Drive Notes: 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT
Ford's popular Maverick pickup truck gets only minor changes for 2024. That's a good thing, since there's a reason the Maverick is well-liked.
The biggest change is that the gas engine is now standard, and the 2.5-liter hybrid that makes 191 system horsepower is now optional.
I recently had a front-wheel drive hybrid example in XLT trim. As I try to do with most cars I test, I am giving you a Cliff's Notes version in pro/con format, with a full review likely to come down the road.
So, here goes.
Pros
- The fuel economy is great -- and the powertrain spends a decent amount of time in electric mode.
- When the truck launched, I carped that the hybrid's throttle response was too weak. Ford has fixed this -- the response is much quicker.
- There's still car-like handling -- no punishment because you're driving a truck.
- You can park this thing in the city with almost no problem.
- Interior controls are easy to use and it's nice to have buttons and knobs.
Cons
- The ride is generally compliant, but can occasionally get too stiff.
- As good as the cabin looks, it feels a little downmarket.
- The steering is a bit too heavy at times.
- Although throttle response is better, acceleration is still a bit lagging.
- The infotainment screen and driver's info screen are a tad small.
Overall, if I had need for a small truck, the Maverick would probably be in my driveway, and not just because the only other vehicle close in size is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which doesn't do "truck" things as well as the Maverick does. It's because, some flaws aside, it's dang good.
[Images: Ford]
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Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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JMII--If I did not get my Maverick my next choice was a Santa Cruz. They are different but then they are both compact pickups the only real compact pickups on the market. I am glad to hear that the Santa Cruz will have knobs and buttons on it for 2025 it would be good if they offered a hybrid as well. When I looked at both trucks it was less about brand loyalty and more about price, size, and features. I have owned 2 gm made trucks in the past and liked both but gm does not make a true compact truck and neither does Ram, Toyota, or Nissan. The Maverick was the only Ford product that I wanted. If I wanted a larger truck I would have kept either my 99 S-10 extended cab with a 2.2 I-4 5 speed or my 08 Isuzu I-370 4 x 4 with the 3.7 I-5, tow package, heated leather seats, and other niceties and it road like a luxury vehicle.
I believe the demand is there for other manufacturers to make compact pickups. The proposed hybrid Toyota Stout would be a great truck. Subaru has experience making small trucks and they could make a very competitive compact truck and Subaru has a great all wheel drive system. Chevy has a great compact pickup offered in South America called the Montana which gm could make in North America and offered in the US and Canada. Ram has a great little compact truck offered in South America as well. Compact trucks are a great vehicle for those who want an open bed for hauling but what a smaller more affordable efficient practical vehicle.
I just noticed the 1954 Ford Customline V8 has the same exterior dimensions, but better legroom, shoulder room, hip room, a V8 engine, and a trunk lid. It sold, with Fordomatic, for $21,500, inflation adjusted.