If you ordered a non-hybrid 2022 Ford Maverick in front-wheel-drive (FWD) with the optional 4K towing package, you’re about to get a call from the dealership with some strange news. Ford has decided not to build those trucks.
Not to worry. You’re getting a free all-wheel-drive (AWD) upgrade instead.
FWD, Tow Package Combination Didn’t Test Well
The news first popped up on the forums at the Maverick Truck Club.
Automakers haven’t offered Americans a true compact truck in a decade. But this summer, Hyundai rolled out the 2022 Santa Cruz, and Ford gave us the Maverick. Both are genuine compact trucks, small enough to maneuver in urban settings and low enough for most adults to load the bed from the sides.
Both are also built as unit-body vehicles like crossovers rather than the familiar body-on-frame construction traditionally used for trucks. Also, the engine is mounted transversely and primarily drives the front wheels, where a traditional truck uses a fore-aft facing engine that primarily drives the rear axle. This front-drive-oriented setup gives a smoother car-like ride but limits their towing and off-road ability compared to classic pickups.
The Maverick can tow 2,000 pounds in its front-drive configuration, or 4,000 with the optional tow package.
Towing asks the rear wheels to do most of the work. FWD vehicles can comfortably tow small loads (say, a personal watercraft or motorcycle trailer). But most automotive engineers would suggest rear- or all-wheel drive to tow anything heavier than that.
Which made Ford’s decision to offer a front-drive vehicle with a tow package seem a little odd. It seems that they’ve come to the same conclusion. In a notice sent to dealers, Ford explained, “Due to recent engineering and performance evaluations, it has been determined to remove” the tow option package on FWD models.
A $2,200 Value
Customers who ordered it will instead be given a free upgrade to AWD. That’s a $2,200 value. It lowers the trucks’ fuel economy by one mpg in the city and on the highway. But that seems like a small price to pay for a free upgrade.
We should note that the news doesn’t apply to the hybrid Maverick, which isn’t available in AWD. While Ford is making changes to configurations, they might want to rethink that one, too.
Hidden in This News — Small Trucks Already Getting Big Buzz
In case there’s anyone from another automaker reading this, we’ll also point out here to note that no customer has yet driven the Maverick (it’s due to reach dealerships in late fall at the earliest), and it already has fan websites. Hyundai and Ford appear to be onto something with the return of the small pickup.
Ram may want to make a note of it and work on getting that adorable Ram 700 they sell in Mexico ready for American buyers.
Class of 2022: All the New and Redesigned Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
