In North America, Ford is mostly about pickup trucks. The legendary F-150 rules the market, while the Ranger is improving its sales numbers constantly. The whole segment is growing, so it’s no wonder that the blue oval company has brought another model, called the 2022 Ford Maverick. This one is smaller than Ranger and it will represent the company in the newly formed segment of compact pickups. The main competition is the new Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Compared to most trucks on the market, the 2022 Ford Maverick features a little bit different layout. This is a car-based pickup, which rides on a unibody platform. More precisely, most of the parts will be shared with the new Bronco Sport, in terms of the chassis, engines etc. Of course, the body style will come in a typical pickup layout and from what we know so far, the only version on the offer will be a double cab model.
The 2022 Ford Maverick is available in most markets across North America.
2022 Ford Maverick Design
When it comes to the overall design, the first thing that comes to mind is the overall layout. Unlike most pickups on the market that ride on a body-on-frame platform, this model rides on a unibody chassis. With such a layout, it offers a couple of notable advantages over classic BoF design. The most notable difference is in terms of ride quality. Thanks to a more refined setup, the comfort is on a higher, crossover-like level, while the handling is more precise and there is less body roll.
Of course, there are a few drawbacks as well. A unibody platform isn’t as rigid as fully framed, which means lower capabilities in terms of towing and hauling. From what we know so far, the max towing capacity, in this case, will go up to 4.000 pounds. The future rival, Hyundai Santa Cruz is better in this aspect, with the max towing capacity of around 5.000 pounds. For comparison, BoF trucks like Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado can tow over 7.500 pounds.
Exterior
In terms of the exterior design, the 2022 Ford Maverick will be a compact pickup, with around 121 inches in wheelbase. For comparison, the Ranger is good for about 127 inches. Also, we know for sure that the only layout in the offer will be a double cab model with a 4.5-foot bed.
The styling has been presented and it shows a classic pickup profile. However, the front end is a little bit different compared to the F-150 and Ranger. The headlights and grille look similar to the new Bronco Sport, but there are a few exclusive styling details as well.
Interior
The interior is mostly about functionality. Most of the dashboard looks conventional. There aren’t many flashy details and that’s particularly notable on the center console, which features a classic look, combined with physical controls. The upper section brings a nice 8-inch infotainment screen, while the instrument cluster combines analog and digital elements.
The 2022 Ford Maverick will come exclusively in double cab layout, with a 4.5-foot bed. The cabin features four doors and two rows of seats that accommodate four adults with ease. Also, you may count on a decent amount of standard and available equipment. Base models come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot, automatic emergency braking etc. Of course, there is much more in higher trim levels. There, you can find goodies like wireless charging, upgraded audio system and satellite radio, as well as safety features like lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control.
2022 Ford Maverick Engines
The 2022 Ford Maverick will come in two variants when it comes to the powertrain. Base models will come with a hybrid powertrain. The system combines a 2.5-liter inline-four engine with an electric motor, for a total output of 191 horsepower. The system is paired with a CVT gearbox, which sends power to the front wheels.
For those who are looking for something peppier, as well as for an AWD layout, there is an optional 2.0-liter turbo-four, which puts out around 250 horsepower. Also, this engine comes in pair with 8-speed automatic transmission.
When it comes to fuel economy, we expect that the turbo-four will be good for about 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. On the other hand, the company claims 37 mpg combined for the hybrid model.
2022 Ford Maverick Release Release Date and Price
At the time of writing, the 2022 Ford Maverick is already available in some parts of the country. The rest should get it in the following weeks. Base models will cost around 20.000 dollars.