The 2023 is part of a unique class of pickup trucks that shares primarily the Hyundai Santa Cruz. I tested the Santa Cruz last year and found it barely had enough truck bed space to pull out a three-drawer dresser. This week, I spent some time with the Ford Maverick and put it to a similar test when I was helping a friend move. This is what I found.
The 2023 Ford Maverick’s bed size is short, but it works in a pinch
If you haven’t heard of it before, the 2023 Maverick is the brand’s smallest truck, sitting next to the Ranger and F-150 in the lineup. Of course, it’s not as practical or capable as its bigger siblings, but it can work in a pinch if you have to tow or haul. I didn’t get to test the Maverick’s towing capabilities, but with the optional tow package, Ford says it can tow up to 4,000 pounds, which is pretty impressive.
Ford Maverick With, you’ll be happy to know its bed is just a little bit bigger. The Santa Cruz bed measures 48.4 inches, which is just over four feet long.
This extra bed length helped because we could fit the sofa section directly into the bed without having to use straps to keep it secure.
Ford Maverick has other storage solutions
If more space is needed, whether you’re moving or not, the Ford Maverick has another trick up its sleeve – or in its cabin. Which makes room for people and/or cargo, but the real trick is when you pull the seat from bottom to top. Pulling the seat up and snapping it into place will reveal a small plastic shipping box, handy for groceries or other small items.
Plus, when the bottom of the seat is up, tall items like plants or TV boxes can be stowed and moved back there. It’s a neat trick, and the Hyundai Santa Cruz has the same advantage.
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has one neat feature that the Ford Maverick doesn’t have
The Hyundai Santa Cruz has one advantage the Ford Maverick could use – a box in the bed. The Santa Cruz trunk is large enough to accommodate and store personal items or groceries. It’s also lockable, and there’s a drain plug in case you want to put ice and drink back in there and then dump the water out afterwards.
Don’t get me wrong, a box in the bed is by no means a deal-breaker, but when you’re working in pickups like the Maverick and Santa Cruz, every little space helps.
Also, if you plan to use any of these trucks for moving, they can work well for smaller items and furniture. If anything, you should still rent a moving van to make moving easier—unless you don’t mind doing 100 round trips.
