The Ford Maverick name dates back to the late 1960s, when it was sold as a rather forgettable compact coupe and sedan. After that, the name lived on as various SUVs in Australia, Europe, and China. That was until it was revived in the U.S. as a compact pickup truck in 2022, filling the void left when the Ford Ranger was put on hiatus in 2011—then reintroduced in 2019 as a larger midsize pickup.
While the Maverick lacks the capabilities of the larger Ranger and the full-size F-150, it could be a perfect fit for a broad section of truck buyers. In reality, most truck owners don't need stump-pulling torque, all-conquering off-road prowess, or a truck bed big enough to transport the contents of an entire apartment. There's a definite advantage to having a vehicle that’s just right for your needs, and if your tasks are on the smaller side and, perhaps, if you're in a more urban setting, the Ford Maverick could very well be the perfect fit.
Ford Maverick Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ford Maverick Pros and Cons
- Ford Maverick generations
- First generation (2022 - present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford Maverick years are the best?
The 2025 Ford Maverick received some notable upgrades that pushed it to the top of the list. Not only did was the styling updated, but it also gained a much larger infotainment touchscreen and wireless phone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On top of those upgrades, shoppers could also get the Ford Maverick hybrid model with all-wheel drive, while the more powerful EcoBoost engine was standard. Almost all of the previous safety recalls were addressed for the 2025 model year.
Which Ford Maverick years are the worst?
There haven't been any significant changes from year-to-year that would qualify one particular Maverick as the worst, but the introductory 2022 model year saw a rather alarming number of safety recalls (24, to be precise). That said, these recalls only applied to the turbocharged EcoBoost Maverick, and as long as a qualified Ford shop has addressed them, they shouldn't be problematic in future.
Is the Ford Maverick a good deal?
A new Maverick is a relative bargain. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing (MSRP) that starts in the low $30,000 range, you get a lot of utility and capabilities for the money. That makes it a serious rival to the only other contemporary compact pickup truck, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which can tow more but doesn't offer an integrated trailer brake controller. The Maverick also holds its value better than the Santa Cruz, which means you'll have to pay a little more for a used example, but that also means you'll reap the benefits when you sell it.
Ford Maverick Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable
- Fuel-efficient hybrid
- Small and easy to drive
Cons:
- Firm ride
- Budget truck interior
- Weak hybrid engine performance
Ford Maverick generations
First generation (2022 - present)
The Ford Maverick name was resurrected for the 2022 model year as one of the few compact trucks offered in the U.S. It used the Ford Escape compact SUV as a starting point, which is the same platform upon which the Bronco Sport is built. When it debuted, it supported the midsize Ranger, full-sized F-150, and all of its Super Duty siblings.
The Maverick was only available as a four-door crew-cab mated to a five-foot cargo bed. The standard powertrain was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid that produced 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. Fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it was initially front-wheel drive only (FWD), while an available 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost non-hybrid engine increased power output to 250hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option. The hybrid powertrain had a maximum towing capacity of only 1,500 pounds, while the turbo model was able to pull up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.
Not surprisingly, these two drivetrains delivered distinctly different driving experiences. The hybrid held definite appeal for those seeking fuel efficiency, but was a bit of a slouch when it came to acceleration and needed about 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. The turbocharged EcoBoost engine got there almost two seconds quicker and was noticeably better at hauling cargo and passengers.
At launch, there were three Maverick trim levels. The base Ford Maverick XL was akin to a basic work truck, with standard features such as steel wheels, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and a six-speaker sound system. It also came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Ford Maverick XLT trim added 17-inch aluminum wheels, a power-locking tailgate, cruise control, and smarter seat upholstery.
The Ford Maverick Lariat was the top trim, with a standard features list that included keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, a power-sliding rear window section, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an upgraded instrument panel, and USB charge ports for the rear passengers. On top of these features, shoppers could add on the Lariat Luxury package, which included a spray-in bedliner, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system with navigation, a B&O premium sound system, a wireless phone charger, household power outlets, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.
Other bundled options were available for all trim levels and included the 4K Towing package (pre-wired hitch receiver, integrated trailer brake controller, and improved engine cooling), the FX4 Off-Road package (all-terrain tires, front tow hooks, underbody skid plates, and hill descent control. For additional safety and driver assist features, the Ford Co-Pilot 360 package added a blind-spot monitor and lane-keep assist. It’s also worth noting that all Fords sold in the U.S. from 2020 have the Fordpass connectivity system, which allows owners to lock and unlock or start the car remotely, among other functions, and can also serve as a mobile wi-fi hotspot.
For the 2023 model year, the turbocharged XLT trim was eligible for a new Tremor Off-Road package. This gave the Maverick even more adventure credentials by enhancing the FX4 package with a higher-riding off-road suspension, an enhanced four-wheel drive system with a locking rear differential, Trail Control (low-speed cruise control for off-roading), a transmission cooler, a trailer hitch receiver, a full-size spare tire, and terrain-specific drive modes. The following year, the 2024 Ford Maverick flipped the script on its engine choices, making the turbocharged four-cylinder standard and offering the hybrid as an option. The Lariat trim also included the contents of the Lariat Luxury package as standard.
For 2025, a new Ford Maverick Lobo trim joined the lineup as a sporty street-focused alternative. It had a lowered sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, sport brakes and steering, and unique interior and exterior styling. It also switched to a seven-speed transmission, a re-tuned all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring, and included the Co-Pilot 360 package. All Maverick models also benefited from a slight styling refresh, a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen running the new Sync 4 system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim also gained a 360-degree camera system, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking proximity sensors. All-wheel drive was made standard for the turbocharged engine, and was finally offered as an option on the hybrid that year.
By the EPA's estimates, the hybrid-powered Maverick was rated at an impressive 42 mpg city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg in combined driving. The non-hybrid 2.0l EcoBoost motor was estimated at 23/30 mpg city/highway and 26 mpg combined for the front-drive layout. All-wheel drive dropped those figures slightly to 22/29 mpg city/highway and 25 mpg combined. The Maverick Tremor package further reduced fuel economy to 21 mpg combined.
These specs were revised slightly for 2025, with the front-drive hybrid coming in at 38 mpg combined and its new all-wheel drive variant at 37 mpg combined. The EcoBoost was adjusted to 25 mpg combined, the Tremor increased to 23 mpg combined, and the new Lobo was estimated at 24 mpg combined.
Crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) resulted in four out of five stars for overall and rollover protection, and five stars in frontal and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Maverick its second-lowest score of "Marginal" in frontal moderate overlap tests and its highest score of "Good" in side crash tests.
Initially, the Ford Maverick was beset by numerous safety recalls, though it's important to note that many of these were exclusive to the EcoBoost models. These included engine fires, loss of power, instrument panel lighting, unintended brake light activation or failure, turn signal failures, trailer brakes, engine software issues, rearview camera glitches, side curtain airbags, rear seat belts, and possible fuel tank damage—rather a lot to look out for during a test drive. Later years also added recalls for windshield wipers, tire construction problems, and child seat anchors, but for the most part, the recalls were addressed for the 2025 model year.
Despite these early hiccups, the Ford Maverick has held its value extraordinarily well. As long as a qualified dealership maintenance department has addressed the above recalls, it would be easy to recommend one as a pre-owned purchase.
