2022 Ford Maverick Debuts With Standard Hybrid Tech, Sub-$26K Price

by Guillaume Rivard June 8, 2021

Ford is going back to making small, affordable pickups. Roughly 28 centimetres shorter than the latest Ranger, the all-new 2022 Maverick will go on sale this fall and you can order one starting today.

With the Hyundai Santa Cruz as its lone direct competitor, the Maverick stands out with a standard hybrid powertrain and a base price of just $25,900.

Hybrid or EcoBoost

Reviving a name that was previously used for a compact car in the 1970s, the Maverick is “a truck for people who didn’t really know they needed a truck.” It will be manufactured at the same Mexican plant as the Bronco Sport SUV.

The Maverick comes as a standard five-passenger, four-door pickup with a full-hybrid powertrain. It combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. This is sent to the front wheels only via a continuously variable transmission. No AWD is available here, but Ford is quick to point out the 5.9 L/100 km city rating—better than subcompact cars. Payload and towing capacities amount to 1,500 pounds and 2,000 pounds, respectively.

For those who want more power and capability, the Maverick offers a turbocharged 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine producing 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Equipped with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds.

XL and XLT models can be had with either powertrain, while the top-line Lariat is exclusively offered with the EcoBoost-AWD combo. Let’s not forget the available FX4 package, which adds all-terrain tires and suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, off-road-focused drive modes like Mud/Rut and Sand, as well as Hill Descent Control.

Big on Utility and DIY Craft

Featuring a unibody construction, the boxy Ford Maverick won’t win any design awards like the aforementioned Santa Cruz might. Rather, it is styled like the popular F-150, though designers made sure to give it a distinctive front look. For 2022 only, there will be a Maverick First Edition model with unique graphics on the hood and lower doors, soft tonneau cover, and high-gloss black-painted roof, mirror caps and 17-inch wheels.

By the way, a single configuration with a 4.5-foot cargo bed is offered. The latter is called “FLEXBED,” and it allows customers to create segmented storage, elevated floors, bike and 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 accessories, racks or other equipment. Need inspiration? Just scan the QR code in the bed for ideas and tips to get started.

Two interesting things we like: in addition to the 110V power outlet, there’s standard built-in 12V electrical power prewired to a removable cover on either side of the back of the bed to support DIY electrical projects. What’s more, the multi-position tailgate has a halfway-open position—just unclip the support cables and hook them onto the latch pins so the tailgate lip and wheelhouses can support up to 18 sheets of 4’x8’ plywood without needing to angle the panels. When fully down, the tailgate is rated to hold 500 pounds, and cargo height is just over 30 inches.

Small Yet Spacious

Inside, the 2022 Ford Maverick is almost as spacious as the Ranger. The cabin was designed with functionality and ease of cleaning in mind, but you’ll find many cool touches such as reground carbon fibre, a stone-like finish on the dash panel, unique door handles and pops of colour throughout. Designers paid special attention to storage solutions in the doors and centre console, not to mention the large storage bin available under the rear seats.

When it comes to technology, the eight-inch centre touchscreen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, while standard FordPass Connect with embedded modem provides Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. Also, FordPass services allow remote control and monitoring of certain vehicle functions.

Finally, safety is covered by Ford Co-Pilot360, which 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.

Here are pricing details for the 2022 Ford Maverick:

Maverick XL Hybrid	$25,900
Maverick XL EcoBoost 2.0L	$28,400
Maverick XLT Hybrid	$28,500
Maverick XLT EcoBoost 2.0L	$31,000
Maverick Lariat EcoBoost 2.0L	$34,450

Watch: Everything You Need to Know About the 2022 Ford Maverick

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