The 2022 Ford Maverick has good small-truck styling and stance. (Photos courtesy of Ford)
I grew up with a 1969 F100 on the farm and I still like pickups no matter how ugly or bad they smell. But they have gotten just too damn big, cumbersome and expensive.
Writing my story about the 2022 Ford Maverick, a possible return to pickup sanity, I considered how this good-looking compact might fit in my city life.
I don’t like the Ford Ranger. It’s too expensive and too cheaply outfitted, which is Ford’s plan to keep its F-150 the top-selling nameplate. And, to me, the Ranger felt to be an Americanized convert from another country, which it is.
Maybe the Maverick could be a truck for me.
I considered the midrange hybrid XLT 4WD, which starts at $23,775, including the freight charge from Mexico. But in spec’ing out “my” truck at Ford.com, I learned that 4WD is only available with the turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder. That preference would add $3,305 for the engine and AWD and it pushed the starting price to $27,080.
I’ve lived with a front-drive 2008 Ford Escape since 2012 (and have had no major problems with it), so I figured I can let go of my wish for 4WD. And maybe there would be fewer electronic issues with the higher-tech features on the Lariat.
After noting the many compromises in “building” my Maverick, I pushed ahead.
I checked the box for a Maverick XLT SuperCrew hybrid in the no-cost color of Velocity Blue. Among the 10 color choices, Cyber Orange has a $495 premium and Alto Blue and Hot Pepper Red are $390 upgrades. Standard no-charge colors are black, silver, white, Area 51 (a medium gray), Cactus Gray (more the hue of caulking putty) and Carbonized Gray (a darker gray).
The hybrid powertrain was more important to me than 4WD. And I preferred the XLT’s two-tone Navy Pier fabric upholstery because Ford Leather is just ‘meh’ in appearance after a few months of use.
Prickly Price Points
I then added my picks for option packages and accessory items that were permitted for that trim level:
•Ford Co-Pilot360 driver-assist systems $540;
•XLT luxury package ($2,345), which included such features as eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, 400-watt inverter, bed tiedown locking rails, spray-in bedliner, full-size spare, heated side mirrors with body-color skull caps, heated seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED bed lighting and trailer hitch.
•Manual rear sliding window $155;
•Dual bed lights $200;
•Cargo bed net $70;
•All-weather floor liners (including carpeted mats) $175;
•Console vault $390
The options came to $3,310 toward the total of $27,085, not including other fees.
The two-tone fabric interior in the Maverick XLT.
Going through Ford Finance with a 5 percent APR and 10 percent down, the monthly would be a painful $461 for 60 months. A 3-year term would be $731. And pushing out to a 6-year term would be $393.
Before putting money down, I’d need to test drive this teacup pickup to be certain this Maverick is the disruptor Ford hopes it is.
Otherwise, I’ll wait a couple of years and buy used. Or whatever compact pickup comes along next.
What are your thoughts about compact pickups?
