New 2024 Maverick Truck Models, Specs, Changes – In a market where pickup trucks have been steadily growing in size, the introduction of the 2024 Ford Maverick signals a possible sea change. This Ford is a pickup truck, not the compact coupe/sedan that the company sold in the 1970s. The Maverick is here to fill the void left by the previous generation Ranger for city dwellers and people with active lifestyles who don’t require the size or capability afforded by a mid-size or full-size truck. Ford is aiming for a new market with the Maverick and hopes to get many buyers into their very first truck, but the Maverick’s formula won’t sway traditional, towing/hauling-obsessed truck lovers.
The 2024 Maverick is part of a new class of compact trucks, including the recently released Hyundai Santa Cruz. Ford takes an intriguing tack by providing a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid as the base powertrain, sending energy to the front wheels through a continually varying transmission (CVT). The 2.0-liter EcoBoost is an excellent choice for buyers who need more capacity and capability, as it can send 250 hp to the front wheels or if they choose, all four wheels. A pickup truck of this caliber has never been tested before, and with a base price of less than $20,000 (not including destination charges), it’s easy to see why Ford might be sitting on a sales hit. We put the New Maverick through its paces in Nashville, Tennessee, to see if the “Built Ford Tough” slogan holds for this compact pickup.
All-new for 2024, the Ford Maverick is a minor entry to the Ford truck lineup that sits below the Ford Ranger. Even though it can’t pull as much as other pickup trucks, the bed area has a lot of valuable options for people who live active lives. The Maverick has a starting price of under $20,000, a unibody frame that promises a smooth ride, and an EPA-estimated city fuel economy of 40 mpg.
New 2024 Maverick Truck Redesign
Although high-tech LED headlights are standard equipment, the base XL only comes with 17-inch steel wheels. The XLT rolls on 17-inch alloys, while the Lariat uses 18-inches; the First Edition Package adds black wheels. Black door and tailgate handles are standard on the base trim, while Lariat models get body-color grips. Several options for transporting and stowing your cargo include six-bed tie-downs and Ford’s Flex system. A power moonroof, cargo liner, tonneau cover, and pickup box extender are all available as add-ons.
The Maverick is shorter (11.1 inches) and narrower (2.3 inches) than the comparable Ford Ranger SuperCrew (which is itself faster than the standard-size Ford F-150). The Maverick has a maximum height of 68.7 inches, a maximum width of 83.5 inches (including the mirrors), a length of 199.7 inches, and a wheelbase of 121.1 inches. That’s short for a truck, but the Maverick is still an inch longer than the mid-size Ford Explorer SUV. The mirrors can be folded, reducing the width to just 74.9 inches. It’s not a massive downgrade from the Ranger SuperCrew’s five-foot bed to the Maverick’s four-and-a-half feet. The Maverick has a cargo length of 54.4 inches and a cargo width at the wheelhouse of 42.6 inches (compared to 61 inches in the Ranger).
The breakover angles for an approach, departure, and ramp are calculated to be 21.6 degrees, 21.2 degrees, and 18.1 degrees, respectively, for a vehicle with all-wheel drive and 17-inch wheels. The front-wheel-drive hybrid with 17-inch wheels has a departure angle of only 21.9 degrees. The bare minimum for safe and legal operation with AWD is 8.6 inches. A substantial weight reduction compared to larger trucks is an advantage of the smaller dimensions. At 3,563 pounds, the Maverick FWD with the EcoBoost engine is nearly 800 pounds lighter than the lightest Ranger SuperCrew. The Maverick’s total weight (with all-wheel drive) is 3,731 pounds. The hybrid, available with FWD, weighs in at 3,674 lbs.
Interior
All Mavericks have four regular-sized doors and a reasonably roomy backseat because they are all crew cabs. Ford has thoughtfully designed the interior with numerous storage compartments and bins, including a sizable area under the rear seat. Though they lack luxury in other respects, even the most basic trims come with features like a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, keyless entry, and front seats with adjustable lumbar support. Dual-zone automated climate control, ambient interior lighting, and front power seats are some of the luxuries that come standard or as part of the XLT and Lariat option packages.
Ford claims that 18 sheets of 4′ x 8′ x 3/4″ plywood can be loaded horizontally into the Maverick’s bed. There is a 12-volt power point built into the bed, with a 110-volt option available. All Maverick models come equipped with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The base model has a Wi-Fi hotspot and is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgraded B&O Play stereo systems, wireless smartphone charging, and SiriusXM satellite radio are all available as add-ons.
Engine
The new Maverick offers a choice between two different powertrains, the first of which is a hybrid. It uses an electric traction motor with a 2.5-liter Atkinson Cycle inline-four engine to generate 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. Only at 4,000 rpm does the four-cylinder engine reach its maximum torque. This model comes standard with a CVT and is very refined and discreet. Even though purists in the pickup truck community might scoff at the idea of a hybrid truck with the continuously variable transmission, the Maverick is surprisingly adept in urban environments. Easing the gas pedal will move off from a stop using only the electric motor. Peacefulness prevails.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine is the best choice for those who want brisk acceleration or all-wheel drive availability. It generates 252 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It has much more exciting acceleration, and it’s paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed operates without jerkiness, and the gear changes come at the precise moment that acceleration is called for. The EcoBoost is noticeably faster than the alternative, but it makes a harsh noise when driven quickly, while the hybrid engine is noticeably quieter and more at ease.
New 2024 Maverick Truck Release Date and Price
To get to the low starting price of the hybrid-powered XL base model, add $1,495 for shipping. The cost goes up by $1,085 with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost motor and by $3,305 with both AWD and the EcoBoost motor. The base XL starts at $22,280, while the fully loaded Lariat can be purchased for $25,490. The cost of adding the EcoBoost engine or the EcoBoost with All-Wheel Drive is equivalent to the XL’s premium. The all-new 2024 Ford Maverick, brought back from the dead, will go on sale in June of 2023.