absolutely AUTO REVIEW | By Steve Kursar –
The 2024 Ford Maverick is a front-wheel drive compact pickup built on a crossover platform designed for those customers who want the convenience of owning a pickup but don’t need the capability that a mid-size or a full-size truck provides. The all-new Maverick is the first full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market, while its compact size makes it easy to maneuver and park. There’s even room for five adults and plenty of storage space.
The idea of a truck bed wedded to a car platform isn’t new. Back in the late 1950s, Ford introduced the Ranchero, which spurred Chevrolet to bring out their version, the El Camino. Back in 2006, Honda created the Ridgeline pickup by adapting the MDX platform to add a pickup to their lineup. The Ford Maverick is built on the same concept since it shares a platform with the Escape and the Bronco Sport crossovers.
A base 2024 Ford Maverick brings with it a $23,400 MSRP price tag. That’s almost $10,000 less than its larger true truck cousin, the Ford Ranger. The base model is powered by a 250hp, 2.0 liter Ecoboost twin-turbo engine that mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimated fuel economy numbers come in at 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Spring for an extra $1,500, and you can afford to get a Maverick with a 191 hp, 2.5 liter gasoline hybrid engine that’s hooked up to a PowerSplit electronic continuously variable transmission. This is the model that delivers those impressive fuel numbers of 42 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
The Maverick may look small, but don’t underestimate it because it still can do a lot of work. Maverick offers standard payload of 1,500 pounds and the volume to carry a standard ATV, plus it has the capability to tow 2,000 pounds, enough for a pair of personal water craft or a good-sized pop-up camper trailer. Maverick’s equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine delivering 277 lb.-ft. of torque and with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds, enough for an average 21-foot boat.
As a truck owner myself, that truck bed always comes in handy when you need it. That’s why the Maverick hits a sweet spot for Texans who want the utility of a truck but just don’t need the added capability of a big pickup.