Ford Maverick Interior Review: This Small Truck Has Almost Everything You Need

The Ford Maverick's greatest trick isn't how it manages to be an affordable pickup in a world where the price of most cars—and especially trucks—has exploded. No, its greatest feat may just be that it has one of the most clever, functional, and stylish interiors you can find anywhere, while also managing to disguise much of what allows it to be so cheap. MotorTrendrecently purchased a Maverick of our own, a 2023 XLT hybrid, and here is our hands-on review of the small pickup truck's interior, features, and functions.

Storage

Storage is where the Maverick best punches above its weight—there are a ton of places to stash your stuff inside. For everyday items, there's a pair of cupholders plus a huge tray forward of the gear selector knob large enough for a phone, your house keys, some sunglasses, and a few other items. It's very handy. We particularly like the stand molded into the front-right edge, which serves as a safe place to put your phone without other items falling on top, or your passenger can use it to keep an eye on navigation directions and the like. The stand also has a deep, narrow pocket at the bottom so you can keep your device upright while it's plugged in (provided your phone's port is in the center), although we've found it a bit finicky in use and doing so can put some stress on a cable's joint.

The liner—which is easily removed for cleaning—has a debossed rectangle on the left that makes you believe there's a wireless phone charging pad below. No dice. In fact, this feature is restricted to an option package on the top-spec Lariat model. You must plug your phone in to charge it, via one of the USB-C or -A ports available just above. A hardship, we know.

Additional storage is found via a spacious center console box, a bin just forward of that, all four door pockets, molded bins next to the outer rear seats, and beneath the flip-up rear bench seat. (Hybrid models like ours relocate the 12-volt battery from under the hood to this last area, though, cutting into the available space.) All door pockets have recesses that fit tall water bottles, as well as additional detents for other beverage containers.

The funky interior door handles look strange in pictures—what are these, door nubs?—but are ergonomically sound in use and have another fun function: In the rear, they allow a bicycle tire to tuck in and help keep the bike upright. It's recommended you do this with the rear tire and remove the front to get the whole bike into the cabin. However, smaller rides can potentially fit by first moving the passenger seat forward and diagonally placing the bike inside.

Seating and Comfort

The Maverick's seats are comfortable for the long haul, or certainly two to three hours, the longest we've spent in the saddle in one go so far. Our truck has a power driver's lumbar cushion that's adjustable through a wide range, as well as a power driver's seat that makes finding a good position easy. The cabin overall will be tight for a crew of six-plus-footers, but four folks under that height will have no problem finding ample head-, knee-, and legroom in both the front and rear.

After you fold down the rear seat back—to access the jack, for example—be sure to push it back into place with your hand more toward the center of the seat. If you don't, the seatback may not properly lock into place and it'll make a dull, nearly impossible-to-track-down thud whenever you brake even slightly hard. Ask us how we know.

We can't say enough good about the XLT Luxury package, which brings heated cloth seats—a quick-warming necessity in Michigan, where our truck is based—a heated steering wheel, and the power driver's seat, rear cabin power points, and much more. Our truck also has several features—standard and optional—that ease the day-to-day grind, including automatic headlamps, lane-keep assist, three-step automatic climate control (which also quiets the fan when you make or receive a Bluetooth call), and a deicing element for the windshield wipers.

Infotainment and Software

A potential Maverick downside, at least to those who like the latest and greatest technology, is that XLT models (like ours) and below run a decontented version of Ford's infotainment setup limited to smaller screens and incapable of offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The full-boat Sync 3 software is available exclusively in the Lariat and is more advanced, plus it added available navigation for 2023.

Mavericks with the lesser infotainment do not have any built-in navigation function, however, which means you need to plug your phone in to access those phone-mirroring features and access apps such as Waze or Google Maps. Once you do so, though, the screen is of decent enough resolution, and it responds quickly to inputs most of the time. (The exception being occasional lag just after starting the vehicle). And if we're being honest, a larger, 10.3-inch screen as seen in many pricier Fords would likely feel too big for the Maverick's cabin. The 8.0-inch screen—the only size in any Maverick—is placed in a nice spot, as well, high enough to read at a glance and within easy reach. The graphics are boring and plain, however, nothing like the rest of the interior.

The screen has myriad—albeit in some cases limited—options for customizing the background, showing just a clock, and adjusting the basic functions of the Maverick. Given this truck serves as the entry point for the Ford brand, it has a lot more technology baked in than the previous cheapest Fords, the old Focus hatchback and the now discontinued EcoSport subcompact SUV. More customization is available via the instrument cluster screen, which has an acceptable resolution and delivers multiple useful informational readouts.

Apps

The Ford Sync 3 system doesn't allow you to download apps directly to the system itself, instead relying on phone-mirroring and Apple CarPlay. So, any of the vast library of apps compatible with Apple CarPlay will be available in the Maverick once you plug in your phone, including Waze, Spotify, Messages, TuneIn Radio, NPR One, and food ordering apps from places like Panera, Dunkin', and others.

Connectivity

As a baseline, the Maverick has Wi-Fi connectivity to connect the truck to a signal so it can receive updates. It also offers a 3-GB trial of hotspot data to connect your devices, after which the service runs $25/month. As of this writing, AT&T (the wireless provider) and Ford offer a discounted $20/month rate for unlimited data if you take advantage within days of activating the trial or are an AT&T wireless customer. Owners may also prepay for a year's worth of Wi-Fi for $200.

If you opt for a limited amount of data, it's $15 per month for 2GB. All of this is in line with what most other companies charge for in-car Wi-Fi; if you do work in the car or haul kids around frequently, it's a worthwhile addition to keep you and your passengers connected on the move. Speaking of which, the FordPass Wi-Fi data connection will allow—shameless plug for one of our business daddies—the Warner Bros. Discovery RIDE app to connect and stream shows and movies for free.

Devices can be plugged in via USB a or C ports in the front area on all Mavericks; additional plugs for the rear can be ordered within options packages. Overall, the Maverick offers a lot of technology and modern conveniences; anyone swapping out of a vehicle more than five years old will be pleasantly surprised.

FordPass App for the Maverick

The FordPass app is available for any Ford vehicle for iOS and Android devices; in the Maverick, it offers remote start (including the ability to schedule a start to ensure your truck's cool or warm and ready to go at the same time every day), remote lock and unlock, and you can honk the horn and flash the lights. The switchblade key fob does not include a remote start button.

The app is a good backup in case you forget the code to the (optional) door keypad with your keys locked inside—or need to let someone inside while you're separated from the car—but the remote start is the only function we've used with any regularity, and even then, any Maverick owner can survive just fine without ever adding the app to their phone. Other features within the app include standard fare like scheduling services, service history, monitoring oil life and tire pressures, and managing the aforementioned Wi-Fi connection.

Visibility

The Maverick has good sightlines forward and to the sides; the A-pillars are slightly thick at their bases, where the side mirrors mount, but the seating position and view over the hood are excellent for seeing what's up ahead.

The only visibility issues are to the rear. The somewhat short rear glass pinches the view, as does the tailgate, which cuts further into what you can see. If you opt for the sliding rear window, as we did, that means more seals and framing in the way.

Quality

The Maverick's cabin feels well-assembled and solid; nothing flexes an excessive amount and closing the doors results in a hefty-sounding thunk . Everything you can touch inside our Maverick has thus far held up well, and we see no signs of premature wear and tear as we near the 7,000-mile mark. One place we can't touch is inside the dashboard—and we wish we could. Our truck has developed an annoying creak/rattle in warm weather behind the instrument cluster; it's largely present when driving over broken pavement. (This after a creak emerged in the colder months on the passenger side of the dash.) We'll be getting that looked at when our truck calls for its first service.

Design

The Ford Maverick's interior design is an absolute triumph, mixing colors and textures in a way that looks innovative and not at all cheap (even though all the hard plastics are indeed lower cost). It's an even more impressive trick given that there are four trim-dependent interior color options: blue plastics with copper accents and brown faux leather on the Lariat; blue plastics with orange accents and blue-gray cloth on XLTs and below; all black with orange trim with the Tremor package; and all black with gray trim with the Black Appearance package. Even after a few months of use, the look in our XLT still comes across as fresh and vibrant.

Some of the clever materials choices in our XLT include the two-tone cloth seats—each of which has its own textured look—orange stitching on the upholstery; the mottled gray plastic on the door panels, outboard vent bezels, and the surround for the radio controls; and the exposed fastener heads sprinkled throughout. The molded-in geometric rock-ish shapes found on various interior trim are a killer way to dress up basic plastics, too.

Not So Hot

The rotary gear shifter needs more robust detents between selections; it's too easy to spin into Park when you're trying to execute a quick three-point turn. We'd also welcome stops at Park and Drive.

The cubby liners are made from a grippy rubber that holds stuff in place but also attracts and holds fuzz, hair, and crumbs like they're worth their weight in gold. If you like a spotless ride, plan on rinsing the liners off with some regularity.

The sills are tall and rise above the footwells by a few inches, which can make ingress and egress a bit difficult; at minimum, you'll probably drag a shoe over the top of the sill more times than you can count, like we do. The biggest issue is that, when getting out, you can flex the rubber seal onto the edge of the trim, and you'll need to lay it flat again to prevent premature wear.

FITS

And of course the Maverick is chock full of FITS—Ford Integrated Tether System—sockets throughout the cabin, eight in all. (That's one just below the power outlets in the image above.) These allow you to slide in garbage bag holders, grocery bag hooks, and bin dividers, among other accessories Ford is happy to sell you, or to 3D-print devices of your own design. We haven't yet tested any premade or home-printed accessories, but forums, Facebook groups, and other online gathering places offer tons of tips and ideas.

More On Our Long-Term 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid:

• We Bought a Ford Maverick Hybrid and It's a Real F***ing Truck!

MotorTrend’s 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Infotainment FordPass Connect Wi Fi Screen

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Infotainment Phone Required For Apps Screen

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Rear Sliding Window

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Rear Underseat Storage

2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid Tall Sill