Ford Maverick pickup truck breaks cover

Ford has announced the return of the Maverick nameplate, this time as the name of its smallest pickup truck, which will go on sale overseas in the coming months. The Maverick name is not new to the brand. Ford originally used it in 1970 on a two-door, rear-wheel-drive compact car, and later in Europe for a badge-engineered SUV from Nissan and even on the European-version of the Ford Escape SUV a few years ago.

• Ford Maverick is the brand's newest and smallest pickup truck
• Gets two petrol hybrid engine options
• Will be sold in North and South America initially

Ford Maverick: what is it?

Ford's all-new, entry-level pickup, the Maverick, will first go on sale in North and South America, followed by other markets. It sits below the Ranger, measuring 5,072mm in length and 1,745mm in height. The Ranger measures 282mm longer and 71mm taller. The truck is based on a monocoque architecture that is shared with the Ford Bronco Sport, and it comes with optional AWD and a long list of features.  

Ford Maverick: engine and powertrain options

The Maverick is driven by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 191hp. An option for a more powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine will also be available with 250hp. Ford is yet to release official mileage and power figures.

Ford Maverick: variants and features

Three trim levels – XL, XLT and Lariat – will be available for the Maverick. Four-wheel drive, all-terrain tyres, suspension tuning and off-road drive modes are available on XLT and Lariat specifications, although pricing hasn't yet been revealed beyond the XL. An 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen hosts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and Ford describes the interior as “surprisingly roomy” with “excellent leg and head room [and] shoulder and hip width, and a comfortable seating position for both rows.”

Ford Maverick: will it come to India?

Not in the near future. Ford, however, is expected to bring the Ranger Raptor to India. The company will also introduce an all-new C-SUV and the next-gen Endeavor in the future.