Everywhere you go, you can’t help but to have your view obstructed, parking space blocked, or have choked on a plume of exhaust smoke as they speed off, now that they’re tailpipe is level with your open windows. Luckily, Ford has solved this problem with their recent unveiling of the Maverick.

Although the higher-ups at the company have said numerous times: this new version of the Maverick is in no way related to the 1970s-compact car, featuring the same name. It does seem to keep its humble pricing, and economically friendly size and gas efficiency. In this article, we cover everything you’d ever want to know about the 2022 Ford Maverick.

Maverick Legacy

Ford originally introduced the Maverick back in 1970, and not unlike the 2022 version, was aimed to be an “import fighter.” Although largely forgotten, it was originally developed as a replacement for the Falcon, after the Mustang cannibalized its sales. The Maverick allowed Ford to reposition their entry level vehicle and the timing could not have been more advantageous for Ford as the world began to experience the gas crisis of the ‘70s.

Regardless, if Ford insists the new Maverick was not a call-back to the compact car of the ‘70s, it shares many similarities and characteristics that have the making for the new Maverick to be a huge success. For instance, referencing its position as an “import fighter,” Ford did not have a vehicle to compete with the likes of the Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, or Honda Ridgeline since the Ranger was bumped up to the mid-size pickup segment.

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Similar to the original Maverick, the new generation offers a price point that is not only competitive, but is the lowest base price of any pickup truck available in North America. To further Ford’s case of offering one of the most budget friendly four-wheel vehicles, it also happens to be one of the lowest base price available in the entire automotive industry with only a handful of entry level cars sporting a price tag lower than the Maverick’s $19,995.

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Trim Packages Of The Ford Maverick

Similar to its bigger, older brothers, the Maverick is defined by three different trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. Naturally, each level offers different features ranging from technology, power output, towing capability, and exterior options. Let’s take a look at some key features and differences of these trim levels.

While technically considered the “bare bones” version of the three trims, it is anything but, as Ford made sure to include a laundry list of tech and comfort features sure to entice any car shopper.

The 2.5-liter hybrid-engine with auto start-stop technology comes standard with the option to upgrade to the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission capable of towing 1,500 pounds with proper equipment. The standard drivetrain is FWD, with AWD capability for the EcoBoost, carried by a unibody construction that is capable of improving safety and fuel efficiency through a lower center of gravity.

As for the technology of the car, it features Ford’s new FLEXBED multi-position tailgate, FordPass 4G LTE hotspot capability, 8-in double din touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at no extra cost. The interior has seating for five, and provides such safety features as pre-collision assist with automatic braking, rearview camera, and remote keyless entry.

Ford also has a couple packages available for upgrade like the 4K tow package with its class III hitch and seven-pin hitch receiver, making it capable of towing up to 4,000 lbs; only available with the EcoBoost engine. Ford also offers its Co-Pilot360 package that features cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping aid for enhanced safety.

www.hotcars.com Everything You Should Know About The 2022 Ford Maverick

The mid-level XLT carries over all the amenities of the XL, with some tweaks and upgrades to certain features.

For instance, the XLT now sits on 17” painted aluminum wheels as opposed to steel on the XL. The interior also gets an upgrade from standard black onyx cloth to navy pier and medium slate cloth with orange accents. The FLEXBED sees an upgrade to the storage space by the addition of cubbies. The XLT also gets a couple electronic upgrades through the addition of cruise control, exterior power side view mirrors and a SecuriCode keyless entry keypad.

Optional upgrades still include the 4K tow package, Ford CoPiot360 package, but are now joined by the XLT luxury package, and FX4 off-road package. The luxury package includes: heated eight-way power driver seats and six-way manual passenger seats, a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel, LED box lighting, heated mirrors with body-color skull caps, and a 4-pin trailer hitch. The FX4 off-road packages offers: front tow hooks, Ford’s Hill Descent Control, skid plates, terrain tires, and five different drive modes (normal, tow haul, slippery, mud & ruts, and sand). It also includes a heavy-duty radiator and engine fan to ensure maximum cooling for all your off-road adventures.

The highest level of trim for the Maverick includes the features of the XL/XLT, once again, with some upgrades to certain amenities.

Key features include enhancements to the interior with the 8-way seats now standard for the driver and 6-way power seats for the passenger. The cluster gauge is upgraded to the 6.5” LED screen, and it now sits on 18” aluminum wheels. Ford has also added some comfort and convenience qualities in the form of a push-to-start button, dual-zone temperature control, ambient lighting, a power sliding rear window, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and USB ports.

All previous upgrade packages are still available, along with the introduction of the First Edition package. This package requires the optional Lariat luxury package and includes: 17” aluminum wheels for the EcoBoost engine, and 18” wheels painted black for the Duratec, a black-painted roof, black mirror skull caps, power moon roof, Tonneau bed cover, and a first edition decal.

Under The Hood Of The 2022 Ford Maverick

Mentioned briefly in the previous section, the Maverick is powered by either a 2.5-liter Duratec, inline-four hybrid engine, or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost, inline-four gasoline engine. In this section, we highlight their power output, torque capability, and fuel efficiency.

The 2.5-liter Duratec hybrid-engine has been a part of the Ford family since 2008, and has received numerous updates and applications. It has seen its different variations featured in the Escape, Fusion, Transit Connect, and Lincoln MKZ, over the years.

The Maverick’s 2.5-liter has a power output of 191-hp at 5,600 rpm, capable of 155 lb-ft of torque that kicks in at 4,000 rpm. Only the FWD drivetrain is available for the Duratec, which is inconsequential for those looking to achieve the EPA estimated ratings of 42 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and a combined 37 mpg.

The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is another of Ford’s tried and true engines that have been a part of the family since 2010. Like the Duratec, it has seen a couple redesigns and alterations, and has been featured in a handful of models. Most notably, the Focus ST, Edge, Explorer, and Fusion, among others.

In the Maverick, the EcoBoost is capable of achieving 250-hp at 5,500 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. Such low-end grunt is what makes the Maverick the perfect, practical hauler. On the other end of the spectrum, the upgrade to the EcoBoost sees a decline in fuel efficiency, which can be expected when going from a hybrid-engine to a turbocharged combustion engine.

The FWD drivetrain shows 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, for a combined 26 mpg. The AWD drivetrain sees a slightly bigger decrease to 22 mpg in the city, 29 mpg highway, and a combined 25 mpg.

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Size Comparison Of The Maverick Vs The Competition

Which brings us to the Maverick’s most enticing feature, its size. The wheelbase clocks in at just over 121”, making it the smallest “compact pickup truck,” besides the Hyundai Santa Cruz. That’s just six inches longer than a 2012 Tesla Model S.

Even though the Maverick is the second-smallest pickup you can buy, Ford’s ingenuity has utilized every bit of space in the cabin. It features 40” of headroom in the front, more than the Tundra, Tacoma, Frontier, and Ranger, and although its bed checks in at a very modest, 54” long, it is still more than capable of hauling 1,500 pounds, and another 500 pounds on the tailgate alone.

The Maverick isn’t going to win any towing contests, and it isn’t going to hold more gear than trucks of a bigger size. But what it will do, is just about everything, and it will do it admirably.

The combination of fuel efficiency, cost, and capability not only gives the Maverick the opportunity to be the most successful pickup truck on today’s market, but an opportunity to be in the same conversation as other legendary compact pickup trucks such as the original Toyota Pickup (Hilux to everyone outside of North America), Chevrolet S10, or Datsun 620.

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Jacob is a is a writer and gearhead splitting time between Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. When he's not wrenching on his and his wife's questionable fleet of cars; he's learning DIY repair, researching car culture and history, or casually browsing used cars. Jacob cut his teeth writing for the now defunct, Oppositelock, before the website was blown up.