- Optional hybrid powertrain with exceptional fuel economy
- Swift acceleration from the turbocharged engine
- Tremor package allows for off-road fun
- 4,000-pound max towing/1,500-pound max payload
- Priced from $23,400 (plus $1,595 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See listings near you
Ford didn’t invent the compact pickup; they just reminded everyone how much Americans missed having the option. The 2024 Ford Maverick provides light-duty pickup goodness in an attractive package with multiple personalities. Its compact size easily slips into parking spaces often too small for a full-size truck. Its lower ride height means loading the bed doesn’t require body-builder-size arms. The Tremor and FX4 packages give the Maverick legit off-road credentials without severe penalty to fuel economy or a pleasant on-road driving experience. So good is the Maverick that it just landed our Compact Pickup Truck Best Buy Award for the third year in a row.
Truck-Like Capability, Compact Car Fuel Economy
Ford switched it up this year, making the Maverick’s standard engine a turbocharged 2.0-liter and relegating the hybrid powertrain to optional status. That’s OK with us, as the 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine pumps out a healthy 250 horsepower, returns 30 mpg on the highway, and, when properly equipped, can tow up to 4,000 pounds. It’s also the only engine offered when opting for all-wheel drive.
However, if you don’t need big towing, tenacious traction, or off-road capability, the 191-horsepower hybrid engine is more than up to the job. It has an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. With more than 500 miles of range, the Maverick bests even the most frugal subcompact, yet it’s capable of hauling a 1,500-pound payload and towing up to 2,000 pounds. Try that in a Toyota Prius!
In our Expert Review, our own Colin Ryan wrote, “Pickup trucks aren’t known for their comfortable ride or responsive handling. But the Maverick isn’t a traditional pickup truck. Based on the same car-like, unibody platform as the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport small SUVs, we found the Maverick offers a similarly agreeable driving experience.”
Versatility Is the Name of the Game
One look at the Maverick, and it’s clear Ford thought long and hard about the things compact pickup buyers need most. The 4.5-foot Flexbed, for example, is wide enough to fit a 4×8 sheet of plywood. It features numerous grooves and slots, allowing for further customization using 2x4s to form barriers or stops.
Buyers can opt for up to 10 tie-downs, add a 110-volt outlet, and even get personalized advice on how to build a bike rack or install bed lighting simply by scanning a QR code on the Maverick’s bed.
The Maverick’s cab is equally clever. There are door pockets that can fit a laptop or tablet and armrests designed to accommodate a one-liter water bottle. The rear seatback folds flat with additional storage underneath. There’s even an integrated tether system at the back of the center console for different storage solutions, including accommodating home-grown designs using a 3D printer.
A Cool Factor of One
The Ford Maverick has the style and capability of a full-size truck — albeit on a much smaller scale. The Maverick is the compact truck choice for those who want an upright cab, tall ride height, and multi-talented bed, plus phenomenal fuel economy. Best of all, the Maverick’s sub-$23,500 starting price means buyers who never thought they could afford a new pickup truck might now have a chance.
Now for the bad news. In 2023, the Maverick sold out in record time, and the 2024 Maverick looks to be on track to do the same, meaning getting into a new Maverick may prove more elusive than finding $2 a gallon gasoline. On the bright side, strong demand in the used market means the Maverick will likely retain high resale values.
Photo Tour: 2024 Ford Maverick
More 2024 Ford Maverick
- Read our full review
- Build and price your own
- Browse listings near you
Our 2024 Best Buy Award Winners
- Best New Model: 2024 Toyota Prius
- Best Subcompact SUV: 2024 Hyundai Kona
- Best Compact SUV: 2024 Honda CR-V
- Best 3-Row Midsize SUV: 2024 Kia Telluride
- Best Full-Size SUV: 2024 Ford Expedition
- Best 3-Row EV: 2024 Kia EV9
- Best Electric Vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Compact Car: 2024 Honda Civic
- Best Midsize Car: 2024 Honda Accord
- Best Minivan: 2024 Toyota Sienna
- Best Midsize Truck: 2024 Toyota Tacoma
- Best Full-Size Truck: 2024 Ford F-150
- Best Electric Truck: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning
- 2024 Best Buy Awards Home
