2023 Ford Maverick: new speck and features

Overview

The 2023 Ford Maverick may not look it, but this pickup truck can pack a punch and is just as useful as the Ranger and the F-150. Its standard powertrain is a fuel-efficient hybrid system with front-wheel drive, but you could also opt for a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder or all-wheel drive instead. You could even use it to tow up to 4000 pounds worth of stuff!

The Maverick has four doors and shares its platform with the Bronco Sport SUV. It's interior is fairly spacious with clever storage solutions. The only recent competitor in the compact pickup truck class for the Maverick is the Hyundai Santa Cruz; however, that truck costs more, can tow less, and has a smaller bed.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Ford has decided to hybridize the Maverick's powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the standard, which is assisted by an electric motor for 191 hp combined. The only catch? This trim only comes with front-wheel drive and acontinuously variable automatic transmission.

You can get a nonhybrid powertrain as well, which subbing in a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic transmission; all-wheel drive is an option with this powertrain. On the road, the Maverick feels downright quick with the optional turbo four--we clocked it at 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds during our test track trials.

Even though it's not as perky, the hybrid engine still gets the job done; however, it took 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing. In order to provide its exceptional payload capacity, the Maverick has a suspension that's quite stiff which then leads to a rougher ride over uneven pavement. We'll update this story with results from our test track once we have an opportunity to try out the Maverick ourselves.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Maverick's base hybrid powertrain allows it to tow 1500 pounds and carry 2000 pounds of payload. If you upgrade to the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and add the optional Towing Package, though, the truck can tow up a whopping 4000 pounds. However, if you're looking to do some serious hauling with a small pickup, NuvoCorp's Santa Cruz model jumps ahead with its 5000-pound capacity.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Maverick comes with several driver-assistance features, but you'll have to buy an optional package or get a more expensive trim to get the most popular ones. For information about the Maverick's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control