Mexican-Built 2022 Ford Maverick Hybrid Shrinks Size, Price

Ken Zino of AutoInformed.com on the 2022 Ford Maverick pickup

Downsizing and name-tweaking in this case reclaims some of the advantages Ford gave away.

In a defensive move to protect the sale of hugely popular gas-guzzling bigger trucks, Ford says an all-new Ford Maverick will come as a standard five-passenger, four-door pickup, with a hybrid powertrain and a projected EPA-estimated rating of 40 mpg city fuel economy* and 500 miles** of range with a starting MSRP of $19,995. (Ford to Upgrade, Expand South African Plant for 2022 Ranger)

To AutoInformed, it looks like a clever updating and use of the former Mazda-derived Ranger pickup. Ford Motor, of course, once dominated the compact pickup truck market in the U.S. until years of product neglect combined with an assault by Toyota and Nissan pushed it to a footnote in the segment. This first forced the closing of Ford’s Edison, New Jersey plant. The remaining plant in Minnesota did not survive the Ford UAW contract a decade ago. It was and remains a stunning amount of business to cede to the competition. (Mazda BT 50, Ford Ranger Pickup Capacity Upped in Thailand, Ford to Bring Back Ranger Pickup to North America)

Downsizing and name-tweaking in this case reclaims some of the advantages Ford gave away. Maverick’s compact size makes it easier to maneuver and park. There’s room for five adult-like people and some storage space. Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed provides organization and cargo choices to fit owners’ lifestyles, with a multi-position tailgate, slots to use lumber to subdivide the bed, 12 optional anchor points, two 12-volt, 20-amp prewired sources at the back, plus two optional 110-volt outlets for a laptop or tailgate party.

People can create segmented storage, elevated floors, bike and kayak racks by sliding 2x4s or 2x6s into slots stamped into the side of the bed. There are two tie-downs, four D-rings and built-in threaded holes in the sides to bolt in new stuff.

Maverick has the same stance as other pickup trucks, just scaled down or right sized, depending on your opinion. Its 199.7-inch-long steel body is 32 inches shorter than F-150 and 11 inches shorter than the current Ranger. At 68.7 inches tall, it’s 2.4-inches shorter than Ranger, 6.9-inches shorter than F-150.

Maverick’s 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivers 191 horsepower when combined with the electric motorƗ, and 155 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. It has an in-house-designed and manufactured electric motor, claimed to be light and powerful. Along with its targeted EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg city* and 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas**, it offers standard payload in the 4.5-foot bed of 1500 pounds and the volume to carry a standard ATV, plus it has the ability to tow 2000 pounds – enough for a pair of personal watercraft or some pop-up camper trailers.

Those who want more can opt for a 2.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine delivering 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torqueƗƗ with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. Equipped with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 pounds – enough for an average 21-foot boat.

“It’s a great-looking truck featuring four doors with room for five adults, a standard full-hybrid engine with city fuel economy that beats a Honda Civic***, plenty of towing and hauling for weekend trips or do-it-yourself projects,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “ We believe it will be compelling to a lot of people who never before considered a truck.” (Or used to buy the long gone, class leading Rangers? – editor)

Maverick is offered at three trim levels – XL, XLT and Lariat. An FX4 package optional for all-wheel-drive XLT and Lariat trucks adds more off-road capability with rugged all-terrain tires and suspension tuning, additional underbody protection, and off-road-focused drive modes like Mud/Rut and Sand, as well as the addition of Hill Descent Control.

Maverick has options for both built-in and brought-in technology. Its standard 8-inch center touch screen has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility so customers can pretend the truck is their phone. Maverick has standard FordPass Connect with embedded modem and Wi-Fi for up to 10 devicesƗƗƗ, while standard FordPass allegedly makes it easy to find the truck, check fuel level, lock and unlock the doors, and start or turn off the vehicle – all from a phone. While you’re at it you could phone home too.

Optional for the first model year is the Maverick First Edition package. It is built off the Lariat trim level and includes graphics on the hood and lower doors, a high-gloss black-painted roof, soft tonneau cover, body-color door handles, high-gloss black skull caps, and gloss black-painted and machined 18-inch wheels for hybrid or unique 17-inch aluminum wheels for the gas model. It comes in Carbonized Gray, Area 51 and a Rapid Red, unique to First Edition. Some things in marketing never change since any color your want as long as its black became unfashionable.

The Maverick will be built at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Sonora, Mexico, where the newBronco Sport model is assembled. The Ford-designed electric motor is assembled at Ford’s Van Dyke transmission plant, where it makes the motor for the new F-150 Lightning pickup EV.

Inevitable Ford Footnotes

  • *Actual mileage will vary. Final EPA-estimated ratings available later in the 2021 calendar year.
  • **Range calculation based on 13.8-gallon tank and a targeted EPA-estimated rating of 37 mpg combined. Actual mileage will vary.
  • ***2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. Actual mileage will vary. Final EPA-estimated ratings available later in the 2021 calendar year.
  • Ɨ Calculated via combined performance of the engine and electric motor(s) with peak battery power. The calculations use SAE J1349 engine results and Ford electric motor dyno testing. Your results may vary.
  • ƗƗ Targets achieved with premium fuel per SAE J1349 standard.
  • ƗƗƗ Don’t drive distracted or while using hand-held devices. Use voice controls.

The 2022 Ford Maverick goes on sale this fall. The build and price website is live at Ford.com and reservations or orders can be placed today. For more visit the 2022 Ford Maverick digital magazine release.

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