The 2023 Ford Maverick is More In-Demand than Ever

Photo Source: Ford

Given the current trend and demand for SUVs, crossovers, trucks, and decreasing sales of hatchbacks and sedans over the past few years, the Ford Motor Company–with the exception of the Mustang–took a bold step and did away with passenger cars altogether. As such, with the discontinuation of models like the Fusion and the Focus, Ford did not only have to address the needs of urban commuters, but this also posed an opportunity for the American automaker to broaden its product portfolio and explore new avenues.

This was the entry point for the 2023 Ford Maverick, a truck for non-truck customers. To clarify, Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks are synonymous with being some of the best-selling vehicles in North America, but even the base F-150 nears $36,000 MSRP (Plus destination fee). This is where Ford saw the chance to fully commit and debut a competent compact pickup with a starting price of approximately $25,000 MSRP (Plus destination fee).

2023 Ford Maverick Popularity

With a unibody construction and a C2 platform shared with the Ford Escape and the Ford Bronco Sport, the Maverick cannot be compared to a conventional pickup truck. That said, the added versatility of an intelligent bed, extra ground clearance, and towing capability provide much more flexibility than the average family sedan. With the vehicle’s adaptability, it is unsurprising that the brand recently reported an 83.4 percent increase in units sold. In other words, 24,000 Maverick models were sold in the third quarter of 2023.

The Blue Oval cannot keep up with the demand for its all-new Maverick–an affordable, burly, and smooth-driving hybrid compact pickup truck. When Ford became aware of pent-up demand, it suspended orders for the Maverick. It re-opened the order books for the 2023 Ford Maverick on August 2, 2022. Soon after, it closed the order books again in September 2022 due to the high volume of orders. Ford sold 48,648 Maverick pickups after re-opening orders through August 2022. It is worth noting that the truck made waves for its standard hybrid powertrain and low starting price, making it a good vehicle for younger, adventurous drivers.

The Tremor Off-Road Package

The Ford Maverick introduced three well-equipped trim levels: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system, delivering 191 horsepower and producing 155 pound-feet of torque. Power goes to the front wheels via a standard continuously variable transmission, while all-wheel-drive is available with the optional 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. However, for 2023, Ford added a more rugged Tremor off-road package to the Maverick. Granted, a compact, unibody pickup will not pose a challenge against its ladder frame siblings, like the Ford Ranger, in off-road environments. Still, the Tremor package is more than merely a cosmetic upgrade: it gets orange tow hooks, an updated grille, and a bevy of dark exterior treatments. Nonetheless, what matters most is what is beneath the sheet metal.

The Tremor package begins with the optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder gas engine. It includes a brawny suspension system, strengthened half-shafts, a lockable differential, an all-wheel drivetrain, and a trail-rated gearbox cooler to better cope with punishing terrain. In addition, the Maverick Tremor package comes outfitted with trail control, a feature that Ford refers to as “cruise control for off-road driving.”

Rushing to Meet Demand

Ford announced earlier this year (2023) that it would not be able to meet demand for the truck this year, either. Consumers must be aware that the brand’s primary audience for the Maverick is potential crossover buyers looking for some more capability. On that front, the Maverick delivers, and this platform will only continue to evolve over time. With the introduction of the Maverick, Ford is tapping into the budget end of the pickup market with a full order book. 

If you believe the automaker has a winner on its hands, please come visit Sunrise Ford. Above all, we want our customers to enjoy their shopping experience. We have a friendly and passionate sales team that will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs simple for any of our new vehicle inventory. If you are considering a used vehicle, we have plenty to choose from.