Ford Maverick (US) review

You’ve heard us say this a lot already, but it’s very car-like, which is to say it just gives off the overall sensation of sitting in an affordable compact rather than a big honkin’ truck. That doesn’t mean the Maverick’s interior isn’t as useful as the rest of it, mind you. There’s plenty of clever touches that maximize the Mav’s utility.

For example, the doors are designed to tuck away those big water bottles hydration enthusiasts seem to cling to, with the armrest cut in a way that doesn’t impede access. There are also several nooks and crannies to squirrel away things for when you might need them.

What are we talking about in terms of capacity?

If it’s people, five can fit in a pinch, though four is better. Those who are relegated to the rear won’t be too put out, but the front remains the place to be. Underneath the rear bench is additional storage for things like groceries or anything people would rather not leave in the bed. It’s handy and the rear bench remains up for easy access, but it’s also easier to stuff things in the footwell like you usually do anyway.

The truck bed’s around 33.3 cu ft of capacity. Good for a great deal of stuff, though shorter than what truck enthusiasts are used to. You can put a mountain bike in there, so long as the front wheel hangs over the tailgate, to give you a reference. Is it enough? That’s your call.

How about tech?

The Maverick can be equipped with Ford’s CoPilot 360 safety suite that has cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with emergency braking and all those good things to keep you extra aware of the world around you. With the latest Sync operating system and available connectivity features, owners can access the car remotely for auto-start, unlocking and vehicle location services. All that and it’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, too.

It’s currently saddled with an eight-inch touchscreen and Sync 3, but come next year, a 13.2-inch screen powered by Sync 4 will be standard. At the same time, the Maverick will also adopt the optional Pro Trailer Hitch assist found on other Ford trucks.