Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.In recent years, several manufacturers have been trimming down their sedan and hatchback offerings, moving their focus to the more lucrative SUV and truck market. Ford was one of the legacy manufacturers that culled entire lineups, like the Focus, Fiesta and Fusion. These models were often the cheapest Ford cars you could buy, but that honor now goes to the compact Maverick truck.Fans of classic Fords may know that the Maverick was a sedan back in the 1970s, but to everyone else it refers to the unibody truck that Ford has been selling since 2022.The Ford MaverickFordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementModel Years: 2022 onRivals:Hyundai Santa CruzThe Maverick may look like just another truck, but it is one of only two unibody compact pickups on the market, the other being the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The benefits of this chassis layout are car-like ride and handling, and it's still tough enough for the sort of tasks most people need a truck for. For 2026 the Maverick is available ither with a frugal 191-hp 2.5-liter hybrid engine or a sportier 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged offering. There are three transmission options, with a CVT being offered on the hybrid and an eight-speed auto on the turbocharged engine, unless you opt for the Lobo trim which gets a seven-speed auto.Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optional and adding the tow package gives the Maverick 4,000-pound towing capabilities. It may not be as tough as the slightly larger (and pricier) midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado, but the Maverick is still very capable, and is arguably the better daily driver thanks to its efficient hybrid engine option, sharper handling and more compact size.Ford Maverick TrimsFordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel and TrimMaverick XL (2.0L Turbo)Maverick XL (2.5L Hybrid)Base MSRP$27,145$28,145Engine2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four2.5-liter hybrid inline-fourPower250 hp191 hp (Combined)Torque280 lb-ft155 lb-ft (gas)0-60 mph6.5 seconds est7.6 seconds estFuel Economy (City/Hwy/Comb)23 / 32 / 26 MPG (FWD) 22 / 30 / 25 MPG (AWD)42 / 33 / 37 MPG (FWD) 40 / 34 / 37 MPG (AWD)The hybrid engine actually costs $1,000 more in base trim than the more powerful turbocharged power unit, and the sporty Lobo and Tremor trims are only available with the turbo motor. The base XL is only $27,145 (excluding destination charges and taxes) and can be configured with plenty of options, but there is not a lot of basic kit on offer. The good news is that all models get a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, but moving up a trim level or two may make sense here.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lariat with the turbocharged engine option comes in at $35,870, which is good value considering how much more standard equipment you get over the XL and XLT. The Lobo is priced very similarly and is aimed at the sportier driver, while the Tremor gets off-road tuned suspension, lockable rear diff and several other off-road biased updates, but at $41,140 it gets uncomfortably close to some larger midsize trucks.In-House Price RivalsFordView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel and TrimFord Escape (Active)Ford Bronco Sport (Big Bend)Ford Ranger (XL)Base MSRP$30,350$31,845$33,550Engine1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three2.3-liter turbocharged inline-fourPower180 hp180 hp270 hpTorque199 lb-ft200 lb-ft310 lb-ft0-60 mph8.4 seconds est8.2 seconds est6.5 seconds estFuel Economy (City/Hwy/Combined)27 / 34 / 30 MPG (FWD)25 / 30 / 27 MPG (AWD)21 / 25 / 22 MPG (RWD)The Maverick is a great alternative to larger mid- and full-size trucks that offer more towing and off-road capabilities that most people will never need. The solid pricing, impressive handling and impressive interior fit and finish (especially on higher trims) helps the Maverick stand out from the crowd, but there are a few other Ford models that are similarly-priced and may be a decent alternative.The Ford Escape is a competent compact SUV that is in its final year of production. Available with two turbocharged engines with either 181 or 250-hp, it can be had with AWD, and will tow up to 3,500 when properly equipped and fitted with the more powerful engine. The base model starts off at just over $31,000, but the basic spec level is higher than you get in the base Maverick.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bronco Sport is the cheeky little brother to the larger Bronco but is more of an off-roader shaped Ford Escape, and comes with the same running gear options. It costs slightly more than the Escape, and a fair bit more than a base Maverick, and is more of a 'lifestyle' off-roader, but there are plenty of options designed to cater for a wide audience, and it is a good alternative to the Maverick if you don't need the loadbed or don't plan to tow anything heavy.The Ford Ranger is a midsize body-on-frame truck, that offers great value in its class thanks not only to its attractive base price, but its powerful 2.3-liter turbocharged engine and overall capability. It can tow up to 7,500 pounds, is capable of carrying a far higher payload, and is available in several different layouts and trims.FordThe Ford Maverick is not intended to be a heavy-duty truck, or an ultra-refined family SUV, instead it manages to combine most of the capabilities of both platforms into one package that should please most people most of the time. With a base price of $27,145 before taxes, it represents great value for money, although if this is to be your daily do-it-all family vehicle, adding a few options to the base trim or opting for the XLT is advisable.Data Sources:AdvertisementAdvertisementAll vehicle data, pricing figures, and technical specifications were sourced from the official manufacturer websites.Pricing figures represent the base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and exclude destination charges, and taxes.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.