Interesting, after playing with the Ford Configurator for the Maverick, Hybrid can be ordered on any of the 3 trim levels. Yet only steel rims can be had on the XL base version and there are no other rim options unlike for XLT and Lariat.

Seems Ford is wanting to truly keep a very humble base version of the Maverick Crew Cab pickup available for all. Another interesting observation is that the Hybrid is cheaper than going ICE.

Hybrid Prices

ICE Prices

Please, folks; do not do this in a Maverick: 

12 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Please, folks; do not do this in a Maverick: 

I see no issue here so long as its secured properly and that’s not much worse than a full size crew cab with a 5.5 ft bed. I wouldn’t do it everyday but every once in a while won’t hurt anything if you use some common sense. 

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

Please, folks; do not do this in a Maverick: 

Why? 

IMO it's a borderline overloading scenario. Weight / balance & marginally-secured. Carried level, there's really only 1 strap doing the retaining; the cross-strapping clamps downward- not as effective as the (single) rear strap. Would be safer if the tailgate was upright and the weight transfer was going forward, not rearward... except the bed is only 4.5' long and you're creating a 'see-saw'.

Also, it appears that in order to take 4x8 material, it has to sit on TOP of the wheel wells rather than between them, raising the load higher off the ground. It's a compromised scenario. It's not the truck for the job.

Do all the other things shown and just pay the $19.95 to bring the 600 lbs of plywood home in the Home Depot rented truck.

41 minutes ago, balthazar said:

IMO it's a borderline overloading scenario. Weight / balance & marginally-secured. Carried level, there's really only 1 strap doing the retaining; the cross-strapping clamps downward- not as effective as the (single) rear strap. Would be safer if the tailgate was upright and the weight transfer was going forward, not rearward... except the bed is only 4.5' long and you're creating a 'see-saw'.

Also, it appears that in order to take 4x8 material, it has to sit on TOP of the wheel wells rather than between them, raising the load higher off the ground. It's a compromised scenario. It's not the truck for the job.

Do all the other things shown and just pay the $19.95 to bring the 600 lbs of plywood home in the Home Depot rented truck.

I get what you’re saying but any load is compromised (to a point) in ANY pick up with its tailgate down. At least this has an option to position the tailgate halfway up to hold some of load on the end. Again, just using some common sense on how you load it and secure goes a long ways.

The ONLY reason the tailgate is down is because the bed length is so short. With it up, about 40% of the load length is outside the bed.

On a 5.5’ bed, plywood (between the wheelwells) is about 5’9” inside, and 2’3” outside- that’s only 20% outside the bed. Maverick is close to that w/ the gate down as pictured above but load is level, not pitched forward. I also don’t like 600-some lbs merely on the tailgate cables (1/2-in ply is 40-lbs/sheet).

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

The ONLY reason the tailgate is down is because the bed length is so short. With it up, about 40% of the load length is outside the bed.

On a 5.5’ bed, plywood (between the wheelwells) is about 5’9” inside, and 2’3” outside- that’s only 20% outside the bed. Maverick is close to that w/ the gate down as pictured above but load is level, not pitched forward. I also don’t like 600-some lbs merely on the tailgate cables (1/2-in ply is 40-lbs/sheet).

One thing they say in the press release videos on Fords site is that due to the extra weight of the crewcab and motor, even with their example of the load that the up to 1,500 lbs does not put any extreme weight on the back side.

I do get the tailgate cables, but it is an interesting engineering proof of how they designed the flexbed to allow for this and the cables being rated strong enough to handle that load on the gate that way.

You make a fair point about this and if your really needing to load building supplies like that, best to have a full size pickup or have it delivered. 

After all, with current prices a complete pallet of 1/2-in ply is almost $5,000 so you might as well pay the meager $80 delivery fee and have them bring it too you.

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

The ONLY reason the tailgate is down is because the bed length is so short. With it up, about 40% of the load length is outside the bed.

On a 5.5’ bed, plywood (between the wheelwells) is about 5’9” inside, and 2’3” outside- that’s only 20% outside the bed. Maverick is close to that w/ the gate down as pictured above but load is level, not pitched forward. I also don’t like 600-some lbs merely on the tailgate cables (1/2-in ply is 40-lbs/sheet).

Good thing tailgates never have to go down on any other pick up with shorter than an 8 foot bed. 
 

Oh wait. 
 

Again, I see no issue here. 

I think these will sell quite well because the pricing is good, and I suspect there are pick up buyers that don't need a big bed, or crossover buyers that don't want a big vehicle like an F150 or even a Tacoma and are fine with a small bed and would like a truck like this, but until the Maverick and Santa Fe it didn't exist.  I like making the hybrid standard also for the fuel economy, although why no AWD with the hybrid, when I think the Escape hybrid offers AWD. I think there is great gas mileage and value here.  

On a side note, the vehicle doesn't really start at $19,995 because it has a $1410 destination charge or something, so it really starts at $21,400.  Still a good price, but I wish destination charges had to be included in MSRP.  Because Ford could say the F150 King Ranch is $19,995 plus $50,000 destination charge and advertise a $19,995 MSRP and that is legal when it should not be.  And FCA is more guilty of pulling this stunt of high destination charges.

21 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

Good thing tailgates never have to go down on any other pick up with shorter than an 8 foot bed. 

They don't (Ranger: 6 or 7-ft bed):

I wish Ford had done the typical-overkill safety illustration for the way the Maverick is loaded, this looks a helluva lot better :

^ I count 9 sheets of what is a minimum of 3/4-in material. If that's MDF, that's 100 lbs/sheet. If it's particle board it's 110 lbs. If it's 1-in MDF, that's 140 lbs/sheet (or 1260 lbs).

Secure your load. 

23 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

until the Maverick and Santa Fe it didn't exist.

Maverick is only 11" shorter than the current Ranger. It existed.

31 minutes ago, balthazar said:

^ I count 9 sheets of what is a minimum of 3/4-in material. If that's MDF, that's 100 lbs/sheet. If it's particle board it's 110 lbs. If it's 1-in MDF, that's 140 lbs/sheet (or 1260 lbs).

Secure your load. 

Maverick is only 11" shorter than the current Ranger. It existed.

A late 90s S10 was 188" long for the 2 door version.  The shortest Ranger now is 211 inches long.   A below 200 inch long pick up hasn't been around in a while, also the Maverick is lower and narrower, easier to drive, easier to park.    A lot of garages won't fit a Ranger, but probably will fit a Maverick.  Maverick will probably outsell the Ranger is my guess.

Can't someone make a tailgate where the inner part folds out into a box basically so it has a back and extends the sides of the bed?  That seems super easy and would add 1 foot of closed in space to any pick up bed.

The Maverick looks like a neat little trucklet.  I’ve never needed a truck on a regular basis, but something like this would be great for suburbia and trips to Ace Hardware or Home Depot.  The open bed would enable hauling taller items. (I did once haul a dozen 2 ft potted arborvitae in my Jeep).   The interior looks decent. 

>>"The shortest Ranger now is 211 inches long.   A below 200 inch long pick up hasn't been around in a while..."<<
Maverick is 200", not 188". I don't think 11" overall makes or breaks anyone's shopping list.

>>"the Maverick is lower and narrower, easier to drive, easier to park."<< 
1 & 2 : OK.
3 & 4 : how do you know? What if they're identically easy to drive & park? 
Wheelbase is only 5 inches different- they're operationally identical. It's not going to navigate corners any different.

>>"Can't someone make a tailgate where the inner part folds out into a box basically so it has a back and extends the sides of the bed?"<<
Someone did it, and even better : 

13 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

The Maverick looks like a neat little trucklet.  I’ve never needed a truck on a regular basis, but something like this would be great for suburbia and trips to Ace Hardware or Home Depot.  The open bed would enable hauling taller items. (I did once haul a dozen 2 ft potted arborvitae in my Jeep).   The interior looks decent. 

I like that rather than the older traditional 4x4 system, they have changed to AWD allowing an easier use for most people.

17 hours ago, balthazar said:

They don't (Ranger: 6 or 7-ft bed):

I wish Ford had done the typical-overkill safety illustration for the way the Maverick is loaded, this looks a helluva lot better :

You did see where I said load with common sense right? Not sure what point you are trying to argue here. There are several different ways to properly secure a load. I’d also like to point out the first pic you provided is from articles stating clearly that it’s carrying 3/4” plywood which weighs nowhere near 100lbs. per sheet. 
 

15 hours ago, balthazar said:

The shortest Ranger now is 211 inches long.   A below 200 inch long pick up hasn't been around in a while..."<<
Maverick is 200", not 188". I don't think 11" overall makes or breaks anyone's shopping list.

And the shortest F-150 is only 209”. So what?

15 hours ago, balthazar said:

Can't someone make a tailgate where the inner part folds out into a box basically so it has a back and extends the sides of the bed?"<<
Someone did it, and even better : 

And how is that anymore useful? It’s so short, that you might be able to stack five sheet of 3/4” plywood on there. Big whoop. If you want to haul twenty, I guess you better park that pretty little crew cab (pretty sure that’s what is in that pic) and rent that 8 ft bed pick up from HD, as you have already pointed out. Maybe I could save myself $55K and just rent one when needed, assuming they have any to rent because the HD near has five at the most and rarely have one available to actually rent because of demand. 

1 hour ago, surreal1272 said:

And how is that anymore useful? It’s so short, that you might be able to stack five sheet of 3/4” plywood on there.

The question did not specify 4x8 material. There, you should have the tailgate UP and the load overhanging.
I merely answered the question looking for a 'load extension'.

>>"And the shortest F-150 is only 209”. So what?"<<
Again; I was answering the attempted point that 'we haven't had a pickup under 200" ' 1. like that's any sort of criteria, and 2. the Maverick is no where near the stated 188" example S-10.  IMO, implying the Maverick at 200" satisfies an 'unmet market need' when there's a Ranger that's within 5% of the size of the Maverick is illogical. 

Of course... the Maverick is within around 5% of an old S-10... 

>>"You did see where I said load with common sense right?"<<
Yup, but showing a stack of plywood/whatever 4x8 sheet goods loaded level with the tailgate mostly down and a single 1" strap across the rear of said load is NOT 'loaded using common sense'. The pic I posted with the blue Ranger where it's securely strapped would show 'above & beyond common sense' in securing the load, NOT what Ford showed (as I stated).

Loading 8-ft material in a 4.5' bed in ANY scenario is a compromised one, and a less safe one. Can it be done? Yes. Is it advisable from an OEM-suggested POV? Not in my opinion, and I'll bet I have more pick-up loading years' experience than the copywriters who came up with the Maverick's press release. They are trying to be 'everything to everyone', and I understand why, but certain tools are better suited for certain jobs. No one is going to drywall an entire house driving screws with a 4-volt screwdriver. It's possible, but it's not common sensical.

3 hours ago, David said:

I like that rather than the older traditional 4x4 system, they have changed to AWD allowing an easier use for most people.

I’d assume it’s the same AWD hardware from the Bronco Sport. 

12 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

I’d assume it’s the same AWD hardware from the Bronco Sport. 

While Ford does not come out and say so, multiple news reports who have talked with Ford says it is built on the same platform and Power Train system as the Bronco Sport. Here are two of the multiple reports that state it is the same platform / powertrain as the Bronco Sport.

The all-new 2022 Ford Maverick Might Just Change the Game | Edmunds

2022 Ford Maverick: What We Know So Far (caranddriver.com)

On 6/11/2021 at 10:44 PM, balthazar said:

>>"The shortest Ranger now is 211 inches long.   A below 200 inch long pick up hasn't been around in a while..."<<
Maverick is 200", not 188". I don't think 11" overall makes or breaks anyone's shopping list.

>>"

the Maverick is lower and narrower, easier to drive, easier to park."<< 
1 & 2 : OK.
3 & 4 : how do you know? What if they're identically easy to drive & park? 
Wheelbase is only 5 inches different- they're operationally identical. It's not going to navigate corners any different.

>>"Can't someone make a tailgate where the inner part folds out into a box basically so it has a back and extends the sides of the bed?"<<
Someone did it, and even better : 

Because a Ranger might be too big for some people's garages and maybe the Maverick fits.  Like the Escape fits in my garage, a Mercedes GLC fits, but a GLE is too tall, it would hit the garage door going in.  So I think the Maverick will have a lot of appeal due to price and the smaller size for people that don't want a big vehicle.

And yes a tailgate like that, but the flip up part that goes as tall as the bed side, and also fold outs for the sides.  So like if a basketball was in the bed, you could drive around and it not roll out the tailgate when it was down.

Isn't a 200" long vehicle "large" tho??

1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

And yes a tailgate like that, but the flip up part that goes as tall as the bed side, and also fold outs for the sides.  So like if a basketball was in the bed, you could drive around and it not roll out the tailgate when it was down.

It's an interesting idea, but in order to keep the tailgate bulk & weight manageable and STILL have the strength of what you're proposing... it seems it would get unwieldy & hard to engineer. Some trucks have 'flip-out' bed extenders... but those hog bed space when flipped in. Not a fan.

Perhaps Tesla will offer power extending sides that angle upward toward the rear, so the top edge of the tailgate (when up) is like 5 feet off the ground. Keep the prying eyes off your bedful of basketballs. That'd be 'groundbreaking' (or pick the vapid, over-used descriptor of your choice).

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

Isn't a 200" long vehicle "large" tho??

 

Longer than anything I've had in my garage.    They won't make a regular cab, the market would be miniscule for one of those, so this is as short as it's going to get...I don't think anyone is making a regular cab w/a short bed anything--that would be shorter. 

Much like David can't fit into... any modern vehicle, you have a tiny garage. Standard in modern construction is 18' deep (216").

I've never been able to get my truck in any garage... but that obviously hasn't stopped me from owning a few.
I did have my Bonneville in my 'house garage' (221" long). That was very tight tho.

I probably have 2 feet of empty space in front of my Jeep when the rear is close to the door, so I could fit something a bit longer.  Its the garage width for two vehicles that is the issue.  When I lived in AZ, of course, I drove longer cars regularly but didn’t have a garage (500SEL and DTS).