The Ford Maverick burst onto the scene in 2021 as the first true compact pickup truck on sale since the smaller version of the Ford Ranger disappeared in 2012. It was immediately popular and sold out. In 2024, Ford is on pace to sell about 150,000 thanks to expanded production capacity initiated at the end of the last year.
The Blue Oval brand is continuing the updates for the best-selling compact pickup, which faces some completion from the Hyundai Santa Cruz lifestyle-focused truck. For the 2025 year, major changes include more technology, more capability with all-wheel drive now available on all versions of the truck and a freshened appearance.
The headlights, bumper and the grille have been redesigned while more expensive trims feature LED projector headlamps with LED signature accent lighting. Each of the four trim levels now get a slightly different grille to give each its own unique appearance, something the Ford F-150 pickup truck offers.
"The Maverick has been a runaway hit for Ford right out of the gate. Part of that success is that it breathed new life into the entry-level space with a desirable bodystyle not normally associated with entry models — pickups. And arguably, no other automaker knows its truck buyers better than Ford," Paul Waatti, director of industry analysis at AutoPacific told Newsweek.
As with the current model, the 2025 Ford Maverick will be available in four trims including XL, XLT, Lariat and Tremor. Maverick XL comes with a 191-horsepower (hp) hybrid engine, front-wheel drive and steel rims.
Maverick XLT is the most popular trim and adds 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, cargo tie downs, power tailgate, push-button start at the 2K towing package, which can tow 2,000 pounds.
Fuel mileage hasn't been rated by the Environmental Protection Agency yet but Ford said the 2.0-liter front- and all-wheel drive models should be similar (23 mpg (miles per gallon) in the city and 30 mpg on the highway; 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway respectively), as should the front-wheel drive hybrid, which gets 42 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway.
Maverick Lariat adds bigger wheels and new tires, 400-watt inverter plugs in the bed and cab, a bedliner, dual-zone climate control, power sliding rear window and better seats.
Maverick Tremor remains as the off-road trim with locking four-wheel drive, a heavy-duty transmission cooler, special drive modes, mud tires, tow hooks and an off-road tuned suspension. New for the Maverick Tremor is One-Pedal Drive technology, which brings the vehicle to a stop when the accelerator pedal is released, as opposed to coasting. It's helpful when climbing craggy, rocky off-road trails.
The Maverick's clever solutions remain in the new year including the Ford-branded Flexbed, which lets customers customize the area with dividers and cargo tie downs and two-tier loading. Ford says when coupled with the multi-position tailgate, the truck large enough to fit up to 18 full sheets of half inch 4-by-8-foot plywood.
The new Maverick will offer the choice of two four-cylinder engines, the 191-cylinder hybrid and a turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder that makes 238 hp and 277 pound-feet of torque.
An eight-speed automatic transmission comes paired with the turbocharged engine while the hybrid features a continuously variable transmission.
A new 13.2-inch display replaces the old 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and is standard across the trim structure. The Sync 4-equpped system has a new voice recognition system along with navigation. It features permanent climate buttons below the viewable area. Its 5G modem allows for over-the-air updates.
Ford is offering new materials across the door, instrument panel, console, and seats. It also added new color accents including Aspen Gray/Navy Pier with Grabber Blue accents on the Lariat there's a Smoke Truffle theme with bronze accents.
Customers use Maverick in urban environments with tight corners and small parking spaces. Maneuvering is straightforward with the 360-Degree Camera, new for 2025 and a customer favorite first developed for F-Series. It provides a split-view display of what's directly in front of or behind the vehicle, along with cross-traffic views.
Easing truck work like towing a load, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist uses the rear camera and corner radars to align the hitch with the trailer coupler while simultaneously controlling the truck's speed, steering, and braking to stop at just the right place. When backing up drivers can just use a knob on the dashboard to indicate which direction the trailer should go while reversing into position.
Both Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist are new standard features on the Lariat and Tremor trims.
The 2025 Ford Maverick starts at $26,295 before destination and handling, and comes with Ford Co-Pilot360. For 2025 that branded suite of tech includes emergency braking, lane keeping, rear view camera and auto high beams. Lariat and Tremor come with adaptive cruise control, lane centering and speed sign recognition.
Maverick Lariat starts at $34,335 and the Tremor, which is now the off-road and technology specialist, is $39,795.
Ford says that 80 percent of Maverick customers are new to the truck market, many getting out of small- and medium-sized crossovers.
"While Maverick's pricing has escalated since launch, so has its desirability through thoughtful updates to capability, user experience, and personalization. The introduction of an all wheel drive option for the Hybrid model and the doubling of towing capacity with an optional package address the primary needs of truck buyers. At the same time, a new larger screen, more tech, and safety features make it an even more attractive choice in the competitive entry-level space and overall truck market," said Waatti.
The 2025 Ford Maverick is available to order on August 1. Deliveries start later this year.
Updated on August 1 with information about the new Ford Maverick Lobo street truck
In a surprise move, Ford added a new trim to the compact Maverick line in the custom-looking Lobo pickup truck. Inspired by the lowered sport trucks of the 1980s and 90s, the Lobo features different wheels, body panels and suspension than the standard truck.
The project started with Maverick designer Josh Blundo, who began modifying a clay model of the Maverick with a wider body, wings, front splitter, and wheels. That led to a special build for SEMA by Tucci Hot Rods in 2021. Thus, the team got the green light.
Engineers like Keith Daugherty helped, tweaking the springs and suspension and testing components used on other Ford vehicles, ending up with a half-inch lower ride height in the front and 1.12 inches lower in back.
All Lobos are all-wheel drive and feature the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine making 238 horsepower with an automatic transmission. However, it isn't the same as in the other Mavericks. Instead, it uses a sportier seven-speed unit that keeps the vehicle in its powerband for more of the drive.
Ford tuned the steering to make the Maverick Lobo drive more like a performance car, with torque vectoring through a twin-clutch rear drive unit and bigger brakes from the Focus ST sold in Europe. A new driving mode called Lobo improves cornering performance, grip, and stability, as well as minimizing understeer, according to Ford.
The interior is inspired by streetwear with bright Grabber Blue and Electric Lime accent stitching, along with graffiti-inspired overprint on the seats and the Lobo name embossed into the black driver and passenger seats.
The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo comes in two trims, standard and high. The high configuration adds a heated steering wheel and seats, Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver-assist technologies, a 360-degree camera, spray-in bedliner, moon roof, and, beginning early in 2025, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
The standard 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo starts at $35,000 and the high version is $40,495. It goes on sale today; deliveries start in early 2025.
