Summary

• Ford Maverick’s popularity proves that size doesn’t matter when it comes to trucks, with its affordable price and customization options.
• The optional tow package increases the Maverick’s towing capacity to 4,000 pounds, but it comes at an additional cost and reduces fuel efficiency.
• The Maverick beats the Hyundai Santa Cruz in payload capacity, but the Santa Cruz has a higher maximum tow rating of 5,000 pounds.

Ford’s revival of the Maverick nameplate, based on a compact pickup truck formula has proven to be a stroke of genius. As other automakers scamper to release potential rivals to the Maverick, Ford is celebrating the success of its incredibly popular compact truck. The pickup’s popularity has proven that size doesn’t really matter – at least when it comes to trucks.

Part of the Maverick’s allure is its sticker price: starting at under $24,000, it is the most affordable new pickup truck stateside. Also, it also looks good and has an endless list of customization options, allowing you to spec it according to your needs. Most importantly, it can do what trucks are supposed to do: which is hauling and towing. Here’s everything you need to know about the Ford Maverick’s towing and payload capacities.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver and Edmunds.

The Optional Tow Package Increases Towing Capacity To 4,000 Pounds

At a time when vehicles like the Ford Super Duty F-450 can tow up to 40,000 pounds, the Maverick’s towing and payload capacities may seem mediocre. However, considering the Maverick’s price and powertrain choices, its hauling capabilities are actually pretty impressive.

The Standard Towing Capacity Is 2,000 Pounds

Most Maverick configurations have a towing limit of 2,000 pounds. The only way to increase the towing limit to 4,000 pounds is to opt for the 4K Tow Package and all-wheel drive. These options only pair with the standard turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. You can’t upgrade the towing capacity if you choose the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain or purchase the Tremor off-road package.

4K Tow Package Features

• 7-wire harness & 7-pin connector
• Upgraded cooling fan and radiator
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Lower axle gear ratios

The package, which doubles the Maverick’s towing capacity, seems like a no-brainer for a person who regularly lugs around stuff. However, you need to consider a couple of potential downsides: price and fuel efficiency. The tow package ($745) and all-wheel drive ($2,220) will cost you an additional $2,965.

Further, the economical hybrid powertrain, rated at 37 MPG combined by the EPA, doesn’t support the tow package. Fuel efficiency drops to 25 MPG for the turbocharged AWD Maverick. You’ll definitely notice a drop in fuel efficiency as you lug around a 4,000-pound trailer using your truck. Therefore, prepare to pay more at the dealership and to stop more frequently for gas if you opt for the Maverick’s tow package.

Ford Maverick Towing And Payload Capacity

(Specifications obtained from Ford)

The Standard Payload Capacity Is 1,500 Pounds

The standard payload capacity for all Mavericks (XL, XLT, and Lariat variants), except those with the Tremor package, is 1,500 pounds. Opting for the Tremor off-road kit reduces payload capacity to 1,200 pounds. The truck’s interior features many storage spaces, including under the rear seats. Ford also offers several optional extras to enhance the Maverick’s hauling capabilities.

Ford Maverick Optional Hauling Extras

• Cargo Management System Kit ($420)
• Bed Extender ($369)
• Bed Tray Liner ($220)
• Bed Mat ($160)
• Tonneau Pickup Box Cover [Hard Rollup] ($1,189)
• Tonneau Pickup Box Cover [Soft Folding]($599)
• Tonneau Pickup Box Cover [Hard Trifold]($1,299)
• Bed Divider Kit ($310)
• Pivot Storage Box ($219)

The Hyundai Santa Cruz Has A Higher Towing Capacity Than The Ford Maverick

At the time of writing, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the Maverick’s only competitor in the compact pickup segment. They share several traits, including a low entry price and unibody construction. They also have several differences, including their hauling capabilities.

The Santa Cruz Has A Max Tow Rating Of 5,000 Pounds

When fully kitted, the Santa Cruz can tow a maximum of 5,000 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the equivalent Ford Maverick. The max tow rating is reserved for Hyundai Santa Cruz variants with the turbocharged inline-four power unit and all-wheel drive, namely the Night, XRT, and Limited. The lowly and affordable SE and SEL trims feature a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-four and have a max tow capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The cheapest Maverick (XL trim), equipped with the tow package that increases the tow limit to 4,000 pounds, costs $26,365. That price is lower than the most affordable Santa Cruz variant, the SE, which costs $26,650. Therefore, you’d pay more for the base Santa Cruz, which tows a maximum of 3,500 pounds, than you would for a base Ford Maverick with the tow package.

The Santa Cruz trims that can haul more weight than a Maverick with the tow kit are the Night, XRT, and Limited. The cheapest of the three trims is the Night, which has a $38,210 sticker price. On the face of it, therefore, the Santa Cruz can tug more weight than a Maverick. However, you have to dig a lot deeper into your bank account to purchase a Santa Cruz capable of beating the Maverick.

Towing And Payload Capacity Comparison

(Specifications from Ford and Hyundai)

The Maverick Beats The Santa Cruz In The Payload Capacity Metric

When it comes to payload capacity, the Maverick beats the Santa Cruz. The Ford has a max payload limit of 1,500 pounds, while the Hyundai’s limit is 1,411 pounds.

The Ford Maverick’s Turbocharged Engine Is Faster, But The Hybrid Powertrain Is More Economical

For 2024, Ford made the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four the standard engine for the Maverick. The hybrid engine is now a $1,500 option.

The Turbocharged Engine Facilitates Decent Acceleration

Few people can complain about the Maverick’s performance when equipped with the turbocharged inline-four. Making 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet through an eight-speed auto box to the front wheels (all-wheel drive is optional), it accelerates the truck to 60 MPH from a dead stop in under six seconds.

Performance Comparison

(Specifications obtained from Ford)

The Hybrid Powertrain Is Very Economical

You don’t get the same acceleration from the 191-horsepower hybrid powertrain you get from the gas-only engine: it motivates the truck to 60 MPH in over eight seconds. However, the electrified power unit is more frugal, sipping a gallon of fuel every 37 miles. It pairs with a CVT transmission and only comes with front-wheel drive. The thirstiest Maverick variants, per the EPA, are those fitted with the Tremor package (21 MPG combined).

Summing Up The Ford Maverick’s Hauling Capacity

The figures show that the Ford Maverick has the lowest towing capacity in its thinly populated segment. A 4000-pound towing capacity and 1,500-pound payload capacity is paltry compared to the capabilities of bigger trucks. However, those figures are pretty decent considering the Maverick’s low sticker price. Despite its compact dimensions, they demonstrate that the Maverick isn’t just an SUV with a truck bed (it is based on the Bronco Sport crossover); it is a bona fide truck that can do truck things.