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Ford's new small pickup, on sale this fall, is the cheapest in its lineup. This is how Car and Driver editors would order it.

Ford's new Maverick small pickup is here, and it'll go on sale in the fall starting at $21,490. A hybrid powertrain and front-wheel drive are standard, targeting 40 mpg in the city, though a nonhybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter is also an option and can be equipped with all-wheel drive. Most Car and Driver editors went the all-wheel-drive route, and our prices ranged from around $24,000 to over $32,000. Using Ford's online configurator, this is how we'd buy the new Maverick:

The best thing about the Maverick is that it's cheap, but the XL model is a bit too base for even me—a noted base-model enthusiast. Plus, the midlevel XLT is still remarkably affordable and comes with desirable equipment such as cruise control, 17-inch wheels to replace the XL's steelies, and nicer cloth upholstery for the seats. I stuck with the standard hybrid powertrain for its efficiency and chose the Cactus Gray exterior paint. There were only two options I felt were necessary: $155 for a sliding rear window and $115 for a full-size spare tire (after my recent flat-tire snafu in our spareless long-term Toyota Supra, I'm not chancing it). My Maverick XLT hybrid rings in at $24,045, which is still less than the starting price for a Honda Accord. – Joey Capparella

Okay, I want a cheap truck. I'm imagining this truck having been an option back when I was in art school, when we all needed a truck, but never for towing or major payload. Trucks back then were for hauling around bags of clay and plywood for plinths and large unflattering self-portraits done in oil. Also dogs and drunk friends. So I want this cheap, XL, but not hybrid, because I can't with the CVT. I can't. So second choice after trim is engine, and it's the 2.0-liter turbo-four because then I get the eight-speed automatic. Color options are weak sauce. This truck would look good in green. The black is pretty sharp, but I always advocate for color, so gonna go Velocity Blue. I was going to skip the tow package, but on closer read, it gets you better cooling and a different drive ratio, and since I'm planning on all-wheel drive anyway, I'm suckered into it. Ford Co-Pilot360 I'll pass on; I think I can handle keeping myself in the lane. I love the 17-inch steelies, so I have no sorrows about those wheels. I'm mildly tempted by the sliding rear window, but to add it I have to add Co-Pilot, so I'm afraid the dogs will have to live without their heads out the back window. My big splurge will be the $3305 for the all-wheel-drive powertrain, because as an artist, I might need to spend a weekend in a remote cabin in the snow, thinking about the wonder of nature and the soul of man. All in, my Maverick will cost me $25,540. – Elana Scherr

My goal is to make my Maverick as rugged as possible, and the first step is selecting the nonhybrid turbo 2.0-liter engine so I can get all-wheel drive. I want the mid-grade XLT model for the cloth seats, and it's getting painted in Area 51, which is what I'd get on a Bronco. The all-wheel-drive option costs $3305, and it's needed to add the FX4 off-road package ($800) that adds things like unique black 17-inch wheels with all-terrain rubber, skid plates, and additional drive modes, including hill descent control. I'm skipping other packages such as the 4K Tow package, even though the FX4 package adds a trailer hitch receiver, because I probably won't be towing with my Maverick. And I'm adding a full-size spare for $115. With only $3135 in options, this off-road-ready little pickup comes in at $27,995, which is under half the price of my dream truck, the F-150 Raptor. — Connor Hoffman

The base XL rolling on steel wheels is appealing to me, but its limited color palette and the inability to add the off-roady bits such as tow hooks, skid plates, and the trail-pounding drive modes of the $800 FX4 package is a deal breaker to me. And as nice as the top Lariat version might be, optioning it up flirts with a modestly equipped Ford Ranger with a transfer case. That leaves me with the XLT powered by the optional 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter sending torque to all four wheels for $3305 and sprayed in Hot Pepper Red for $390. In addition to the FX4 package, the $745 tow package with its transmission cooler and the lower 3.81:1 final-drive ratio (standard with all-wheel drive is 3.63) is a no-brainer for me. While 4000 pounds isn't much, it's enough to pull around some motorcycles or snowmobiles. I questioned my XLT Luxury package selection, but the heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors, and remote start will pay off in the arctic months. Plus, it includes a power inverter and a spray-in bedliner. And why not have a soft folding bed cover to keep the gear dry for an extra $560? Have you even seen what salt does to carpet? Gross. Shelling out $135 for all-weather floor mats is money well spent. As is $115 for a full-size spare tire. Lastly, I'm adding the Smoker's package for $70, not for the extra 12-volt plug, but because I can. All in, I’m at $32,240 for a trucklet that should be moderately capable. Smoke 'em if you got 'em. –David Beard

I know the Maverick is intended to be the affordable Ford truck, but I couldn't help myself from adding a lot of options to the midrange XLT model. What can I say? I like nice things. Right off the bat I switched from the standard front-wheel-drive hybrid setup to the optional turbo four and all-wheel drive, so that added $4390 to the bottom line. I also added the 4K Tow package for $745 and Ford's Co-Pilot360 driver-assistance bundle for $540. The XLT Luxury package requires a hefty $2345 outlay, but I couldn't say no. It adds a power driver's seat, heated front seats, body-color exterior mirrors, remote start, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, a spray-in bedliner, a 400-watt power inverter, and a lot more. I chose Alto Blue for $390 because I think it perfectly complements the XLT's Navy Pier interior scheme, which pairs dark navy blue and heather-gray seat fabric with white door inserts and orange interior accents. I also couldn't help myself from upgrading to the optional polished aluminum 17-inch wheels. They're the same size as the standard rollers but they cost $795. I just think they look nicer. For another $795 I splurged on the power sunroof, and for $155 I added a manual sliding rear window. After my shopping spree, my Maverick rings up at a relatively lofty $32,845. –Drew Dorian