There was a time not all that long ago when the thought of buying a pickup truck for your daily work commute was utterly ridiculous. Seriously, the idea that a gas-guzzling, uncomfortable, and rough-riding truck would make an excellent choice for daily driving was hard to swallow back then. Even modern trucks, with their luxurious cabins, smooth ride, and ample tech features, are still a hard sell as a vehicle you use to get to and from work every day. Much of the reason why some people are hesitant to buy a pickup truck as their commuter vehicle is the lousy gas mileage associated with many trucks, and let’s not forget the hefty price tags a lot of models have. In addition, parking a full-size truck in the company parking lot can be a pain. But alas, manufacturers have finally figured out that there is a market for compact trucks that get great mileage. The 2022 Ford Maverick is a great example of a truck that you will want to drive to work every day, and there are plenty of reasons why.
Small Truck, Small Price
You shouldn’t have to sell your collection of 1970s Hot Wheels or take out a second mortgage on your house to afford a new truck. A 2021 Ram 1500 TRX is going to set you back around 70 grand; that’s a big chunk of money for a truck you use for your daily commute. Add in the fact that you are getting about 10 miles to the gallon driving in the city, and you can clearly see how owning and driving a full-size truck can put you in the poor house.
When word spread about the addition of the Maverick to the Ford model lineup, nobody in their right mind would have ever guessed it would be offered just under $20,000. Ford basically threw a nasty curve when we were all expecting a fastball. Not that is a bad thing; a truck for that kind of money is something dreams are made of. It makes us tempted to push our luck and buy a few lottery tickets or place a bet for the Cubs to win another World Series.
Seriously, any vehicle, let alone a pickup truck, is a bargain at that price. There are people out there who would never think about driving a truck who are now interested in at least checking out the Maverick.
Small Truck, Big Deal
Don’t let the term compact truck fool you; the Maverick is a far cry from what you are expecting to see. Just how big is the Maverick? Well, according to Ford, it’s 200 inches in length, which is a bit of a surprise considering the smallest F-150 is 209 inches in length. You might want to read that again; the Maverick is only nine inches shorter than the shortest F150. And compared to the Ranger, the Maverick is only slightly smaller than its older cousin. Of course, the new Ranger is bigger.
Sure, Ford is paving a new path with the Maverick, but that doesn’t mean there is anything shocking about the size of the truck. It can still haul, tow, and do all of the fun stuff you enjoy doing in a pickup; it’s just a little smaller than other trucks and doesn’t cost a whole lot of money. It sounds like a win/win situation, to be sure.
Yet another big deal about the Maverick is the drivetrain, which is a hybrid setup that combines an electric motor with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The output isn’t bad, and you will enjoy 191 horsepower with this setup. What is really nice is the gas mileage, which is estimated to be in the 40 miles per gallon range, making it the most fuel-efficient pickup truck to date. It also means you don’t have to fill up the tank twice a week just to get to and from work every day.
That said, there will be some who demand a little more power in their truck, and the engineers at Ford do not disappoint. There is an optional 2.0-liter turbo that will crank out 250 horsepower. As you might expect, the more powerful engine choice means sacrificing fuel economy, so choose wisely.
Small Truck, Big Features
Sliding behind the wheel of the Maverick will have many drivers very surprised. You are probably expecting a cramped interior, much like the compact cars on the market. But alas, your expectations are far from the truth, the cabin is actually quite spacious, and there is plenty of room for cargo as well. Ford did a fantastic job in the design and function of the interior, and there are plenty of perks for you to enjoy.
As you gaze upon the dash of the Maverick, you will notice that all the buttons and control knobs are within reach and easily identifiable. There is plenty of storage under the seats in the rear of the truck. There is even enough room to store your laptop or other electronic devices in the large door pockets.
Commuters will be happy to hear that the Maverick comes standard with the SYNC 3 system, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is critical for those who may want to check text messages or make a quick business call before getting to the office. Using voice commands, you can send messages, make phone calls, and even listen to your favorite music mix on your choice of music apps, all without having to take your hands off of the steering wheel or take your eyes off of the road.
Daily commutes can be tedious and uneventful for the most part, but there will be days that you are glad you drive a pickup truck. When weather conditions make the drive to and from work a little challenging, you will appreciate the Maverick’s driving modes. When the road conditions are slick, hit a button, and you are in Slippery mode, which helps gain the traction you need for a safe and sure ride. The other drive modes include Normal, Tow, Haul, and Mud and Ruts, which you can utilize on your weekend adventures.
It’s a Revolution
If you have ever shopped for a pickup truck in the past, then you know that a stripped-down base model with little to offer often sells for a lot more than a loaded sedan. But, thanks to Ford and the introduction of the Maverick, you can change the way you think about trucks. In fact, it might make you change the way you feel about sedans and SUVs as well. The Maverick gives budget-conscience drivers plenty of great reasons to at least consider buying a truck for daily use.
Even though the Maverick is a truck and does everything you would expect a truck to do; it is easily perfect for you to use as your daily commuter. Even if you don’t plan on towing anything, hauling anything, or off-roading, it’s nice to know that you are driving a truck capable of all of that. It’s about time that an American manufacturer finally decided that there is a need and a market for a compact truck, one that is super affordable and fit for casual driving. The Ford Maverick is the perfect choice for drivers who desire a pickup truck but are sensible enough to want a truck that is inexpensive and doesn’t guzzle gas.
