Oh, the horror!! The 2022 Ford Maverick is a unibody frame. Alright, so this body design isn’t exactly that dramatic, but it is an interesting choice. It could deter off-roading fans from the Ford Maverick because a body-on-frame build is seen as the better option. However, a unibody frame actually provides some benefits. 

The 2022 Ford Maverick’s unibody frame benefits 

According to Autoweek, the 2022 Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and Honda Ridgeline have something in common. It’s their unibody frames that are shared with other unibody SUVs and crossovers. 

The Ford Maverick shares the same frame with the Escape and Bronco Sport, while the Honda Ridgeline uses the same platform as the Pilot. Also, the upcoming Hyundai Santa Cruz uses the same platform as the Santa Fe. 

This is a new trend in the pickup truck world, going against the traditional body-on-frame build. They are seen as better for off-roading because they tend to have a higher ground clearance, more suspension travel, and their sturdy foundations can provide better tolerance for torsional flexing. 

Body-on-frame vehicles can be easier to repair because the body and frame are separate. You can replace one or the other if one gets damaged. Auto List also shares that body-on-frame vehicles may have less road grip, less sporty handling, a higher center of gravity, and a rougher ride on pavement. 

The Ford Maverick unibody benefits 

The 2022 Ford Maverick may have multiple benefits thanks to its unibody construction. For example, they can be safer and have a better fuel economy. Also, the lower center of gravity with unibody vehicles provides a smoother ride and reduces the risk of rollovers. 

So you can expect the Ford Maverick to have a smooth ride and handle like a car. This will please fans looking for a vehicle with utility and a comfortable ride as a daily driver. The improved fuel economy won’t hurt either. 

Sure, unibody vehicles may have lower payload and towing capabilities. But the Ford Maverick is a compact truck. It won’t be hauling mega loads like the Ford F-150. Plus, the average truck buyer doesn’t need that much power. 

The Ford Maverick will be available with all-wheel drive too. That means it will be able to handle traversing through snow and other slippery conditions. It should be capable of light off-roading too. 

What’s new with the Ford Maverick?

We know that the 2022 Ford Maverick will have a smooth and capable ride. It should also be about the size of the Ford Bronco Sport, only with a truck bed. New photos suggest that it has the same 17-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires that come with the Bronco Sport Badlands. 

The base model could have the 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s found in the Bronco Sport with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque. This is more than adequate for its size. Also, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque could be available too. 

According to Car and Driver, Ford did mention offering a truck with a price of around $20,000. Things may have changed. However, there could be a Ford Maverick base model without all-wheel drive available.