2024 Ford Maverick Lariat FWD 2.5L Hybrid – Review by David Colman

Great value for the money

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

The big news at the Maverick truck ranch for 2024 is that Ford will charge you $1,500 more for the Hybrid Lariat this year than it did in 2023. When the compact pickup was introduced, a 191hp inline-4 Hybrid powered the base Maverick, while a 250hp turbocharged inline-4 gas engine was optionally available. This year, Ford made the gas engine standard but tacked a surcharge onto the electrically boosted Maverick Hybrid. Note that four-wheel drive is available only on the gas motor truck, while the Hybrid makes do with front-wheel-drive. The Maverick, which is built in Hermosillo, Mexico, garnered a number of significant awards during its first year of production. Car and Driver ranked it #1 in compact pickups and included it in their 10 Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023, while Consumer Reports awarded the Maverick 74 points out of 100 and endorsed it with a significant CR Checkmark.

The Hybrid's main claim to fame is its excellent fuel economy. You can expect 34 mpg in overall driving compared to just 23 mpg for the gas Maverick. With its 13.8 gallon gas tank full, the Hybrid's range nears 500 miles. By comparison, the gas engine version is all done at 380 miles. Also, bear in mind that each time you fill the gasoline-powered Maverick you're buying 16.5 gallons versus just 13.8 gallons to fill the Hybrid's smaller tank. The downside of choosing the Hybrid is that you will limit tow capacity to just 2,000 pounds, versus 4,000 pounds for the gasoline turbo four.

We spent a week driving the upmarket Lariat version of the Hybrid and found it to be satisfactory rather than outstanding in most respects. Front seat comfort was an immediate problem. The bottom cushions of the front row chairs are too short, causing us to slide forward under braking. Also, my right foot constantly slipped off the accelerator pedal. This became such a nuisance that I actually climbed under the dashboard to examine the problem. The pedal's face is heavily curved rather than flat, which encourages foot slippage. Secondly, the top of the pedal sits 9 inches above the floor. This requires you to raise your foot and keep it raised to stay in contact. On the other hand, we loved the design and operational ease of the rotary dial shift selector for the automatic transmission.

The Maverick dash layout is sensible, easy to use, and very straightforward. We particularly enjoyed being able to regulate cabin temperature without having to deal with distracting and complicated video screens. Ford, as a heritage manufacturer, seems particularly interested in keeping its customer base happy with the basics, rather than mandating attendance at design control school. The same goes for the double pull operation of the hood release, the central location of the parking brake switch, and the happy combination of navy blue and charcoal plastics covering the dash and doors. Particular accolades go to the designer at Ford who graced the Maverick's center console with a lidded receptacle deep enough to transport a quart of hot clam chowder home for dinner.

More high grades go to the configuration of the rear bench seat, which can carry three adult passengers, or be lifted and locked up out of the way. Doing so opens a number of under-seat storage bins and also gains access to the 12-volt battery. Due to under-hood space restriction, Ford relocates the Hybrid's starter battery from the engine compartment to the rear cabin floor. You may be able to carry a bicycle in the space behind the front seats. The interior door handles are configured to allow full use of the width available and also serve as retainers for the bike. Ford also provides an exterior numerical keypad located on the driver's side B pillar which allows you to code in your chosen digits for keyless entry. It's an old Ford standby, and could prove very useful if you need to access the Maverick's unusual battery location.

Driving characteristics of this relatively lightweight (3,750 pound) pickup proved quite athletic. Our test Maverick sported a Black Appearance Package which provided 18-inch "Machine-Face Ebony Aluminum Wheels" shod with 225/60R18 Michelin Primacy A/S radials (TW 540). Coupled to a firm-but-still-comfortable suspension system, the Maverick dealt handily with bad pavement. If you're looking for an alternative to a classic pitchy pickup ride, you'll find it in the plush gait of this Ford. Steering feedback is precise and lively, and our only complaint in the performance department came from the unpredictable engagement point of the brakes. Half the time they caught too soon, and the rest of the time they provided delayed stoppage. In other words, they were characteristic of early Hybrid era brakes, which were disconcertingly unpredictable.

All in all, the Hybrid Maverick gets high grades for its fuel economy, low buy-in cost, and wealth of ingenious features. These pluses are counterbalanced by the truck's ergonomic deficiencies, low tow rating, and unavailable four-wheel drive. But with a base price of just $35,730 for the Lariat, you would be hard-pressed to find this much truck for this little money anywhere but a Ford dealer.

2024 FORD MAVERICK LARIAT FWD 2.5L HYBRID

• ENGINE: 2.5 liter inline-4DOHC, 16-valve, plus 2 AC motors and 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery
• HORSEPOWER: 191hp (combined)
• TORQUE: 173lb.-ft. (combined)
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 37MPG City/42 MPG Highway

HYPES: Easy Access Cabin, Usefully Configured Interior and Bed

GRIPES: Unsupportive Seats, Pedal Problems

STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman