Truck beds used to be the least interesting aspect of the vehicle. The best part was when you got to ride in the back. Now, things are changing, and the bed might just be the most important part of all. So does the 2022 Ford Maverick have a truck bed that can keep up with the competition?

How big is the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed?

Given the fact that the Ford Maverick is a compact truck, it’s pretty obvious from the get-go that you’re not going to get a huge bed. In fact, it’s only 4.5 feet, according to MotorTrend. Still, that’s not bad. The Toyota Tacoma short bed is only 5-foot, so the Maverick isn’t too far behind. 

On the other hand, half a foot can mean the difference between hauling your new couch home on your own or calling a friend to see if you can borrow their truck. The whole point of a truck is to haul things, after all. Or it is for many people, anyway.

If you lay the tailgate flat, you get an extra half-foot, bringing it to six feet. This is enough to add in bikes or ATVs. Even so, if you’re looking for a truck for work purposes, the 2022 Ford Maverick may not be the best choice for you. The good news is that the short bed will make parking easier.

What features make the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed stand out?

Ford has definitely gotten into the tailgate wars, but the Maverick didn’t get many of these features. It’s able to open either halfway or lay flat. There are no cool functions like opening half the tailgate here. 

Still, Ford made sure to make the Maverick truck bed functional. The FlexBed is designed to accommodate both Ford accessories and DIY projects for those who want to show their creative side.  

There are eight standard tie-downs and cleats, built-in threaded holes, 12-anchor points, and slots stamped into the side of the bed. These are used to modify the Maverick to your own vision of greatness, such as creating extra storage, racks, or whatever your heart desires. 

Other features include a spray-in bed liner, bolt-in sliding tie-downs, a bed extender, an array of soft and rigid folding tonneau covers, and two 12-volt pre-wired power sources. The extra power sources can be used to add lights, air pumps, or anything else you need electricity to run. It may not do a bunch of fancy tricks, but it’s functional enough. 

Is the 2022 Ford Maverick truck bed just another pretty face, or is it useable?

The 2022 Ford Maverick isn’t built for hauling heavy loads, but it can certainly hold its own.

According to MotorTrend:

“The Maverick’s towing capacity varies depending on which powertrain you choose. Maverick hybrids and EcoBoosts can tow 2,000 pounds, which, as Ford helpfully points out, is about the weight of a pair of jet skis. Maverick EcoBoosts with the optional 4K Tow package (which includes a hitch with a seven-pin connector, a transmission oil cooler, an upgraded radiator and cooling fan, a shorter final drive ratio, and a trailer brake controller) can tow—you guessed it—up to 4,000 pounds, or the weight of an average 21-foot boat.”

If you’re looking for trunk space under the bed, it isn’t available on the 2022 Ford Maverick. There is enough space for a full-sized spare tire, but that’s about it. 

Compared to other compact trucks like the Honda Ridgeline, the Ford Maverick struggles to deliver in many areas. Still, for the price of $21,490, it’s hard to hold that against Ford.

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