By Rich Taber
A week with the 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid proved that sometimes you don’t need a full-size pickup to do work like hauling a bunch of logs out of your yard. RPM News Weekly co-founder Rich Taber made short work of the job as seen in this video.
Sure, the Maverick Hybrid is no monster with its gas/electric hybrid system netting a modest 191 horsepower, but if you’re not into macho chest beating and you don’t have a 30-foot yacht to tow, it’ll do fine. The bed is just right for hauling a pile of wood and it’s easy to load with its low, 30.1-inch lift height. All told, the truck can handle a 1500-pound payload and has a 2000-pound towing capacity.
It’s got some nice safety features, too, including pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking. Plus, there’s optional Co-Pilot 360 with blind spot detection and cross traffic alert for a bit of extra convenience and safety.
Inside, the toned-down attitude continues. More than sparse and less than extravagant, there’s an old-school look and feel even to the point of using a physical key to start up the vehicle. Even so, Ford didn’t skip the contemporary telematic essentials such as USB A and C connections and phone app integration.
All in all, this is a truck that won’t replace the F-150 but could earn a favored spot in your driveway that used to be reserved for your compact crossover utility vehicle.
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