2022 Ford Maverick Lariat First Edition: The Hit of the Decade

The Tale of the Tape

The 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat First Edition was the top-tier offering in the entire 2022 Maverick lineup, which included the XL, XLT and Lariat trims. The base MSRP for Lariat trim in 2022 was $25,490, $36,295 as-tested both times.

The First Edition package ($1,495) added special hood and side graphics, plus your choice of two colors: Area 51 or Rapid Red Tri-Coat Metallic. The package also included a full set of 18- (hybrid) or 17-inch (EcoBoost) black aluminum alloy wheels, a black-painted roof, a power-tilt/slide moonroof and a soft-folding tonneau cover.

Under the hood, you could either have the 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder with a CVT moving only the front wheels, or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo-four with an eight-speed automatic sending the power to either the front or — as with this example — all corners; the latter is also the only one that allowed you to add the 4K Tow Package, boosting towing capacity from 2,000 pounds to 4,000 pounds. Output from the EcoBoost at the time was 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, a figure that remains unchanged for the 2024 model year.

The First Edition also throws in the Lariat\’s Lariat Luxury and Ford Co-Pilot 360 packages, meaning those who got their hands on one enjoyed heated leather seats up front, a heated steering wheel and heated side mirrors to hold winter\’s chill at bay, two smart-charging USB ports and wireless charging. The eight-inch touchscreen houses Ford\’s old SYNC 3 infotainment system, which, while since replaced by SYNC 4/4a, doesn\’t require any subscriptions for access to GPS or other connected services beyond SiriusXM.

One of the Maverick\’s main selling points to this day is the DIY ethos. QR codes scattered throughout the compact truck provide instructions on how to build or 3D-print items that can be used with the truck, including cupholders for the rear passengers. The interior fits into this with things like exposed hex screws in the door\’s armrests and contrasting textures. I still have no clue what to do with the vertical cubby hole next to the touchscreen, though; the Maverick\’s C2 sibling, the Bronco Sport, has a more useable storage space under its touchscreen, one just right for your iPhone or Pixel to rest within.