As it appears that small trucks are growing in popularity amongst Americans, the question needs to be asked. Can compact pickups actually handle off-road duty? In the case of the 2022 Ford Maverick, that answer is a little bit complicated, but generally speaking, it can go off-road. With Ford’s small truck, buyers can opt for an available off-road package that will help this pickup take the road less traveled. And because of that, the Ford Maverick is truly a small off-road truck. 

Is the Ford Maverick off-road capable? 

Depending on the configuration, the 2022 Maverick can go off-road. Certain versions of this truck can come outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road package which helps to add legitimate capability to this compact pickup. And while the Maverick will not be as capable as something like the Ford F-150 Raptor, it will be decent enough for most needs. 

The FX4 Off-Road package adds things like all-terrain tires, skid plates, off-road shocks, and more. And even though this is a unibody truck, the various drive modes will help to handle rough terrain. Also notable is the fact that this package brings a heavy-duty radiator and engine fan to the table, which will aid with cooling capability. 

Is the FX4 package worth it?

Unfortunately, the FX4 package is not free for the Ford Maverick, but to some, it may be worth the additional cost. Several factors go into adding this off-road package to Ford’s small truck. First, it is only available to the XLT and Lariat Maverick models. Additionally, you must opt for the available turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. To add the turbocharged engine is a cost of $1,085 and AWD costs $3,305. 

The FX4 package itself is not too pricey. It is an additional cost of $800, which makes it relatively affordable when you consider the off-road capability that it delivers to the Ford Maverick. 

Is the 2022 Maverick good off-road?

The Maverick may not be the best off-road truck, but through its FX4 package, it can handle some rough situations. At the end of the day, this is still a unibody pickup that rides on the same platform as the Ford Escape, and that does hold the Maverick back from being as capable as a Tacoma TRD Pro or Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.

That said, because of its unibody construction, the 2022 Maverick is more comfortable for everyday use. And to some, that trade-off may be worth it. Especially if you are someone who only goes off-road occasionally. 

A perk of adding the FX4 package is through having AWD and the turbocharged engine, buyers can also opt for the available towing package. This allows the Maverick to tow up to 4,000 lbs, and that will likely be appreciated by those who want to take their small truck on an adventure.

Can you buy a Maverick?

Unfortunately, buying a Maverick is a bit of a difficult task right now. Until August of 2022, according to MotorTrend, Ford has placed a pause on Maverick orders by customers. You can buy one at a dealership, but only if you can find one. And because this truck is so popular, that likely will not be easy. 

Still, the Ford Maverick will likely continue to improve over the years. Maybe it will even receive more off-road features.