TGR Staff - 06/08/2021
Ford has finally pulled the wraps off their much anticipated compact pickup truck the Ford Maverick, which promises to redefine what a pickup truck can be. The unibody truck is the first standard full-hybrid pickup in America and the most fuel-efficient truck on the market with an EPA-estimated rating of 40 mpg in the city. Yet it can still do truck stuff with 1,500 pounds of payload capacity and up to 4,000 pounds of towing when equipped with the optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine.
The Maverick FLEXBED system provides organization and cargo solutions to fit owners’ lifestyles, with a multi-position tailgate, slots to use lumber to subdivide the bed, 12 available anchor points, two 12-volt 20-amp prewired sources at the back enabling DIY electrical solutions, plus two available 110-volt outlets for powering a laptop or tailgate party and it even has a built-in bottle opener.
What's under the hood?
The standard drivetrain consists of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that delivers 191 horsepower when combined with the electric motor, and 155 lb.-ft. of torque coupled to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. Accord to Ford, the Maverick will get an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas. With the Hybrid drivetrain, it can handle a payload of 1,500 pounds and tow 2,000 pounds.
The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine delivering 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torqueƗƗ with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. Equipped with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds.
What's inside?
Maverick comes packed with a lot of standard technology including an 8-inch center touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and FordPass which makes it easy to find the truck, check its fuel level, lock and unlock the doors, and start or turn off the vehicle all from your phone.
The interior design is stylish and appears surprisingly roomy, with a lot of built-in storage options. The trim levels are the familiar Ford Truck XL, XLT, and Lariat. Door armrests have a split design to allow a one-liter water bottle to sit upright in a bin rather than rolling around on the seats, while door pockets are huge and have lots of vertical clearance to store a tablet or notebooks. There’s a spacious storage bin under the rear seats that fits a fully inflated volleyball, laptop bags, tools, and other gear.
FIT slots (Ford Integrated Tether slots) are a clever multitasking solution for rear-seat passengers. There’s a FIT slot at the back of the front console that accommodates different accessories. An available accessory package includes cupholders, a storage or trash bin, a cord organizer, a double hook for grocery bags and purses, and under-seat storage dividers. More FIT slot creations are in development and Ford is working to publish the slot geometry so people can 3D-print DIY solutions to further fit their lifestyle. Those accessories can be stored in multiple slots under the rear seats, which could also be used for novel applications on their own.
Ford Co-Pilot360 technology includes standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Automatic High Beam Headlamps. Available options include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Centering, and Evasive Steering Assist. Five standard drive modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Tow/Haul to enhance performance and confidence over various driving conditions.
The FLEXBED
Perhaps the most important part of the Maverick is the bed, which is packed with standard features that give customers organization and storage solutions. to secure cargo, Owners can create segmented storage, elevated floors, bike or kayak racks, and more by sliding 2x4s or 2x6s into slots stamped into the side of the bed. There are two tie-downs, four D-rings, and built-in threaded holes in the sides to bolt in new creations.
The bed also features standard built-in 12-volt electrical power prewired to an easily removable cover on either side of the back of the bed to support DIY electrical projects. Beyond DIY electrical, there are two available 110-volt 400-watt outlets, one in the bed and one in the cabin, that can power phones, laptops, small TVs, a cordless tool battery charger, or a small, corded tool like a jigsaw. There’s also a storage cubby built into the side of the bed on XLT and two available on Lariat trucks, perfect for keeping a ball hitch or tools.
The 2022 Ford Maverick goes on sale this fall. Maverick is offered at three trim levels, XL, XLT, and Lariat. An FX4 package is available for all-wheel-drive XLT and Lariat trucks adding more off-road capability with rugged all-terrain tires and suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, and off-road-focused drive modes like Mud/Rut and Sand, as well as the addition of Hill Descent Control™.
Available for the first model year only is the Maverick First Edition package. It is built off the Lariat trim level and includes unique graphics on the hood and lower doors, a high-gloss black painted roof, soft tonneau cover, body-color door handles, high-gloss black skull caps, and gloss black-painted and machined 18-inch wheels for hybrid or unique 17-inch aluminum wheels for the gas model. It comes in Carbonized Gray, Area 51, and Rapid Red, unique to First Edition.
The build and price website is live at Ford.com and reservations or orders can be placed today.
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