Ford Maverick – 2021

In the summer of 2021, the American brand introduced the compact pickup Ford Maverick on the U.S. market. It slotted right below the Ranger lineup, and unlike its larger siblings, it had a unibody construction instead of a body-on-frame type. Furthermore, it shared its underpinnings with the Focus, the Bronco, and the Escape. It wasn’t the kind of utility vehicle for contractors to haul heavy trailers behind or carry all the tools and ladders needed to build a house. Instead, Ford made it a usable daily vehicle that could carry some stuff in its bed during camping trips. In addition, it could even tow a light or a medium trailer, depending on the engine version. And it was quiet and fuel-efficient, especially with the standard powerhouse.

The 2022 Ford Maverick had a flat front fascia with rectangular headlights visually connected via a double horizontal bar that integrated the turn signal lamps on its outer edges. A broad black grille covered the rest of the car’s front fascia and was limited by the wrapped-around plastic bumper on the lower side. The black, unpainted apron below was scratch-resistant, while a rock slider protection was available with the FX4 package.

Ford made the 2022 Maverick based on a unibody construction, much like the Honda Ridgeline or the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The vehicle’s profile showed a wedged shape with a flat hood and a horizontal roof. Behind the cabin, the automaker placed a vertical panel that delimitated the passenger area from the bed behind it. Furthermore, the rear quarter panels were almost flat. Ford didn’t want to make the vehicle look too rugged but still keep the appearance of a go-anywhere pickup. The automaker offered the 2022 Maverick in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base model came with 17-inch steel wheels, while the mid-grade was fitted with a set of alloys of the same size. For the Lariat, the car wore standard 18-inch aluminum wheels with an option for 17-inch ones for vehicles fitted with the FX4 (offroad) package and all-terrain tires.

With its roomy cabin fit for five adults, the 2022 Ford Maverick promised a pleasant on-road experience. All versions featured an eight-inch touchscreen placed atop the center stack for the infotainment system. Fronting the driver was a mixed instrument panel with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, and small gauges were placed between them for the coolant temperature and the fuel level. Above the latter, the automaker installed a 4.3-inch LCD that showed additional data from the car’s onboard computer. Those who opted for the Lariat grade received a 6.5-inch digital instrument panel. The bolstered front seats provided average side support and were separated by the center console, where the automaker put the rotary knob that controlled the gearbox, a couple of cup holders, and a few buttons for drive modes. In addition, the Maverick was also available with an induction pad to charge mobile phones. In the back, the bench seat could be lifted to reveal a storage area and was wide enough to accommodate three passengers. The bed behind the cabin was 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) long, which was enough for most camping gear.

Under its skin, the 2022 Ford Maverick was available with a choice of two drivetrains. Base versions came fitted with a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine running in the Atkinson cycle. An electric motor helped produce a total of 190 hp (191 PS) that sent all the oomph to the front wheels only via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The other option was a two-liter EcoBoost engine that provided 250 hp (253 PS). It was mated with an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sent the power in all corners.