In June of this year, Ford announced a model that is vital to the brand. That car is 2022 Ford Maverick. The 2022 Maverick is a small pickup truck that can provide excellent fuel economy. Hybrid models can reach 40 MPG in the city. The Mavericks are exactly the kind of car that Ford promised when it discontinued all cars in the United States, except for the iconic Mustang.

When Ford stopped production of cars, it didn't have many vehicles that could provide the fuel economy that its fleet provided. Ford's fleet is equipped with Fiesta, Focus and Fusion models. Ford’s challenge for these small vehicles is to make them as attractive as brands such as Honda and Toyota. In the end, if any of Ford’s cars sell well in the United States, the automaker will definitely keep them in the United States as they do in other parts of the world.

The 2022 Ford Maverick is exactly the small pickup truck the brand needs. It is a bit like the return of the original Ford Ranger. It is much smaller and cheaper than the Ranger pickup we have today. Considering that the truck starts at $19,995, Maverick is equipped with a variety of nice features, and we will use some of its best. There is no specific order for the following functions. 1. Powertrain

Any list of Ford Maverick's best features must start with its standard power system. With soaring gasoline prices and the promotion of global electrification, Maverick's standard full hybrid engine makes it the only standard hybrid pickup truck in the United States. The engine under the hood of the small pickup truck is an Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine that, combined with an electric motor, can provide 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The standard hybrid engine is only suitable for continuously variable transmissions that drive the front wheels.

Many people may not be familiar with the Atkinson cycle engine. It differs from a standard internal combustion engine in that it uses a longer expansion stroke than the compression stroke, so that the engine can provide higher thermal efficiency compared to conventional piston engines. Ford also pointed out that the hybrid power system uses an internally specially designed and manufactured electric traction motor, which is lightweight and powerful.

Maverick buyers who want more power and towing capacity can choose the optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost, which produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive as standard, but it can also be equipped with all-wheel drive. In many cold weather states, people see all-wheel drive as a requirement. 2. Fuel economy

The biggest benefit of equipping Maverick with a standard hybrid system is its impressive fuel economy. Initially, Ford promised that its standard hybrid system goal was to reach 40 MPG in the city. However, when the final EPA estimate was announced, the car's fuel consumption in the city was 42 MPG. Ford hopes to return a combined rating of 33 MPG and 37 MPG on the highway. For pickup trucks, this is incredibly impressive fuel economy. This has better fuel economy than the Honda Civic in the city and provides the Mavericks with more towing and towing capabilities. In fact, in our test of the 2022 Maverick pickup, we reached 40 MPG while carrying 1,000 pounds of cargo.

For those who choose the more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost, the fuel economy won't be that impressive, but it's still pretty good. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, this version of the truck can reach 23 MPG in cities, 30 MPG on highways, and 26 MPG in front-wheel drive configurations. When optioned with all-wheel drive, the Maverick returns 22 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on Highway, and 25 MPG combined. 3. Towing and towing

It's hard to believe that a small pickup that can drive 42 MPG in the city can also tow and tow anything the average homeowner needs. Little Maverick has a 4.5-foot-long bed that can carry a payload of 1500 pounds. It is difficult to imagine exactly what a 1500-pound payload would look like, but this is equivalent to approximately 37 bags of 40-pound covering.

If you are working on a DIY construction project in the backyard, Maverick can also place a similar amount of plywood or other large objects. Ford also stated that there is enough room on the bed to carry a standard ATV for those who like to exercise. Of course, we all know the anxiety of buying large items (such as TVs or furniture) and want to know how to accurately bring them home. Maverick may be a gas truck, but it is capable of transporting most of the things that any homeowner wants.

All versions of Maverick can tow 2000 pounds, which is enough to pull a pair of private boats or pop-up campers, etc. For those who want more towing capacity, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost version can be equipped with an optional 4K towing kit, doubling the towing rating to 4000 pounds. Ford says this is enough for an average 21-foot boat or larger camper. 4. Infotainment Technology

There are some functions in modern vehicles, and you will only realize that you need them until you have the opportunity to use them every day. For many people, these required features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These two functions are very similar, allowing the smartphone to display some applications on the screen of the infotainment system. As far as Maverick is concerned, the screen is 8 inches wide and has a tactile feel. All versions of the truck use the same infotainment system.

When using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, users can directly project navigation applications and other applications on the vehicle screen. It is worth noting that Maverick does not have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. However, there are some adapters that can be used in the aftermarket to enable wireless connections for those who think this is important.

Ford also developed the Maverick standard through its FordPass Connect service with an embedded modem that supports Wi-Fi connections for up to 10 devices. Wi-Fi connection is particularly important for long-distance travel using devices such as tablets or handheld game consoles that do not have an integrated Internet connection.

For the unfamiliar, FordPass Connect provides some interesting features, including easily finding your vehicle, checking your fuel level, remotely locking and unlocking the doors, and remotely starting or shutting down the vehicle via the phone. Being able to start your vehicle remotely in cold weather is a feature that is difficult to not have. Remote start means less ice scraping from the windshield, and no numbness and coldness when holding an icy steering wheel in winter. 5. Interior Design

Another very cool feature of Maverick is the internal design. Even on the basic model, the interior has been carefully designed and very attractive, although minimalist, it is not basic. In our 2022 Ford Maverick review, Chris Davis called the truck very honest, which is a good description. It does not pretend that it is nothing, and the performance provided in a vehicle with a starting price of less than $20,000 exceeds your expectations.

Although the entry-level version does not offer some interesting colors of the more expensive models, even the basic version has the same internal characteristics. One thing we particularly like about the interior is that Ford doesn’t pretend that it uses different materials from them. This means that no plastic texture looks like leather. Abandoning this texture also makes the interior of the vehicle easier to keep clean. Considering price and capacity, Maverick is destined to become an affordable work truck for many car owners.

In order to keep the price low, Ford did not hide the screws deliberately, but used them as part of the industrial-looking design, and its design is very good. We also particularly like that Ford avoided the trend of using touch screen control for everything. Instead, Maverick has large knobs and buttons for HVAC systems that can be adjusted while wearing gloves, which those who work on trucks do. The bulky physical controls are also easy to operate and use, without having to take your eyes off the road. The door is also designed with a slot that can hold a liter of water bottles, and in most vehicles, these water bottles will end up being thrown on the seat or floor.

One of the more interesting features is the smart phone holder installed on the center console, allowing your smart phone to be fixed in the car while driving. In some models, wireless charging is also provided. It’s a bit strange to use wireless charging as a feature instead of wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This leads to a strange situation where your content cannot be shared wirelessly to the infotainment screen, but it can be charged without having to plug in a wire. For cars that Ford hopes to attract young buyers, it certainly makes sense to spend a bit more and integrate wireless CarPlay and Android Auto on a version equipped with wireless charging. 6. FITS system

Perhaps one of the most interesting and innovative things Ford has done to Maverick is its FITS or Ford Integrated Tether System. The system utilizes eight different slots distributed around the vehicle cab and can be used for a variety of accessories from cup holders and bag hooks to other items. Although it is interesting to be able to customize the storage and organization options in the truck, the most interesting part is that Ford will release CAD files. By accessing these files, owners with access to the 3D printer will be able to build their own accessories.

Those with more old-school tendencies may even find that they can also cut, carve and paint wood to make their own accessories. Scattered around Maverick are QR codes that can be scanned with a smartphone. These codes point directly to the Ford video, highlighting the modifications that can be made to the interior of the Maverick and the pickup bed. The goal of the system is to allow users to create their own accessories for Maverick, not just bind to Ford accessories.

The FITS system inside the pickup is mainly to make the passengers in the back seat more comfortable. Inside the truck is a slot on the back of the console for adding more cup holders, bag holders, rope organizers, etc. 7. Safety and driving assistance

Although Maverick is an affordable and efficient vehicle, it is still equipped with safety and driver assistance technologies. Some of these technologies are standard and have a wider range of options. The standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technology includes a pre-collision assist system with automatic emergency braking and automatic high beams. Automatic high beams are a particularly important feature, because high beams provide a better view at night, but most drivers do not use them.

When the vehicle feels that it is safe to do so, the automatic high beams will automatically turn on without any driver intervention. It is also important that the high beams are automatically turned off to prevent oncoming drivers from being dazzled. In addition, Ford offers other options for Maverick, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functions, blind spot information system with intersection warning, and lane centering and avoidance steering assist systems.

The adaptive cruise control system can maintain the distance to the vehicle in front. If the traffic stops, the vehicle can be stopped completely without the driver turning off the cruise control. When the traffic starts moving again, regardless of the speed, it will follow the vehicle in front at a preset distance. This means that in the case of heavy traffic, the driver basically has nothing to do, and it should be unlikely to be involved in a rear-end collision. 8. Flexible bed

Maverick uses technology under the hood, inside the truck, and in FLEXBED. Ford said that the cargo box of a pickup truck can be turned into a maker space. This means that there are many opportunities for trucks to create their own storage and sorting systems without having to purchase official parts from Ford or third parties. The pickup bed is designed to use only correctly cut 2×4 or 2×6 plates for segmentation and use slots punched into the pickup bed.

To help fix the load on the bed, Maverick is equipped with two fixing points, four D-rings and built-in threaded holes for owners to add their own accessories. Ford will provide a cargo management system for those who do not want to make parts. However, by integrating the threaded holes into the truck floor, the owner can easily add the C-slot themselves. Just like inside, there are FLEXBED QR codes on the bottom of the truck, which are linked to the video, showing some ideas for accessories that can be built.

Another very nice feature on the truck floor is the standard built-in 12 volt pre-wired power supply. The wires are hidden under removable covers on both sides of the bed, allowing owners to easily integrate their own equipment. In addition, some models of bed and cabin also provide 110 volt 400 watt socket. The bed used for XLT and higher-decorated pickups provides an integrated storage compartment on the side of the bed. Ford also designed a truck that hauls full-size plywood. The tailgate has multiple positions, allowing the load to be placed on the bed in a completely flat orientation. 9. Price

If you don't talk about Maverick's pricing, any list of the best features is incomplete. The starting suggested retail price for pickup is $19,995, which does not include destination delivery charges. This means that buying basic Maverick will cost you more than $20,000. The destination fee is $1495, and the actual suggested retail price of the cheapest Maverick you can buy is $21,490. XLT starts at $22,280, while Lariat's mixed decorations start at $25,490 (both destinationless).

The optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost pushes the starting price of the XL to $21,080 (no destination). Add the same engine to XLT, and the vehicle starts at $23,365. Lariat's same option pushed up the starting price to $26,575, again without a destination. Adding all-wheel drive will add $3,305. 10. Dimensions

Ranked in the top 10 feature list is the size of Maverick. Maverick is significantly smaller than the mid-size Ranger and full-size F-150. However, many people would think that its size is suitable for a powerful pickup that needs to fit in an ordinary garage and drive comfortably in the city. Maverick is 199.7 inches long and 68.7 inches high. In comparison, the Ranger is 210.8 inches long and 73.3 inches high, and the F-150 is 231.7 inches long and 75.6 inches high. The size of Maverick still allows plenty of interior space and towing capacity.

For many people, mobility is very important, and Maverick has a 40-foot curb to limit the turning radius. This should make the vehicle very easy to maneuver on city streets, and may make small pickup trucks very popular with delivery fleets and city workers who need to transport items but do not need full-size trucks. wrap up

With everything Maverick has done, we expect this car to be very popular with buyers. Ford targets different audiences of Maverick, who usually don't buy larger pickup trucks. Maverick’s target population may be those who will eventually ride in a small commuter car or SUV, rather than those who are considering using the F-150. One of our favorite things about Maverick is that it brings back an era when pickup trucks were affordable and much smaller than modern ones. In the past few decades, if you want an affordable vehicle, small trucks are very important in the list of vehicles you consider, and Maverick is bringing it back.