2022 Ford Maverick Debuts Next Week
Ford has announced that it will be introducing a new pickup next week, effectively making this the pre-engagement ring of automotive commitments. Anticipated to be a compact truck priced to contend with tougher times, the model has fittingly been named the Maverick. The title harkens back to the 1970s and the 2-door coupe (later sedan) equipped with a lineup of “Thriftpower” motors that originally had the name emblazoned on the rear deck with a somewhat confusing cattle theme.
While designed in roughly the same spirit as the original, the modern Maverick is a different animal and unlikely to come with the optional Windsor V8 allotted to the coupe. We’ve been told it’s to be produced alongside the smaller Bronco Sport in Mexico and likely share a platform. That means powertrains will probably be limited to 1.5 or 2.0-liter Ecoboost motors with a maximum possible output of 245 horsepower.
But that should suffice for a pint-sized pickup. It’s more than any non-Syclone version of the Chevy S-10 produced and would undoubtedly be sufficient for the lighter workloads someone would buy the truck for in the first place. Ford also released a teaser video where the truck looks to have a hybrid badge on the back. We’re betting that model would use the 2.5-liter Duratec iVCT gas-electric hybrid that’s found in the current-generation Escape. Though it should be said that absolutely none of this has been confirmed by the manufacturer.
Pricing is a mystery but Ford will absolutely keep the Maverick well below the Bronco Sport’s nearly $27,000 MSRP. It also has to try and avoid stepping on the Ranger’s toes, likely necessitating a price tag as close to $20,000 as it can manage. Blue Oval previously hinted that it wanted to introduce a pickup under $20,000, though we’re not sure how realistic that’s going to be with just every other model seeing a price hike over the last year — including the Bronco Sport.
The official debut happens on June 8th, with Ford hiring Gabrielle Union (who I verified is actually famous after a quick search) to simultaneously present the vehicle on her own Instagram and TikTok channels. The manufacturer will also be broadcasting the event on Hulu and via its existing social media channels. It’s likely to be a cringe festival but we’re genuinely interested in what the pickup is going to offer and hope this heralds in more legitimately small trucks, rather than “midsize” behemoths like the Chevrolet Colorado and Ford’s own Ranger.
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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It is probably a waste of an advertising budget to have a celebrity advertise a compact truck. Just let the public know its available with a simple ad and it will sell.
I'm guessing by the name that slavuta is of East European descent? If so, it explains a lot....