Americans love trucks, which is why the Ford F-150 reigns as the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the past 48 consecutive years. But for those who don’t need the size and capabilities of a full-size pickup like the F-150, the compact Ford Maverick does most truck stuff—hauling, towing, mild off-roading, and tailgating—but for less money and with less bulk. And if you opt for a Maverick Hybrid, you can save on gas to boot, with its EPA-estimated 37 combined MPG—making it by far the most fuel efficient gas-powered pickup available.

Prices for full-size pickups have grown as large as the vehicles themselves, with big-bling trucks costing $100k or more. But the Ford Maverick also takes the prize for the lowest-priced pickup you can buy, with the base model Hybrid XL FWD starting at $23,920. I tested the top-of-the-line Maverick Hybrid Lariat trim with AWD and a base price of $37,290. My tester came with options that included unique exterior trim and floor mats, and with a destination and delivery charge of $1,595 the final sticker came to $40,665.

A Lot of Truck & Features

At this price buyers get a lot of truck and a lot of features, including a maximum payload capacity checks of 1,500 pounds, a 2,000-pound towing capacity (enough to pull a small boat or single-horse trailer, which can be doubled with an optional 4K Tow Package) and a 4.5-foot-long bed with two 12-volt outlets and an optional 400-watt, 110-volt outlet that provides juice for power tools and small electronic devices. Other standard exterior equipment includes LED bed lighting, LED headlights with automatic high beams, heated side mirrors and a power-sliding rear window. Plus, the Maverick has a modern, streamlined shape that stays true to the Ford truck design DNA but adds its own flair.

 Stylish Cabin, Top-Notched Tech

The cabin of the Maverick Hybrid Lariat I tested is equally stylish with distinctive touches such as sculpted door armrests and panels, supple (and easy to clean) synthetic-leather seats with contrasting-color stitching and ambient lighting, along with standard creature comforts such as a dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, and 8-way power -adjustable driver seat. The in-cabin tech is also top notched and includes a 13.2-inch LCD touchscreen with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a wireless phone charger and voice-activated navigation system. A comprehensive suite of standard driver assists encompasses front collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane centering for automated highway driving, lane-departure assist, blind-spot warning and a 360-degree surround-view camera.

The Drive & Verdict

Because of its size, the Ford Maverick handles much better than a full-size truck and is easy to maneuver and park, although there’s a trade-off in power and overall capability when downsizing to the compact pickup. But the upsides are a much lower price initially and paying less at the pump down the road. The Ford Maverick may not be a top choice for owners such as tradesman and ranchers who need maximum payload and towing capacity, but for urban or suburban cowboys and cowgirls the compact pickup is hard to beat and is top in its class.

by Doug Newcomb
Doug Newcomb has been writing about cars for more than three decades. He’s served as an editor at Road & Track, Edmunds.com, and Wards Auto and has written for Motor Trend, Automobile, Autoblog, Wired, Rolling Stone, and numerous other publications. He co-founded the C3 Group in 2013, which produced automotive technology events in New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and at SXSW in Austin and was acquired by Wards/Informa in 2018. When not at his computer, he’s usually driving a cool car or riding a surfboard.