Ford Introduces New Compact Pickup
Ford has introduced the all-new 2022 Ford Maverick, a standard five-passenger, four-door pickup, with a full-hybrid powertrain and a projected EPA-estimated rating of 40 mpg city fuel economy and 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas, the company announced.
“The Maverick product proposition is like nothing else out there. It’s a great-looking truck featuring four doors with room for five adults, a standard full-hybrid engine with city fuel economy that beats a Honda Civic, plenty of towing and hauling for weekend trips or do-it-yourself projects, and it starts under $20,000,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Maverick challenges the status quo and the stereotypes of what a pickup truck can be. We believe it will be compelling to a lot of people who never before considered a truck.”
The all-new Ford Maverick is a compact truck with a unibody design and a standard full-hybrid powertrain. Its 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder hybrid powertrain delivers 191 horsepower when combined with the electric motor, and 155 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. It also features an in-house-designed and manufactured electric traction motor.
Along with its targeted EPA-estimated fuel economy of 40 mpg city and 500 miles of range on a single tank of gas, it offers a standard payload of 1,500 lbs. and the volume to carry a standard ATV, plus the capability to tow 2,000 lbs. An available 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine delivers 250 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. Equipped with the optional 4K Tow Package, conventional towing doubles to 4,000 lbs.
Its standard 8-inch center touch screen features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and has standard FordPass Connect with embedded modem and Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices, while standard FordPass allows the driver to find the truck, check fuel level, lock and unlock the doors, and start or turn off the vehicle from their phone.
Door armrests have a split design and door pockets offer vertical clearance to store a tablet or notebooks, in addition to a storage bin under the rear seats.
The FITS–Ford Integrated Tether System–at the back of the front console accommodates different accessories including cupholders, storage or trash bin, cord organizer, double hook for grocery bags and purses, and under-seat storage dividers. More FITS slot creations are in development and Ford is working to publish the slot geometry so people can 3D-print DIY solutions.
The 4.5-ft. FLEXBED gives customers organization and storage solutions to secure cargo while accommodating Ford accessories and creative DIY solutions, the company said. People can create segmented storage, elevated floors, bike and kayak racks and more by sliding 2x4s or 2x6s into slots stamped into the side of the bed. There are two tie-downs, four D-rings and built-in threaded holes in the sides to bolt in new creations. The pickup also has two available 110-volt 400-watt outlets – one in the bed and one in the cabin – that can power phones, laptops, small TVs, a cordless tool battery charger, or a small, corded tool like a jigsaw. There’s also a storage cubby built into the side of the bed on XLT and two available on Lariat trucks. The Maverick is also equipped with a multi-position tailgate. It opens normally, but also has a halfway-open position that can be adjusted by unclipping the support cables and hooking them onto the latch pins.
Ford Co-Pilot360 technology includes standard Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Automatic High Beam Headlamps. Available options include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Centering and Evasive Steering Assist. Five standard drive modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Tow/Haul to enhance performance and confidence over various driving conditions
