We've been expecting a new pickup from Ford that's smaller than today's midsize Ranger for a while now. We've seen a bunch of shots of this vehicle under camouflage, and we've heard more wild speculation about the model's specs and name than you can shake a stick at.

Details are starting to become official, and one of them is the little unibody pickup's actual name -- Maverick -- which Ford confirmed Thursday. So now, if I can get you to momentarily push pause on all the Top Gun jokes you've likely got queued up, I'll explain that as with the Bronco, Ford has picked this name from its past. However, unlike the Bronco calling back to an old and beloved SUV, the previous Maverick wasn't a pickup.

No, instead, it was a pretty poorly regarded rear-wheel-drive economy car that was sold from 1970 to 1977 (which was based on a decade-old Falcon platform). The good news is that the new Maverick is almost definitely going to be better than that thing.

The Blue Oval has confirmed that it will debut its 2022 Ford Maverick in all its tiny-truck glory on June 8 with the help of actress and former East Compton Clover, Gabrielle Union (see the teaser video below). She'll show off the truck on her Instagram and TikTok channels, as well as on Ford's social media channels and Hulu. Keep your browser locked right here on Roadshow, and we'll bring you all the news as it happens.

Quoted:
They couldn't have called it the Courier?

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Maverick. What a horrible car that was.

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Although the nameplate originally was used on a compact cars in the 1970s, Ford is reviving the Maverick as a small pickup truck, slotting into the lineup under the mid-size Ranger. Instead of sharing parts and mechanicals with the Ranger itself, the Maverick is expected to ride on the same chassis as the Bronco Sport compact crossover, which would mean possible powertrains will likely include turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines, an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive. Leaked images of the new pickup truck show that a four-door crew cab body style will be offered, but it's not yet known if a two-door body style will also be offered. The Maverick is part of an emerging class of small pickup trucks which Hyundai is also eyeing with the upcoming Santa Cruz.


What's New for 2022?
The Maverick pickup truck has been in the works for some time and if spy photos are to be believed it's very close to production. We expect the Maverick to debut sometime in 2021 and go on sale shortly after as a 2022 model.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
XL
$25,000 (est)

XLT
$28,000 (est)

Lariat
32,000 (est)

Ford hasn't released pricing yet, nor has it said what trim levels the Maverick will be offered in when it finally goes on sale. We are guessing it will follow the Ranger's simple three-trim lineup rather than the Bronco Sport's more complicated five-model arrangement. In our experience, base model Fords are good for keeping costs down but lack basic creature comforts that most buyers consider necessities. Likewise, the loaded Lariat will likely offer all the bells and whistles but at a price that puts it into contention with the larger and more capable Ranger, which would leave the mid-range XLT as best balance between features and price.


If the Bronco Sport donates its powertrain lineup to the Maverick—which we expect—we should find either a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood. The four pot will likely deliver the best performance and towing capacity considering its 245-hp output; the three-cylinder makes 181-hp, which is likely to deliver adequate power for unladen driving but for hauling and towing it may feel anemic. Ford may also choose to drop in a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain, but we don't expect either of those to be available at the pickup's launch. Once we get a chance to drive the Maverick, we'll update this story with driving impressions and test results.


We doubt the Maverick will carry a towing capacity as high as the Ranger's 7500-pound rating. The Bronco Sport can be equipped to tow a maximum of 2200 pounds, but it's possible that Ford may be able to squeeze more capability out of the Maverick.


The EPA hasn't released fuel economy estimates for the Maverick, nor have we had a chance to test the pickup truck out on our 75-mph highway fuel economy test route. We'll update this story with details when that information becomes available.

The only body style we know of for sure is the four-door crew cab, but the Maverick's smaller footprint likely means less passenger space inside than the larger Ranger. If a single-cab model is in the works, expect seating for only two or three across either a front bench or two bucket seats. The Maverick could simply use the same dashboard and center console as the Bronco Sport, with a rotary shift knob and clever storage cubbies. We aren't sure what size cargo beds will be available, but the Maverick won't likely offer as much cargo space there as the Ranger does now.


All models will likely come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Ford's latest Sync 4 operating system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will undoubtedly be standard features and we expect to see an on-board Wi-Fi hotspot as well. Options should include niceties such as in-dash navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an upgraded B&O Play stereo system.

Like the Bronco Sport, the Maverick will offer a suite of standard safety features under the name Co-Pilot360. The package of features includes basics such as automated emergency braking as well as more premium features such as lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlamps. For more information about the Maverick's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

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

The Maverick should stick to the standard warranty package of other new Fords, which is fairly basic and offers no complimentary scheduled maintenance program.

Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:
Maverick. What a horrible car that was.

Quoted:
They couldn't have called it the Courier?

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:
Hopefully they can keep the price and weight down by not loading the vehicle up with luxuries and unneeded safety equipment.

2.3 Ecoboost?

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I hope compact trucks return. These mid sized trucks are silly.

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:


Sadly, these are not compact trucks like the ones back in the day.

Compact trucks were body on frame, RWD or 4x4. Standard cab, extra cab or 4door (4 door in other countries but not here)

These are basically crossovers (unibody/FWD) with the back lopped off.

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God why does someone say this in every vehicle thread? Believe it or not, options people want are tracked by the manufacturers. (lol) If all the manual shit /reg cab was true, it would have happened long ago. We cannot get enough $70+ thousand Sierra Diesel Denalis to sell. People dont want regular cab roll up windows.

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:
This is the model/paint job of the Maverick my parents had back in the early 80's when I was in high school.  I think it was a V6 if I remember correctly.

https://img.hmn.com/900x0/stories/2018/10/1976-Stallion.jpg

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Yep. Ford Ranchero.

Built originally on the Fairlane chassis. Finished up on a Torino frame and front fascia.

TC

ETA: f’ing beat! Assholes!

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/197999/A66C5685-397D-4A25-BAAC-722A9ACF3A41_jpe-1965297.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/197999/35C2109B-BE55-4605-8D8F-2396704AA8AF_jpe-1965298.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/197999/15CED9B3-BC0F-4385-88B8-06B37E4E62E5_jpe-1965299.JPG

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/197999/6D7878BB-2E56-45AB-ABEA-4D1BEB7C1C8E_jpe-1965300.JPG

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Cool, I thought this was more of a 2023-24 thing, no idea they were going to push it out to market this quickly.

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You are correct sir. I drove a Maverick, it was a perfectly good car. The Pinto was a good car, just stupid ugly.

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Yeah I don't foresee the millenials properly transitioning to driving Old Fart trucks, so this idea is a non-starter.

They're not going to sell millions of $25k trucks to dudes who actually need to fit full 4x8' sheets in the back.   $10-15k, sure.

I do hope they keep offering vinyl flooring as an F150 option, though.

Quoted:


Sadly, these are not compact trucks like the ones back in the day.

Compact trucks were body on frame, RWD or 4x4. Standard cab, extra cab or 4door (4 door in other countries but not here)

These are basically crossovers (unibody/FWD) with the back lopped off.

Quoted:
I see their targeted customer is black females.

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year

Quoted:
Should make a mustang with a truck bed.

Did Ford ever have their version of an El Camino?

Quoted:
Ford should make a regular cab long bed 4x4 diesel with manual locks/windows/trans and vinyl seats and floors for $25k.

They would sell millions every year