Ford Maverick compact hybrid truck debuts – Should the Philippines get it?

Ford is on to something new with the introduction of the all-new 2022 Maverick compact hybrid truck. It breaks away from the usual rugged and sturdy trucks seen from the Blue Oval company as the Maverick is designed with the Unibody SuperCrew pickup chassis, making it more of a lifestyle pickup truck.

The all-new 2022 Ford Maverick

But being different from the American car brand’s pickup truck family is not a bad thing at all. In fact, the Ford Maverick offers distinct features that give it an edge over its larger truck siblings such as enhanced ride comfort, relatively better fuel economy, compact dimensions, among others.  

“Maverick challenges the status quo and the stereotypes of what a pickup truck can be. We believe it will be compelling to a lot of people who never before considered a truck,” said Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager Todd Eckert.

Exterior

The Ford Maverick’s front fascia is dominated by its massive grille and standard LED headlamps that create an aggressive look. Black trims are added to the compact pickup truck to establish an off-road appeal. These can be seen on the lower bumper, side skirts, and lower rear end bumper.

The Ford Maverick EcoBoost AWD Lariat

To improve its characteristic as a lifestyle truck, the Blue Oval company introduced the Flexbed, which comes with standard features that can turn the cargo space into a workspace for DIY projects. It can carry long and wide items up to 680 kg of payload thanks to the truck’s multi-position tailgate.

Interior

Inside, the new Ford Maverick is designed with a spacious cabin layout that offers versatility and generous leg and headroom. It can be installed with a moonroof as an option to further highlight the roomy interior.

Interior view of the hybrid variant

Other practical features include door armrests with a split design that allows a one-liter water bottle to sit upright, huge door pockets for gadgets or notebooks, and a spacious storage bin under the rear seats that can be used to store tools and gears.

Tech & Safety

A standard 8-inch infotainment screen is fitted in the center console that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It is also equipped with a standard FordPass Connect with embedded modem and Wi-Fi for up to 10 devices. The FordPass Connect also helps the truck, check the fuel level, unlock doors, and start or turn off the truck using a phone only.

Interior view of the EcoBoost AWD Lariat variant

As for safety, the compact pickup truck is equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360 which offers standard features such as Auto High Beams, Autolamp, Pre-collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Rearview Camera. Other features offered as an option include Adaptive Cruise Control, Evasive Steering Assist, Lane Centering, Lane Departure Warning, and more.

Engine & Drivetrain

Under the hood, the Ford Maverick is powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain paired with a 94 kW permanent magnet electric traction motor. When combined, the truck can make 191 hp and 210 Nm of torque. The engine is paired to continuously variable transmission (CVT). Ford boasts the hybrid powertrain’s fuel efficiency rated at 17 km/L and has a range of up to 800 km when loaded with a full tank.

Featuring the Flexbed

A 2.0-liter EcoBoost gasoline engine is also offered as an option for those looking for more power out of the truck. This smaller turbocharged engine can send power rated at 250 hp and 376 Nm of torque to either the front wheels or all-wheel, depending on the option.
The 2022 Ford Maverick will go on sale in North America in the fourth quarter of this year. 

So, should the Philippine market get the Maverick? Well, bringing it into the local market could make sense considering its more compact dimensions as compared to the Ford Ranger. The Maverick’s overall size could make it a more reasonable option for individuals who want a pickup truck for the urban jungle. 

Would you like to see this on Philippine roads?

One can say that it would be a good addition to the wide array of truck options Ford Philippines is offering in the local market. If the compact truck makes its way into the local lineup, it will join its larger truck siblings including the Ranger, Ranger Raptor, and F-150.

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