The 2025 Ford Maverick is King, For Now!
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The Ford Maverick had barely entered the market as a 2022 model, and we already knew that it was going to make a killing. With mid-size and full-size models now rivalling high-end luxury cars in terms of pricing, a small pickup truck with reasonable capabilities, minimal fuel consumption and an attractive price tag becomes quite relevant. What's more, the Maverick has the potential to bring new customers to the brand with the blue oval. And it seems to remain king in its own kingdom for the time being, with the big rival brands reluctant to capitalize on the craze.
However, there was a major drawback at launch: the Maverick's hybrid powertrain could not be combined with all-wheel drive. Owners therefore had to make do with front-wheel drive if they wanted to benefit from the most frugal engine. For 2025, the manufacturer has rectified this situation, in addition to bringing aesthetic and technological additions and new variants to the catalogue to keep the Maverick on the move.
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The Car Guide headed to California to test-drive the 2025 Ford Maverick pickup in its base XL and sporty Lobo versions.
A Match Made in Heaven
Having access to a basic variant at a vehicle launch is rather unusual. Normally, manufacturers want to show journalists their product in its best form with fully loaded variants. The presence of an almost naked XL variant at the Maverick event we attended therefore reveals Ford's level of confidence in its renewed 2025 model. This entry-level variant, wearing sublime silver-coloured steelies, is supplied as standard with front-wheel drive. But the example we were given was equipped with optional all-wheel drive (AWD) powered by the standard hybrid engine. We’re talking about the 191-hp, 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
In terms of capacity, all Mavericks can tow 2,000 lb as standard. This capacity can be doubled with the optional 4K towing package, priced at $900. In terms of payload, you’re looking at a maximum of 1,500 lb in the small 4.5 feet box.
On the winding So-Cal roads, the Maverick XL provided a smooth, pleasant ride. Power from the hybrid powertrain isn't super powerful (obviously), but its performance proved sufficient on a variety of highway, city and mountainous roads we endeavoured on. The continuously variable transmission didn't feel hesitant during our various tests, which is a big plus for a smooth, comfortable driving experience. The combined fuel consumption recorded at the end of our trip sat at a convincing 6.1 L/100 km.
Ergonomic Simplicity in the Cabin
Far from the conveniences and trim levels of mid-size and full-size trucks, the Maverick's cabin leans more towards the essentials. Apart from the fact that the base XL variant can't be fitted with heated seats (a big drawback for Canadians), that its exterior mirrors have to be adjusted by hand and that its power windows aren't automatic, the designers did manage to provide the driver and passengers with comfortable seats for long journeys. The XL variant even features an actual key instead of a push-button ignition. How vintage!
Kudos to Ford for bringing on board a 13.2-inch touchscreen (replacing the 8-inch unit) to operate the SYNC 4 interface. Its position at the top of the dashboard also makes it accessible. And it was through this screen that we briefly tested the various towing technologies offered on the Ford Maverick 2025. Notably the Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allows the trailer to be positioned in reverse using a rotary knob on the dashboard rather than the steering wheel.
We found this technology less reliable and more complex than using the good old mirrors and steering technique ... plus, it often got confused with shadows around the trailer. Otherwise, Dynamic Hitch Assist, which autonomously positions the truck directly under the trailer to hitch it up without having to back up blindly proved very useful and effective. Note that towing 4,000 pounds on a daily basis with a continuously variable transmission could wear it out prematurely. For frequent towing, the turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to the 8-speed automatic gearbox would be more recommendable.
The Lobo Looks Boss, But…
New models have joined the Maverick family for 2025. Among them is the Lobo, a performance-oriented “street” truck whose presence strikes us as very bold. A nod to the past that's both appealing to the young and those with the Ford emblem tattooed on their hearts, the Lobo model is available exclusively with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It outputs 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque via a seven-speed. The Lobo’s list of standard equipment is very complete: specifically designed suspension, oversized brakes, torque vectoring, a larger radiator fan and an exclusive driving mode selector with “Lobo” mode are just some of the distinctive features on this “urban” truck.
While its looks are striking, its sporty-ish character loses out in ride comfort on both highways and bumpy pavement. On the impromptu autoslalom track where we pushed it to its limits, the Lobo proved to be a very decent performer, with its rear-end sliding around quite easily.
A compromised pickup, on the one hand, and a not-so-sporty one on the other, the Lobo leaves us perplexed as to its relevance.
Who Doesn’t Need a Small Pickup
The addition of all-wheel drive to the hybrid powertrain makes perfect sense in the Maverick, especially the XL base model, which we intentionally chose to assess the real value of the product in its most stripped-down form. And despite a few minor disappointments in terms of equipment, the overall experience behind the wheel convinced us.
And if the Lobo variant didn't charm us because it would be much more at home on smoother roads than ours, there's still a range of interesting variants to choose from, such as the XLT, the Lariat and the Tremor (which we haven't had the chance to drive yet), all equipped at different levels. With a starting price ranging from $34,500 for the XL variant (the least expensive) up to $48,000 for the Tremor variant (excluding transport and preparation costs), the Ford Maverick has a lot to offer anyone who wants a practical, very light-duty truck that won't do unreasonable damage to the wallet.
