[Auto Blog] Sometimes smaller is better. Sometimes smaller is cheaper, and sometimes smaller is smarter. That’s the 2022 Ford Maverick, a compact pickup truck sharing the same unibody platform as the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport. Yeah, it’s small, but that’s great if you want something with a bed, but don’t have the need or the extra cash for a mid- or full-size truck. Instead, the Maverick is an easy-to-drive, efficient pickup that won’t break the bank and has to make intelligent use of the space it’s got.The Maverick is peerless, with its small stature and a standard hybrid powertrain. The closest competitor is the also-new Hyundai Santa Cruz. That Hyundai shies away from the pickup vibe, maintaining its crossover aesthetics. The Maverick leans into the fact that it’s a pickup, and built by a company that’s been selling countless pickups for many, many decades. And the Maverick totally succeeds at being just enough truck for a lot of people. We have no doubt it will be popular — and for good reason. We just wonder if Ford can keep up with demand.
