As it appears that small trucks are growing in popularity amongst Americans, the question needs to be asked. Can compact pickups actually handle off-road duty? In the case of the 2022 Ford Maverick, that answer is a little bit complicated, but generally speaking, it can go off-road. With Ford’s small truck, buyers can opt for an available off-road package that will help this pickup take the road less traveled. And because of that, the Ford Maverick is truly a small off-road truck.

Is the Ford Maverick off-road capable?

Depending on the configuration, the 2022 Maverick can go off-road. Certain versions of this truck can come outfitted with the FX4 Off-Road package which helps to add legitimate capability to this compact pickup. And while the Maverick will not be as capable as something like the Ford F-150 Raptor, it will be decent enough for most needs.

this 1 small truck can actually go off-road

Ford Maverick FX4 | Ford

The FX4 Off-Road package adds things like all-terrain tires, skid plates, off-road shocks, and more. And even though this is a unibody truck, the various drive modes will help to handle rough terrain. Also notable is the fact that this package brings a heavy-duty radiator and engine fan to the table, which will aid with cooling capability.

Is the FX4 package worth it?

Unfortunately, the FX4 package is not free for the Ford Maverick, but to some, it may be worth the additional cost. Several factors go into adding this off-road package to Ford’s small truck. First, it is only available to the XLT and Lariat Maverick models. Additionally, you must opt for the available turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. To add the turbocharged engine is a cost of $1,085 and AWD costs $3,305.

The FX4 package itself is not too pricey. It is an additional cost of $800, which makes it relatively affordable when you consider the off-road capability that it delivers to the Ford Maverick.

Is the 2022 Maverick good off-road?

The Maverick may not be the best off-road truck, but through its FX4 package, it can handle some rough situations. At the end of the day, this is still a unibody pickup that rides on the same platform as the Ford Escape, and that does hold the Maverick back from being as capable as a Tacoma TRD Pro or Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.

this 1 small truck can actually go off-road

The 2022 Ford Maverick | Ford

That said, because of its unibody construction, the 2022 Maverick is more comfortable for everyday use. And to some, that trade-off may be worth it. Especially if you are someone who only goes off-road occasionally.

A perk of adding the FX4 package is through having AWD and the turbocharged engine, buyers can also opt for the available towing package. This allows the Maverick to tow up to 4,000 lbs, and that will likely be appreciated by those who want to take their small truck on an adventure.

Can you buy a Maverick?

Unfortunately, buying a Maverick is a bit of a difficult task right now. Until August of 2022, according to MotorTrend, Ford has placed a pause on Maverick orders by customers. You can buy one at a dealership, but only if you can find one. And because this truck is so popular, that likely will not be easy.

this 1 small truck can actually go off-road

2022 Ford Maverick Lariat | The Ford Motor Company

Still, the Ford Maverick will likely continue to improve over the years. Maybe it will even receive more off-road features.

MOTOR'S NEWS RELATED

Join Road & Track and Car and Driver on Our Annual Car of the Year Tests

Check out today's coolest new cars alongside editors at Performance Car of the Year, Lightning Lap, and 10Best Awards.

View more: Join Road & Track and Car and Driver on Our Annual Car of the Year Tests

Satisfying Subaru SUVs That People Love Driving and Owning

Satisfying Subaru SUVs that people love driving include the 2022 Crosstrek The 2022 Forester is another Satisfying Subaru SUV that people love Don’t overlook the 2022 Outback for a stress-free driving experience Subaru makes a reliable and safe sport utility vehicle, but that’s not all. These Satisfying Subaru SUVs ...

View more: Satisfying Subaru SUVs That People Love Driving and Owning

Holiday Rambler Eclipse RV Debuts With Theater Seats, Drop-Down Loft

It’s available with three different floor plans.

View more: Holiday Rambler Eclipse RV Debuts With Theater Seats, Drop-Down Loft

Genesis prices 2023 G80 electric car at $81,000, expands EVs to more states

Genesis on Thursday expanded the breadth and availability of its electric car lineup on its path to becoming a fully electric automaker by 2030. The luxury brand’s newest car, the 2023 Electrified Genesis G80, will cost $80,920 (including a $1,095 destination fee) when it goes on sale in September. The ...

View more: Genesis prices 2023 G80 electric car at $81,000, expands EVs to more states

This C5 Corvette Turned Off-Roader Could be Yours For Small Bucks

Photo: Caleb Hodshire/Facebook Fans of the Chevrolet Corvette and off-road vehicles now have a golden opportunity to combine their two passions for a small amount of money. A tuning enthusiast in Illinois, who specializes in Corvette conversions, is selling on Marketplace a fifth-generation (C5) 1999 Corvette built to venture ...

View more: This C5 Corvette Turned Off-Roader Could be Yours For Small Bucks

Audi heads to F1, 2025 Cadillac Celestiq, 2023 Electrified Genesis G80: Today's Car News

Audi confirmed it will enter F1 for the 2026 season. The automaker will team with a thus far unknown chassis partner to provide power units that will be built in Germany and run on synthetic fuel. Alfa Rome announced it will split with Sauber, and all points sign to Audi ...

View more: Audi heads to F1, 2025 Cadillac Celestiq, 2023 Electrified Genesis G80: Today's Car News

Genesis expands GV60, an electric SUV, availability to four more US states

Where is the Genesis GV60 available to buy Electrek’s Take Now might be your chance if you’ve been waiting to buy the Genesis GV60 EV SUV. The Korean luxury automaker announced Tuesday that its flagship electric SUV, the GV60, will be available in four more US states starting in ...

View more: Genesis expands GV60, an electric SUV, availability to four more US states

Our Long-Term 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Is off to an Unforgettable Start

With our 668-hp, six-speed-manual sports sedan, the highs are high, and the lows are low.

View more: Our Long-Term 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Is off to an Unforgettable Start

Dodge goes electric in style | Autoblog Podcast #744

Tested: Best Car Vacuums for 2022

China: Power to the people or to the carmakers?

Tesla premium connectivity through Starlink V2 confirmed

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning strapped to dyno despite challenges

1983 DeLorean DMC-12 with 5,397 miles for sale

Numbers of Koenigsegg CC850s increase to 70 due to high demand

Tech Deep Dive: What Makes the New Porsche GT3 RS the Most Extreme 911 Ever

4 Terrible 2022 Subcompact SUVs That Consumer Reports Predicts Owners Will Hate

Xiaomi in talks with BAIC to produce electric cars, says Bloomberg

Audi Has Decided to Enter Formula 1 in 2026 After Much Speculation

North Dakota Swing Ahead For WoO: What To Watch For

OTHER MOTO NEWS