster that might ensue.

The Maverick's 4.5-ft (1.4-m) bed can haul up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload
The Maverick's 4.5-ft (1.4-m) bed can haul up to 1,500 lb (680 kg) of payload

Also available are two 110-volt, 400W outlets (one in the cabin, one in the bed) for further adaptability. The pickup’s bed measures 6 ft (1.8 m) long with the tailgate down. The tailgate can be lowered and set to a "half-cocked" position (via the tethers) for a flat load surface between the tailgate’s edge and the inner wheel arches, allowing 4-ft (1.2-m)-wide sheets of plywood to sit flat. The tie-down clamps on the truck’s tailgate also double as bottle openers.

In all, the 2022 Ford Maverick is what the automaker hopes the small pickup truck crowd is looking for. Dimensionally, it’s 199.7 inches long and 68.7 inches high (507.2 and 174.5 cm). That’s roughly 11 inches (279 mm) shorter in length than the Ranger or Honda Ridgeline and about 2 inches (51 mm) shorter in height. It makes the Maverick about 32 inches (813 mm) shorter in length than the Ford F-150, thus making it a truly small pickup truck.

Ford says that the Maverick will enter the North American market later in 2021 for the 2022 model year. There will be three trim levels, plus a special First Edition package for this model year. Ford has not yet announced international plans for the new Maverick.

Source: Ford

View gallery - 23 images
7 comments
7 comments
peter m hawley
Finally! Many of us owned the original Ford Ranger and Chevy S-10 pickups (as well as the Isuzu's, Toyota's & Datsun's) and have wished for this size of truck for too long! But, why is this new Ford only offered as a 4-door, short-bed? Hopefully, the extended-cab, standard-length bed will come along later. That's the one I'll buy!
alexD
Sounds almost appetizing, but that r"idiculous box", ie. puny bed on the rear can't haul anything useful... I'm afraid I will still be driving my 2004 Ranger long bed for quite some time.....
paul314
Does it come with the danger flag for loads that protrude well beyond the rear of the vehicle? The load capacity is nice, but even a mid-range SUV can carry longer lumber.
BlueOak
Looks like a winner if they can deliver at that promised pricing.

Clearly there is a very significant set of customers who are not willing to pay the shockingly high prices of the current Ranger. (The prior Ranger customers, of which I am one.)

As to that small bed, let’s be honest - there are more than a few full size pickups that have never had anything larger than a cooler or bike in the bed.

A winner, especially with gas prices the way they’ve been hiking since the start of this year in the US.
DavidB
LOL

Having driven one of these for several years, back in the Seventies, I don’t have much confidence in something called a Ford Maverick.

https://carscoms.com/1971-ford-maverick-grabber-304252.html
*Joe*
Can't wait for the Chevy Vega pickup!
Kevin Ritchey
That’s the best name they could come up with?