Ford Maverick compact pickup truck debuts in US

KUALA LUMPUR: A couple of years back, Ford announced its plan of introducing a compact pickup truck based on the C2 platform. And, finally, the big day is here, the company’s new unibody pickup truck called ‘Maverick’ is in front of us. The American automaker positioned it under the body-on-frame Ranger mid-size pickup in its lineup and loaded it with a hybrid powertrain as standard.

Dubbed as the smallest pickup in the Blue Oval family, the Ford Maverick will rival against the likes of the similarly-sized Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz, unveiled back in April. It measures 5072 mm in length, 1844 mm in width, and 1745 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3076 mm. In comparison to the Ranger, it is 374 mm shorter and 133 mm narrower. 

Ford will offer the pickup in three variants - XL, XLT, and Lariat, and one body style i.e. four-door crew cab with a 1381 mm cargo box. On the exterior, the base version is decked up in a black grille, C-shaped LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and 17-inch steel wheels. However with the higher trims, grey finishing on the grille and 17- or 18-inch wheel options in silver or black are available. A First Edition package and FX4 package will also be on offer that will add all-terrain tyres, improved suspension tuning, skid plates, and other features to the truck.

Under the bonnet, the Maverick base variant is fitted with a hybrid 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor, combining to produce a maximum power output of 191 hp. For transmitting power to the front wheels, the setup is mated to a CVT gearbox. According to Ford, the Maverick Hybrid can cover a distance of 805 km on a single fuel tank and offers a payload of 680 kg and a towing capacity of 907 kg.

Another engine on offer is a 2.0-litre Ecoboost producing 250 HP and 375 Nm of torque. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Ecoboost engine together with the optional 4K Tow Package increases the pickup towing capacity to 1,814 kg.

Inside the cabin, the new Ford Maverick gets a SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, a Bang & Olufsen sound system among other features.

“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, said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “Maverick challenges the status quo and the stereotypes of what a pickup truck can be,” he added.

The new Ford Maverick will hit the US market this fall at $19,995 (RM 82,355), where it will go on sale this fall.

Also read: Ford celebrates Ranger’s sales success via a limited-edition model