If you’re interested in buying a new compact truck, the 2023 Ford Maverick is a popular choice. Plus, it’s also the cheapest new pickup truck money can buy. Usually when something is affordable it comes with a catch. Why is the Maverick’s starting price so low? Here are three reasons why the 2023 Ford Maverick is the cheapest compact truck.
2023 Ford Maverick Base Model Is Basic
First, the base 2023 Ford Maverick XL model starts at $23,690. According to edmunds, most of the features are as basic as you’d expect from such a budget model. For example, the interior is lined with cloth upholstery, has 17-inch steel wheels, and some of the highlights listed are air conditioning and power windows. On the plus side, the Maverick comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and forward collision mitigation. Drivers will operate the infotainment system on a small eight-inch touchscreen, and the stereo system only uses six basic speakers.
To get some of the more desirable features, buyers need to upgrade to higher models. For example, simulated leather upholstery is only standard on the fully equipped Lariat model, which starts at $29,450. Plus, Lariat buyers get proximity keyless entry, push-button start, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a power sliding rear window, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Many of these features are standard on modern vehicles, but with the Maverick, the Lariat trim is required.
No standard all-wheel drive
Another reason the 2023 Ford Maverick is the cheapest compact truck is that it doesn’t have standard all-wheel drive. Although AWD is available, it’s only an option on all models. Regardless of which version buyers choose, they have to pay more for AWD and the turbocharged engine. That’s the other caveat of buying the Maverick. A hybrid powertrain is standard for the entire lineup, but it only comes with front-wheel drive.
That means anyone who wants their truck to have four-wheel drive capabilities will need to get the optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Although it makes 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, it pales in comparison to the hybrid powertrain’s fuel economy of just 25 mpg combined. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system makes 191 hp, 155 lb-ft and 37 mpg combined. In short, without standard AWD, buyers are forced to have worse fuel economy to get it.
ride and interior quality
Finally, the last reason the 2023 Ford Maverick is the cheapest compact truck is its low ride and interior quality. Multiple experts report that driving the Maverick isn’t the best experience. Also, the interior is less than luxurious. Instead of soft-touch materials, leather, and other premium cabin features, the Maverick feels as budget-friendly as its price. It has hard plastics all around, standard cloth seats, and it even looks cheaper than many midsize trucks.
The appeal of Ford’s compact pickup is the low starting price. As most buyers would expect, there are some sacrifices the automaker has to make to sell the Maverick for such a low price. The most obvious is the interior. car and driver says the entry-level model is “beyond the basics.”
cheapest compact truck
In conclusion, the 2023 Ford Maverick is the most affordable compact pickup. Not only is it more affordable than the compact Hyundai Santa Cruz, but it’s also much cheaper than the midsize and full-size pickup models. Unsurprisingly, the low price comes with some significant differences. For example, many buyers may not like how cheap the interior looks and feels. Others may have a hard time buying a non-all-wheel-drive truck, which is only available without the coveted hybrid powertrain that offers best-in-class fuel economy.
Do you think the 2023 Ford Maverick is worth buying for its low price? Or are these problems too many?