The pickup truck market is often dominated by the mantra of “bigger is better.” Full-size trucks with immense proportions, powerful engines, and impressive towing capacities are kings of the road. However, the 2024 Ford Maverick offers a refreshing alternative. This compact, affordable, and fuel-efficient light-duty pickup has captivated buyers since its debut two years ago. Despite initial affordability, the Maverick’s price has seen increases, and the previously standard hybrid powertrain now comes at an extra cost. We recently spent a week test-driving the 2024 Maverick to determine if it remains a compelling option despite the shifting market and price adjustments.
2024 Ford Maverick Lariat ・ Photo by Brady Holt
Unpretentious and Functional Design
While many pickups boast aggressive and imposing designs, the Ford Maverick takes a different approach. Its design language is intentionally understated, prioritizing functionality over ostentation. The Maverick features a boxy silhouette with softened edges, rounded rectangular headlights, and a grille that blends seamlessly with the front fascia. Wheel options range from 17 to 18 inches, and while appearance packages offer blacked-out elements for a bolder look, the overall design remains clean and simple.
This unassuming aesthetic is arguably one of the Maverick’s strengths. It projects an image of practicality and utility, appealing to buyers who value function over flashy design in a pickup. Sharing its front-wheel-drive-based platform with Ford’s compact SUVs like the Escape and Bronco Sport, the Maverick forgoes the traditional separation between cab and bed found in body-on-frame trucks. Its compact dimensions are immediately noticeable. At 200 inches in length, 73 inches in width, and 69 inches in height, it’s significantly smaller than the mid-size Ford Ranger, being 11 inches shorter, 6 inches narrower, and 5 inches lower.
Simple Yet Practical Interior
The Maverick’s interior mirrors its exterior’s straightforward and functional design ethos. It avoids both excessive technological complexity and rugged, macho styling. Hard plastics are prevalent throughout the cabin, and exposed screws are visible in some trim pieces. However, this design choice contributes to a sense of purposeful utility rather than cheapness. Our Lariat trim test vehicle featured Desert Brown leatherette upholstery, which felt durable and comfortable without being overly luxurious. A minor ergonomic issue was the slightly small interior door handles which could be improved with a more substantial design for easier grip.
In terms of technology, Ford strikes a good balance, catering to both tech-savvy and tech-averse drivers. An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is present, but its interface is user-friendly and intuitive. Crucially, physical buttons and knobs are retained for essential functions, ensuring ease of use. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration provide seamless smartphone connectivity. While rumors suggest a larger screen might be introduced in the 2025 model, the current system is more than adequate for most users.
Surprisingly Spacious Cabin
Despite its smaller footprint compared to the Ford Ranger, the Maverick’s cabin is remarkably space-efficient. Its car-based unibody construction and light-duty suspension contribute to maximizing interior space for occupants.
While not cavernous, the Maverick offers comparable interior room to the Ford Bronco Sport. Front passengers enjoy ample space, and rear legroom is adequate for adults, though it might feel a bit tight for taller individuals on longer journeys. The center console is moderately sized, and wider occupants might experience slight elbow contact when sharing the armrest. However, considering its compact dimensions, the Maverick’s interior space is impressive and practically on par with the larger Ranger. Clever storage solutions, such as under-seat bins beneath the rear seat cushions and the ability to flip up the rear seats, enhance its versatility for carrying cargo inside the cabin.
Car-Like Driving Dynamics
One of the key advantages of the Maverick’s car-based platform is its refined driving experience. Its handling is surprisingly agile, rivaling that of some small sedans. The steering is firm, direct, and responsive, providing good feedback to the driver. The well-tuned suspension delivers a composed ride, effectively balancing comfort and control in both straight-line driving and cornering. The Maverick’s ride quality is firm but not harsh, making it a comfortable and enjoyable daily driver, a departure from the sometimes bouncy ride of traditional body-on-frame trucks. It feels planted, responsive, and even spirited to drive.
Under the hood, the 2024 Maverick offers two four-cylinder engine options. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is now standard, producing 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides ample power, comparable to some larger mid-size pickups. Acceleration is brisk, though the eight-speed automatic transmission can occasionally exhibit minor hesitation. The optional powertrain is a 2.5-liter non-turbo gas-electric hybrid, generating a combined 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain is smoother but can be noisier under load and is not as quick as the turbo. However, it remains competitive within the compact pickup segment. It’s important to note that the hybrid is exclusively front-wheel drive, while the turbo engine offers a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Excellent Fuel Economy for a Pickup
Fuel efficiency is a major highlight for the Maverick, particularly with the optional hybrid powertrain. The EPA estimates for the hybrid are impressive: 42 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. This fuel economy surpasses any other pickup truck without requiring a plug-in. Even the standard turbocharged engine delivers respectable fuel economy for a pickup: 23 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive versions see a slight decrease of 1 mpg in combined mileage on most trims. The off-road-oriented Tremor trim, with its all-terrain tires and lifted suspension, achieves a still-respectable 21 mpg combined. In real-world testing, we observed fuel economy figures consistent with EPA estimates for both the AWD turbo (25 mpg) and the hybrid (38 mpg).
While the hybrid powertrain offers superior city fuel economy, it now carries a price premium of $1,500 over the turbo engine. Furthermore, it produces less power and is not available with all-wheel drive. For drivers primarily on highways, the fuel economy advantage of the hybrid might be less pronounced. However, for those frequently driving in stop-and-go traffic, idling, or at lower speeds, the hybrid powertrain’s fuel savings become significantly more compelling.
Light-Duty Truck Capabilities
The Maverick’s compact size and car-based design, while beneficial in many aspects, do come with limitations in terms of traditional truck capabilities.
Firstly, all Maverick models feature a 4.5-foot bed, shorter than the 5-foot beds found in the Ranger and most mid-size trucks. While the payload capacity is a respectable 1,500 pounds, the towing capacity is relatively low for a pickup. The hybrid powertrain is rated for 2,000 pounds of towing, while the turbo engine can tow up to 4,000 pounds when equipped with the optional towing package. Off-roading prowess is also limited compared to more rugged trucks like the Ranger. The Maverick’s all-wheel-drive system is primarily designed for enhanced traction in adverse weather conditions like snow or mud, rather than tackling challenging off-road trails. Notably, all-wheel drive is not offered at all on the hybrid model.
Pricing and Trim Levels
Despite price increases since its initial launch, the 2024 Ford Maverick still represents good value, especially when compared to larger trucks. The base price of the Maverick remains significantly lower than the Ford Ranger and Ford F-150.
The Maverick is available in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL trim, starting at $23,815, is functional with steel wheels but includes essential features like cloth upholstery, cruise control, power windows and locks, an 8-inch infotainment screen, a six-speaker stereo, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The XLT trim, priced from $26,315, adds alloy wheels, a power-locking tailgate, upgraded cloth upholstery, and opens up options like the FX4 and Tremor off-road packages, power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a moonroof. The top-tier Lariat trim, as tested, starts at $34,855 and includes leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, larger 18-inch wheels, and standard all-wheel drive (which is a $2,200 option on lower trims). Our Lariat test vehicle, with options including the towing package and destination charge, totaled $37,330. While not the ultra-budget price of the initial launch, it remains competitively priced, especially considering the rapidly increasing prices of even base model full-size trucks.
Competition and Alternatives
The Ford Maverick faces direct competition from the Hyundai Santa Cruz in the compact pickup segment. The Santa Cruz boasts a more distinctive styling, a larger touchscreen, and a broader range of available luxury features. However, it typically carries a higher price tag, and its base engine is less powerful and less fuel-efficient than the Maverick’s standard turbo engine. While a turbocharged engine option in the Santa Cruz matches the Maverick’s power, it still falls behind in fuel economy. The Honda Ridgeline is another car-based pickup, but it’s larger, more comfortable, and more expensive, positioning it as an alternative to mid-size or even full-size trucks rather than a direct competitor to the Maverick in the compact segment.
Alternatively, buyers might consider crossover SUVs. Crossovers offer enclosed cargo areas and often provide similar passenger space. However, the Maverick offers a pickup bed for open-bed utility and boasts more power at a comparable or lower starting price than many compact crossovers.
Verdict: A Smart and Versatile Compact Pickup
The 2024 Ford Maverick continues to justify its popularity and high demand. It delivers a unique blend of simplicity, practicality, and value in a pickup market increasingly dominated by large, expensive, and complex trucks. Even with recent price increases, the Maverick remains an appealing option due to its fuel efficiency, capable standard engine, and car-like driving dynamics.
While it might not be the ideal workhorse for heavy-duty tasks or hardcore off-roading, the Maverick excels as a versatile and affordable pickup for everyday needs. Whether you need to haul landscaping supplies, gear for weekend adventures, or simply appreciate the utility of a truck bed without the bulk of a larger vehicle, the 2024 Ford Maverick delivers. It’s a smart choice for buyers seeking an affordable, fuel-efficient, and easy-to-drive pickup that doesn’t compromise on essential functionality.
