AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING9.0/10
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Safety6.0/10
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PRACTICALITY9.0/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS8.0/10
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FEATURES6.0/10
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POWER7.0/10
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COMFORT7.0/10
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DRIVING FEEL7.0/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7.0/10
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VALUE8.0/10
The 2024 Ford Maverick may be among the smallest trucks on the market, but its combination of utility, economy, and ease of use might just make it the most useful.
While full-size pickups have turned into status symbols, this compact remains refreshingly simple – and sometimes simple is just better.
Styling 9/10
The Maverick is unapologetically a unibody vehicle and its styling doesn’t hide it. But it boasts classic pickup truck proportions, and big headlights with a friendly face. The optional Tremor off-road package ($3,900) adds a bit more ride height, and comes with orange accents and tow hooks, and Tremor logos inside and out. There are more hard surfaces than soft ones inside, but cool polygonal textures help to keep it interesting, and it all feels durable – perfect for a pickup.
Features 6/10
The Tremor package comes with more than just stickers and orange tow hooks – there’s some real off-road cred. Tremor-specific shocks and springs give it a lift, and there’s underbody protection by way of skid plates. There’s an electronic locking rear differential, additional terrain modes for mud and sand, all-terrain tires, a high-flow radiator, and an upgraded transmission cooler.
The Tremor package is available on the XLT and Lariat trims, but not on the base XL. You also cannot get it with the hybrid powertrain or the 4K tow package.
All Mavericks come with an eight-inch centre touchscreen infotainment system, a cabin that fits four comfortably, and rear seats that flip up to reveal storage cubbies. Surprisingly, heated seats, a feature that’s usually standard in Canada, is only available in the XLT and Lariat trims.
Practicality 9/10
The Maverick’s 4-foot 6 bed might be small compared to a full-size truck’s, but it’s longer than the bed on the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which is its closest competitor. It’s also easier to access and has a more traditional shape, with 10 tie-downs, aluminum rails, in-bed lighting, and an available spray-in bedliner standard on Lariat trims.
The tailgate has a mid-position to help accommodate long items, and there’s an optional 400-watt inverter with a 110-volt outlet in the bed and another in the cab. The rear bench isn’t the most spacious, but a couple of adults should be comfortable back there.
Power: 7/10
A turbocharged four-cylinder is standard across all trims. It makes 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, and it’s more than enough to move the Maverick quickly. Merging, passing, and getting up to highway speeds – even when laden with gear – is never an issue.
An optional hybrid powertrain is available for just $500, although it can’t be paired with the Tremor package, nor all-wheel drive. It also doesn’t pack the same punch as the turbo motor, but it can still tow 907 kg (2,000 lb).
Fuel Economy 7/10
The gas-powered Maverick is rated to return a combined 11.0L/100 km, which is pretty good, but it’s not great next to the hybrid’s 6.3. Our testing took place largely in the city, where it registered a passable 12.0 L/100 km.
Driving Feel: 7/10
Small and nimble, the Maverick is fun to drive for a pickup; and even though the Tremor package is geared towards the trail, it doesn’t lose any of its on-road goodness. The steering is relatively quick and heavy, and while the Maverick doesn’t lean in the corners it still has that chunky truck-like feel that’s missing from the Santa Cruz.
The eight-speed transmission can shift a bit harshly at lower speeds but smooths out as you go faster. The Maverick isn’t a quick vehicle, but the turbocharged engine has ample torque and good pulling power, even when carrying passengers. It’s composed and stable on the highway and feels very car-like, thanks in no small part to its Escape underpinnings.
User-Friendliness 8/10
The Maverick is about as basic as it gets, with few bells and whistles to distract from what it is. The infotainment is simple and intuitive, there are hard buttons for almost everything, and lower trims still have to be started with a key. Even the bed is just a big, open area with easy-to-use tie downs and bright lighting. The Maverick is even easy to get into, unlike bigger trucks that almost need step ladders to enter.
Comfort 7/10
The Maverick rides fairly stiffly, but the Tremor pack loosens it up a bit with more suspension travel and slightly softer dampers to handle rough and uneven terrain. It shrugs off lumps and bumps but still hangs on quite nicely in the corners. The seats are comfortable but lack any sort of lateral and thigh support but that’s not so necessary here.
Safety 6/10
The Maverick comes with a basic list of driver aids that includes a pre-collision system with automatic braking, and automatic high-beam control. Lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring are part of a $700 option package, but the Lariat gets everything standard and also includes adaptive cruise control.
Value 8/10
The Maverick isn’t a cheap vehicle, especially if you want nicer options like a better stereo, additional driver aids, and the extra bed tie downs. But it offers good value when taken in the context of the available pickup trucks on the market. It starts at $35,395 including a non-negotiable freight fee of $2,295. Meanwhile, the XLT trim is $37,995, while the Lariat is $45,795.
The Verdict
Ford seems to be nickel-and-diming a bit when it comes to some of the options like heated seats and driver aids that really should be standard fare on a nearly $40,000 vehicle. Beyond that, the 2024 Ford Maverick is just about the perfect little city runabout that also doubles as a pickup. It’s cute, fun to drive, and one of the most useful vehicles you can buy today
| Engine Displacement | 2.0L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Peak Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Fuel Economy | 11.9 / 9.9 / 11.0 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 943 L |
| Model Tested | 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat |
| Base Price | $43,500 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,095 |
| Price as Tested | $49,595 |
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Optional Equipment
Tremor package, $3,900
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