Pickup trucks today are beasts—capable, powerful, and loaded with features that can rival a luxury car. But all that muscle and tech often means clunky fuel economy, a huge turning radius, and more gadgets than anyone really needs.
Not everyone wants—or needs—that much. Some buyers are after a truck that’s as practical as a daily crossover but still hauls gear, tools, and materials for weekend projects.
Enter the Ford Maverick. Compact, versatile, and easy to work with, it’s the truck I’d recommend for DIYers in 2025.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Ford and other authoritative sources, including CarBuzz, the EPA, and TopSpeed.
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The Ford Maverick is perfect for every DIY project
The Ford Maverick checks every box for DIYers, whether you’re wrenching on a project car or building a backyard patio.
It’s a practical pickup you can drive every day while still hauling just about anything you need for weekend projects.
The hybrid engine keeps fuel costs low, and its compact size makes it easy to handle around town. It’s basically a crossover with a bed, built for DIYers—not commercial work.
Flexible bed with built-in outlets for all your projects
The Maverick makes DIY easy without needing pricey aftermarket add-ons. The FLEXBED system lets you haul a dirt bike, tie down supplies, carry lumber, or even power camping accessories. It’s also pre-wired for DIY electronics, so you don’t have to mess with the original wiring.
The e-DIY system takes that convenience a step further. It offers two 12-volt power sources in the bed, each good for 20 amps, with hidden two-pin connectors that hook up to a supplied pigtail. You can solder them to any 12-volt accessory without running messy wires from the dash.
There’s also a 110-volt/400-watt outlet for charging devices or powering tools like drills and air pumps. The setup keeps your Maverick ready for projects without the headaches of DIY wiring.
Built for tinkering: Ford makes DIY mods easy
Ford makes DIYing your Maverick simple with its Hack Your Maverick video series. The videos show you how to add bed rail lighting, install an air compressor, or build a bike rack for just $45—much cheaper than aftermarket options.
Inside, the Ford Integrated Tether System (FITS) lets you attach accessories easily, and Ford even provides CAD files and guides for 3D-printed add-ons.
With these tools, you can haul tools, build temporary shelving, or carry a dirt bike—all without spending a fortune on extra gear. The Maverick adapts to your projects, not the other way around.
Practical enough for everyday driving, tough enough for weekend projects
Doing-it-yourself is a lifestyle, and the Maverick supports it without the headaches of a full-size truck.
Built on a unibody platform like the Escape or Bronco Sport, it drives more like a crossover than a chunky half-ton.
Light steering, good visibility, and a smooth ride make it easy to handle, while its smaller size fits most garages and city streets.
Plenty of power for daily driving and the features you actually want
The Maverick keeps things practical under the hood with two solid engine choices: a 2.5-liter hybrid that hits 37 mpg or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 250 horsepower for when you need a little extra get-up-and-go.
Inside, it’s loaded with modern tech like SYNC 4, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Co-Pilot360 driver-assist features to help with everything from adaptive cruise to evasive steering.
Step up to higher trims, and you get perks like heated seats and steering wheel, a 360-degree camera, wireless charging, Intelligent Access, and even skid plates—basically everything you need for daily life and weekend projects.
Project-friendly bed with 1,500-pound payload for DIY tasks
The Maverick mixes everyday drivability with real DIY utility. Its 4.5-foot bed can handle up to 1,500 pounds, enough for nearly any weekend project.
Towing is practical too, with 2,000 pounds standard and up to 4,000 pounds with the available 4K Tow Package and AWD. This makes it a lifestyle truck built for real-world tasks.
All that comes at a base price under $30,000, making you wonder why most people would ever need a bigger truck for non-commercial use.
Plenty of room for 18 sheets of plywood or 16 bags of mulch
The bed is super practical, too. With 33 cubic feet of space, it can fit 16 bags of mulch or a full sheet of plywood without a fight.
At 30.4 inches high, loading stuff is easy—lower than a kitchen countertop.
Even if you’re around five feet tall, the sidewalls are low enough to reach in without climbing over.
Simple guides for hooking up electrical accessories
Ford offers a couple of DIY guides that walk you through common installation setups. You’ll see how to hook up LED bed lighting or install a small air compressor using the e-DIY outlets in the bed.
The videos are straightforward and easy to follow, covering everything from soldering your accessories to disconnecting the battery first. They make it simple for even new DIYers to customize their Maverick without stress.
Cabin setup is just as DIY-friendly as the bed
The Maverick’s DIY-friendly attitude isn’t just for the bed—it extends into the cabin, too. The Integrated Tether System (FITS) gives you eight slots ready for all sorts of Ford accessories.
Scan a QR code in the bed and you can grab CAD files and videos to 3D print your own accessories, from bins and dividers to cupholders.
Owners have taken it even further, coming up with everything from iPad mounts to CB radio holders and even a tiny tray for sauce. The system is as flexible as your imagination.
The truck for do-it-yourself enthusiasts
The Maverick isn’t reinventing the wheel. Jeep has been doing DIY-friendly trucks for years, and pickup owners have always loved tinkering and customizing their rides.
What the Maverick does do is make that DIY lifestyle a little easier. It’s a practical, daily-friendly pickup that’s also built to be modified without hassle.
With the slightly cheaper 2026 model year on the horizon, this compact truck is only going to look more tempting for anyone who likes to get hands-on.