2024 FORD MAVERICK HYBRID

ECOBOOST ENGINE NOW STANDARD, HYBRID DRIVETRAIN OPTIONAL ON MAVERICK TRUCK

The 2024 Ford Maverick is pretty much the same compact pickup that Ford brought to market for 2022, but the company did make one somewhat unusual change.

The first two Mavericks were offered with a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain as standard and a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder as an option.

The 2024 Ford Maverick switches those, making the 2.0L Ecoboost the standard and the gas-electric hybrid an option.

If you want horsepower and torque, you go with the Ecoboost and its 250 hp and 270 pound-feet. If you are seeking fuel-saving, the hybrid with its EPA ratings of 42 miles-per-gallon city, 33 highway and 37 combined are your choice.

EPA figures for the front-wheel-drive 2.0L Ecoboost with its 8-speed automatic transmission are 23/30/26. All-wheel-drive models are reported at 22/29/25.

Either drivetrain is available on all three trims (XL, XLT, and Lariat, but all-wheel drive is offered only on the 2.5L  A Tremor package that enhances off-road capability is offered on XLT and Lariat models with the 2.0L and AWD.

The hybrid with its 2.5L 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and 2.0L turbo have the same 2,000-pound towing capacity and similar payloads of 1,500 pounds though when the Tremor package is added that is cut to 1,200 pounds.

The XL trim serves as the base model and probably is more appealing to those looking for a light-duty work truck. The XLT, which serves as the basis for this review, is more comfortably equipped while still ing the starting price tab below the $30,000 mark that the Lariat surpasses.

Standard features on my test 2024 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid included second-row under-seat storage, an 8-inch center stack screen, Apple CarPlay ad Android Auto, single-zone climate control with knobs to operate control temp and blower speed, cloth seats, an 8-inch center stack with touchscreen, electronic parking brake, a rotary gear shift dial, selectable drive modes (normal, Eco, sport, tow/haul, slippery), LED automatic headlamps, and a power tailgate lock.

All that and more is covered by the  suggested MSRP of $26,315.

The hybrid drivetrain added $1,500 to the starting price, and an XLT luxury package (8-way power driver and 6-way adjustable passenger seat, heated seats, LED box lighting, trailer hitch, and vinyl-wrapped steering wheel) added another $2,275. a black appearance package tacked on $1,545, and a couple of other options that included Ford’s Co-Pilot suite of safety systems like blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assist ran the final total to $34,115 including the $1,595 destination and delivery fee.

That approaches the Lariat’s starting MSRP of $34,855. The base XL Maverick starts at $23,815.

What I liked about the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid: You don’t have to plug it in to get the benefits of fuel-saving gas-electric drive. The size its a sweet spot between capability and maneuverability. It is big enough to do all but the largest kind of “truck stuff” while still at home in crowded parking lots. Infotainment features are user-friendly. Knobs are there to adjust volume and surf the radio dial. 

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid: AWD not available on the hybrid, which also comes with a CVT. The spartan cabin could use some sprucing up.

Would I buy the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid? Not in the market for a truck, but if I were, this definitely would be high on my list to look at. It’s a good size and the hybrid drivetrain provides good fuel economy.