The 2023 Ford Maverick is one of Ford’s latest models competing in the growing and competitive compact pickup truck segment. The Maverick has an affordable price tag that starts at about $24,000, offering a lot of capability for its price. However, the 2023 Ford Maverick isn’t perfect. Here’s a look at three reasons to buy one and three reasons to pass.

1. The 2023 Ford Maverick is an affordable pickup truck

TrueCar wrote that not only is the Maverick an affordable truck, but its price tag is also a big reason for its success. Its starting price tag of $24,000 is cheap enough to compete with sedans. Despite that price tag, every Maverick has a crew cab and a 4.5-foot-long bed. That’s a short bed by truck standards, but it’s large enough to carry around sheets of plywood. 

2. It’s a very fuel-efficient truck

On top of that, Ford gave the compact truck a unique starting powertrain. Most trucks start with a small gas-powered engine, but the Maverick starts with a hybrid powertrain that features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that works with an electric motor to get 191 hp combined. The truck’s hybrid powertrain is very fuel efficient, as it gets 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on highways, for 38 mpg combined.

The Detroit-based automaker also offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder option. It gets 250 hp, but its fuel economy drops significantly since it’s not a hybrid. Despite that, the optional engine gets 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on highways, for 26 mpg combined. That’s still a great fuel economy compared to other pickup trucks.

3. Drivers will have an easy time parking the 2023 Ford Maverick in urban settings

Since the Maverick is a compact pickup truck, its physical dimensions are also smaller. It’s just over 16 feet 8 inches in length and around 6 feet wide. It’s also not very tall, standing about 5 feet 8 inches. This small size allows drivers to easily maneuver or park the truck in the city, especially compared to the Maverick’s larger peers. 

1. The 2023 Ford Maverick doesn’t have a good ride quality

The truck isn’t perfect, though, and one of its main issues has to do with its ride quality. TrueCar described it as having a “firm ride.” Additionally, the truck’s ride quality really suffered when the truck was only carrying the driver.

2. The standard version won’t come with many features

Like many other base models, the Maverick’s standard version is very bare bones besides its hybrid powertrain. It does have a few features, like an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard. It also has modern amenities, such as in-car WiFi, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, as well as a few smart safety features.

However, the seats have cloth upholstery, and the driver seat isn’t powered at all. As a result, despite the fact that the Maverick has a roomy interior, it “feels downright cheap”, according to TrueCar. Ford does offer more features and amenities with the truck’s higher trims, however. 

3. Ford doesn’t offer all-wheel drive on all models

One feature that the American automaker offers on the truck is all-wheel drive, but unfortunately, it’s not offered on every version of the truck. In order to get all-wheel drive, car shoppers have to opt for the optional 2.0-liter engine. This means that drivers will have to make a tough decision about getting an all-wheel drive for their Maverick or getting a very fuel-efficient truck.