The Ford Maverick name dates back to the late 1960s, when it was sold as a rather forgettable compact coupe and sedan. After that, the name lived on as various SUVs in Australia, Europe, and China. It was revived in North America as a compact pickup truck in 2022, sliding into Ford’s truck line-up below the midsize Ford Ranger.
While the Maverick lacks the capabilities of the larger Ranger and the full-size F-150, it could be a perfect fit for a broad section of truck buyers. In reality, most truck owners don't need stump-pulling torque, all-conquering off-road prowess, or a bed big enough to transport the contents of an entire apartment. There's a definite advantage to having a vehicle that’s just right for your needs, and if your tasks are on the smaller side — and perhaps if you're in a more urban setting—the Ford Maverick could very well be the perfect fit.
Ford Maverick Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ford Maverick Pros and Cons
- Ford Maverick generations
- First generation (2022 - present)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford Maverick years are the best?
The 2025 Ford Maverick received some notable upgrades that push it to the top of the list. Not only was the styling updated, but it also gained a much larger infotainment touchscreen and wireless phone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On top of those upgrades, shoppers can also get the Maverick hybrid model with all-wheel drive (AWD). Almost all the previous safety recalls have been addressed for the 2025 model year.
Which Ford Maverick years are the worst?
There haven't been any significant changes from year to year that would qualify one particular Maverick as the worst. However, the introductory 2022 model year saw a rather alarming number of safety recalls (24, to be precise). That said, these recalls only applied to the turbocharged EcoBoost Maverick, and as long as a qualified Ford shop has addressed them, they shouldn't be problematic in future.
Is the Ford Maverick a good deal?
A new Maverick is a relative bargain. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing (MSRP) that starts in the mid-$30,000 range, you get a lot of utility and capabilities for the money. That makes it a serious rival to the only other contemporary compact pickup truck, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which can tow more but doesn't offer an integrated trailer brake controller. The Maverick also holds its value better than the Santa Cruz, which means you'll have to pay a little more for a used example, but that also means you'll reap the benefits when you sell it.
Ford Maverick Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable
- Fuel-efficient hybrid
- Small and easy to drive
Cons:
- Firm ride
- Budget truck interior
- Weak hybrid engine performance
Ford Maverick generations
First generation (2022 - present)
The Ford Maverick name was resurrected for the 2022 model year as one of the few compact pickup trucks offered in North America. It uses the Ford Escape compact SUV as a starting point, which is the same platform upon which the Bronco Sport is built. When it debuted, this same platform supported the midsize Ranger, full-sized F-150, and all of its Super Duty siblings.
The Maverick is available only as a four-door crew-cab mated to a five-foot cargo bed. The standard powertrain has swapped several times in Canada between the two available versions.
One is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid that produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. Fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it was initially offered only with front-wheel drive (FWD). The other is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost non-hybrid engine with increased power output of 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD) has always been standard with this engine in Canada.
The hybrid powertrain had a maximum towing capacity of only 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds), while the turbo model was able to pull up to 1,810 kilograms (4,000 pounds) when properly equipped.
Unsurprisingly, these two drivetrains deliver distinctly different driving experiences. The hybrid holds definite appeal for those seeking fuel efficiency, but it’s a bit of a slouch when it comes to acceleration and needs about 8.5 seconds to reach 100 km/h. The turbocharged EcoBoost engine gets there almost two seconds quicker and is noticeably better at hauling cargo and passengers.
At launch, there were three Maverick trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The bottom two trims were available with either powertrain, while the Lariat was initially EcoBoost-only. Standard features were akin to a basic work truck and included steel wheels, cloth upholstery, air conditioning, and a six-speaker sound system. It also came with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
Available features included 17-inch aluminum wheels, a power-locking tailgate, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, a power-sliding rear window section, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an upgraded instrument panel, USB charge ports for the rear passengers, a B&O premium sound system, a wireless phone charger, household power outlets, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist.
The 4K Towing package added a pre-wired hitch receiver, integrated trailer brake controller, and improved engine cooling. The FX4 Off-Road package tacked on all-terrain tires, front tow hooks, underbody skid plates, and hill descent control. For additional safety and driver assist features, the Ford Co-Pilot 360 package added a blind-spot monitor and lane-keep assist.
For the 2023 model year, the turbocharged XLT trim was eligible for a new Tremor Off-Road package. This gave the Maverick even more adventure credentials by enhancing the FX4 package with a higher-riding off-road suspension, an enhanced all-wheel drive system with a locking rear differential, Trail Control (low-speed cruise control for off-roading), a transmission cooler, a trailer hitch receiver, a full-size spare tire, and terrain-specific drive modes.
The following year, the 2024 Ford Maverick flipped the script on its engine choices, making the turbocharged four-cylinder standard and offering the hybrid as an option.
For 2025, a new Ford Maverick Lobo trim joined the lineup as a sporty street-focused alternative. It had a lowered sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, sport brakes and steering, and unique interior and exterior styling. It also switched to a seven-speed transmission, a re-tuned AWD system with torque vectoring, and included the Co-Pilot 360 package.
All 2025 Maverick models also benefited from a slight styling refresh, a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen running the new Sync 4 system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim also gained a 360-degree camera system, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking proximity sensors. And, perhaps most critically for Canadian customers, all-wheel drive was finally offered as an option with the hybrid.
By Natural Resources Canada estimates, the hybrid Maverick is rated at an impressive 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.7 on the highway, and 6.2 in combined driving. This rating applies to both the FWD and AWD drivetrains for 2025, and the Maverick Hybrid AWD has matched these estimates in our testing. The non-hybrid 2.0-litre EcoBoost motor is estimated at between 10.6 L/100 km city, 7.8 highway, and 9.4 combined. Note the Lobo trim has a slightly higher combined fuel consumption estimate of 9.7 L/100 km, and the Tremor comes in at 10.1 L/100 km combined.
Crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) resulted in four out of five stars for overall and rollover protection, and five stars in frontal and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Maverick its second-lowest score of "Marginal" in frontal moderate overlap tests and its highest score of "Good" in side crash tests.
Initially, the Ford Maverick was beset by numerous safety recalls, though it's important to note that many of these were exclusive to the EcoBoost models. These included engine fires, loss of power, instrument panel lighting problems, unintended brake light activation or failure, turn signal failures, trailer brake issues, engine software issues, rearview camera glitches, side curtain airbags problems, rear seat belt issues, and possible fuel tank damage. Later years also added recalls for the windshield wipers, tire construction problems, and child seat anchors. For the most part, the recalls were addressed for the 2025 model year.
Despite these early hiccups, the Ford Maverick has held its value extraordinarily well. As long as a qualified dealership service department has addressed the above recalls, it would be easy to recommend one as a pre-owned purchase. There were’t a whole lot of used units on the Canadian market as of this writing, but this should improve as the earliest models come off leases. For now, a used 2022 or 2023 Maverick presents a $5,000 to $8,000 discount over buying new.
