2024 Ford Maverick

Drive & Performance 7.3/10

The Maverick handles better than many of its rivals thanks to its unibody design. It has well-weighted, composed steering, and its small turning radius makes it easy to maneuver in crowded urban spaces and parking lots. That said, it isn't especially exciting to drive. Steering feels somewhat numb, and it exhibits some body roll around curves. The Maverick's ride quality is mostly smooth, though the rigid suspension results in some cabin jitters when driving over rough surfaces. The brakes are strong and capable in both the hybrid and gas-only models, but the hybrid's regenerative brakes have a grabby quality that takes some getting used to.

The 2024 Ford Maverick comes standard with a 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available, as is a hybrid powertrain which has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor with a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. It comes with front-wheel drive (AWD is not available) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Both of the Maverick's powertrains are impressive, albeit for different reasons. The standard turbo-four engine provides surprisingly vivacious acceleration from a stop, and it continues to deliver power linearly across the rev range. This engine also unlocks the Ford's maximum tow rating of 4,000 pounds (with all-wheel drive and the 4K Tow package). The eight-speed automatic provides smooth and quick shifts. The optional hybrid powertrain provides noticeably less verve than the turbo-four engine, but it still has enough power for most driving situations.

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Fuel Economy 10.0/10

The 2024 Maverick gets excellent fuel economy estimates for a compact pickup truck. It gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway with the hybrid powertrain. The gas-powered Maverick returns 23/30 mpg city/highway when equipped with front-wheel drive, and the all-wheel-drive version gets 22/29 mpg.

Interior 7.6/10

The interior of the 2024 Ford Maverick reflects its utilitarian underpinnings. This translates into a lot of hard plastics, but the interior doesn't feel excessively cheap. This is due to good build quality, crisp and modern design elements and nifty storage compartments. Even the hard plastics benefit from unique colors and textures that enhance the cabin's aesthetic. The interior is far from fancy, but it's functional and practical.

The Maverick can seat five people. The front row provides ample room, the seats are comfortable and supportive, and outward visibility is top-notch thanks to a high seating position. The rear row isn't as generous with head- and legroom, but adults can ride back there on shorter trips without issue. The back seats are best left to kids for longer journeys, though.

All Maverick models come with a 4-foot-6-inch bed that offers 36 cubic feet of storage space and a 1,500-pound maximum payload capacity. While these aren't great figures for the compact pickup segment, the Maverick has a few tricks up its sleeve to maximize utility. The bed has multiple tie-down cleats, an available in-bed power supply and lighting system, a multi-function tailgate and various storage compartments and cargo separators. There are also clever and practical storage solutions in the cabin for drinks, laptops and smaller work items.

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Value 10.0/10

The 2024 Ford Maverick has an excellent value rating for the midsize SUV class. We determine value based on the vehicle's estimated total cost of ownership and the vehicle's MSRP for its base and top trims.

Safety 8.9/10

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2024 Ford Maverick an overall safety rating of four out of five stars. It comes with a limited amount of driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights.

For child safety car seats, there are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats. There's also a tether anchor for the rear middle seat, and you can borrow lower anchors from the rear outboard seats when they're not in use.

Quality and Reliability 85.0/100

The 2024 Ford Maverick has a predicted reliability score of 82 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Critics’ Rating 8.7/10

The 2024 Ford Maverick receives a critics' rating that is good for the class. This rating, which is driven by our qualitative research, represents the overall tone and recommendation level that the automotive press places on a car.

Pricing

How Much Is a 2024 Ford Maverick?

The 2024 Maverick XL starts at $23,400. It comes with a 250-horsepower turbo-four engine and features such as an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. The midlevel XLT is priced from $26,315 and gains an in-bed power supply and lighting system, additional tie-down cleats and more comfort options. The range-topping Lariat has a base MSRP of $34,855 and gets a slew of extra features, including synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium stereo and more driver-assistance features.

Is the 2024 Ford Maverick a Good Truck?

Yes, the 2024 Maverick is a very good truck. It provides small-truck capability in a unique and compact package, and it comes with a healthy smattering of standard and available tech and cargo-hauling features. It rides and handles better than typical body-on-frame trucks, has a rugged but well-built interior and delivers fantastic fuel economy estimates. On the downside, it can't tow or haul as much as most competitors, and it isn't especially capable off road. Also, the rear row is on the small side.

The Maverick is a fine choice if you want a value-packed, versatile and easy-to-drive small pickup with great fuel economy and nifty cargo management solutions. If you want a similarly smooth-driving unibody pickup with a nicer interior, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is a good alternative. Just be prepared to spend more upfront and at the gas pump. For a more traditional small pickup, consider the Ford Ranger or Toyota Tacoma, which can tow and haul more than the Maverick but are more expensive and less fuel-efficient than the Maverick.

2023 vs. 2024 Ford Maverick: What's the Difference?

The 2024 Maverick comes standard with the previously optional 250-horsepower turbo-four engine. The 191-horsepower hybrid powertrain, which was standard in the 2023 model, is now a $1,500 option. Otherwise, there are no major differences between the 2023 and 2024 models.

Compare the 2023 and 2024 Maverick »

Here are the key changes for the Ford Maverick over the last few years:

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2022 Maverick and 2023 Maverick reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

2024 Ford Maverick Versus the Competition

Ford Maverick vs. Hyundai Santa Cruz

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is perhaps the Maverick's closest competitor, as both vehicles are compact and affordable unibody pickups. The Hyundai bests the Ford in a few categories. It has higher towing and hauling capacities (5,000 pounds and 1,753 pounds versus the Maverick's 4,000 pounds and 1,500 pounds, respectively), a more upmarket cabin and more standard tech and driver-assistance amenities. The Maverick beats the Santa Cruz in terms of fuel economy, and it has a lower base MSRP.

Compare the Maverick and Santa Cruz »

Ford Maverick vs. Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is the Maverick's bigger and burlier sibling, and it comes with its own unique traits (both good and bad). The Ranger's body-on-frame design enables higher towing and hauling figures (7,500 pounds and 1,860 pounds, respectively), as well as greater off-road capability. The Ranger is also available with larger beds. However, the Maverick rides and handles better, it has better fuel economy estimates, and it has a more fresh and upscale-feeling interior. The Maverick boasts a lower base price to boot.

Compare the Maverick and Ranger »

Compare the Maverick, Santa Cruz and Ranger »

2024 Ford Maverick Models and Trims

Ford Maverick XL
The Maverick XL starts at $23,400. Standard features include cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, an 8-inch touch screen, a 4.2-inch digital instrument display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, FordPass Connect, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control and power windows.

Standard driver-assistance features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking and automatic high-beam headlights.

The Ford Co-Pilot360 package ($650) adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist.

Ford Maverick XLT

The Maverick XLT is priced from $26,315. It gains 17-inch alloy wheels, LED bed lighting, in-bed cubby storage, an in-bed household-style power outlet and a power-locking tailgate.

The XLT Luxury package ($2,275) adds a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, two household-style power outlets, remote start, a modular hard drop-in bed liner and an LED bed lighting system. A moonroof can be added for $995.

Ford Maverick Lariat

The Lariat has a base MSRP of $34,855. This range-topping model gets standard all-wheel drive, 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, two additional USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient LED interior lighting, proximity keyless entry, push-button start and a sliding rear window.

A moonroof remains available for $995.

See 2024 Ford Maverick specs and trims »

2024 Ford Maverick Safety

2024 Maverick Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2024 Ford Maverick an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't crash tested the 2024 Maverick at the time of writing.

2024 Maverick Safety Features

Standard driver-assistance features:

Available driver-assistance features:

Warranty

The 2024 Ford Maverick comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Maverick's hybrid components are covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Specs and Features

The Maverick's infotainment system is simple to operate. The touch screen displays crisp graphics and has relatively quick response times. It also has an intuitive menu interface, and there are sufficient physical controls on the center stack for quick audio and climate adjustments. Critics aren't fans of the touch screen's placement, however, which makes it prone to washout from bright sunlight.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

See 2024 Ford Maverick specs and trims »

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry.

This 2024 Maverick review combines 26 professional reviews with concrete data like performance specs, fuel economy estimates and safety ratings and incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2022. Check out excerpts from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.