There is a reason why monster truck rallies exist: some people like huge, exaggerated versions of something that’s as commonplace as a truck. It’s why there is a large sculpture of an eyeball in downtown Dallas, or a giant cheery balanced on spoon in Minneapolis. We like supersized things in this country and for some time now large trucks have become a badge of honor with practically every major American car company feeding our addiction with trucks that seem to grow every year. That’s why Ford’s newest truck, the Maverick, made some waves recently. Its bucking “large” in favor of “compact” while offering all the amenities of a full size truck.
While any driver could potentially find something they like about the new Ford Maverick, I find myself wondering who the specific target audience is? Obviously trucks are meant to haul and pull, but Ford has made some interesting choices in it’s newest truck that broaden it’s appeal beyond the normal “workhorse” customer. The name itself – Maverick – says it all, labeling this truck as an experience apart from the rest. While we’re still a ways off from actually experiencing a Maverick in person, some of the facts and interesting information Ford has released about it has me contemplating the type of Driver I can see behind the wheel of this “newest kid on the block.”
Buckle up and lets drive by the kind of drivers I see as ideal for the 2022 Ford Maverick.
The Penny Pincher Driver
It isn’t just the Maverick’s size that’s compact, it’s the price tag as well. Starting at just $19,995, this is one of the most affordable trucks on the market and ideal for that driver who keeps an eye on their budget. Of course, there will be plenty of trim levels and accessories that can easily drive that price upward, but $20k isn’t a bad starting place. What’s even better is the 40 miles per gallon fuel economy that Ford projects it’s full-hybrid powertrain can produce in the Maverick. That equals out to about 500 miles of non-stop driving on a single tank of a single tank of gas. Less trips to the pump should be a welcome idea to any driver, let alone the penny pincher driver. The Maverick accomplishes this eye-popping range because of its 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder hybrid powertrain that can deliver 191 horsepower when combined with the electric motor. While this might seem like a lightweight engine it does provide enough power to carry up to 1,500 pounds and tow up to 2,000 pounds. In real word terms that’s enough power to carry an ATV in the bed or pull a decent sized pop-up camper.
The Busy Body Driver
Owning a truck offers a lot of opportunity to seek adventure, get projects done, or provide needed functionality in a variety of scenarios. While the Maverick is indeed smaller than Ford’s other trucks, it’s bed is still the center of fun and not much smaller than the next truck size up, the Ford Ranger. The Maverick comes with what Ford is calling a Flexbed, which is a fancy way of saying this bed can be tricked out to suit your needs. Like to carry cargo in your truck bed but want to keep it all organized and separated? There are threaded DIY holes throughout and very thoughtful lumber slots that allow for common sized pieces of wood to be used as storage dividers. Need power solutions while you’re out camping? Two 12-volt 20-amp prewired sources and two available 110-volt outlets in the bed can power anything from a laptop to an extensive lighting rig. Like having tailgate parties down at the football stadium with a bunch of your friends? The tailgate can handle up to 500 pounds of sports fans and even has a built in bottle opener.
The Limited Garage Space Driver
Ford’s Super Duty truck line are hulking powerhouses and they certainly have their use in environments like a farm or on a worksite. But have you ever tried to park a Super Duty in a common sized garage? Unless you’re Jay Leno and your garage is larger then your house, you’re not fitting a large truck like the Super Duty in a small garage. Enter the Maverick. At about 200 inches long and 68.7 inches high, it should be able to fit in most garages comfortably, not to mention you won’t have to scour a parking lot for a suitable space long enough to fit it in. While haven’t experienced the Maverick for ourselves yet, Ford says this compact truck still offers plenty of interior space as well. Five adults can easily fit in the cabin, with room to spare for storage.
The Classic Interior Driver
Like a seasoned DJ, Ford has managed to mashup the modern and the classic inside the Maverick’s cabin to create an interior design thats both rugged and rounded. There is something significantly “old-school” to elements of the dash but everywhere you turn there are attractive accent colors that make components pop in a very modern way; take the streak of color across the air vents for example. This refreshingly vintage vibe is sure to please drivers who don’t need the extra frills that modern vehicles insist on cluttering into their dashboards. In the Maverick, the shifter is a dial in the center console and the 8-inch touch screen in the middle of the dash is charmingly small and unobtrusive. Even the storage areas in the doors are minimalistic and concentrated to do specific things like carrying a water bottle. Thankfully Ford still offers storage space underneath the rear seats – a perfect place for storing items out of sight.
The “I’m a fan of Gabriellle Union” Driver
This one is a bit tongue in cheek but there is something important to note when Ford offers up photos of Gabrielle Union in and around the new Maverick. Lots of women drive trucks and I’d wager lots more would, if all types of drivers were considered in the design of a truck. As much as I loved reviewing Ford’s Super Duty, my wife had a difficult time entering the vehicle because of it’s height, even with handle bars and a running board to help. I’m interested in how easy it will be for her to jump into the Maverick. I have no idea how tall Gabrielle Union is (the internet says 5’7″) but next to the Maverick she’s not only stunning but she looks like she could easily reach items in the bed of the truck. Ford took into consideration accessibility in their design of the Maverick, which is why the bed walls are slightly lower to allow for most adult to easily reach in to grab cargo.
Is the 2022 Maverick a Good Truck for Dad Drivers?
Trucks are sort of like smart watches – some people own one just to say they own one, while others get the most use they can out of it. Unlike smartwatches, trucks are a significant investment and often times there is little compromise for drivers who want the ability to haul cargo but want a vehicle small enough to fit in a garage. The all new Maverick falls directly in that grey area and is perfectly targeted to a niche market that is growing every year.
Most truck enthusiast Dad Drivers will appreciate the rugged design of the interior and attention to details when it comes to the Flexbed. Techy Dad Drivers might be disappointed with the smaller infotainment screen on the dash, even though it looks to be the perfect size for this particular truck. Some more adventurous Dad Drivers will scoff at the idea that the Maverick doesn’t come with a 4-wheel drive option (yet) but that’s not the point of this truck. It’s clear that the Maverick is meant to achieve great fuel economy, and attract new, maybe slightly younger drivers who are “truck curious.”
For me, as a Dad Driver, it comes down to two things: price and space. This is an extremely affordable truck and even at the base level, the Maverick as some significant advantages to offer. The space in my garage is limited, so the Maverick’s size is also a huge factor for me. Of course, I’ll hold my final opinion until I get a chance to experience the interior space for myself. I’m not expecting a lot of room inside the Maverick but ultimately most days all I really need is room for myself, a child’s car seat and a diaper bag for my daughter. So the Maverick might just turn out to be the perfect truck for the urban Dad or Mom Driver on the go. Time will tell.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
