2022 Ford Maverick Is a Pickup Priced Like a Compact Car

• The new 2022 Ford Maverick compact pickup has a starting price of $21,490.

• XL is the base model, and better-equipped XLT and Lariat trim levels will also be offered.

• A front-wheel-drive hybrid drivetrain is standard and a turbo 2.0-liter inline-four engine is optional on all models.

Meet the new entry-level Ford: the 2022 Maverick pickup. With a starting price of $21,490, it's now the cheapest model in the Blue Oval lineup, undercutting the EcoSport SUV by a few hundred dollars. This base price also makes the Maverick, a crew-cab truck with a 4.5-foot bed, an interesting alternative to compact sedans such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

Of course, that base price is for the sparsely equipped XL model (pictured above), which comes with front-wheel drive and a hybrid powertrain that uses a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine. A more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four is optional on all trims, and comes standard with front-wheel drive and offers all-wheel drive as an option. We don't know yet how much more those mechanical upgrades will cost.

The XL lacks features such as cruise control, power-adjustable mirrors, proximity-key entry, and alloy wheels. Options include a CoPilot 360 package with driver-assistance features and a towing package if you opt for the 2.0-liter engine.