The economical Ford Maverick of the 1970s was a wildly popular sedan — equaling Mustang sales in its first year — as rising gas prices spurred shoppers to become more fuel conscious. The $1,900 starting price at launch didn’t hurt either.

Ford dusted off the nameplate a couple of years ago and is having similar success with the new Maverick — now a compact pickup truck. It should come as little surprise from a company that claims the best-selling full-size truck in the nation — the F-150 — for 47 years running.

The Maverick has been a hit with year-over-year sales in the stratosphere. In January alone, sales were up 98 percent over 2023, and the Maverick Hybrid was up 118 percent, the carmaker has reported. The Blue Oval can’t keep up with demand.

For 2024, Ford swapped the standard and optional engines. Ford switched out the standard hybrid from last year with the 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost, so you get more power and towing (4,000 pounds) this year. But expect to pony up another $1,500 for the hybrid and its extra MPGs. Two new exterior colors also were added, Terrain and Azure Gray Metallic.

Fans of the old Ford Rangers from 20-plus years ago should like the Maverick. Side by side they are similar in size, though the Maverick is a couple inches shorter in length and wheelbase. The Maverick’s higher hood and cargo-bed walls give it a heftier appearance, while blacked out grille, wheels and mirrors make it meaner.

As for the Ranger, it grew up and became a midsize truck, which opened the way for the mini Maverick and its sole competitor, the Hyundai Santa Fe. Expect more small trucks like these to join the party.

The Maverick is available only as a four-door crew cab with a 4.5 foot bed. No exceptions. And it doesn’t have the rugged chops of a body-on-frame truck; This is a unibody crossover, sharing a platform with the Bronco Sport.

But it can be equipped for off-road adventure. Opt for the top-line Lariat trim for 8.3 inches of ground clearance, add the FX package for tow hooks and hill descent, or go full tilt with the Tremor package and get skid plates, trail control and tougher off-road suspension.

The Maverick Hybrid XLT is the way to go for a quieter ride with nimble handling and about 15 more MPGs than the 2.0-liter turbo.

The hybrid powertrain combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electrical motor for a total output of 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. Power is directed to the front wheels via a CVT (continuously variable transmission) which offers smooth, even acceleration. It gets up to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, the quarter-mile in about 16 seconds.

The hybrid’s instant torque makes it surge from a traffic light. Under way it feels trucky but is easy to drive, and the suspension is effective in keeping it planted on corners while taming most bumps.

Steering is light so it’s a breeze in the city or mall parking areas with added help from its 40-foot turning radius. Brakes are competent but occasionally too sensitive.

Drive modes modify performance a bit for varying conditions, and include Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Tow/Haul. While the hybrid can only two 2,000 pounds (half the tow capacity of the nonhybrid)— it equals the payload cap with a respectable 1,500 pounds.

For its size, the cargo bed is user-friendly with a load height of 30 inches, and it has 10 tie-downs (two of them do double-duty as bottle openers) to secure the load. Ford says 4x8 sheets of plywood can lay flat with the tailgate opened midway. It includes a 12-volt outlet and optional 110-volt.

As for economy, the hybrid is EPA-estimated to get 42 mpg on the highway, 33 city, for 37 mpg combined. More than a few said those figures are conservative, and their trucks are doing even better.

The five-passenger cabin is simple but attractive. Enhancing the look are two-tone upgraded cloth seats with accent stitching and soft vinyl covers on the dash and center console. Not everyone will like its cut-out armrest/door handles but, like it or not, it’s different.

Seats are firmly padded but comfortable and there’s adequate head and legroom up front. Eight-way power adjustments come with the XLT’s luxury package. In the rear, there’s one-inch less legroom than the gas-engine, and it’s tight on foot room, too. The rear seats flip up to reveal storage pits but the hybrid version loses one of them to the 1.1 kWh battery.

But the Maverick offers plenty of other spots to stash stuff: The door panels can hold large water bottles and there are spots under the center console and under and above the infotainment screen on the dash.

Every Maverick gets an 8-inch touchscreen which accommodates Ford’s Sync 3 system. It’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and includes two USB ports up front and even a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless charging is optional and so is a Bang & Olufsen stereo system for the sound buffs.

Standard on all Mavericks is automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 safety system is available on higher trims and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keep assist.

The Hybrid Maverick, like the range animal, is finding its own path in the crowded truck market. No, it can’t compete with the big and powerful, but it’s a versatile little truck with plenty of payload capacity and impressive fuel economy — far better than the 22 mpg Maverick sedan of the ‘70s.

2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT

Base price: $26,315

As tested: $32,520 (includes hybrid engine, $1,500; XLT luxury package with 6-way power seats, drop-in bed liner, $2,275; black appearance package, $1,645; Co-Pilot360 safety, $650)

What's all the excitement about? It’s versatile, easy to drive and park, ample storage cubbies inside and payload outside.

Powertrain: Hybrid system has 2.5-liter engine with electric motor for total output of 191 hp and 155 pound-feet of torque; mated to CVT (continuously variable transmission)

How's the performance? Easy to drive and park in town, acceleration to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds; mild off-road capable when properly equipped

Fuel economy: Impressive with EPA-estimated 42 highway, 33 city, for 37 mpg combined

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