Finding an affordable new truck is a challenging task, especially with high inflation these days. It’s even harder to find one that combines affordability with quality and reliability. However, there is one notable exception. Consumer Reports only recommends one truck that costs less than $25,000: the 2023 Ford Maverick.
The 2023 Ford Maverick, which costs less than $25,000, is recommended by Consumer Reports
Starting at $22,195 MSRP, the 2023 Ford Maverick compact pickup is the cheapest new pickup truck available in the United States. However, the Maverick’s low price doesn’t translate to low quality, earning it a coveted recommendation from Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted authorities for automotive evaluations, so the recommendation for the Maverick carries a lot of weight. Also, CR doesn’t recommend many trucks, which makes the Maverick’s recommendation especially significant.
The only other new pickup trucks recommended by Consumer Reports are the 2023 Ram 1500 full-size and the 2023 Honda Ridgeline midsize. However, the Ram 1500 ($37,410 MSRP) and Ridgeline ($38,800 MSRP) cost considerably more than the Maverick.
CR bases its recommendation for the 2023 Maverick pickup on the Automotive Reliability Survey
The Ford Maverick is a relatively new model. It made its debut for the 2022 model year. Consumer Reports recommended the 2022 Maverick and, following the results of the recent Automotive Reliability Survey, the recommendation stands for the 2023 Maverick.
For the Automotive Reliability Survey, CR evaluated 17 potential problem areas over a 12-month period. The organization received surveys from owners of more than 300,000 vehicles. Examples of problem areas that owners have identified are noise, brakes, engine, electrical systems, leaks, and paint. And with the Maverick’s reliability in these potential problem areas, the truck maintained its Consumer Reports recommendation.
2023 Maverick Highlights
Along with affordability and reliability, another strength of 2023 Ford The Maverick pickup is great fuel economy, especially for the standard hybrid powertrain. The Maverick Hybrid gets an estimated gas mileage of up to 42 mpg city/33 highway, while the all-gas version has fuel economy of up to 23 mpg city/30 highway. Plus, with its one-piece chassis, the Maverick provides better handling than most trucks.
Plus, the Maverick’s cabin is surprisingly roomy, with a total passenger volume of 100.3 cubic feet. The cabin is also quite stylish, with a level of refinement one wouldn’t expect to see in such an affordable truck.
Another highlight of the Maverick is its exclusive FLEXBED. The FLEXBED offers versatile truck bed configurations, with 2×4 or 2×6 boards that can be slid into its slots. It also has tie downs, D-rings, and plenty of anchor points, as well as 110-volt outlets and pre-wired 12-volt, 20-amp sources for plugging in tools and accessories.
While the 2023 Maverick is a carryover model, it offers a new Tremor off-road package. The Tremor off-road package, as the name suggests, provides enhanced off-road capabilities with various features and upgrades. This includes a new all-wheel drive system, a trail control feature, a one-inch lift, and a dual-clutch rear-wheel drive locking differential.
2023 Ford Maverick: Affordable, Reliable Pickup Recommended by Consumer Reports
The 2023 Ford Maverick has a rare combination of affordability and quality. If you want a truck that’s very reliable and not too hard on your finances, then you might consider giving the Maverick a closer look. It is the only truck recommended by Consumer Reports that costs less than $25,000.