The success of the Ford Maverick has proven that not everyone wants a big truck to handle their daily life. As the Blue Oval’s compact pickup, the Maverick has actually been so popular that buying one feels nearly impossible. Once the 2023 Maverick became available, it was like order books closed immediately. And now, this small truck is likely to gain some more attention; it is named as one of Consumer Reports’ top picks. 

How good is the 2023 Ford Maverick?

In terms of being a truck, the Maverick does quite a good job. It can tow up to 4,000 pounds, offers some off-road capability in form of the Ford Maverick Tremor, and it’s actually affordable. For less than $25k, you can get a compact pickup from one of the most popular truck manufacturers. 

Even with some serious competition, the Maverick managed to earn praise from Consumer Reports, getting named in the 10 Top Picks of 2023. According to the Detroit Free Press, it was actually the only truck from the Detroit Three to make the list. So that is a pretty impressive feat for a unibody pickup truck. 

You can’t buy a 2023 Maverick

If you’re interested in experiencing Ford’s small truck, you’re probably out of luck. That is unless you are willing to pay a premium on one. Nearly as soon as the Blue Oval opened the order books for the 2023 Maverick, that brand had to close them. And that is just how in demand this compact pickup is. 

Seeing the success of the Maverick was initially a bit of a surprise. In the modern era, it seems like folks want to opt for a large truck, even if it is not that practical for their lifestyle. But then came the Maverick. It’s a unibody truck, has a standard hybrid engine, and shares its platform with the Bronco Sport. Apparently, Ford got it right with this vehicle. 

 Is Ford’s small truck getting more expensive?

Unfortunately, since its introduction, the Maverick has received some price hikes. The base XL model now has a cost of around $22k. At the same time, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is no longer an additional fee. So, if you don’t want a hybrid truck, you don’t have to pay extra anymore. Although it does seem like the hybrid powertrain is a top pick for consumers. 

It’s unclear if these kinds of price hikes will continue. But hopefully, they do remain fairly tame. One of the biggest perks of the 2023 Maverick is its low starting cost. Instead of having to pay over 30 grand for a truck, you can get this for the cost of an economy car. And at least in my opinion, that is a pretty cool fact. 

The grey market and dealership situation has been telling a different tale though. The Maverick has been subject to price markups along with a shortage of inventory. So if you want to get one today, you probably aren’t going to pay MSRP.