This isn’t your parents’ Ford Maverick

When I heard Ford was coming out with another Maverick vehicle, I groaned. As a child, I grew up riding in a brown Maverick four-door, a barebones vehicle for a family of five. With no air conditioning and a small backseat, I fought my siblings for a window seat. But, as the baby of the family, I often ended up smack in the middle. That hot center seat meant little airflow. When I finally scored the window seat, my mom complained about the wind noise and made us shut the window.

Today’s Ford Maverick is remarkably different than the 1970s version, which discontinued in 1977. 

Ford, known best for its F-150 trucks, resurrected the name as a compact pickup truck in 2022. This Maverick is a pint-size version of the F-150 with a smaller price tag and better fuel efficiency.

I test drove a 2025 Maverick XLT hybrid. It gets 38 mpg average with 42 mpg in the city. The gas mileage is double that of the F-150, and it costs half as much at $35,530. An F-150 ranges anywhere from $37,000 to $87,000.

I’m average height for a woman, and getting into this vehicle was surprisingly easy. I didn’t need grab bars or a running board to step on. I simply slid into the comfortable seats. It felt significantly smaller than a mid-size SUV. The second row seating was ample in space, and three adults could sit in air-conditioned comfort.

Of course, size is a factor when purchasing a compact truck. Why do most people buy a pickup truck? To haul stuff. At some point, everyone needs new furniture. College kids also need boxes moved from dorms to apartments at least a dozen times. So, having access to a truck can be ideal. That is why people tend to make friends with those who own pickup trucks.

Exactly how much stuff can be hauled in a pickup cargo bed? The Maverick’s bed is 54 inches long, whereas the F-150’s measures between 67 to 97 inches. 

Tiedowns in the cargo bed can keep that awkward mattress from tumbling onto traffic. A 110 volt outlet in the truck bed provides power for lawn or construction equipment. The Ford salesman I talked with said many gardeners like the bed for hauling bags of topsoil and bedding plants.

The Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds — enough power to pull a pop-up camper, a fishing boat or a small moving trailer. 

Driving the Maverick along the freeway seemed similar to a sedan rather than a pickup truck. Taking corners with ease, I didn’t worry about the back end sticking out into traffic. With a backup camera and other safety features, it was a smooth ride. I nearly forgot I was driving a truck.

The Maverick appeals to folks who desire the convenience of a truck bed but not the gas-guzzling size or higher price. Another bonus? This Maverick has air conditioning. ♦