Road Test: 2022 Ford Maverick XL FWD EcoBoost

Welcome To Your First Pickup Truck

When Clean Fleet Report first reviewed the 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup, it was after driving it for about five hours. We came away impressed with what Ford had created. That was in October 2021. Five months later in February 2022, after spending a full week in the Maverick, our initial opinion has only been strengthened.

Back To the Future Success Story

After the uncertainty of the pandemic slowed things for nearly a year, new car introductions in the past year have picked up at a rapid pace. Among them, none may have been more important than the 2022 Ford Maverick. Ford not only brought back its compact pickup, which some thought was a gamble, but the Maverick comes standard with a hybrid engine.

Ford clearly has made a statement that it wants to be known as a company that makes electrified vehicles. As far as Maverick buyers, most of whom will be buying their first pickup, they will unknowingly become hybrid ambassadors. The public reaction was so strong that Ford had to cut-off reservations for the Maverick hybrid, and is dealing with a production crunch to meet demand. A pretty good problem to have.

The Pickup People Didn’t Know They Wanted (or Needed)

Who will buy the all-new 2022 Ford Maverick? Our thought all along was it appeals to those wanting something different than a compact crossover; those seeing the versatility of being able to seat five in the crew cab and then toss their gear in the bed; those saying they “really aren’t a truck person” and then realizing that maybe they really are, and maybe those that just wanting something different. Regardless who buys it, the Maverick is a success already for Ford and is a key piece in the company’s future.

Driving a Compact Pickup

Clean Fleet Report spent a week in a non-hybrid front-wheel drive (FWD) 2022 Ford Maverick XL with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive (AWD) is an option with this engine, but not so with the base hybrid engine. The EcoBoost has five driver-selectable drive modes–Normal, Sport, Eco, Tow Haul and Slippery–and produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The EcoBoost was good for a 6.2 second 0-60 mph time.

The EPA has rated fuel economy at 23 mpg city/30 highway/26 combined. Over 245 miles driving through Southern California we averaged 27.1 mpg. Our best all-highway number, on a 135-mile run with the cruise control set to 65 mph, was 32.1 mpg.

The 2.0L EcoBoost Maverick has significantly more horsepower and torque than the hybrid power plant of the 2.5-liter gasoline engine and a 94-kilowatt electric motor that produces 191 total system horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The cargo payload of 1,500 pounds is the same on all Mavericks, regardless of the engine. Where the difference comes in is the tow rating, as the EcoBoost engine goes up to 4,000 pounds, while the hybrid maxes out at 2,000 pounds.

To test the payload, we strapped-in several sheets of plywood (weighing-in at 500 pounds) that extended past the dropped tailgate by about a foot. The EcoBoost engine was easily up to the hauling task, and the added weight and changed balance did not have a negative effect when cornering and stopping. The Maverick EcoBoost was not designed to be a heavy-duty work truck, but more for the weekend warrior/home owner doing DIY projects or used for active lifestyles for activities such as biking and kayaking. For these purposes, it is a viable option to a larger truck or a compact crossover.

The Maverick EcoBoost FWD we drove weighed-in at 3,563 pounds (going up to 3,731 pounds in the AWD model). Freeway cruising was stable with moderate cornering producing little body lean, and cabin noise was minimal. No need to push things by asking the Maverick to do something it was not designed to do, but the 17-inch tires performed well for their size, and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS handled stops confidently.

The electric power steering was properly tuned to feel connected to the road, making for a fun drive that is more similar to a crossover than a truck. It didn’t rain in Southern California during our test week, but our history with front-wheel drive cars is they track well in the wet. The optional AWD would deliver even more traction.

Interior

The 2022 Ford Maverick comes in three trim levels–XL, XLT and Lariat. The entry-level Maverick XL has a base price of $19,995, but to configure it like Clean Fleet Report’s test truck, add $1,085 for the EcoBoost engine. This added cost doesn’t change the fact the Maverick XL is an excellent value as it comes equipped with power windows and door locks, carpet, single zone manual air conditioning, two 12V and two USB ports with one each of Type A and C. The 8-inch touchscreen housed the Bluetooth, Apple Car Play, Android Auto and the AM/FM stereo with six speakers. FordPass Connect offers convenience features such as keyless entry and remote locking and engine start. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can accommodate up to 10 devices–as far as 50-feet away.

The seats in the Maverick XL are covered in a durable and comfortable cloth. The manually adjustable front seats can easily accommodate those over six feet tall. The rear is bit cozier, but the bench seat is perfectly fine for having friends join you for a night on the town, or attaching two child seats and making the Maverick an everyday driver. There is rear under-seat storage, and a clever design on the front doors to accommodate a large drink bottle or cup.

Move up to the XLT, which Ford thinks will be the volume trim level, or the Lariat, and the list of standard and available convenience and technology features, and safety systems increase to where the Maverick will be as fully equipped and nicely appointed as any Ford truck.

Exterior

Ford says the Maverick is “Built Ford Tough,” which of course has been their credo for the

F-Series and Ranger for many years. The “tough” part for a compact pickup could be hard to quantify, but after pulling a trailer and hauling a bed-full of lumber, even the entry level Maverick XL FWD has earned its tough stripes. The Flexbed has been designed for multi-purpose use, and may be one of the reasons you consider buying a Maverick.

The design is all Ford truck, without being menacing. The smooth body side panels sans chrome and the black grille, bumpers and trim on the crew cab look great against the retro steel wheels.

The first thing you will notice about the Maverick is its 68.7-inch height, which is just over five foot, seven inches, which meant that at five foot, nine inches, I was able to look over the cab. This lack of bigness is what will make the Maverick so appealing, as it will fit in a garage, but six footers can easily sit in the front seats and–a big plus–you can reach over the cargo box sides and touch the bed floor. If you have ever needed to off-load or tie-down anything on a midsize or full-size pickup, you will appreciate the approximate 50-inch box height.

The box itself has some handy features, such as tie-downs, slots to drop-in a 2’ X 4’ to raise the floor above the wheel wells, LED lighting and being able to position the tailgate flat or at an angle. On the base XL there is no power in the bed, but stepping-up to the XLT and Lariat means there will be the opportunity to power generators, lights and other equipment from back there. There are six tie-downs, four D-rings and built-in threaded holes. You can create your own cargo hauling systems, or order any of the forty-five cargo attachments that should cover all needs.

Maverick has exterior color options of Alto Blue Metallic, Rapid Red Metallic, Carbonized Grey Metallic, Shadow Black, Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Oxford White, Cactus Grey and Velocity Blue Metallic–the last was the color on our test vehicle.

Convenience and Safety

The 2022 Maverick Clean Fleet Report tested had standard or optional convenience features of a tilt and telescoping steering column, remote keyless entry and start, a tire pressure monitoring system, power windows, a theft deterrent system, spray-in bed liner, manual rear sliding window, floor liners, manual locking tailgate and a power tilt and slide moonroof.

Safety systems include LED headlamps, seven airbags and Ford Co-Pilot360. This advanced driver assist system (ADAS) includes the pre-collision assist with emergency braking safety feature.

Pricing and Warranties

The 2022 Maverick XL, including the mandatory $1,495 destination and delivery fee, had a base price of $21,490. The Maverick XL Clean Fleet Report drove had the optional ($1,085) EcoBoost gasoline turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and another $2,120 in optional equipment for a final MSRP of $24,695.

The 2022 Ford Maverick comes with these warranties:

• Bumper-to-Bumper – Three years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
• Roadside Assistance – Five years/60,000 miles
• Corrosion – Five years/Unlimited miles

Observations: 2022 Ford Maverick XL FWD 2.0L EcoBoost

The Maverick XL is a bargain proposition, starting at $19,995. Even after adding the mandatory delivery fee of $1,495, the 2022 Maverick is still the most affordable and practical pickup on the market. As noted earlier, this will be the first truck many people buy; what Ford has delivered will not disappoint these first timers. And if more conveniences and a bit fancier truck is your style, then take a look at the XLT and Lariat models.

Based on the Ford Escape compact crossover, the 2022 Ford Maverick may get a quick thumbs-down from hard core body-on-frame truck owners, but pay them no mind. The Maverick handles smooth and has ample acceleration with either engine option. The entry level Maverick XL comes standard with the hybrid engine that delivers excellent fuel economy, but if you want more towing power and all-wheel drive, then opting for the gasoline EcoBoost engine should handle your on- and off-road needs.

The 2022 Ford Maverick can easily slot into the role currently held by a crossover or SUV. It will be a light-duty delivery vehicle, used by ranchers or farmers needing an inexpensive runabout, outdoor enthusiasts, and households wanting a versatile DIY project vehicle. If I had a teen headed off to college, I would hand them the keys to a Maverick XL.

So what could be better than the Maverick with the EcoBoost engine? Come back to Clean Fleet Report for our review of the Maverick Hybrid, and see how Ford will have two class winners on their hands. Oh, and don’t take our word for it, as the Ford Maverick was awarded the best truck trophy in the 2022 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year competition.

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tory by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Ford.

More on the pickup truck wars:

How to Make Pickup Trucks More Fuel Efficient

News: A Look at the Near-Future of Electric Pickups

News: Pickup Trucks Make Big Power/MPG Moves

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.