Considered by many as the top choice for value in the automotive market, the Ford Maverick stands out. The hybrid variant boasts exceptional fuel efficiency, the bed size caters to various needs, and the starting price of $23,400 offers remarkable affordability. Despite its strong attributes, like most modern vehicles, there is always room for enhancement.
Having transitioned from our 2022 Ford Maverick XL Hybrid to the brand-new 2023 Atlas Blue Hybrid XL, accumulating over 20,000 trouble-free miles with our previous Maverick, we’ve identified key upgrades that can transform the truck into a more versatile vehicle. In this piece, we’ll delve into six of these upgrades that are not only impactful but also budget-friendly.
RC Bed Cover
With a family of four, space inside the Maverick quickly becomes limited. This is why we always opt for a bed cover for our pickup truck. For the Maverick, we chose the Rough Country Soft Tri-Fold cover, known for its ease of installation and excellent value. At the time of writing, this cover is priced at $229.95 with complimentary shipping. The vinyl cover is easy to maintain and effectively shields your gear from the elements. Its easy removal feature allows us to quickly take it off when we need to transport larger items.
Vision Wheels
One of our primary concerns with the XL version of the Maverick was the somewhat cheap appearance of the steel wheels. Swapping them out for a set of Vision Boost wheels from Discount Tire, priced at $125 each, was a game-changer. These wheels, sized at 17×7 with 38mm offset and 5.5 inches of backspacing, closely match the factory specs but are three pounds lighter than the steel wheels. Additionally, a coat of black paint would greatly enhance their aesthetic appeal over the standard silver.
Nomad Grapplers
Although we could have reused the stock tires, we decided to go back to the Nitto Nomad Grappler, an all-terrain tire designed specifically for crossovers and light vehicles like the Maverick. Priced at $184 each, these tires offer improved performance and fuel efficiency. Not only do they excel in providing puncture resistance on gravel terrains, but they also deliver a smoother and quieter ride. With a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, these tires have boosted our MPG to an impressive 40mpg (based on manual calculations).
Bed Shock
Frequent use of the truck bed quickly reveals the annoyance of a slamming tailgate. Recognizing this issue, Ford offers a tailgate assist strut as an optional add-on. While the Ford strut is priced at $50, an alternative from Rough Country is available for just $29.95. Both options are effortless to install and serve the same purpose. It’s worth noting that the installation may require the removal of the driver-side tailgate tie-down, which could be inconvenient for hauling oversized cargo regularly.
Bed Protection
Without the spray-in bed liner, we opted for two cost-effective solutions to safeguard our truck bed. Firstly, we added a bed mat from Rough Country for under $100, providing protection for the bed and preventing gear from sliding around. To protect the tailgate, we acquired the Ford Accessories tailgate liner kit, priced at $80. By utilizing Ford points earned during the initial truck purchase, we saved over $300 compared to the cost of a spray-in liner. Depending on your hauling needs, this combination is a practical and economical solution.
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