The Ford Maverick blends double-cab ute practicality with small-car fuel economy, and delivers better roadholding than high-riding pick-ups. So why is it not sold in Australia?
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat
Honey, they shrunk the Ford Ranger ute. Well, not quite.
The 2023 Ford Maverick pick-up is based on the stretched, car-like underpinnings of the Ford Focus hatch and Ford Escape SUV.
Although the Ford Maverick might look small, it’s only about 30cm shorter than a Ford Ranger and has a similarly sized ute tub, though back seat space is a bit of a squeeze in comparison.
Hardcore off-roaders might scoff at the idea, but we reckon a vehicle like this would fit right in locally, given our increasing appetite for utes thanks to a level of flexibility and practicality not available in SUVs.
Not everyone who buys a double-cab ute uses all of its capabilities, such as the one-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing capacity, and gnarly off-road ability.
Imagine a double-cab ute that had the fuel economy, performance, and roadholding of a car. Because that’s what the Ford Maverick is.
We tested the Ford Maverick in the lead-up to this year’s Detroit auto show, after Ford invited a group of international media – including Drive – to sample some of its US models.
Will the Ford Maverick come to Australia? We hope so. But we’ve also been told to not hold our breath.
Here’s why we think not manufacturing the Ford Maverick in right-hand drive is a misstep from Ford.
How much does the 2023 Ford Maverick cost?
There are three model grades in the US including the workhorse XL ($US20,995 or $AU31,500), mid-level XLT ($US23,360 or $AU35,040), and luxury Lariat ($US26,860 or $AU40,290).
There are two engine options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid with a CVT auto and front-wheel drive, and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo with a conventional torque converter auto and all-wheel drive.
The hybrid is standard; the optional turbo engine adds $US435 ($AU652) to the price of each variant.
As tested (with options including a sunroof, spray-in bed-liner, sliding rear window, factory-fitted protective film on the front portion of the bonnet and fenders, a removable cargo basket, and more), the top-line Lariat powered by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine was priced about $US37,000 ($AU55,500).
Prices quoted exclude on-road costs. Australian price estimates are based on straightforward currency conversions and exclude any potential right-hand-drive remanufacturing costs.
| Key details | 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat |
| Price | From $US20,995 ($AU31,500) to $US37,000 ($AU55,500) plus on-road costs |
| Rivals | Hyundai Santa Cruz | Ford Ranger |
How much space does the 2023 Ford Maverick have inside?
The cabin of the Ford Maverick is a triumph of industrial design, with bold new treatments, styling themes and patterns.
It’s also surprisingly practical. The Maverick’s cabin is only slightly smaller than the Ford Ranger, but in many ways it is much smarter.
Front-seat occupants have about the same room shoulder-to-shoulder, and the console and oddment storage is similar to the Ford Ranger too. The door pockets can fit large drink bottles – front and rear.
Back-seat knee room is a touch tighter in the Maverick than it is in the Ranger. While the Ranger has a finger-width or two of knee room for back-seat passengers, in the Maverick my knees were almost touching the back of the front seats.
The roof lining has a recess to improve rear headroom (the test car had a factory-fitted sunroof).
The gear selector is a rotator dial – rather than a lever – which frees up more storage space between the front seats, but it’s annoying to use when trying to make a three-point turn because it defaults in ‘park’ position instead of reverse when you’re toggling between forward and backward gears in quick succession.
A clever touch, though, is the upright plank near the phone chargers so you rest your device face down without crimping the cord (if you don’t want to use the wireless charging pad, or have more than once device in the vehicle that needs power).
Another genius element of the Maverick’s cabin is under the back seat. Because the Maverick is based on flat, car-like underpinnings (rather than a heavy-duty chassis as is the case with the Ranger), the storage areas under the lower cushion are much larger than they are in the Ranger. In the Maverick, these hidden storage bays are big enough to swallow back packs, large lap-top bags, handbags, or other valuables.
The back window slides open horizontally so you can hear instructions from behind the rear of the car, such as when reversing.
| 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat | |
| Seats | Five |
| Cargo volume | Box length at floor 1381mm Box width between wheelhouses 1082mm Box height 515mm |
| Length | 5072mm |
| Width | 1844mm (excluding mirrors), 2210mm (including mirrors) |
| Height | 1989mm |
| Wheelbase | 3076mm |
Does the 2023 Ford Maverick have Apple CarPlay?
The 8.0-inch horizontal infotainment screen is modest in size compared to some new vehicles today; however, it appears Ford has left room to grow with future updates.
To the right of the screen is a small storage pocket for coins, parking tickets, or other odds and ends. This convenience could disappear if Ford decides to fit a larger screen at a later date.
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and AM/FM are standard, but there is no mention of digital radio in the US. Embedded navigation also appears to not be part of the package. Instead, owners need to rely on maps on their connected smartphones.
Is the 2023 Ford Maverick a safe car?
Although it meets or exceeds approval regulations in North America, the Ford Maverick is yet to be assessed by independent crash-test authorities.
However, the cars that share its DNA – the Focus hatch and Escape SUV – have five-star scores.
In addition to a suite of crash-avoidance tech such as autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, blind-zone warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, the Ford Maverick has tyre pressure monitors, a 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors.
The four-door, five-seat cabin is equipped with seven airbags, including one for the driver’s knee.
Given the recent focus on head-strike protection between front-seat occupants in a side impact – and the increasing use of centre airbags in vehicles of this size in order to achieve a five-star score – it is unclear how the Ford Maverick would rate if tested against stringent European or Australasian NCAP standards.
| 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat | |
| US safety rating | Untested |
How much does the 2023 Ford Maverick cost to maintain?
Unlike Ford Australia, Ford of North America does not publish fixed-price service costs. However, if the Ford Maverick were to eventually be sold in Australia, it would likely adopt menu service pricing as with the rest of the local line-up.
Based on our experience comparing service pricing, Ford is middle of the road when it comes to the cost of routine maintenance.
No insurance estimates were available as this article was published, because the Ford Maverick is not confirmed for sale in Australia.
| At a glance | 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Servicing costs | Not available |
Is the 2023 Ford Maverick fuel-efficient?
The hybrid version of the Ford Maverick has a fuel-consumption average of 6.4L/100km, which is thirstier than a Toyota Camry Hybrid – but the pick-up is also bigger, heavier and more capable.
The turbo petrol version tested has a claimed fuel-consumption average of 9.4L/100km, which is high by our reckoning. This is likely because the US has more realistic testing measures.
On our preview drive, the average fuel readout ranged from 8.0 to 8.5L/100km in mostly freeway conditions, with a few 0–100km/h VBox times included for good measure.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 9.4L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.0 to 8.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 62L |
What is the 2023 Ford Maverick like to drive?
The Ford Maverick was a genuine surprise in many ways, perhaps because we approached it with low expectations.
It is easy to be dismissive about the Ford Maverick at first glance, but once you scratch the surface, you begin to discover its long list of attributes – and how it might make more sense than a Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger or an Isuzu D-Max (et al) for a lot of families, and for workplaces that only need a light-duty pick-up.
First of all, the Ford Maverick is no slouch. It repeatedly did the 0–100km/h dash using our VBox timing equipment in 8.0 seconds.
That’s a fraction slower than a Volkswagen Amarok TDV6 and comfortably quicker than most four-cylinder diesel double-cab utes, which typically stop the clocks in about 10 to 12 seconds in the same sprint.
So, it’s perky. It’s also quite responsive to drive.
The low-slung body and lower centre of gravity – compared to a four-wheel-drive double-cab ute – means the Maverick has much better roadholding than most utes, especially on wet roads (thanks to highway tyres rather than all-terrains). It’s also much more comfortable over bumps than most double-cab utes.
The braking performance is sharper because the Ford Maverick is not as heavy as its body-on-frame rivals – and highway tyres help it excel in this regard too.
Describing a vehicle as car-like is a cliché we try to avoid. But frankly it’s fair in this instance. After all, the Ford Maverick is based on the Focus hatch and Escape SUV.
Sure, it can only tow 1800kg or carry 680kg in the back, but even with these limitations the Ford Maverick still has a lot to offer.
The ute tub is as deep as a Ford Ranger’s, and only marginally shorter and narrower. The removable basket, which extends the bed length when the tailgate is down, is genius. Though the legalities of this set-up are unclear in Australia. At a minimum, the rear licence plate would need to be temporarily relocated to be visible from the required angles, and any loads would need to be properly secured.
Real-world fuel economy is fair for this type of vehicle with this type of performance. Although 8.0L/100km is similar to what many diesel double-cabs can achieve, the turbo petrol engine has much more performance – and avoids the potential headache of clogged diesel particulate filters.
On balance, I reckon a significant proportion of private buyers who are wrestling with double-cab utes in shopping-centre car parks and on school runs would contemplate a car like the Maverick.
It still has enough room, practicality and flexibility for weekend getaways and camping trips; it’s only limited in terms of towing and off-road ability.
| Key details | 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 186kW @ 5500rpm |
| Torque | 366Nm @ 3000rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque converter automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 110kW/t |
| Weight | 1692kg |
| Payload | 680kg |
| Tow rating | 1814kg |
| Spare tyre type | Full-size optional, space-saver standard |
| Turning circle | 12.2m |
Should I buy a 2023 Ford Maverick?
The Ford Maverick might not be for everyone, but we reckon it would appeal to city-slickers and suburbanites who want the practicality of a double-cab ute without the downsides of heavy-duty off-road hardware, slippery off-road tyres, and broad turning circles.
The bros in the comments section below who own beefed-up Toyota HiLuxes and Ford Rangers don’t have the mental bandwidth to understand not everyone wants a jacked-up, overloaded ute like theirs.
But we reckon the absence of a right-hand-drive Ford Maverick is a misstep from Ford. It would be a great insurance policy for when diesel fuel eventually finds itself on the nose in our region – and would appeal to buyers who aren’t quite ready for an electric vehicle just yet.
It wasn’t that long ago Ford head office invested in a right-hand-drive version of the Canadian-made Edge SUV. Sales of that vehicle tanked because it was a five-seater SUV competing in a seven-seater SUV market. Imagine if Ford had redirected the investment in a right-hand-drive Edge into a right-hand-drive Maverick instead?
That said, don’t hold your breath. For the time being, Ford is happy serving up the highly profitable Ranger rather than investing in a right-hand-drive program for a vehicle that would deliver slimmer returns.
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