2022 Ford Maverick review highlights: 

• 2022 Ford Maverick ($19,995 – $27,335) 
• 2022 North American Truck of the Year
• Pros: Affordable starting price, excellent hybrid fuel economy, stout towing power. 
• Cons: The hybrid powertrain can’t be paired with AWD, firm ride, limited passenger space. 
• MotorBiscuit rating: 8.5

Remember the 1970s compact car? The Ford Maverick moniker was taken from that Ford Mustang alternative and slapped onto a brand new pickup truck. As a result, the 2022 Ford Maverick is wildly popular, while the discontinued car could be forgotten. 

The new Maverick is a compact truck that slots below the mid-sized Ford Ranger in the lineup. It’s based on the Ford Escape, which also provides the architecture for the Ford Bronco Sport. It has a unibody construction that sets it apart from the classic Ford F-150’s body-on-frame construction. 

It costs less than more prominent alternatives, but still provides the versatility and capability of a pickup truck, making it a great deal if you don’t need the power of a midsize truck. Thanks to its nimble size, the Maverick is agile and easy to maneuver in tight city areas. However, country roads and light off-roading trails don’t pose a challenge. 

MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Ford Maverick an expert rating of 8.5 out of 10 

If you want an affordable truck without the hassle of a larger option, then the 2022 Ford Maverick is the perfect option. It looks like a truck and handles like a truck while still being sporty and engaging. The Maverick is agile and easy to park. 

While it doesn’t have the smoothest ride or quietest interior, it provides plenty of utility to get the job done. It can even be equipped with all-wheel drive to handle slippery conditions, and the bed incorporates unique storage solutions. 

The Maverick could offer a bit more tech and luxury, but the interior is well-crafted without feeling cheap, and the seats are incredibly comfortable. The layout is simple, and the features are intuitive.  

How does the Ford Maverick perform? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick is available with two engines. The standard option is a hybrid powertrain. It comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s paired with an electric motor to generate 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. This option can’t be paired with AWD and can tow up to 2,000 lbs. 

You can upgrade to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Maverick can tow up to 4,000 lbs. Both options can carry a payload of up to 1,500 lbs which is on par with midsize trucks. 

Both powertrain options are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. According to Edmunds, with the 2.0-liter engine, the Maverick can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.4 seconds. 

The acceleration feels fast and sporty, thanks to smooth transmission shifts. However, it can feel a bit slow to downshift. The steering is a bit heavy but is very responsive, like a traditional truck. The Maverick corners well and has confident brakes. 

There is limited body roll around curves, and the Ford Maverick feels stable and well-planted. However, the stiff suspension can cause the truck to rattle over impacts in the road. It has an 8.3-inch ground clearance, which is decent for off-roading. 

The Maverick comes with five driving modes, including Normal, Tow haul, Slippery, Eco, and Sport. The Sport mode is definitely the most engaging with the fastest acceleration, and the slippery mode was very confident in a light sleet storm. With the FX4 package, you get Sand, Mud, and Ruts modes. 

How comfortable is the Ford Maverick? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick has supportive seats that provide plenty of comfort for longer drives. We tested a Lariat model with simulated leather upholstery. The power controls offer tons of adjustment controls to find the perfect driving position. However, taller folks may want a bit more knee room. 

Bumps in the road and larger imperfections give the Maverick a choppy feeling, but you don’t bounce in the seats. There is noticeable wind noise at higher speeds. Also, at lower speeds, you can hear the turbo engine wheeze. It sounds better while accelerating, though. 

The backseat is a little tight, but the seats are still comfortable and well padded. There is space for two average-sized adults. But the rear seat has an upright angle, and taller passengers may need more legroom. 

With dual-zone climate control, you and your passenger can select your optimal temperature settings. The heated seats and steering wheel work quickly and effectively on cold mornings, and the AC has no problem keeping everyone cool. 

What is the Maverick’s fuel economy? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and up to 33 mpg on the highway. 

With the nonhybrid, you get an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and up to 29 mpg on the highway. Adding AWD reduces these figures to 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg in the city. With the Lariat, we were getting about 19.6 mpg on curvy mountain roads, flat country land, and busy downtown areas. 

Does the 2022 Ford Maverick have a nice interior? 

The Ford Maverick’s interior is well-planned with a simple layout. Everything you need is clearly labeled and easily within reach. Base models aren’t exactly plush. Also, while the Maverick does use hard plastics in the interior, it doesn’t feel cheap. 

The plastics are textured with a sense of durability. Also, contrasting colors make the interior pop. It feels good to the touch and should be easy to clean. Moving up in trim levels provides access to heated seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and adjustable lumbar support. 

Plus, the Maverick has large, boxy windows that provide excellent visibility. You can clearly see in every direction. The optional sunroof provides even more natural light. The side mirrors are a little small, but blind-spot monitoring helps with that. 

How is the tech in the Ford Maverick? 

The tech in the 2022 Ford Maverick is both impressive and a little lacking. We hoped for a little more advanced features, like a 360-degree or forward-facing camera. But the standard features provide plenty of value. 

An 8-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot come standard across all trim levels. The infotainment system looks great, is easy to use, and works quickly. You can adjust the truck’s settings in a matter of seconds. 

You can opt for a wireless phone charging pad and an upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio system. The digital gauge cluster is the exact same as the unit in the Ford Escape. It’s easy to personalize to display crucial information. 

Does the 2022 Ford Maverick have enough storage space? 

The 2022 Ford Maverick has limited space for larger items inside the cab. The load floor isn’t flat when you flip up the rear seat. However, there are plenty of storage cubbies and bins for smaller items, including deep pockets in the doors for large water bottles. Also, the center console could be deeper. 

The Maverick has a four-foot six-inch cargo bed with a measured box volume of 26.9 cubic feet. The bed can hold up to 18 sheets of 4×8-foot three-quarter-inch plywood sheets without the need to load them at an angle. 

With the Flexbed, you get storage cubbies, a 12-volt powerpoint, a 110-volt outlet, eight tie-downs, LED lights, four threaded bed holes, and a tailgate bottle opener. 

How safe is the 2022 Ford Maverick? 

Unfortunately, the 2022 Ford Maverick hasn’t been officially rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). We will update this section once safety ratings are released. 

The Maverick has had two recalls. One was for improperly attached rear seat belts, and the other was for fuel tank damage. Both of these problems have been corrected at no cost to owners. 

The only standard safety feature is automated emergency braking, but you can opt for lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot warning. 

Is the Ford Maverick reliable? 

Consumer Reports gave the 2022 Ford Maverick a predicted reliability rating of three out of five. This score is average. However, it’s a little early to tell how well the Maverick will hold up. This predicted reliability score is based on how well previous models of the Ford Escape performed. 

It costs about $600 to maintain the Ford Escape annually. This figure might be similar to the Ford Maverick. Also, the average yearly cost to maintain vehicles is about $652. Repair and maintenance costs may vary based on mileage, condition, age, location, and shop. 

What’s the best 2022 Ford Maverick trim level? 

While the XL trim will help you keep the prices down, it’s a bit sparse with a lack of creature comforts. It makes for an excellent work truck, though. The XLT adds convenience features such as cruise control and a power lock for the tailgate. 

We recommend upgrading to the 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine for $1,085, so you can add all-wheel drive for $3,305. Also, you will need the $745 Tow package to achieve the Maverick’s maximum towing capacity of 4,000 lbs. 

The 2022 Ford Maverick has three trim levels to consider: 

Maverick XL (19,995) 

The XL is the base model and includes: 

• LED Headlights 
• 17-inch steel wheels 
• Power windows 
• Air conditioning 
• Rear under-seat storage 
• 8-inch touchscreen 
• Forward collision mitigation 

Maverick XLT ($22,360)

Upgrading to the Maverick XLT adds: 

• Alloy wheels 
• Upgraded upholstery 
• Rear center armrest
• Power-locking tailgate 

Maverick Lariat ($25,860) 

The top-of-line Lariat trim builds upon the XLT with: 

• Simulated leather upholstery 
• Two rear-seat USB ports 
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat 
• Power-sliding rear window 
• Rear-seat map pockets
• Proximity keyless entry with push-button start 
• Upgraded driver information display 

You can upgrade the Ford Maverick with optional packages:  

Lariat Luxury Package 

• Heated seats 
• Heated steering wheel 
• Wireless phone charging pad 
• Ford Sync 3 
• Two 120-volt outlets 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Evasive steering assist 

4K towing package 

• Trailer hitch receiver with seven-pin trailer wiring harness connector 
• Upgraded powertrain cooling 

FX4 Off-Road package (only available with AWD) 

• All-terrain tires 
• Front tow hooks 
• Hill descent control 
• Skid plates 

Ford Co-Pilot360 package 

• Blind-spot monitoring 
• Lane-keeping assistance