The 2024 Ford Maverick is here, and it’s shaking up the truck market once again. For those who love the idea of a pickup but balk at sky-high prices, the Maverick offers a refreshing alternative. It’s compact, efficient, and—most importantly—affordable. But for 2024, there’s a big change: the hybrid engine is no longer standard, meaning buyers will now have to shell out an additional $1,500 to get the fuel-sipping powertrain that made the Maverick such a standout when it debuted. Instead, the 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged engine now comes standard at no extra cost.

So, what else makes the Maverick a compelling option? Let’s break down every nook and cranny of this small-but-mighty pickup.

What Is the Maverick, Anyway?

The Ford Maverick isn’t your typical pickup. It rides on a car-based chassis, sharing underpinnings with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, rather than a traditional body-on-frame design like the F-150. This makes it more car-like in handling, ride comfort, and efficiency while still delivering the practicality of a truck.

At its core, the Maverick aims to tackle one of the biggest concerns in today’s truck market: affordability. With full-size trucks climbing well into the $50,000+ range, the Maverick presents an option that’s not only easier on the wallet but also packed with features that make it a great daily driver.

Trims and Configurations

Ford keeps things simple with the Maverick. There’s only one configuration available: a crew cab with a 4.5-foot bed, offering four doors and room for five passengers. Trim levels include:

  • XL: The most basic, no-frills option for those who want a truck at the lowest possible price.
  • XLT: The mid-level trim (featured in this review), which offers a great balance of features without breaking the bank.
  • Lariat: The top-tier option loaded with more luxuries like keyless entry and push-to-start ignition.

Interestingly, the XLT comes with an old-school switchblade key, meaning no push-button start or keyless entry unless you opt for the Lariat trim. It’s a throwback in an otherwise modern truck.

Powertrain Options

For 2024, the Maverick offers two engine choices:

  • 2.0L EcoBoost Turbocharged 4-Cylinder (Standard):
    • 250 horsepower, 277 lb-ft of torque
    • Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission
    • Available with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD)
    • EPA-rated at 25 MPG combined with AWD
  • 2.5L Hybrid (Optional, $1,500):
    • 191 horsepower, 155 lb-ft of torque
    • Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT)
    • Available only in front-wheel drive (FWD)
    • EPA-rated at 37 MPG combined, with real-world results often exceeding expectations

The hybrid’s fuel efficiency is remarkable, with drivers reporting up to 50 MPG on certain trips. Unfortunately, Ford does not offer an AWD option with the hybrid, which might be a deal-breaker for those in colder climates or who need better traction.

Exterior Design and Features

The Maverick embraces a straightforward truck-like design that stands apart from its closest competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz. While the Santa Cruz leans heavily into its SUV roots, the Maverick features a more traditional pickup truck aesthetic, with:

  • Atlas Blue Metallic paint, which sparkles beautifully in the sunlight.
  • A grille design that connects the headlights, giving it a unified look.
  • Basic yet functional LED lighting with incandescent turn signals on the XLT trim.
  • The Maverick name stamped boldly into the tailgate, just to remind you that, yes, this is a truck.

Towing and Payload Capabilities

The Maverick offers respectable towing capabilities, depending on your choice of powertrain:

  • Hybrid: 2,000 lbs towing capacity
  • Turbo (with towing package): 4,000 lbs towing capacity

While this is a significant jump from the hybrid’s capacity, it’s worth noting that the Hyundai Santa Cruz, the Maverick’s biggest rival, can tow up to 5,000 lbs—a slight edge in the compact truck segment.

As for payload, the Maverick can handle up to 1,500 lbs, and the bed offers several useful features, including:

  • Adjustable tailgate height to accommodate longer items.
  • Built-in bottle openers (because, why not?).
  • LED lighting and a 12V outlet for added functionality.
  • A hidden storage compartment, perfect for tools or emergency supplies.

Interior Comfort and Practicality

Step inside the Maverick, and you’ll find an interior that feels more premium than its price tag suggests. The Navy Pier Slate interior featured on the XLT trim brings in various shades of gray and pops of orange, making for a lively and unique cabin experience. The use of rubberized materials and clever storage solutions, like door pockets and screen dividers, adds to the practicality.

In the back, the Maverick surprises with a roomy rear seat offering:

  • More space than expected for a truck of this size.
  • A rear window that opens.
  • Clever 3D-printed attachment points for custom accessories.

The front seats, while comfortable, are cloth-only with no heating or cooling options unless you move up to the Lariat trim. However, the driving position is comfortable, and the cabin feels airy and well-thought-out.

Technology and Safety

Ford keeps the tech offering simple yet effective in the Maverick:

  • 8-inch infotainment screen, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
  • No built-in navigation or satellite radio, but the smartphone connectivity works well.
  • Semi-digital instrument cluster that provides key driving information.
  • Available Ford CoPilot 360 package for $650, adding safety features like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist.

One quirky feature: the climate and volume controls, when adjusted, take over the entire screen for an extended period—something that takes some getting used to.

Price and Value

One of the Maverick’s biggest selling points is its affordability.

  • Base XL trim: Starts at $23,815
  • Hybrid option: Adds $1,500
  • XLT trim (as tested): $32,470, including options like Ford CoPilot 360

Despite rising prices from its initial debut, the Maverick still offers tremendous value in the market, especially when considering its fuel efficiency and versatility.

The Little Truck That Could

At the end of the day, the 2024 Ford Maverick is a practical, efficient, and fun-to-drive pickup that meets the needs of those who want truck functionality without the high cost of a full-size rig. It’s not perfect—some quirks with the infotainment system, lack of AWD on the hybrid, and basic interior materials in lower trims—but at this price point, it’s hard to beat.

If you’re looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient pickup that can handle daily life with ease, the Maverick is an excellent choice. And if you can get your hands on the hybrid version, you’ll be laughing all the way to the gas pump—or rather, skipping it entirely.

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