2026 Ford Maverick Pickup-Truck Specialist Review

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2026 Ford Maverick is expected to receive a facelift in the coming year. It is expected to be a stock model with no major changes. Here’s a look at what buyers can expect from the upcoming 2026 Ford Maverick.


Updates (June 11, 2025): We’ve updated the latest on the 2026 Ford Maverick, highlighting performance and MPG upgrades. It features a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine and electric motor, priced between $30,000 and $44,000, depending on trim and options.


People in the US adore pickup trucks, but a full-size one can be scary because of its size and price. The 2026 Ford Maverick is a cheap and useful option for people who don’t require something as big as an F-150. The standard hybrid powertrain makes the Maverick the most fuel-efficient, but a nonhybrid turbocharged four-cylinder is also available and speeds its acceleration.

The maximum towing capacity is 4000 pounds, which is less than the F-150’s maximum but still enough to pull a small boat or utility trailer when needed. The base model’s cabin might be a little too bare, but the mid- and high-end Mavericks are impressive in terms of both build quality and accessible features.

The 2026 Ford Maverick continues to redefine what a compact pickup can be. Combining affordability, efficiency, and versatility, the Maverick appeals to many drivers, from urban commuters to weekend adventurers. Its unibody construction and standard hybrid powertrain offer a car-like ride without sacrificing the utility expected from a truck.

Key Features:

  • Standard Hybrid Powertrain: Offers remarkable fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
  • For individuals requiring more power, the 2.0L EcoBoost engine offers improved performance.
  • Creative freight management using several tie-downs and storage options, the Flexbed System
  • Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on SYNC 4 Infotainment offer a simple user experience.
  • Ford Co-Pilot360: Complete set of driver-assistance tools for more safety.

2026 Ford Maverick Review

The Ford Maverick 2026 is the smallest truck in the Blue Oval’s range. It fills the need for people who want the utility of a pickup but don’t want to pay more for a bigger one. The Maverick features a unibody design, which means it is more like an Escape than an F-150.

There are certain positives to this, like a smoother ride and a quieter ride overall, but you do lose some power in the process. For example, it can’t haul as much as the next-size-up Ford Ranger and its off-road parts aren’t as good.

The Maverick is a great deal as long as you don’t plan on pushing your truck to its limits. The Maverick’s standard hybrid powertrain helps with this, giving the little truck an amazing EPA-estimated 37 mpg in combined driving.

  • Base models have a low beginning price.
  • There is a lot of equipment available to improve towing and off-roading skills.
  • The hybrid powertrain gets great gas mileage.
  • The optional turbocharged engine makes the car go faster.

The smallest truck in the Blue Oval family, the Ford Maverick, satisfies individuals who desire the usefulness of a pickup but are put off by its growing price and size. The Maverick has a unibody construction, hence it shares more characteristics with the Escape than the F-150.

2026 Ford Maverick

Though you’ll lose some capacity, the 2026 Ford Maverick will provide certain advantages, including improved ride quality and a generally calmer ride.

Its off-road equipment isn’t as remarkable and can’t tow as much as the next-size Ford Ranger. But, provided you don’t intend to drive your vehicle to the limit.

The 2026 Maverick presents a strong value proposition; Its standard hybrid powertrain drives the small truck to an amazing EPA estimate of 37 mpg in combined driving. For 2026, we do not anticipate any significant changes.

What’s New for 2026?

We don’t foresee any modifications for 2026 because the Maverick was given a new look last year.

What to Expect

  • Ford gave the Maverick a light refresh for 2025
  • Last year’s upgrades included a new, larger touchscreen
  • We don’t expect major changes for 2026

2026 Ford Maverick Specs

The 2026 Ford Maverick is projected to be offered with two engines. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor is standard and is rated at 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked with a CVT and sends power to the front wheels.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine now on offer generates 238 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission drives this machine. It is only available with all-wheel drive.

The Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.

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2026 Ford Maverick Redesign

The 2026 Maverick maintains its compact dimensions but introduces subtle design enhancements:

  • Front Grille: Slightly larger with a more pronounced mesh pattern.
  • Headlights: Slimmer LED units that extend into the fenders for a cohesive look.
  • Wheel Designs: New alloy wheel options across various trims.

2026 Ford Maverick Exterior

The 2026 Ford Maverick’s outside design is anticipated to stay the same as the present model on sale. Though it looks like a bigger model with its boxy shape, high rear door, and little bed, the Maverick’s diminutive size makes it one of the few compact pickup trucks on sale.

It also has C-shaped headlamps, a square grille, and a thin air intake. Square taillights, a 4.5-foot-long bed, and a basic rear door design also distinguish it.

2026 Ford Maverick Interior

All Mavericks have crew cabs, which means they have four doors and a back seat that is big enough but not too big. Ford has added a lot of storage spaces and bins to the cabin, including some big ones under the back seat. The base models aren’t very fancy, but they do have some pleasant features like a steering wheel that tilts and telescopes with audio controls, remote keyless entry, and lumbar support that can be adjusted for the front seats. The XLT and Lariat trims come with more standard amenities or as part of option packages. These features include dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient inside lighting, and power front seats. Ford says that the Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed can hold up to 18 sheets of three-quarter-inch plywood that are four by eight feet long without needing to load them at a slant. There is also a 12-volt power outlet in the bed, and a 110-volt outlet is available as an option.

2026 Ford Maverick

Ford offers the 2026 Ford Maverick in a crew cab type, which gives considerable accommodation for passengers seated in the back. As an inexpensive pickup truck, the Maverick’s cabin suffers from low-quality materials and harsh plastics. Still, it makes up for it with smartly designed storage boxes and compartments throughout the cabin.

The trunk has a multi-level dashboard with a big central console that contains various physical controls.

  • Seating: Comfortable seats with available heating and cooling functions.
  • Materials: Improved upholstery and soft-touch surfaces enhance the cabin feel.
  • Storage: Ample storage compartments, including under-seat storage in the rear.

Comfort

How comfy is the Maverick? The Maverick is more like a truck than the Hyundai Santa Cruz when it comes to comfort. It has a choppy ride characteristic that never goes away, even on uneven or broken roads. The chairs are well-padded and supportive, and they last for lengthy travels. But there are harsh plastic door panels right next to your knees, and it’s not comfortable to lean on them while you’re going down a winding road or over a bumpy, dirty road.

The engine doesn’t make much noise on the highway, but it sounds a little rough when it’s idling or going full speed. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which has more power, sounds a little better.

Comfort is a priority in the Maverick’s design:

  • Ride Quality: Suspension tuning provides a balance between comfort and capability.
  • Climate Control: Available dual-zone automatic climate control ensures optimal cabin temperature.
  • Noise Insulation: Enhanced materials reduce road and wind noise for a quieter ride.

Technology

All Maverick levels come with a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard. You also get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Even the cheapest model has a Wi-Fi hotspot built in. You can choose from SiriusXM satellite radio, a better B&O Play sound system, and the option to charge your smartphone wirelessly.

A Wi-Fi hotspot, six audio speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen are among the standard technology features of the 2026 Ford Maverick. Among the available features are navigation, a wireless charging device, and an 8-speaker B&O audio system.

The Maverick is outfitted with contemporary technological features to ensure that drivers remain connected:

  • Infotainment: Standard 13.2-inch touchscreen with SYNC 4, offering intuitive controls and crisp graphics.
  • Connectivity: Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • Optional Upgrades: Available B&O premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging.

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Engine

The Maverick’s basic engine is a hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to make a total of 191 horsepower. This arrangement has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). You can have a 250-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automated transmission. The turbo-four comes with all-wheel drive as standard, while the hybrid comes with front-wheel drive as standard. The Maverick’s suspension is rather rigid, which makes it a little bumpy to drive on broken pavement. This is because it can carry a lot of weight. The Lobo sport truck has a turbo four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive, however it only has a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters instead of an eight-speed. Ford has made the Lobo’s suspension lower, added better brakes, cool 19-inch rally-inspired wheels, and a special Lobo driving mode that makes the rear end wander as you turn. When we drove the 2025 Maverick, we discovered that the hybrid variant drove roughly the same as previously. We liked how the Lobo handled better, which is good for a truck.

Performance

With the optional turbo four, the Maverick feels really snappy on the road. In our tests, it went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The hybrid powertrain with front-wheel drive isn’t as peppy and took 7.7 seconds to get to 60 mph on our test track, but it still gets the job done. We haven’t tried the all-wheel-drive hybrid configuration or the Lobo trim yet, but we’ll add the results here as soon as we do.

What kind of driving does the Maverick do? The Maverick’s hybrid engine is good for saving gas, but it’s not the best for speeding up quickly. According to Edmunds’ tests, a Maverick with the hybrid engine could go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. We’d make that trade-off, though, because it would save us money on gas. We also drove the sportier Lobo with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. It got us to 60 in just 6.6 seconds.

Most Mavericks (save for the Lobo) drive and steer more like a regular truck. The Maverick’s small size makes it easier to go through traffic or down a winding road than a midrange or full-size vehicle. The ride is a little tight and the steering doesn’t feel well, so you won’t want to go too fast. The Lobo handles well because it has a sport-tuned suspension and a specific all-wheel-drive system. We think the Maverick Lobo is the most fun-to-drive truck you can buy when it comes to how it handles on the street.

Towing

The Maverick comes in both hybrid and nonhybrid versions, and they can carry 1500 pounds and tow 2000 pounds. The Maverick can tow up to 4000 pounds with the optional Tow package. Want to tow even more with a tiny truck? The Hyundai Santa Cruz can pull up to 5,000 pounds.

MPG

There isn’t any fuel economy figures for the 2026 Maverick from the EPA yet. However, the 2025 model got ratings of 42 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined for the hybrid and 22 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for the nonhybrid. Our all-wheel-drive XLT FX4 vehicle with the nonhybrid powertrain achieved 29 mpg on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, while the hybrid only got 30 mpg, which was below the EPA’s level. In the same test, the Tremor model only got 26 mpg, even though it included a lot of extra off-road gear. Visit the EPA’s website for more information about how well the Maverick gets gas.

2026 Ford Maverick Safety

The safety features of the current Ford Maverick on sale will be carried over to the 2026 model. The Maverick is equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beam assist as standard features.

Ford’s Co-Pilot360 1.0 suite of advanced safety features is available as an optional upgrade. This suite includes pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver attentiveness monitor, and rear parking sensors.

Evasive steering assist, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera are included in higher trim levels.

Competitor

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the main rival of the 2026 Ford Maverick. Its less conventional design might or might not attract you. This car is not a hybrid (yet) either.

2026 Ford Maverick

The car is feature-rich and provides a more opulent interior than the average Maverick. And you can’t beat Hyundai’s amazing 10-year engine guarantee.

2026 Ford Maverick Price

The 2026 Ford Maverick is estimated to cost between $30,000 and $44,000, depending on the trim and options.

Ford makes the Maverick in five different trims: XL, XLT, Lobo, Lariat, and Tremor. The XL trim is the best choice if you want to keep the price as cheap as possible. It doesn’t have the basic amenities that most customers think are necessary, yet it may be a fine work truck.

The XLT is the best value variant because it comes with extras like 17-inch aluminum wheels, cruise control, a power lock for the tailgate, and power outside mirrors. The hybrid powertrain is now available with all-wheel drive, making it an even better choice. We’d also get the pull package so that the Maverick can pull up to 4,000 pounds.

Models/Trim Estimated Starting MSRP
XL$24,996
XLT$27,951
XLT Tremor$34,476
Lariat$35,931
Lariat Tremor$39,981

2026 Ford Maverick Release Date

Given the Ford Maverick’s current summer arrival, we anticipate the 2026 model coming next summer. In the coming several months, further details on this pickup truck will be made accessible.

  • Release Date: Summer 2025

Verdict

The 2026 Ford Maverick isn’t as powerful as a midsize truck and can be a little rough around the edges, but that’s kind of the point of this cheap, crossover-like truck.

It should be different, with city-friendly sizes, better handling, and much better gas mileage, especially with the hybrid powertrain. Its bed and inside area should be perfect for a lot of people.

The 2026 Ford Maverick’s biggest draw is its size. Although the number of full—and mid-size pickup trucks has increased considerably over the past twenty years, customer needs have not been fully addressed.

The Ford Maverick will probably satisfy your needs if you want a truck for camping, trips to the hardware store, and soccer practice. This vehicle will cost less and run more efficiently.

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