You can do truck stuff in a Maverick, but only if you accept its limitations.
When Ford released the more appropriate-sized Maverick pickup in late 2021 as part of the welcome compact-truck revival trend, it was an unsurprising success. Despite their smaller sizes, small-truck owners occasionally want to do big-truck stuff, and the Maverick appears to deliver.
When we first tested a 2022 Maverick, we found it to be just enough truck. The unibody design, which was also seen in the Hyundai Santa Cruz, provided a good balance of size and capability. The 2023 model received an optional Tremor Off-Road package, as well as minor changes such as new exterior paint colors. There are two engine options: a hybrid with a 191-hp 2.5-liter engine and a 250-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo. The 2.0-liter engine becomes the standard engine option in 2024, with the hybrid becoming a $1500 option.
The 2024 Maverick has a towing capacity of 4000 pounds, but most configurations are limited to 2000 pounds. The Tremor package, for example, has a weight limit of 2000 pounds. In fact, any Maverick equipped with the newly optional 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain is limited to the lower capacity, while the 2.0-liter engine is limited to the higher capacity with the optional 4000-pound Tow package ($745) and all-wheel drive ($2220). So, while the Maverick XL starts at $24,995, getting a truck capable of towing 4000 pounds will set you back at least $27,690.
The Tow package modifies the powertrain in a few ways, including lower axle gear ratios (from 3.63:1 to 3.81:1), a transmission oil cooler, a larger radiator, and an upgraded exhaust system.
Of course, the maximum 4000-pound limit is the main focus here. It’s a respectable figure that can be used to sell some trucks—the Maverick, for example, can tow 500 pounds more than the Ford Escape—but it’s not on the same level as the Santa Cruz or the larger Honda Ridgeline (both of which can tow up to 5000 pounds). To tow that much in a Maverick, as previously stated, all-wheel drive is required, which reduces fuel economy to, at best, 24 mpg without a trailer.
Every vehicle is a collection of compromises, but reading what people are doing with their Mavericks, there’s a lot to be said for this particular method of threading the needle.
Read More – 5 High-Priced Electric Cars Needing a Longer Battery Life
