Could Ford Be Building the Best Maverick Competitor?
With the popularity of the Ford Maverick, other manufacturers have been showing interest in building a small pickup truck. But the best competitor for the 2022 Maverick may actually come from Ford itself. Apparently, Ford is planning to revive yet another old name from its catalog, this time in the form of the Ranchero. This small pickup is set to replace the Courier and like the Maverick, it will also feature unibody construction. So, what’s the deal with Ford’s latest small truck?
What is the Ford Ranchero?
According to 21 Truck, the Ford Ranchero will be a new unibody pickup from Ford. It is unclear whether or not this vehicle will come to the United States, but it would certainly be exciting if it did. This small truck will be based on the Ford Escape, much like the Ford Maverick, and from early renderings, it does share quite a bit in common with the Escape in terms of looks.
If you are familiar with Ford’s global offerings, the Ranchero renderings also resemble the current generation of Ford Focus, which is a popular hatchback not sold in the American market anymore.
Will the new Ranchero be affordable?
One of the biggest things the 2022 Maverick has going for it, is its affordable price tag, and it’s easy to see the Ranchero having that benefit as well. According to some rumors, the base model will have a simple interior with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The materials will be durable, yet affordable, which is fairly similar to the Maverick XL.
Ford has not released the official pricing of the Ranchero yet, but if it started around $20,000, that would not be surprising and it would help give this pickup an edge over the competition.
2022 Ford Ranchero engine potential
In terms of engine options, Ford has quite a bit of options that it could use. The most powerful engine in the 2022 Maverick currently offers 250 horsepower, and it could easily be placed inside the Ranchero. But, Ford has a more potent engine that could potentially work with this small truck.
With the 2.3-liter turbocharged engine, the Ranchero could make 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This is the same engine that is inside the Ford Focus RS, so it has proven performance. When it comes to the transmission, the 2022 Ranchero will likely come with an eight-speed automatic transmission for smooth delivery of power. This new truck will also boast all-wheel drive for added capability.
Will America get the Ranchero?
It’s not clear whether or not North America will get the new Ranchero, but it is easy to assume that it will be sold in places like South America. This may come as a bit of a disappointment to some, but if the Ranchero and Maverick are that similar, it does not make sense for Ford to cannibalize its small truck sales.
Still, news of the new Ford Ranchero is exciting, even if it isn’t coming to the States.
