I used to be the primary particular person on the Autoblog employees to put eyes on the 2022 Ford Maverick. True story. The story repeats itself with the Tremor: When Ford debuted the package deal, I used to be there. However within the years since, I’ve but to truly drive one. It is a bizarre quirk of the occupation; generally you simply find yourself with an unanticipated blind spot. So when this 2024 Ford Maverick Tremor confirmed up for a weekend, I used to be excited to lastly get a while with it in the true world.
The truth that it was a Tremor was virtually secondary. It is a cool package deal. You get a revised suspension with an inch extra floor clearance, revised bumpers for improved strategy and departure angles, upgraded underbody safety and a trick new rear differential borrowed from the Badlands mannequin of the Maverick’s shut cousin, the Bronco Sport. However I had the whole lot of the Maverick to get caught up on, so you may must forgive me for mixing in some ideas on the better Maverick lineup, quite than the Tremor alone. With out additional ado, right here they’re.
1. It is costly
We have had this criticism about nearly every thing constructed on Ford’s up to date compact platform because it was pressed into service again in 2019. From the Escape to the Bronco Sport and now the Maverick, these automobiles all get downright costly when you begin including choices. Bear in mind when the bottom Maverick was $20,000? Now not, and this Lariat-based Tremor practically doubles the Maverick Hybrid’s authentic worth, checking in at about $38,500 after vacation spot and choices.
That is nonetheless cheaper than the typical transaction worth of a brand new automobile, however it’s a few thousand lower than the mid-spec Ranger XLT 4×4 and a pair grand cheaper than the lowest-spec F-150 with four-wheel drive. That mentioned, it seems good. Regardless of its off-road pretensions, the Tremor’s aesthetics put it squarely in “pretty truck” territory. I doubt these might be widespread with handymen.
2. However the inside continues to be fairly low cost
With regards to cheapness, there aren’t many automobiles bought in 2024 that I can moderately examine to my 2011 Jeep Wrangler with regards to cabin high quality. Maverick is one in all them, unquestionably. The inside design is actually extra attention-grabbing than my decade-old Mopar’s, however it’s apparent that price drove a lot of the decision-making right here. Even with fewer than 1,000 miles on this tester, the door playing cards and different high-traffic touchpoints are exhibiting some put on and tear. Dust and scuffs actually stand out on the blue plastic.
3. It seems like a truck
It is apparent that Ford’s engineers anticipated pushback from prospects who would not see the Maverick as a “real” truck if it drove like what it’s — a high-riding unibody compact. A concerted effort was made to maintain the Maverick as truck-like as attainable and it exhibits. It feels and sounds a bit tough across the edges, and there is apparent noise and vibration cues that inform you you are driving one thing sensible, quite than one thing luxurious. Happily, the tips they used (one senses the strategic omission of sound deadening right here) assist maintain the Maverick low cost to construct.
4. Nevertheless it seems like a truck
The flip aspect is that it sounds like a truck, which is to say, it does not actually sound like a lot, which is a disgrace, as a result of this platform’s predecessors have included some stable exhaust notes. Focus ST and RS, anyone? However sadly, the two.0T’s exhaust does not sound like a lot. There is a growl while you get on it, however it’s no match for Ford’s C-segment fanatic automobiles of outdated.
5. It will make a enjoyable Mini Truck
Given its less-utilitarian underpinnings, the Maverick may very well be a stable canvas for constructing a contemporary Mini Truck. The platform itself can actually assist a efficiency mannequin — simply have a look at the aforementioned sizzling Focuses — and each the Tremor and its sibling, the Bronco Sport Badlands, already include trick rear differentials. It will be cool to see a manufacturing unit mannequin that ditches the Tremor’s off-road pretensions for one thing a little bit extra low-slung and corner-carving — and possibly with the two.3-liter EcoBoost? I am going to even accept a PHEV.
6. It is a terrific utility car
The Tremor could be the flawed trim to purchase in the event you’re searching for practicality, however that does not imply it is poor in that regard. Our tester got here with all of the utilitarian bells and whistles, from built-in energy to all the flamboyant mattress enlargement options. It’s going to nonetheless do the entire truck issues another Maverick will do, solely with a little bit extra panache.
7. Nevertheless it’s a poor alternative for a Focus
As cool the Maverick is, the Focus was a superb compact hatchback (last-gen computerized transmission points however) on a stellar platform. That is larger (in each dimension), heavier and nowhere close to as enjoyable to drive. No one expects even a small pickup truck to carve corners, however Ford hasn’t precisely left us with any worthy alternate options. The perfect-handling five-door in a Ford showroom might be a stripper Escape or Bronco Sport.
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