Instead of sharing parts and mechanicals with the Ranger, the Maverick rides on the same chassis as the Bronco Sport compact crossover. The standard powertrain is a hybrid setup that consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, a continuously variable automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. Ford also offers all-wheel drive, but only with the optional nonhybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. All models sport the same four-door crew cab body style with a 4.5-foot bed. The Maverick is part of a new class of small pickup trucks that Hyundai is also entering with the upcoming Santa Cruz.
The 2022 Ford Maverick is a compact truck with a unibody design that provides towing capability up to 4,000 pounds when equipped with the optional tow package. The standard full-hybrid powertrain 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid delivers combined 191 horsepower4, and 155 lb.-ft. Of torque, while acontinuously variable transmission drives the front wheels with a targeted 800 kilometres of range on a single tank of gas2. Upgrade to a 2.0-litre EcoBoost® gas engine delivering 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. Of torque5 with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.
Rather than start with the Bronco Sport's turbocharged three-cylinder engine as the standard powertrain, Ford has gone hybrid with the Maverick's base powertrain. All trims come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that's assisted by an electric motor for a combined 191-hp. This setup only comes with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Buyers are able to opt for a nonhybrid powertrain as well, which swaps in a spunky 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is optional with this powertrain.
On the road, the Maverick feels downright peppy with the optional turbo four and at our test track, it reached 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The hybrid powertrain is less perky but nonetheless gets the job done. To provide its impressive payload capacity, the Maverick's suspension is fairly stiff which leads to a somewhat rough ride over broken pavement.
Once we get a chance to test the Maverick at our test track, we'll update this story with results. It comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to produce a combined 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. This combo sends its power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission. This hybrid powertrain delivers pleasing muscle for hustling around town. If you're looking for more power and a more traditional driving experience, there's an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 250 hp and 277 lb-ft. The 2.0-liter engine uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be paired with front- or all-wheel drive.
Most importantly, the brake pedal has a much more progressive response and feel down to a stop. The Maverick's steering is also nicely weighted and progressive. All in all, the Maverick offers two distinct versions that have different types of appeal. The standard powertrain is a gas-electric hybrid, combining a 2.4-liter engine with an electric motor for a system total of 191 horsepower. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and only available with front-wheel drive, quick acceleration is not part of the package. But we recorded an impressive 43 mpg in mixed driving — not too shabby for a pickup truck with a 1,500-pound payload capacity and rated to tow 2,000 pounds.
It offers room for four — five if they're friendly — more than 33 cubic feet of cargo space in the bed and incredibly good fuel economy thanks to the base model's driveline. It's a gas-electric hybrid, one that generates 191 horsepower through the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. With a 1,500-pound payload and a 2,000-pound towing capacity, it can easily handle most of life's chores while returning the sort of fuel economy you'd never expect from a pickup.
The Maverick is the first pickup truck in America to have a hybrid powertrain in its base configuration. The 191-hp, 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder is linked to a continuously variable transmission and drives the front wheels. This combination is EPA-rated at 37 mpg combined and has a total range per tank of 500 miles. We expect this small pickup to easily be more efficient than any other pickup on the market.
The Maverick hybrid has a standard payload capacity of 1,500 pounds and a 2,000-pound tow capacity—plenty to tow a personal watercraft or two. Traveling on dirt trails or snowy conditions will be traction-limited with the hybrid. In a first for any pickup truck, the Maverick's base powertrain sports batteries and an electric motor as well as a gas engine. The 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid powertrain delivers 191 hp net and 155 lb-ft of torque. Sold only with front-wheel drive, the hybrid aims for a 40-mpg estimated EPA city rating, and 37 mpg combined. It's the smoother powertrain of the two; the battery fills in off-the-line acceleration, while the CVT blends everything together for hitchless if moderate acceleration.
Ford offers the Maverick in three trims—XL, XLT, and Lariat—with the XL being the best choice for keeping the price down as low as possible. It lacks basic creature comforts that most buyers consider necessities, but would be good for use as a work truck. Going with the XLT adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, a power lock for the tailgate, power exterior mirrors and more, making it the value-oriented model. We'd upgrade to the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for $1085 and add all-wheel drive for $3305.
To unlock the Maverick's maximum towing capacity of 4000 pounds, we'd also order the $745 Tow package. The Maverick starts life as a hybrid, with a 191-hp combination of 4-cylinder and motor and batteries gunning for a 40-mpg EPA city rating. It's smooth but not too swift, and front-drive-only Maverick Hybrids have half the tow ratings of higher-spec models—but as an all-around economy-car replacement, it's in perfect pitch. A 250-hp turbo-4 can be fitted with all-wheel drive and off-road and tow packages to max out the Mav's adventure portfolio, but the 8-speed automatic shifts too much.
With smartly tuned suspensions and hefty steering, the Maverick feels as good as any of Ford's compact SUVs; it's a high-water mark in Ford pickup ride and handling. Ford offers the Maverick in three easy-to-digest trim levels, each available with the hybrid or EcoBoost powertrain. While the Maverick XL's $19,995 starting seems tempting, it's easy to jack the price up to over $38,000 with a fully-loaded Lariat trim with the First Edition Package. We'd settle somewhere in the middle, opting for the XLT trim while keeping the more efficient hybrid drivetrain. The $2,345 XLT Luxury Package seems worth the price for a power driver's seat, 400W/100V inverter, bed rails, spray-in bedliner, heated seats, remote start, a leather steering wheel, and more. Ford Co-Pilot 360 is a handy $540 option that nets you blind-spot assist with rear cross-traffic, and lane-keep assist.
Unfortunately, the XLT misses out on push-button start, so you start it with an old-fashioned key. The truck we described would cost $27,305, or $1,085 more for the EcoBoost if you need the added towing capacity. The company's 2-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission are optional. Rated at 250 horsepower, this engine doubles the Maverick's towing capacity to 4,000 pounds, although payload remains unchanged. All-wheel drive is available with the gas engine but not the hybrid.
All drivelines come with Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Tow/Haul drive modes, although adding the FX4 Off-Road Package — optional on the XLT and Lariat — brings with it Mud/Ruts and Sand modes. To create the Maverick's standard hybrid powertrain, Ford combines an Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 94-kilowatt electric motor and an electric continuously variable transmission . Combined, these components produce 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid drivetrain is available only with front-wheel drive, and Ford predicts 37 mpg in combined driving and 500 miles of driving range.
Base Mavericks will be powered by a 2.5-liter inline-4 hybrid powertrain with a combined output of 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission. Ford said it'll be capable of towing up to 2,000 lb, carrying 1,500 lb of payload, and achieve an EPA-estimated 40 mpg city and 37 mpg combined. The 2.5-liter Duratec four-cylinder gasoline engine with a hybrid electric motor produces a combined 191 hp (194 PS; 142 kW) and a peak electric torque of 173 lb⋅ft (235 N⋅m; 23.9 kg⋅m). The hybrid engine and an e-CVT gearbox are standard equipment on all Maverick models, while the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine is optional. The turbo engine produces 250 hp (253 PS; 186 kW) and 277 lb⋅ft (376 N⋅m; 38.3 kg⋅m) of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All Maverick models uses a rotary knob gear selector located in the center console.
Front-wheel drive is standard on all models, with all-wheel drive optional only for the EcoBoost variants. All Mavericks are crew cabs, which means four full-sized doors and a fairly roomy back seat. Ford has incorporated many storage cubbies and bins throughout the cabin, including some large areas under the rear seat. Base models are far from plush, but do offer standard niceties such as a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, and adjustable lumbar support for the front seats.
More features are offered as standard or part of option packages on the XLT and Lariat trims, and include dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and power front seats. Ford says the Maverick's 4.5-foot bed can fit up to 18 sheets of 4x8-foot three-quarter-inch plywood without having to load them at an angle. The bed also features a 12-volt power point, with a 110-volt outlet offered as an option.
The big benefit of having a standard hybrid powertrain for the Maverick is its very impressive fuel economy. Initially, Ford promised that it was targeting 40 MPG in the city for the standard hybrid powertrain. However, when the final EPA estimate was announced the vehicle was good for 42 MPG in the city. Ford expects to return 33 MPG on the highway and a combined rating of 37 MPG. That's better fuel economy in the city than the Honda Civic, with much more capability in towing and hauling for the Maverick.
In fact, in our testing of the 2022 Maverick pickup, we achieved 40 MPG while carrying 1000 pounds of cargo. Any list of best features for the Ford Maverick has to start with its standard powertrain. With gas prices soaring and a global push towards electrification, the standard full-hybrid engine in the Maverick makes it the only pickup in America to come standard with hybrid power.
The engine under the hood of the little pickup is an Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder delivering 191 horsepower and 155 pound-foot of torque combined with the electric motor. The standard hybrid engine is only available with a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. For now, they're the only compact pickups available in the US market. The flashy Santa Cruz feels more like an SUV which happens to have a bed at the back, whereas the Maverick comes across as the more rugged truck. The Ford starts at $4,000 cheaper which immediately gives it an advantage, but the Maverick misses out on some of the safety features that are standard on every Santa Cruz.
While the Maverick hybrid leads the way for efficiency, it's the Santa Cruz that has a much better towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs. Both trucks have a lot to offer and we appreciate that each automaker has given us a unique spin on what they believe a small truck should offer. Because of the Maverick's attractive starting price, Ford's legacy of high-selling trucks, and its exceptional gas mileage, we'll give the edge to the Blue Oval. The Maverick arrives in a brand-new compact truck segment, which also includes the recently-introduced Hyundai Santa Cruz. Ford's approach is interesting here, offering a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid as the base powertrain, driving the front wheels through a CVT. Buyers who want more power and more capability can opt for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, sending 250 horsepower to the front wheels or optional all-wheel drive.
We've never tested a pickup truck quite like this, and with a starting price under $20,000 , it's easy to see how Ford could have a sales hit on its hands. We tested both variants of the Maverick in Nashville, Tennessee to see if this new baby pickup is still "Built Ford Tough." The standard full hybrid powertrain in the 2022 Ford Maverick is the fourth-generation Ford hybrid propulsion system. It consists of an Atkinson cycle four-cylinder hybrid engine, paired to an electronic continuously variable transmission , along with a permanent magnet electric motor and liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery.
The electric motor was designed and manufactured in-house by Ford, and the briefcase-sized battery is located under the second-row seats to help maximize your available cargo space. It was unveiled on June 8, 2021 as the smallest truck marketed by the company. The Maverick is based on a front-wheel drive-based unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, and offered with a hybrid powertrain as standard and a conventional turbo engine as an option. The 2022 Ford Maverick has all the makings of a game-changer among midsize pickups.
It's an affordable, entry-level truck offering great utility, comfort, and practicality without the garage-busting size and fuel thirst. Better yet, it comes standard with a hybrid powertrain with better fuel economy and lower price than most cars. The base Maverick is no tire-shredder and has been optimized for efficiency rather than outright performance.
The standard hybrid uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine that produces only 162 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque on its own, although this goes up to 191 hp with the assistance of the electric motor. Unsurprisingly, Ford hasn't provided 0-60 times but don't expect to get anywhere in a hurry. This model is limited to a towing capacity of only 2,000 lbs and payload capacity of 1,500 lbs. It uses a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that makes 162 horsepower on its own, and 191 horses when combined with the hybrid electric motor. Power goes to the front wheels through an automatic continuously variable transmission .
The battery recharges through regenerative braking and doesn't get plugged in. Ford estimates fuel consumption of 5.9 L/100 km in city driving, and expects you'll get 800 kilometres on a tank of fuel. The Santa Cruz's two top-end trims, the SEL Premium and Limited are quite different from the Maverick, packing 281-hp turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive as standard. Instead, look to the mid-range SEL to challenge this front-drive, hybrid-powered Maverick. The non-hybrid 2022 Ford Maverick, featuring the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine with 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, did not face the same delays as the hybrid.
The Maverick Hybrid pumps out 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque from its 2.5-liter I-4 and permanent-magnet electric motor. The Ford Maverick is an all-new arrival for the 2022 model year and slots in below the Ford Ranger as a more compact introduction to the brand's truck lineup. With its starting price of just under $20,000, unibody construction promising a comfortable ride, and a targeted 40-mpg rating in the city, the Maverick has a lot to offer.
Although its towing capacity isn't spectacular by pickup truck standard, the bed area offers many practical solutions to meet the needs of customers with active lifestyles. The 2022 Ford Maverick's hybrid powertrain uses the 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle hybrid engine, a small electric motor and an electronic continuously variable transmission. Ford located the briefcase-size, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery sits below the second-row seats to maintain cargo space. For more power, there is an available 250-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
When fitted with an optional "4K" tow package, a turbocharged Maverick doubles the towing capacity to 4,000 pounds—enough to pull a small travel trailer or 20-foot boat. Trim levels range from XL, XLT, and top-line Lariat models with the standard hybrid powertrain. We recommend the required 2.0-liter turbo EcoBoost engine if you plan to tow, which adds $1,085 to the price. All-wheel drive adds another $3,305, along with other options.
Breaking onto the scene with its first pickup truck is Hyundai, with its all-new 2022 Santa Cruz. The Hyundai doesn't offer a hybrid variant, so it can't match the Maverick's fuel economy. But much to our surprise, the Santa Cruz offers more power from its 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, and it can tow 1,000 more than the Maverick. We think the Santa Cruz is the bolder, more expressive-looking truck, but Ford's proven track record, lower starting price, and more usable bed could sway buyers in the Maverick's direction. One thing is for sure; now is a great time to buy a small, fuel-efficient pickup. There are two engine choices for the new Maverick, starting with the standard hybrid model.
