Since its introduction, the 2022 Ford Maverick has gained a lot of attention as a compact pickup truck. It has the ability to tow up to 4,000 pounds and comes standard with a hybrid powertrain, a first in the truck segment. But, buyers have quickly noticed that the Maverick appears to come up short in one way, its infotainment system. While the Maverick does offer a touchscreen system to control various functions, it is smaller than what is found in other trucks. And for 2022, there is no way to upgrade the screen from the factory.

The 2022 Ford Maverick has a small infotainment system

In today’s world, even truck buyers want modern features like infotainment in their vehicles. The 2022 Ford Maverick may come up short to some in this department, as even the top-trim Lariat model offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen. In comparison to what other pickup trucks are doing, this screen feels slightly dated and small. But, if the current sales of the Maverick are any indication, the infotainment screen has not scared off many buyers.

From interior pictures of the Maverick compact truck, there is a small storage space next to the infotainment screen. With this large gap, we are forced to wonder if Ford may be planning a larger screen installed from the factory. On Ford Maverick forums, it looks like some are already looking for aftermarket solutions to this problem. 

What does the Ford Maverick compare to?

More and more compact trucks are entering the market, currently, the Ford Maverick has a direct competitor in form of the Hyundai Santa Cruz. And while the Santa Cruz is certainly an attractive and practical vehicle, it does come up short in some regards when compared to the 2022 Ford Maverick. 

For instance, the Ford Maverick offers an available off-road package. Which gives this truck some serious off-road functionality, even if it is body-on-frame. The Hyundai Santa Cruz does not have an off-road package, which makes it more at home on the pavement than off. That said, the 2022 Santa Cruz can tow up to 5,000 lbs, which is 1,000 lbs more than the 2022 Maverick.

Additionally, according to MotorTrend, the Hyundai Santa Cruz has more screen space. Which some drivers are likely to appreciate over the Maverick’s smaller setup. 

Is the new Maverick a good pickup truck?

Despite having a small infotainment screen, the Ford Maverick is a decent truck. It offers a comfortable ride thanks to unibody construction and it can be had for around $20,000 in base form. 

As trucks become more and more expensive, having an affordable option is certainly a good thing. Especially for those who do not have $50,000 to spend on a new pickup. But, the cost of the Ford Maverick does come at a price. Do not expect a luxury experience, but a utilitarian vehicle that is good enough for most needs. And, hopefully, for 2023 or at some point in the future, the Maverick’s infotainment screen matches the greatness of this truck.