We’ve been listening to the rumors about the Courier pickup for some while, but it seems like Ford has renamed the new compact truck. Without an official statement, all the leading magazines are evaluating what the 2022 Ford Maverick could bring.
Motor1 recently published teaser images of a four-door truck. However, the new Maverick will have to fight its way with the capability. The truck is going to be an urban delivery truck. That means smaller and less capable than the Ranger. Engineers have a task to maximize the fuel economy and towing capacity. Since these two segments are opposite, it is hard to find the balance. The 2022 Maverick can’t have them both. So, to get a larger loading area, we believe that Motor1 reports are wrong, and the pickup is going to get a two-door layout, leaving more room for the bigger box.
Let’s check what else experts and fans are expecting from the new model in the pickup truck world.
2022 Ford Maverick Powertrains
The pickup is about to share the platform with the Escape crossover. This is enough to compare the existing drivetrains and their fit for the 2022 Ford Maverick. First, there is a 1.5-liter unit with 180 horsepower. Since gas mileage is the key, this could be the perfect choice with 30 mpg. However, the crossover has an ace upon the sleeve. A hybrid Escape can make 44 mpg in the city and it makes the vehicle the most efficient model in the segment. The same configuration could be carried over and the Maverick would become the first choice for deliveries, replacing minivans and versatile crossovers.
We can also read that the Blue Oval company plans to add the performance edition. The 2022 Ford Maverick RS would use a 2.0-liter turbo engine with 250 horsepower. Well, in this case, the gas mileage is not so excellent. Also, engineers might go even further. A 2.3-liter EcoBoost is there with 300 ponies. Nevertheless, experts don’t see this coming.
Release Date, Expectations
Ford started the challenge in the new segment – compact truck class. The info about Courier woke up the main rivals in the US. Now, FCA already launched the Ram 700 for Latin America and some reports say it will be available in the United States as well. Chevrolet also responded with the S-10 truck. We can see this one coming as the compact pickup, slotted under Colorado.
The 2022 Ford Maverick is the first compact truck confirmed for the US market. We’ll see how rivals are reacting when the pickup hits dealerships. Still, we can’t see the response if Ford goes after a hybrid configuration. Also, it is questionable how the towing is affecting the overall gas mileage. So, the first impressions will be available in a year or so, when the Maverick hits the road.
Ford will launch the new model by the end of 2021. The expected price is between $20,000 and $25,000. Well, the larger Nissan Frontier, before the four-cylinder engine was dropped, costed just under $20k. The 2022 Ford Maverick is definitely going to be the new most affordable pickup in the US market.