In late July, our spies caught the first completed prototype of the upcoming Ford Maverick compact pickup undergoing testing. The tester was adorned in a full camouflage package, which is to be expected when it comes to development prototypes. But Ford also disguised it with a clever bed cap to trick us into thinking it’s an SUV, rather than a pickup.
From the very beginning, Ford Authority has been reporting that the Maverick will ride on the Ford C2 platform shared very closely with the Bronco Sport. However, a few outlets have since reported that the Maverick will be nothing more than a Ford Transit Connect with a bed. But that’s simply not the case.
Ford Bronco Sport (top) and Ford Maverick prototype (bottom), at scale.
To prove that notion, we took the side profile angle of the aforementioned Ford Maverick spy shots and overlaid a to-scale image of a Ford Bronco Sport. The mashup shows the ways in which the two vehicles will be similar, and also how they’ll be different.
From the B-pillar forward, both the Mave and Bronco Sport will be nearly identical, including the general shape and configuration of the hood and the rest of the front end, the A-pillar execution and shape, plus the front doors.
Ford Maverick prototype overlayed with Bronco Sport shows similarities B-pillar forward.
In fact, the only discernible difference on the front end is the shape of the lower bumper cover: whereas the Bronco Sport features a steeply-raked front end to enable more extreme approach and departure angles for off-road duty, the Maverick will have a more traditional lower front bumper cover execution that’s not only more squared off, but is also lower. The Maverick will also feature a lower air dam. The less aggressive front end treatment is par course for a pickup like the Maverick, rather than an off-road-oriented machine like the Bronco sport.
After the B-pillar, the two models will be quite different, starting with different wheelbases.
Additionally, the Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport will have different wheelbases. Based on estimates derived from analysis in CAD, the difference will be around eight inches in favor of the Mave, likely resulting in larger rear doors for the pickup’s four-door cab. And since the Maverick is, after all, a pickup, it will have a much longer rear overhang than the Bronco Sport.
To sum all that up: the Maverick will have nothing in common with the Transit Connect, a compact range of vans that is built on a modified version of the Ford C1 platform – an architecture that’s in the process of being replaced by the C2 platform. What’s more, the Ford Maverick will be very similar, if not identical, to the new Bronco Sport from the B-pillar forward. But from the B-pillar back, the two vehicles will be quite different, with the Mave getting a longer wheelbase and a longer rear overhang to accommodate a larger cab and a bed. We also expect surface styling/detailing to differ on both models.
2021 Ford Bronco Sport
The compact Maverick will slot below the midsize, body-on-frame Ranger in Ford’s growing pickup lineup. Compared to the Ranger, the unibody Mave with have a smaller footprint, less off-road prowess and less capability, while also being more affordable.
Under the hood, the Maverick is expected to offer the 1.5L EcoBoost Dragon three-cylinder engine as well as the optional 2.0L EcoBoost inline-four. The very base Maverick models could also offer one of the two naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engines, though this isn’t something we can confirm at this time. All Maverick models should feature Ford’s new 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel-drive will be standard, while all-wheel-drive will be optional.
Ford Ranger T6
Maverick production will take place at the Ford Hermosillo plant in Mexico, which also happens to be the birthplace of the new Bronco Sport. Expect a launch in mid-2021 as a 2022 model.
We’ll have much more on the future Ford Maverick soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Maverick news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
Being Branded as part of the Bronco Family of vehicle’s the only problem. AlWD should come standard on all Mavericks models. You don’t want the truck to come off weak in this area
Have a friend that works in hermosillo ford plant. The maverick will ride on the same platform as the bronco sport and it will be built at that plant starting early next year or spring.
I know it’s riding on the same platform problem is it can be used as FWD or AWD which is stated above. I wouldn’t buy the FWD model, not saying others want “I wouldn’t “. The Bronco line up needs to the Strongest, Toughest SUV / Trucks of the Brand – No Bead Counting
Roy, I think you’re getting confused here. The compact unibody Ford pickup will be called the Maverick… not the “Bronco Maverick.”
As far as AWD goes, this is a totally different market segment and hence an entirely different buyer. People buying the Mave will be “non-truck” people so the “weak” vs. “strong” argument doesn’t really apply. Additionally, this will be an entry-level product. AWD adds cost and raises the price. Some will want it, others won’t… which is why AWD or 4WD is almost always AN OPTION… and that’s the way it will be for the Mave.
“Lifestyle” truck, nothing wrong with it. Honda already has one and Hyundai will soon have one. Actually I would buy a FWD pickup since the most “heavy duty” thing I ever haul is an ATV or a motorbike. Most other times would be yard waste, and maybe a couch here and there. A 4WD seems overkill for me, as I don’t go deep into the woods, or off road.
The Ford slogan for the Broncos suggest “ You Need to get out into the Wild “ . I
don’t see nothing Wild about a FWD truck More importantly all the Bronco Sports are AWD and in Texas you don’t see that many Honda Trucks on the road here. But as I said above am sure someone will buy the FWD model somewhere
Roy – as I noted above, you’re getting your wires crossed: the Maverick will no be not part of the Bronco family.
Also, the Maverick is for non-truck people. Ford has the Texas market covered with traditional trucks (Ranger and F-Series). The Maverick will not be a traditional truck but more of a lifestyle vehicle as “Diesel” notes… so the rules of the traditional truck market do not apply here.
Looks like It’s sharing the front end and platform of the Bronco,let’s see how Ford market the vehicles and go from there
LoL
I’ve been thinking with this upcoming Mav truck, what if Ford is actually working on a compact 7 passenger crossover as well to slot above the Bronco Sport? With the way that prototype has a lot of rear overhang and of course Since Ford phased out passenger cars in the US.
I can see it. At first I thought Ford was just bring back an icon in the Bronco. Now it’s clear just how bad Ford and FCA hate each other. The Bronco sub brand was created to destroy the Jeep brand, not just the wrangler. Kill Jeep, kill their cash cow. One less competitor.
Make it a king cab with a decent bed, not a Fusion with open boot. I want a small TRUCK
please ford a 6′-6.5 pick up box or a fold down mid gate like the chevy avalanche in almost 6′ and want to sleep in the back
with a camper shell and camping kit awd would be ok just not $40,000
So it’s just like the 2001-03 2-door Explorer Sport compared to the Sport Trac pickup.
A decent bed would make it an ideal work truck for the handyman and small business who do not need to impress the peasants with poor fuel consumption and unnecessary size.
I would be interested in one of these in a base model with a non turbo naturally aspired engine. I don’t want or need AWD or 4 WD. Offer a base model with air, auto, and a rubber floor no carpet at below 20k.
Will Mavrick be offered in 2 door regular cab
It looks like Ford might shoot themselves in the foot, AGAIN. No wonder the company is on a long-term downward slope. The compact pickup market wants a reasonable bed, not a four-door trying-to-do-everthing-and-doing-nothing-very well model. Have they asked their customers what they want? Look at the many compact pickups (old Rangers, S10, etc) on the road — most are extended cab models with a six foot bed.
Will buy whoever has the small 2 door ,may have to restore an old reg. cab Ranger