2022 FORD MAVERICK TEST DRIVE

2022 FORD MAVERICK TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES

2022 is shaping up to be the year of Maverick.  Top Gun 2 is finally hitting theaters this spring and America’s truck leader is delivering to us an affordable, legitimately smaller version of what they do best. 

It’s front-wheel drive, fits in your garage and gets 26mpg.  Consider it the Pete Mitchell of small pickups; pushing the limits of how a truck is defined.      

 

 

 

It wasn’t long ago that small trucks were dropping like flies as the bigger is better philosophy led to half-ton madness.  But driving around an F-150 on a daily basis can get old – and expensive – pretty fast if you’re using it as a car replacement. 

 

 

 

Even the Ranger may be more truck than you need.  So in comes the Maverick with its 4.5’ bed, car-like ride and a starting MSRP of $21,490.  A 42mpg highway hybrid powertrain and 2-wheel drive are standard but the truck you’re looking at here has the gas-only 2.0-liter turbo and checks in at $35,320. 

 

 

That’s because this is the highest level Lariat trim with the Luxury Package.  Alto Blue is an upcharge color, the black wheels are optional and the hard tri-fold tonneau cover is the most expensive one Ford offers. 

 

 

 

So while the base model is a best buy for the shopper interested in say a second vehicle for weekend errands this one with all of the creature comforts and driver assistance features is designed to be your only vehicle and driven every day.  With the 2.0 you can opt for all-wheel drive but not with the hybrid. 

 

 

Still, I’m front-wheeling it this week and letting the Slippery drive mode help with the snow and ice conditions.  You would likely never find this particular build here in the Northeast but you could throw some winter tires on it for a bit more traction.  So what can it do?  Well, it can tow 2,000 pounds, handle 1,500 pounds of payload and carry up to 5 in a SuperCrew bodystyle with adult-friendly rear seats.  If this was optioned with all-wheel drive the FX4 Off-Road Package and 4K pound Towing Package could be added.    

Ford sells all kinds of bed accessories for this 4.5’ box but what they play up is the ability to do it yourself.  Just like in the Santa Cruz there are slots for 2X4s and 2X6s to create your own spaces and 12 volt hookups they say can be used to create your own lighting setup.  And the sides are low so reaching over to grab what you need is pretty easy.         

 

 

The 110 volt outlet accepts devices that use a household plug…just don’t overload it with stuff like electric saws.  And then the 2 12-volt Auxiliary power access points on each side of the bed allow for customized aftermarket ideas such as your own bed lighting solutions. 

 

 

The spray-in bedliner, LED box lighting and bed tie downs and locking brackets are all part of the Luxury Package.  The tailgate can also be positioned in a partially open mode, helpful for transporting longer items.  And Ford has placed these QR codes here and there to give you more ideas and truck hacks you can do yourself.  There’s also a power tailgate lock and a power sliding rear window.         

 

 

Along with Range Rovers and Wranglers ½-ton pickups are the most overbought vehicles on the market with most people paying for and dragging around capabilities they’ll never need nor use.  So a truck like the Maverick makes a ton of sense if you’re not working a job site or towing a huge trailer. 

 

 

And with the 2.0-liter turbo it’s a beautiful drive – not at all trucky, plenty of power, friendly gas mileage – it drives like an Escape with a smooth powertrain and soft, controlled ride.  And with the FLEXBED and 1,500 pounds payload, you can make a lot of stuff fit.  

 

 

If you feel the need, the need for speed 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque give Maverick lots of gumption and there are a number of drive modes including Sport that keeps the 8-speed from upshifting too early. 

 

 

 

And even though the AWD Maverick receives the more sophisticated rear suspension, this twistbeam setup neither hinders the car-like ride quality nor its surprisingly deft handling traits.  I’d say it’s probably a notch down from the Hyundai Santa Cruz in terms of the ultimate small truck ride but still, this is really an excellent setup; a joy to drive any day. 

 

 

With the auto engine start/stop feature, gas mileage on regular is 23mpg city/30 mpg highway with a 429 mile range.          

 

 

 

Ford says the interior was designed “with function, purpose and ease of cleaning in mind” but I just don’t love the look and feel of these materials…and it’s not only in the Maverick but other Fords too where they come across as a little cheap and look weathered even when new.  That being said, this is a comfortable, relatively quiet and feature-laden cabin that retains its truck personality…I like that.  Though some feel gratuitous like this small one next to the screen – I mean what are you going to put there that would actually stay – there are lots of little storage cubbies and deep door pockets where you can put all of your stuff.  There are 2 really deep ones under the rear seats, as well. 

The driver display screen is modern with cool animations, and the SYNC 3 system is basically here as a mirror for your cable-connected smartphone and for radio operations.  There is an 8-speaker B&O sound system though and it sounds pretty sweet.  A wireless charger resides down here just wishing this was SYNC 4 with wireless phone projection.

 

 

And with Co-Pilot 360 there’s adaptive cruise with stop and go, lane centering and auto high beams so even the driver assistance features are robust.  Dual zone climate control, heated seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and hey, even a height adjustable passenger seat are here. 

 

 

And by the way, this Desert Brown color is the only choice if you opt for the vinyl seats.  

 

 

 

So if your ego is writing checks your budget can’t cash, maybe it’s time for a small truck.  And if so the Maverick is exceptionally well done.    

 

2022 FORD MAVERICK TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES  | TESTDRIVENOW 2022(c)