The Honda Ridgeline has long been at the top of critics’ lists. It rides on a unibody platform and comes with a standard V6 engine. But, it has not been a very popular truck, as it often trails the pack of good-selling tucks in today’s market. A fellow small truck, the Ford Maverick has found more success, with sales surpassing Ford’s expectations. We do feel that there is one feature the Ridgeline offers that the Maverick does not. And it is a feature that is likely to be appreciated by many truck owners.

The 2022 Honda Ridgeline has sound, in its bed

The Ridgeline is a pickup truck that offers some innovative features, one of these is an in-bed audio system. With this feature, drivers can provide music to campsites, tailgates, and more. Which is a pretty neat party trick. 

The audio system uses the bed as amplification to project crisp sound. Personally, we would like to see Ford’s compact truck do something similar. 

How good is the Maverick’s sound system?

The Ford Maverick may not currently offer an in-bed audio system, but its speaker setup can be upgraded. With an available B&O sound system, buyers can enjoy a premium audio experience within their compact truck. This is complemented by Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Which are two programs that allow owners to connect their smartphones to their pickup truck.

One thing that could improve this truck’s audio experience is an in-bed audio system. While the 2022 Ford Maverick may not be going on serious off-road trails, it will undoubtedly go camping, tailgating, and other various activities. All of which can be improved with more music and a party trick from a compact truck.

Is the 2022 Ford Maverick worth buying?

If you can find a new Maverick at a dealership, it is a truck worthy of consideration. But, like all new vehicles, it is likely that future models will build and improve upon the first iteration. The Ford Maverick rides on the same platform as the Bronco Sport and Escape, which should provide some reliability. But we can’t help but feel that Ford is planning something bigger for the Maverick.

Currently, according to Car and Driver, this truck has an 8.0-inch touchscreen which is standard across the board. But, there is a small storage space next to the infotainment screen which does not appear to be very usable. In the future, it would not be surprising if a larger infotainment screen came outfitted to the Maverick. 

And, as Ford makes these incremental improvements, maybe the brand should look to the Ridgeline. While the Ridgeline has not been popular among buyers, it does have many attractive features. Including its available in-bed audio system which can provide music as you enjoy whatever outdoor situation that you find yourself in. If the Maverick were to borrow this feature, it would likely be a big hit amongst compact truck consumers. Especially when paired with the Maverick’s extremely affordable price point of about $20,000 for the base model.