The 2022 Ford Maverick small pickup truck is set to be unveiled later today but we’ve got images of it now. Small pickups are coming back and the Maverick is smaller, but not as small as past mini trucks. With a wheelbase of 121-inches, it sits right between the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz-both unibody pickups. 

Maverick fills the pickup gap vacated by Ford’s third-gen Ranger

The comparisons don’t stop there. In some ways, the Maverick fills the pickup gap vacated by Ford’s third-gen Ranger. But the main difference between the two is the Maverick’s unibody versus the Ranger’s body-on-frame configuration. And surprisingly, the old Ranger was larger than the new Maverick, but not by much. 

Size becomes a focus with the Maverick. Pickup trucks have gotten gigantic over the years. The Maverick tries to satisfy the small pickup segment abandoned as everything got bigger. So, while the current Ford Ranger is more like pickups of the past sizewise, the new Maverick comes in at a size the old Ranger once filled. A new Ranger’s overall length is 210.8-inches, while the Maverick is almost a foot shorter at 199.7-inches.

Maverick will only be available as a four-door

The other big difference is that the Maverick will only be available as a four-door. There will not be a single cab version. At least not soon. As all manufacturers split hairs with pickups and SUVs, who knows whether a two-door Maverick might be in the works?

Ford has been able to hold the base price at $20,000 including destination charges. Powertrains include a hybrid version hooked to a CVT transmission and an EcoBoost banger mated to an eight-speed automatic. With the hybrid, you get 500 miles between fill-ups and 191 hp. The EcoBoost increases that to 250 hp. Unless you opt for all-wheel-drive the Maverick comes with front-wheel drive only. 

Hyundai’s Santa Cruz has the Maverick beat on towing

Hyundai’s Santa Cruz has the Maverick beat on towing. The Mav can haul 4,000 lbs with the EcoBoost, enough to handle a 21-foot boat. Opting for the hybrid your tow rating is 2,000 lbs with a maximum payload of 1,500 lbs. 

The bed itself is 4.5-feet long, but with the tailgate down that increases to six feet. Besides the two tie-downs and four D-rings, threaded holes will give owners the ability to bolt in different configurations. Ford is even providing 3D specs for printing out homemade storage boxes or any number of things. 

A pair of 110-volt plugs-one each in the bed and cab gives owners a power source. We doubt it can take too much draw, but is handy nonetheless. It is just another one of those features that gives the Maverick such versatility. 

For a monthly charge, the Maverick will provide wifi to handle up to 10 devices

Inside, an eight-inch infotainment touch screen is placed right in the middle of the dash. With a monthly charge, it will provide wifi to handle up to 10 devices. Of course Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are part of the package. Trims include XL, XLT, and Lariat. 

Safety features abound. Standard is Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 with pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. For a few more bucks you can add adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot camera, lane centering, and evasive steering assist. Ford’s BlueCruise semi-automation is also available. 

Ford hopes to have the Maverick at dealer’s showrooms by fall. Let’s hope Ford can finally release a new vehicle without the drama of so many other rollouts. Prices beyond the base XL price have not been announced. 

A First Edition package is offered with unique features like a black roof, body-color door handles, graphics, and three special colors. Those would be Carbonized Gray, Area 51, and Rapid Red. All First Editions are loaded with the Lariat trim. 

A full range of pickup trucks is upon us. We expect GM to follow suit, while Ram already has a likely Fiat-based “700” south of the border. It could see duty stateside in the near future. Especially if the Maverick is as big of a success as Ford hopes it will be.