Ford Maverick 2023 release date

Ford Maverick 2023 release date
(Images: TFL Studios)

By and large, you guys seem to be big fans of the new Ford Maverick, and the Blue Oval is still reportedly struggling to keep up with demand. Even as the 2023 Ford Maverick emerges for the new model year — with the new Tremor off-road trim, no less — recent reports indicate the order books are already closing this week, after they just opened midway through September.

At least, that seems to be the word per a Ford Authority report, citing sources in the know. This year’s order books opened up on September 15, after a delay, and Ford reportedly pushed back 2023 Maverick production into November, as it copes with filling its backlog of 2022 orders. Between that dilemma, as well as remarkably high interest for this new model year, the automaker made a decision to close its order banks early. That said, the report goes on to mention that dealers will still be able to order stock units. So, we (hopefully) won’t run into the issue of dealers having no Mavericks on their lots. That’s a memory that still rings painfully clear, even as manufacturers try and catch up on production.

It’s worth noting that the order page for the 2023 Ford Maverick is still open as of September 23. We asked Ford for their insight on the status of its order banks and will come back and update this post if we get a clearer answer beyond the current reports.

Considering there are other recent reports detailing unfinished trucks piling up outside Kentucky Speedway, it’s unlikely Ford Motor Company will be able to fully catch up anytime soon. In fact, the automaker said that 40,000 to 45,000 vehicles are being held in inventory this quarter until essential parts arrive.

Ford Maverick 2023 release date

The 2023 Ford Maverick gets more expensive, not that it matters

Go to the retail website and build page, though, and you’ll still see information for the 2022 model year. Academic though it may be at this point, FA did get its hands on the 2023 Ford Maverick price sheet. In it, they report a price increase across all three trims, ranging between $1,095 and $1,200. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 is now a no-cost option from the hybrid, so there’s some silver lining should you be able to get a 2023 truck at MSRP.

You do get some options packages, should you want to look at a 2023 Ford Maverick. Of course, there’s the $2,995 Tremor Off-Road package, as well as the $1,495 Tremor Appearance Package and the Black Appearance Package. All those can be fitted to the XLT or Lariat models, albeit you may be in for a wait thanks to supply constraints. Two new colors are coming with the new model year: Atlas Blue and Avalanche Gray.

Pickup trucks make up a huge part of the lifeblood of the American car industry. They've been around for decades, and they continue to sell in their millions upon millions. However, just about everything in the automotive industry has changed over the past few decades, and that includes pickup trucks. A while ago, pickup trucks only did pretty heavy-duty things, and not much else.

If there's one common downfall that all modern pickup trucks share, it's sizing. They are truly massive, especially the heavy-duty ones, and that makes it difficult to use them every day, no matter how luxurious they may be. Ford has a solution to this problem. A car-sized pickup, in the form of the Maverick.

Ford Maverick Front Quarter Orange

Key Features

  • Standard hybrid power
  • Up to 250 hp
  • Up to 42 MPG in the city

Specifications

  • Model: Maverick
  • Engine/Motor: 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder / 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 191-250 hp
  • Torque: 155-277 lb/ft
  • Drivetrain: Transverse front-engine, FWD / AWD
  • Transmission: CVT / 8-speed automatic

Pros

  • Standard hybrid engine is very frugal
  • Extremely affordable
  • Cool styling

Cons

  • AWD isn't available on the hybrid
  • Not the nicest interior
  • You need to pay extra to tow something more substantial

2023 Ford Maverick Overview

Ford Maverick Tremor Front Quarter GrayFord

The new Ford Maverick arrived back in 2021 for the 2022 model year. The Maverick name has appeared on several different Ford models, including at one point, an entry level sporty car that sat below the Mustang in the lineup. Now, the Maverick name goes on the back of Ford's smallest pickup truck. It sits below the Ranger in the lineup, and the intent is to provide people with a pretty good chunk of what they love about pickup trucks, in a much more affordable and compact package, perfect for crowded city streets. Frankly, it's surprising that most other automakers haven't gone through with this idea.

The Maverick's design is pretty in line with Ford's other trucks, but it does have its own visual identity. The grille on the front end places the Ford logo right in the center, with a bar that cuts into the headlights and separates them from the running lights and turn signals. The Maverick does offer some pretty cool paint colors as well. There's a very simple side profile, and depending on the trim, there's a sticker on the sides of the bed that denote various trim packages. The rear end mounts the license plate on the side of the rear bumper. For 2023, alongside the XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, Ford is now offering a Tremor off-road package for the Maverick. At the moment, the only true competitor to the Ford Maverick is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, a small pickup that we love.

2023 Maverick Engine Options For Everyone

One of the aspects about the Maverick that makes it so appealing is the standard hybrid powertrain. Almost every other pickup truck, or car for that matter, offers a hybrid powertrain as an option. In the Maverick, it's standard. The powertrain in question pairs a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, for a total output of 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. It's not a plug-in hybrid, but you do get a tiny electric-only range, and more importantly, class-leading fuel economy. The EPA estimates the hybrid's gas mileage at 37 MPG in combined driving, with up to 42 MPG in the city, which is seriously impressive. The hybrid is FWD only, and it sends power to the wheels through a CVT automatic transmission.

However, if you want your Maverick to be a little faster, have AWD, and be able to tow and carry a little more, you'll have to step up to the turbo engine. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder eschews the hybrid component, but power jumps to 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Once again, you have to get this engine to get AWD, as well as to be able to equip the FX4 Off-Road package that Ford offers. This one distributes power to the wheels through a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. If you're able to live with the slightly worse fuel economy, the turbo engine is the one you want for actual pickup truck duties. If your pickup truck duties are lighter and less frequent, and you would like better gas mileage, the hybrid is the one you want. The EcoBoost is also the only way to have the new Tremor off-road package, which adds Trail Control, a 1-inch lift kit, four-wheel drive lock and special off-road-tuned suspension. If you opt for the appearance package, you also get various orange accents on the outside, like the recovery hooks, the wheel spokes and the decal on the rear.

A Daily-Driver With High Tech Features

Ford Maverick Interior CenterFord

Even though the Maverick's interior is on a slightly lower level compared to some of its competitors, or other models in Ford's lineup, it does have everything you need. There's a full-color display in between the gauges, an 8-inch infotainment system running Ford's latest software, as well as automatic climate control. There's a small chasm next to the infotainment display, where Ford says you can mount accessories, and it also leaves room for a larger screen in future models. One of the main draws of the interior of the Maverick are those accessories, as you can download the models from Ford and 3D print them.

In terms of safety, the Maverick is pretty well sorted. Automatic high beams and auto emergency braking are all standard, and you can also option adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring and much more. It seats five passengers, whereas the bed boasts 33.3 cubic-feet of cargo volume. The Maverick is only available with a crew cab (SuperCrew in Ford parlance), and a 4.5 ft bed, but an accessory bed extender is available. The maximum payload capacity is 1,500 lbs, whereas the maximum towing capacity is 4,000 lbs if you opt for the Tow Package.

2023 Maverick Pricing And Launch

Ford Maverick Tremor Front Quarter MudFord

Production on the 2023 Maverick models will begin in fall of 2022, and they should reach showrooms by the end of the year or early next year. Ford hasn't announced pricing yet, but the 2022 Maverick XL starts at $20,995, the XLT starts at $23,360, and the fully-loaded Lariat at $26,860. For the Tremor package, you have to start with at least an XLT-trimmed Maverick with the turbo four and AWD. The Tremor package in itself will cost $2,995, and the appearance package will cost $1,495. For a small pickup truck with cool styling, good equipment, and a surprising amount of practicality and usability, that's pretty good money.

Will there be changes to the 2023 Maverick?

For 2023, the off-road oriented Tremor package is newly offered. Although Ford hasn't confirmed anything, there's also a chance that the Maverick Hybrid will make AWD optional.

When can I order a 2023 Ford Ranger?

The 2023 Ford Ranger will have similar features as its outgoing counterpart, but it will be built at a Ford assembly plant in Michigan. Orders will be open from July onward, and the truck will be made in Michigan.

Will 2023 Ford Maverick be the same price?

Price changes for the 2023 Ford Maverick vary based on trim, but the base XL now starts out at $22,195, which is a $1,200 jump from the previous MSRP of $20,995.

When can I get a Ford Maverick?

The Maverick ordering window begins June 2021. When will I take delivery of my vehicle? Production and the first Maverick deliveries to Ford Dealers begin fall 2021.