Once a staple on U.S. roads, compact pickups have vanished in favor of ever-bigger midsize and full-size models. But Ford is betting big that the compact segment is ready to come roaring back to life, and the 2022 Maverick shows why.
At first glance, you might confuse the new Maverick with Ford’s bigger Ranger model. But while it doesn’t stray far from classic pickup proportions, the all-new entry is an entirely different beast. It targets a completely different sort of buyer: younger, more diverse, and more likely to spend weekdays in an urban environment.
But come the weekend, it’s ready for adventure, whether you’re heading into the hinterlands or simply picking up a pallet of mulch.
Despite measuring nearly a foot shorter than the Ranger, the 2022 Maverick offers a cabin roomier than Ford’s old family sedan, the Fusion. And what it lacks with a mere 4.5-foot cargo bed it more than makes up for with a flexible and creative design, ready to handle anything from mountain bikes to 4 x 8 sheets of plywood.
The Maverick should also appeal to the DIY crowd, who Ford encourages to carve out more cargo space and 3D-print accessories.
If all that’s not enough to catch your attention, consider that the new pickup’s “base” engine is a peppy hybrid that can still haul a 2,000-pound trailer while delivering up to 40 mpg. The upgraded EcoBoost powertrain adds enough muscle to tow a 21-foot boat or 4,000-pound RV.
2022 Ford Maverick: Classic Design, Creative Features
The Maverick is one of only a small handful of pickups to use a unibody, or car-like, design. But you’d have to crawl underneath to tell the difference. And it has a rugged pedigree that suggests buyers shouldn’t worry about its capabilities. The platform is shared with both the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport models.
Unlike the wild styling of the Hyundai Santa Cruz — the other new, car-based pickup — the Maverick retains a more classic look, borrowing liberally from Ford’s bigger Ranger and F-Series models. That includes a drop-down beltline and broad front end that emphasizes the Maverick’s width.
At just under 200 inches, nose to tail, the 2022 Ford Maverick measures about 11 inches shorter than the Ranger and stands about 5 inches shorter, at 68.7 inches. Yet, thanks to some creative design work, you might not notice, especially when it comes to the surprisingly roomy cabin that can comfortably fit four — or five in a pinch.
Big Things in a Small Cargo Bed
From Urban Centers to Backwoods Trails
Tow, Tow, Tow Your Boat
Cheap Doesn’t Have to Look Cheap
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