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2025 Subaru Impreza Review2024 Ford Maverick Review
Ford’s ultra-popular compact pickup truck is quickly becoming one of our favorites. We look at the trim levels, interior options, and more in our review.
2024 Ford Maverick Exterior with Camper – ford.com | Shop 2024 Ford Maverick on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2024 Ford Maverick?
The Maverick enters its third year of production with two drivetrains, optional all-wheel drive, five trim levels, and up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. This small truck is more ‘truck’ than almost anyone will need. It’s very capable, can fit five adults, and still is capable of getting 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. That blend is impossible to find in any other pickup on the market.
There are no big changes for the Maverick in 2024. Instead, the truck gets a little shuffle. The hybrid engine that was standard in 2023 is now optional, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder has become the standard. Front-wheel drive continues to be standard as well.
Carsforsale.com Score
8.75/10
Powertrain
Score
9.25/10
Interior
Score
8.25/10
Technology
Score
8/10
Value
Score
9.5/10
The Breakdown
The perfect-sized truck
Up to 42 mpg city
Capable off-road too
No AWD hybrid
Cheapish feeling cabin
Pricey options
A great small pickup
2024 Maverick Specs
- 250 horsepower from base engine
- 277 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- Basic 3-year warranty
- Towing capacity of 4,000-lb
- Available Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Standard forward collision mitigation
2024 Ford Maverick Powertrain 9.25/10
Under the hood of every Maverick is a four-cylinder powertrain. For 2024, the base version is a gas-only 2.0-liter unit with 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox and gets up to 23 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway. All-wheel drive is available for $2,200.
In addition, Ford offers a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are almost embarrassing but the fuel economy one gains makes up for it. This little truck will achieve up to 43 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. It does so in part thanks to a standard continuously variable transmission. Notably, and in our opinion sadly, the hybrid engine isn’t available with all-wheel drive so buyers have to choose if they want great fuel economy or AWD. They aren’t allowed to have both.
There’s no getting around just how effective the Maverick is in balancing truck-focused features with everyday drivability and usefulness. It’s easy to park, it’s easy to use in busy city streets, and it still has a proper bed in the back and a bit of real-world off-road capability thanks to the Tremor versions. They get unique off-road-tuned suspension bits, more ground clearance, and an upgraded AWD system. This really is all the ‘truck’ that most people will ever need. No, it’s not as sharp as a car to drive but it’s also not as gargantuan and sloppy feeling as every full-size truck on the market either.
2024 Ford Maverick Interior 8.25/10
The Maverick starts at just $25,410 and it manages that price tag by coming with almost no fancy features on the XL or XLT trims. Ford actually boasts that the XL comes with power windows which says a lot about how spartan it is. The XLT adds alloy wheels and slightly nicer upholstery but in reality, most buyers won’t be truly happy in anything less than a Lariat which costs $35,730.
It’s only at this price tag that the Maverick feels like a modern-day vehicle thanks to faux leather upholstery, heated seats, and a few other everyday creature comforts. That said, the seating is comfortable (though not highly adjustable) regardless of trim. The rear seats feel a bit snug for taller adults but should fit most passengers just fine. We also like the under-seat storage in the rear.
The bed offers up to 1,500 pounds of payload capacity. That’s less than you’ll get in a Hyundai Santa Cruz, the only real competition for the Maverick for now. The Hyundai also has the ability to tow more though the Ford offers a trailer brake controller which makes it easier to use out of the box. The Maverick also comes with six tie-down points in the bed and has a three-position tailgate for maximum modularity. The bed itself measures 4.5 feet long.
2024 Ford Maverick Technology 8/10
Across all Maverick trims the infotainment system measures in at 8 inches. Notably, the Lariat gets Sync 3, one of Ford’s best user interfaces. Regardless of trim, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard though. Most versions incorporate six speakers, but a lovely Bang & Olufsen package comes standard on the Lariat and includes eight speakers in total. Overall, the Maverick has some nice technology but it’s not a leader in that realm.
That same theme continues when it comes to safety equipment. The base Maverick comes standard with forward collision mitigation and…that’s it. Nothing but a bit of tech that is soon to become federally mandatory. Thankfully, buyers who want to be up to date with the times can get adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and evasive steering assist.
Of course, they’ll need to spend at least $35,000 for the Lariat trim to do it. That’s a big miss when it comes to prioritizing customer safety. That’s highlighted even more by the fact that the Maverick failed to win any safety awards from the IIHS and managed just a four-star crash test rating from the NHTSA.
2024 Ford Maverick Trims & Pricing
XL – $25,410
The base Maverick comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, and rear under-seat storage.
XLT – $27,910
This trim includes alloy wheels, a unique cloth interior, a rear-seat center armrest, and a locking tailgate.
XLT Tremor Off-Road – $34,275
This trim only comes with the 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive and then adds 17-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, low-speed off-road cruise control, an underbody skid plate, an upgraded transmission cooler, a trailer hitch receiver, a locking rear differential, and unique styling elements.
Lariat – $35,730
This trim is more luxurious as it gets faux leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an updated infotainment system, an upgraded gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, a spray-in bedliner, a trailer hitch, integrated navigation, a wireless charging pad, an eight-speaker sound system from Bang & Olufsen, adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring.
Lariat Tremor Off-Road – $39,945
This trim takes the luxuries from the Lariat and combines them with the off-road equipment from the Tremor sub-trim.
2024 Ford Maverick Overall Value 9.5/10
The Maverick is an objectively great little truck. It offers what most truck buyers actually need without going overboard. Compared to the Hyundai Santa Cruz, its only other competition, it’s a more well-rounded product with a wider range of configurations. Frankly, it’s a better value than most mid-size trucks too since it offers better fuel economy and a better driving experience. If you like the idea of owning a pickup but don’t really need one, the Maverick is a perfect way to live the truck lifestyle but without the costly overhead associated with a full-size truck.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 8.75/10
2024 Ford Maverick Exterior Open Truck Bed – ford.com | Shop 2024 Ford Maverick on Carsforsale.com
Ford did a great job with the Maverick, but it would do well to address some key shortcomings. First, it needs more safety equipment as standard features. Driving aids are proven to reduce crashes so they should be on this truck without demanding more cash from the customer. Second, the hybrid engine should be available with all-wheel drive. It’s super-desirable but limits its own use case for those who live in areas where AWD makes a big difference.
2024 Ford Maverick FAQ
Is the Ford Maverick a hybrid?
It’s available as a hybrid but it comes standard with a non-hybrid engine.
Where are Ford Mavericks built?
The Ford Maverick is built in Mexico at Ford’s Hermosillo Assembly plant.
How much is a Ford Maverick?
The Ford Maverick starts at $25,410 and can cost north of $40,000 depending on dealer markup.
