2023 AAA Car Guide Winner: Pickup Truck Under $35K

What a great idea – a low-priced small pickup with a standard hybrid drivetrain! Apparently, more than a few people agree: All 2022 Mavericks were sold out by December 2021.

Built on the Ford Escape/Bronco Sport platform, the Maverick has lots going for it. The base XL trim’s price comes in just under $21,000. The hybrid drivetrain provides a quiet ride, with seamless gas-electric transitions, and fuel economy is very good – 37 mpg in combined city/highway driving. (A 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine is a $435 option.) Ride quality and seat height are laudable, and front-row passengers have plenty of room. The Maverick’s payload limit is 1,500 pounds; the towing limit is 2,000 pounds. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is unavailable on the hybrid. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a multi-position tailgate, and a full-size spare tire are standard across trim levels.

The Maverick has some problem areas, however. Some are pricerelated, such as the low-frills nature and subpar fit and finish of its cabin. Available tech is limited, too – a power driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and proximity keyless entry and push-button start are standard only on the top-level Lariat trim. Perhaps most problematic, though, is the scarcity of standard and available ADAS features. Only automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and LED headlights with auto high beams are standard – all others are merely “available.” Other dings include grabby brakes and a cramped backseat that’s hard to get in and out of.