A few years ago, as the public was surprised after Ford announced that it will stop selling cars in the US apart from the Mustang, it wasn’t entirely the truth. This is because Ford executives knew that the future Maverick pickup truck would soon be ready. And it is! Ford Maverick is a small truck at the entry-level slot in the lineup. This truck is about the size of the outgoing Ranger which the automaker dropped a decade before.
With an affordable starting price, Maverick is only a 4-door crew-cab. The trim levels are XL, XLT, and Lariat. The introduction of this vehicle is meaningful because the new Hyundai Santa Cruz is also a new small truck. If you want to buy used Ford cars for sale in Dubai, visit the CarSwitch website.
Exterior
When you first look at the truck, you’ll see the low roofline. Maverick sits almost 5 inches lower than the existing Ranger and around 7 inches below the F-150. If you’re 5 feet or taller, you can see beyond the top of the vehicle which is very rare for a pickup truck.
Maverick resembles an Escape more than the mini F-150. However, do not be fooled by its small size as it boasts tons of capabilities. It’s based on the usual C2 unibody platform and the chassis is shared with Escape but it’s been refined to offer an outstanding 1500 pound of payload capacity. This is even better than the 4-door Toyota Tacoma.
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Powertrain
As opposed to Bronco Sport and Escape, there is no 1.5 liter 3-cylinder. Instead, the base trim is a 4-cylinder and a front-wheel-drive hybrid. This is the same well-planned tech by the automaker as seen in the 2005 Escape hybrid. The 2.5-liter inline-4 engine and 2 electric motors deliver a total power output of 191 ponies.
Even with the same powertrain, Maverick is way cheaper than Escape. When it comes to the higher trim level, it is equipped with a turbo 2 liter, 4-cylinder engine which pumps out 250 hp.
Drive quality
Maverick is a blend of a car and truck. For instance, huge levels of wheelspin. It’s recommended to choose the all-wheel-drive with a powerful engine. During driving, the truck boasts the unrivaled solidity of a unibody SUV. Its resolute ride allows body control and lofty payload capacity. The fun lift-throttle rotation at the limit is similar to the compact hatchbacks which have been discontinued by Ford.
The steering is imprecise just like trucks do but the upsized brakes are solid and induce confidence. When the 2T muted engine is wrung out, noise is emitted from the exhaust. The 0-60 mph distance is covered in 6 seconds.
The front-wheel drive-only hybrid is more powerful and emits more noise from its 2.5-liter engine without becoming annoying. The blended brake and brake pedal are non-linear. For drivers conscious about fuel efficiency, it is even higher than Ford’s 40 mpg claim.
What’s included and what’s missing?
Since the price is affordable, some features are omitted and the lineup is straightforward. For instance, there is no rear defroster and if you want a push-button start, you have to choose the highest Lariat trim. As for the heated steering wheel and heated seats, they are included in the Luxury package.
Similarly, leather upholstery is absent. No color customization is available. When it comes to the 8 inches touchscreen, it’s not that high-resolution and omits a built-in navigation system. But Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available.
Looking inside
But even with so much lacking, the interior boasts interesting materials and isn’t dull at all. For example, carbon fiber on the dashboard, colors on console bin and vents, clever door pockets graining elements, and more. The rear seat is built for adults but it’s only as big as a Hyundai Santa Cruz.
Ford allows space for customization too such as two-tiered storage. Accessories can be installed anywhere to suit different needs. There is also a Tow Package which increases the capability from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds. But this package is only available with an all-wheel drive. It includes a transmission oil cooler, upgraded engine cooling, and a shorter final-drive ratio. The truck can tow 3,650 pounds and can haul 2 Jet Skis on a 2T engine.
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Final words
Above 100,000 pre-orders have been placed for Maverick which determines that Ford’s decision to quit cars was wise.
