Will the Ford Maverick Really Have All-Wheel-Drive?
The 2022 Ford Maverick is leading the compact truck charge. We might see the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ram Dakota soon too. But new spy shots raise more questions about what the mysterious Ford Maverick will be like. For example, will it have all-wheel drive?
Will the 2022 Ford Maverick be AWD?
According to Maverick Truck Club, there is a substantial chance that the Ford Maverick will be offered with all-wheel drive. They somehow managed to get photos of a Maverick prototype being tested, and the images show the suspension set up.
We appreciate their sneaky efforts because they show that the Ford Maverick could be more similar to the Bronco Sport instead of the Transit Connect. The images also show two possible variants.
The first prototype shows a simple coil-sprung twist-beam rear suspension. This would fit a low-cost front-wheel-drive vehicle. This looks similar to the FWD Ford Transit Connect Van. It would be incompatible with powered rear axles due to the location of the rear spring. So, for the Maverick to be AWD, it would need a different rear subframe.
This subframe can be spotted in the second spy shot. The AWD Maverick prototype looks like it has a more complex, independent rear suspension design. It also looks like it’s an adaptation of the Ford Bronco Sport’s rear multi-link setup.
If the Maverick rides on a different platform than the Escape and Bronco Sport, then the suspension would need to be modified to fit. Also, the independent rear suspension control arms look like they’re protected by skid plates.
What do we know about the 2022 Maverick?
Well, now we know that the 2022 Ford Maverick will have a few different variants, including a beefier off-roading option. The entry-level Ford Maverick with FWD may serve as an affordable option. This makes sense because Ford did mention having a truck begin around $20,000.
The all-wheel-drive Maverick may increase the price to about $25,000. However, no official pricing has been released. Also, because the 2021 Ford Ranger begins around $24,820, this price feels a bit high. Why not get a larger midsize truck for a similar price?
But the Maverick is bigger than expected. In the beginning, fans expected a single cab with a unibody frame. Now spy shots show a larger four-door variant that isn’t much smaller than the Ranger.
Potential Ford Maverick power
Low cost may equal low power. The 1.5 three-cylinder engine with 181 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque that’s in the Ford Escape would provide adequate power. This engine already pairs with an AWD set up.
However, the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s in the Bronco Sport pumps out 245-hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. This would be a lot more fun. Also, don’t forget about the hybrid powertrain that’s in the Escape. There hasn’t been any mention of a manual transmission or diesel engine yet.
While the Ford Maverick continues to borrow for the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport, we could see an interior that shares the same components from those SUVs as well. Only it will have the updated Ford Sync 4 infotainment system.
Ford hasn’t acknowledged the Ford Maverick’s existence yet, but they’re clearly working on some sort of truck. Prototypes are being tested now, so perhaps we will see the compact truck makes its debut by the end of the year.
