Thanks in part to the chicken tax, there aren’t many compact pickup trucks available these days. The 2025 Ford Maverick arrives ready to go tire-to-tire with its sole competitor both on and off-road. Despite its affordable price, the Ford Maverick still has a handful of drawbacks to take into account..
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The Ford Maverick enters its fourth year on the market with a slew of updates. The 2025 model arrives with updated styling inside and out. The Lobo trim is a new addition and brings more performance to the compact pickup. The pickup’s hybrid powertrain is now available with all-wheel drive. The Ford Maverick also comes with more standard safety tech for the 2025 model year.
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Reason to love it #1: Affordable price
The 2025 Ford Maverick is the most affordable truck on the market. Starting at $26,995 MSRP, it comes stocked with convenient amenities, including a 13.2-inch touchscreen display and Ford’s FlexBed storage system. On top of that, an incredibly efficient powertrain comes standard
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The 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, available from $28,750 MSRP, is more expensive than the Maverick. It offers a smaller 12.3-inch touchscreen display, and it comes with a less efficient powertrain.
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Reason to love it #2: Standard hybrid powertrain
The 2025 Ford Maverick arrives with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. That combination pumps out 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. For the 2025 model year, the Maverick’s hybrid powertrain is available with all-wheel drive.
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Trucks aren’t known for their efficiency, but the 2025 Ford Maverick breaks that stereotype. Thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the Maverick is rated for 42 city mpg and 33 highway mpg. When equipped with all-wheel drive, Ford expects the Maverick to earn up to 40 city mpg. That’s a nice bump from the nonhybrid powertrain’s 23 city mpg and 30 highway mpg.
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Reason to love it #3: Power-packed Lobo trim
Ford has never been one to shy away from performance, and the Maverick’s Lobo trim is a perfect example. Starting at $35,255 MSRP, the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo is the automaker’s take on a street truck. It comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 238 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. That power is channeled through a seven-speed automatic.
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The Lobo trim offers a unique aesthetic worthy of its street truck performance. The compact truck’s front half rides half an inch lower, while the rear sits 1.12 inches lower. A unique front fascia, 19-inch black wheels, and rocker moldings that contrast with the black roof make the Maverick Lobo stand out from the, albeit meager, crowd.
Reason to love it #4: Off-road Tremor trim
Ford seems out to prove that there’s a Ford Maverick for everyone, including off-road enthusiasts. The Tremor trim starts at $40,350 MSRP and includes plenty of trail-focused upgrades. The Maverick’s off-road model comes equipped with the same 238-horsepower engine as the Lobo trim. The Tremor trim also gets an eight-speed automatic transmission and advanced four-wheel drive.
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The Ford Maverick Tremor is now its own standalone trim and comes with off-road capability and a unique aesthetic. The off-road trim rides on a tuned suspension complete with unique springs, shocks, front tow hooks, and skid plates. Orange accents create an eye-catching style without looking gaudy and are found on the 17-inch wheels, as well as throughout the truck.
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Reason to think twice #1: Low towing capacity
The 2025 Ford Maverick can tow up to 2,000 lbs., regardless of powertrain option. Upgrading to the optional tow package, which costs $745, doubles the Maverick’s capacity to 4,000 lbs. Even with the optional tow package, Ford’s compact pickup truck can’t match the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which can tow up to 5,000 lbs.
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Reason to think twice #2: One configuration option
When it comes to configuration options, the Ford Maverick is definitely lacking. The compact truck is available in just one cab and bed configuration. While it can bring the whole family along for the ride, its use cases are limited by its bed length and towing and hauling capabilities. Unfortunately, this issue also plagues the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which means it applies to all compact trucks.
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The 2025 Ford Maverick is a solid entry into the compact pickup segment, but it’s just one of two options. The Hyundai Santa Cruz serves as the other compact pickup available in the United States. If neither truck meets your needs, consider the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, available from $31,590 MSRP.
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