For some drivers, the concept of a “compact” pickup truck just doesn’t make sense. After all, for plenty of drivers, the bigger the truck, the more work gets done. A small pickup truck would, therefore, do less work, and that’s just not helpful. The 2024 Ford Maverick is one of the compact trucks that leading the charge to change this notion. Sometimes a smaller truck makes exactly the right amount of sense for the lifestyle at hand.
For those who live in urban areas, do a lot of off-roading, or simply don’t carry enough cargo to justify a bigger, brawnier truck but want the cargo-hauling freedom of an open bed, the 2024 Ford Maverick is exactly the right-sized truck. With room for five inside the cabin and a practical-sized bed, the Maverick is an excellent spokes-truck for those who question the necessity of a compact pickup truck.
In fact, the 2024 model includes quite a few changes that help reinforce the Maverick’s place along Ford’s impressive lineup of trucks made for every job and situation. Take a look at how the new model year has experts and drivers alike intrigued.
How Tiny Is Tiny?
The name “compact” pickup truck can give the impression that the 2024 Ford Maverick is a wee bitty thing. It is still very much a full-sized vehicle, featuring a Super Crew cab that seats five. Headroom is a roomy 40.3 inches in the front, unless the optional moonroof is selected. There’s no need for creative bending or gymnastic talent in the Maverick.
The bed, however, is a bit on the short side, especially when compared to the Maverick’s big sibling, the F-150. The F-150 offers a variety of cab and bed configurations, but the “short bed” option is 5.5 feet. The Maverick has only one bed option, which measures in at 4.5 feet. Still, that bed can handle 1,500 pounds of payload, except for Tremor trim, which has a payload maximum of 1,200 pounds. It makes up for that in ways we’ll discuss shortly.
While the Ford F-150 has a wheelbase that ranges from 122.8 inches to 164.1 inches, the Maverick maintains a slightly more petite footprint of 121.1 inches. The F-150 varies in overall length between 209.1 and 243.5 inches, while the Maverick is just 199.7 inches. That’s nearly a foot shorter than the smallest F-150, making it much easier to park and maneuver both around town and on the trails. The most significant difference here is that the Maverick comes in only one size, while the F-150 is known for its dazzling array of bed/cabin/axle configurations. For some drivers, avoiding that maze of decisions is a good thing.
Another key difference is the Ford Maverick’s construction. While many trucks are constructed with the bed, cab, and frame as separate pieces, the Maverick has the same unibody type of platform as the Escape and Bronco Sport. As a result, its driving manners and style are more aligned with a small SUV than that of a large pickup truck.
Power and Performance
The Ford Maverick started life as a hybrid truck. After all, one of the major complaints any pickup truck driver has is that they aren’t exactly light on the fuel consumption. The hybrid powertrain definitely does its job, but not everyone is into the hybrid option. The Maverick now makes a more traditional 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine standard equipment. The hybrid setup is available as an option on all trims.
The EcoBoost engine offers more power, offering an exceptional 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that does its job well, helping the Maverick charge forward as needed. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
Maverick models equipped with this engine can tow up to 4,000 pounds when the correct equipment package is added. Granted, that’s a fraction of what the F-150 can handle, but that’s not an insignificant amount when compared to similarly-sized vehicles, and all that many people who tow small trailers need.
The hybrid option includes a 2.5L I-4 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for even more fuel economy. Together, the engine and electric motor provide 191 horsepower. Torque ratings are tricky when an electric motor is on hand, but all hybrid Mavericks are able to tow up to 2,000 pounds. Hybrid Mavericks are only available with front-wheel drive.
How do they compare fuel-wise? The 2024 Maverick’s EPA figures for fuel economy aren’t available at the time of writing, but looking at the 2023 Maverick, which offers the same powertrain options, the hybrid makes a significant difference in fuel consumption, providing a combined 37 miles per gallon. The EcoBoost engine varies depending on whether front or all-wheel drive is chosen, as well as off-road considerations, but plan for a combined fuel economy in the 24 to 25 mile per gallon range.
The Maverick’s Massive Versatility
The Maverick can accomplish a wide variety of tasks. Ford’s FLEXBED Storage System is offered on the Maverick, allowing you to configure the bed to meet your needs with 10 potential tie-down points, a multi-position tailgate, locking rails and brackets, two pre-wired 12-volt electrical leads, and two available 110-volt outlets. The Maverick offers standard storage bins under the rear seats and intuitive storage spaces throughout the cabin, so if you’d prefer to keep some of your belongings inside, you’re covered there, as well.
The 2024 Ford Maverick is offered in three trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The XL starts things off with all the necessities, including an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity.
The XLT trim adds on to the comfort and convenience features, but also provides access to the off-road packages. The Tremor Package includes all-terrain tires, custom off-road suspension, and skid plates, while the FX4 Package adds tow hooks, Hill Descent Control, and five drive modes to help drivers tackle any terrain.
These packages are also available on the luxurious Lariat trim, which also boasts dual-zone automatic climate control, a plethora of USB ports in the front and rear seats, power-adjustable heated front seats, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system of its own.
A Small Truck With Big Potential
Over the years, pickup trucks have become so synonymous with “work truck” that we often forget there are many dimensions to the versatile truck. Trucks have been built with a variety of purposes in mind, from speed, to towing, to off-roading. You no longer need to have a construction job or a rural farm in order to justify having a truck.
The Ford Maverick can do just about anything drivers need it to do. Much as you shouldn’t go off-roading in your Ford Mustang, you probably shouldn’t try to haul huge loads or win speed contests with a production Maverick. But you can go off-road and you can haul reasonably-sized loads. In fact, with compact pickup trucks like the 2024 Ford Maverick, the concept of the pickup truck has become even more flexible. Sometimes, after all, less is more.
