Not that long ago, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety updated the moderate overlap front crash test with an emphasis on the rear occupants. More specifically, the nonprofit organization found that rear occupants tend to submarine, causing the lap belt to ride up onto the crash test dummy's abdomen. Said dummy is the size of a small woman or a 12-year-old child, a physique that's far more susceptible to submarining in this kind of crash.
Similarly to the original moderate overlap front crash test, the updated test sees the vehicle strike a deformable barrier on the driver's side at 40 miles per hour (make that 64 kilometers per hour).
The 2023 model year Maverick was rated acceptable rather than good for a few reasons, beginning with the head of the rear passenger dummy approaching the front seatback too much. But more worrying, the lap belt moved from its usual position on the pelvis onto the abdomen, increasing the risk of injury.
This isn't an isolated case, though. The mid-size Nissan Frontier, which is a body-on-frame design, was also rated acceptable in the updated test. The Ford Ranger performed marginally, whereas the Chevy Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, and 2023 Toyota Tacoma were rated poor.
Turning our attention back to the Escape-based Maverick, the unibody truck could also be improved in terms of headlights and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash avoidance and mitigation. The low beams create some glare, whereas the high beams inadequate visibility on the left side of the road.
Regarding the Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking system, the overall evaluation for the vehicle-to-vehicle test is superior. As for daytime vehicle to pedestrian and nighttime vehicle to pedestrian, the IIHS couldn't give the small pickup truck better ratings than advanced and basic.
Photo: IIHS
Last but certainly not least, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the LATCH system acceptable due to hard-to-find tether anchors and lower anchors that are located too deep in the rear seats. In other words, installing a child seat might be difficult for those who have never installed one before.
Now available to configure as a 2024 model, the Maverick is a bit different from before in terms of powertrains. The 2.5-liter hybrid and 2.0-liter turbo are unchanged in terms of output numbers and fuel economy, but Ford made a switcheroo for 2024.
Previously standard, the FWD-only hybrid is the optional engine beginning this model year. The 2.0-liter turbo is compatible with all-wheel drive, and if you specify the Tremor package, you'll also get the GKN twin-clutch rear diff of the Bronco Sport Badlands. Speaking of which, the Badlands is the only Bronco Sport to sport the 2.0-liter EcoBoost I4.
Both the Maverick and Bronco Sport are produced at Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly in Mexico, whereas the Escape crossover comes from Louisville Assembly in Kentucky. Now available to configure at $29,345 (sans destination charge), the Escape is an idea more affordable than the Bronco Sport.
On the other hand, the Maverick remains a value-oriented proposition at $23,400 for the XL base trim level with the force-fed mill. Said starting price makes the 2024 Ford Maverick the most affordable new pickup truck in the United States market.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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