No vehicle category adheres to the bigger is better ethos than pickup trucks. Today’s euphemistically described “full-size” trucks have become towering steroid machines. Along with its development, the next-tier-down mid-size pickup has also grown larger, leaving a void at the bottom of the market. For a long time, however, the conventional wisdom was that buyers wouldn’t be attracted to a small pickup.
Ford, with its F-series, has certainly embraced the advantages that have spurred ever-bigger pickups. But the company determined there was indeed a case for an actual compact truck. And of course, when Maverick came along, the buying public went completely nuts about it. The production first year sold out in a matter of months, and when the order window for the 2023 model opened at the end of last summer, buyers were back stamping and cleaning it in just over a week.
We understand the enthusiasm.
The Maverick may have unibody construction, but with a payload capacity of up to 1,500 pounds, it’s not just a truck name. And while this Ford can’t tow a jet plane, its 250-hp turbo 2.0-liter 4000-pound maximum rating means it can handle real-life tasks like hauling a small snowmobile trailer or a pair of personal watercraft. At the same time, the standard front-wheel drive hybrid powertrain pulls in just 2,000 pounds but returns a stunning 42 mpg in the city, according to the EPA. The optional turbo four is much more frugal, but powerful enough to send the all-wheel-drive Maverick to 60 mph in a quick 5.9 seconds.
Maverick isn’t just about the economy. It’s about livability. The taxi does not require a big incline to enter. Loading his bed doesn’t mean lifting heavy cargo four feet off the ground. And line of sight allows you to really see what’s in front of the truck. Easy to own, easy to use, and easy to use, Maverick proves that when done right, a pretty truck can be just right.
