The Ford Maverick has been popular since its very launch. Benna Ford is pleased to announce that Consumer Reports has given it suitable recognition in its 2024 Buying Guide, which names the Maverick as the “Best Small Truck” and the Maverick Hybrid as the “Best Fuel Efficient Truck.”
A Different Kind of Truck
The Maverick is definitely a different truck from Ford with its unibody construction and front-wheel drive architecture. But the reasoning is sound. Not every pickup owner needs to load a Bobcat skid-steer in the bed, tow a 30-foot Airstream, or forge its way through a long-neglected two-track. Many pickup truck owners just want something that can bring home a washing machine, treadmill, or chest of drawers. The fact is, the Maverick can handle most, if not all, of the hauling tasks of the average homeowner. And it can do it with a car-like ride and leave plenty of room around it in the garage.
Stretching the Miles Between Gas Stations
It can also do it quite efficiently. The standard Maverick with the Ecoboost 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, front-wheel drive, and 8-speed automatic has an EPA city/highway/combined MPG estimate of 23 / 30 / 26 with AWD figures of 22 / 29 / 25. The Maverick Hybrid, with its 2.5-liter engine, hybrid system, and CVT, is only available with front-wheel drive but delivers an impressive 42 city mpg along with 33 on the highway for a combined mpg of 37. For the sake of comparison, the rear-wheel drive Ranger gets a combined 22 mpg. At the same time, the Maverick can haul 1,500 pounds in the bed and up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Solid Bones
The earlier crossover reference is apt because the Maverick rides on the same platform as the Bronco Sport. This means it has the Bronco Sport’s front strut suspension with a trailing arm rear suspension on front-wheel drive models and a fully independent multi-link design on all-wheel-drive models, the latter offering better ground clearance and improved handling, particularly on bumpy curves.
While the Maverick dashboard is not filled with swoopy curves and exotic materials, it features a straightforward, functional design that is in keeping with the truck’s mission. High in the center is an 8-inch touchscreen that can display AppleCarPlay and Android Auto interfaces as well as its own. A rotary transmission selector on the center console is simple to use and stays out of the way of access to cupholders and the forward storage bin, which is just one of many storage spaces throughout the cabin. Of particular note are the large bins under the swing-up rear seat cushions for secure and hidden placement of tools, emergency items, and whatever else you want to have on hand at all times.
Flat Out Affordable
Not to be overlooked is the Maverick’s price. With the departure of the Focus, the Maverick takes over as the most affordable model in the Ford model lineup, with a starting MSRP of $23,815 and $25,315 for the Maverick Hybrid. For an entry-level vehicle, it checks off a lot of capability boxes. Visit Benna Ford and see what the Maverick is all about and why it may be the perfect new vehicle for your garage.
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