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Due to huge demand, the Ford Maverick release date for its hybrid will stretch deep into 2022 as all initial stock has sold out in a matter of months.
Trying to Get a Ford Maverick?
Anyone searching for the Ford Maverick release date will discover something of a moving target. That’s because the hybrid Maverick is currently sold out, though the traditional gas-powered model is readily available. Turns out American consumers were sitting on serious pent-up demand for small, affordable pickup trucks. The tremendous fuel efficiency, thoughtful features, and well-executed packaging of the 2022 Ford Maverick appears to have amplified that desire to the point that Ford’s factories cannot keep up.
What’s Going on with the Ford Maverick Release?
Maverick Chat, a forum devoted to just what it sounds like, evidently discovered a bulletin sent from Ford corporate to its dealer network notifying them that any new Maverick hybrid orders “will not be selected for scheduling.” This can be partly attributed to Ford’s acknowledgement, back in June, that they only planned for about 40% of Ford Maverick production to be of the hybrid variety. Supply chain snarls, the standard scapegoat for automotive delays these days, has not been cited as a reason that Maverick hybrid orders are on hold. Yet.
Why Are People Looking for a Ford Maverick?
It’s been some time since a small pickup truck has been on the market; Ford stopped selling their previous generation Ranger nearly 10 years ago. Sure, there is now a new Ranger for sale, but like its F-150 stable mate and most other pickups, it is bigger and more expensive than ever. Enter the Maverick, which we previewed here.
It looks like a traditional pickup, just on a smaller scale and comes with a smaller starting price of about $20,000. With the average price of all vehicles on the rise, this is a tantalizing prospect for folks on a budget. You still get the cargo bed utility, which in the case of the Maverick comes with all manner of adjustability and customization in what Ford calls a “FLEXBED”.
An 8” infotainment screen with Wi-Fi and smartphone mirroring for Apple and Android devices is standard, while available features like a sunroof, wireless charging and Yakima cargo systems ratchet up the desirability of this compact pickup. You can find a more in-depth discussion here, but the crux of the sudden unavailability centers on that hybrid powertrain.
Pairing a 2.5L inline-4 engine with an electric motor and CVT connected to the front wheels, a base Maverick will achieve up to 42 mpg around town. That translates to more than 500 miles of range, which when combined with the pricing, utility, features, and size clearly makes for a highly sought-after Ford. This excitement around planet-friendly pickups has even extended to the mighty F-150. Newly available as the all-electric Lightning, which you can read about here, it too has closed the window on reservations.
There’s Still the Non-Hybrid Maverick or the Santa Cruz
Fortunately, interested consumers can still get their hands on the non-hybrid EcoBoost powered Ford Maverick. With 275 gas-powered ponies and available AWD, it will tow up to 4,000 pounds. And though it is more expensive than the hybrid, according to Ford’s October sales reports, these models are only sitting on dealer lots for 5 days. So don’t wait around for too long.
All this attention certainly has Detroit rivals Chevy and Dodge wondering how they missed the boat on this abandoned segment. While they are surely cooking something up, Hyundai just pulled their fully baked competitor out of the oven. More of an SUV with a cargo bed, the new Santa Cruz is an alternative to the Maverick that hungry buyers might consider instead of waiting for ordering to open back up next summer. If that’s you, check out this article comparing the two.
