The 2026 Ford Maverick Is the Highly Capable Compact Truck You’re Looking For

The 2026 Ford Maverick is here to prove that big things come in small packages. The compact Maverick might not be Ford’s largest pickup, but it certainly lives up to the brand’s reputation for producing reliable, hardworking trucks that dole out utility and style in equal measure. As one of only two compact models on the market, the Maverick could easily coast on Ford’s reputation for producing some of the industry’s best trucks, but the brand hasn’t become the country’s most popular truck brand by taking the easy way out.

A 2025 refresh saw the relatively new truck gain an improved engine, a larger infotainment display, a 360-degree camera system, and a new street truck-inspired Lobo trim. Ford dramatically improved the performance potential of the hybrid powertrain with the addition of available AWD, which is now rated to tow as much as 4,000 lbs when properly equipped.

The truck returns largely unchanged for 2026, but if you’ve been considering a Ford Maverick for sale, there’s never been a better time. Read on as we explore the evolution of Ford’s compact offerings, compare the gas and hybrid engines, and take each trim for a spin in our guide to the 2026 Ford Maverick.   

Recreating the Compact 

The Maverick is the latest in a long line of compact offerings from the iconic American automaker, proudly extending a legacy first established by the Ford Courier back in 1972. The Courier was actually a rebadged Mazda B-Series pickup, but Ford would follow it up with its own homegrown Ranger that would dominate the domestic compact segment for some 30 years.

Known for delivering a satisfying blend of performance, utility, and efficiency, the Ranger represented everything there was to love about the pickup segment. The compact rode off into the sunset in 2011 as Ford focused on larger pickup offerings and the emerging crossover segment, and while it would return in 2019 as a midsize model, its absence left a conspicuous gap in the company’s lineup. 

While many buyers continued to gravitate towards the larger end of the pickup spectrum, Ford was quick to recognize the changing tastes of the younger generation. These drivers were still seeking the versatility and towing potential that a pickup could provide, but craved a smaller, more efficient alternative to the full and midsize models that drive the market. Affordability was another key ingredient, which is understandable in a time when the average price of a new pickup has risen by some 61% in just the last decade. 

Power and Versatility in a Compact Package

Enter the Ford Maverick. Introduced in 2022, the compact pickup is the accessible, entry-level pickup that Millennial and Gen Z drivers have been waiting for. The Maverick embraces a crossover design that delivers car-like efficiency and handling while retaining the best aspects of the pickup approach, from its customizable Flexbed and 4,000-lb towing capacity to its impressive ground clearance and available off-road trims.

The compact also packs a hybrid engine that allows it to deliver the kind of fuel economy that few pickups can match, as well as a traditional gas-powered engine for those who want to take full advantage of the truck’s powerful potential. The Maverick represents an enticing option for eco-conscious drivers and provides a work-ready alternative to the crossover SUVs that have come to rule the road. 

Efficiency And Performance in Equal Measure 

Ford made a bold choice when designing the Maverick compact by equipping it with a standard hybrid engine. That might seem like an odd choice for the pickup segment, but it speaks to just how far hybrid tech has come since the first electrically assisted vehicles hit the U.S. market back in the early 2000s. While they might be a model of efficiency, today’s hybrid engines also know how to put in plenty of work thanks to a robust design that ensures drivers are never short on power.

The Maverick Offers an Efficient Hybrid Option

The Maverick’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine leverages a pair of electric motors to produce 191 hp and up to 155 lb-ft of torque when opting for AWD, and is rated to tow 2,000 lbs right out of the box. Adding the available 4K Towing package bumps that number up to 4,000 lbs, and also sees the Maverick gain an integrated trailer brake controller, an enhanced powertrain cooling system, and a trailer hitch receiver with a wiring harness connector. 

While this sort of utility is bound to broaden the truck’s appeal, it’s the Maverick’s undeniable efficiency that really sets it apart from your average pickup. When equipped with the hybrid powertrain, the compact model can achieve an EPA-estimated 35 MPG on the highway and up to 42 MPG in the city when equipped with FWD.

Adding all four wheels to the equation doesn’t significantly change the outcome, with the AWD model still posting a very competitive 40 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. Such stats can be a little abstract, but to put it in terms of pure dollars and cents, that sort of efficiency means that the average driver would only need to spend around $1,200 at the pump in any given year.

There’s Also the Standard Turbocharged 2.0-Liter Engine

In the mood for a little extra muscle? Ford has you covered with an optional EcoBoost engine that drops the hybrid setup in place of a turbocharger. The 2.0-liter inline-four reflects the Maverick’s “small but mighty” ethos, producing 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque despite its modest displacement. The 2.0-liter engine trends a little closer to the pickup truck average at 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, but it’s the clear choice if you’re the type of driver who prioritizes a more dynamic driving experience.

Acceleration and Transmission Options

The gas-powered engine allows the Maverick to speed from zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, which is a notable improvement over the hybrid’s 6.7-second sprint. The EcoBoost option also routes its power through an eight-speed automatic transmission—or a seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters on the sporty Lobo trim—while the hybrid opts for an efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT).

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the CVT design, it does lack the crisp, defined shifts that characterize the typical automatic. If you’re looking to create a strong connection between driver and truck and value the sort of feedback that a traditional transmission can provide, it might be worth looking into the Maverick’s upgraded engine. 

Climbing the Trim Ladder

With five trims to choose from, there’s bound to be a 2026 Ford Maverick that fits your unique driving needs. The compact model already represents the most versatile option in the compact segment, which isn’t too difficult given the lack of competition. While its lone rival, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, offers an off-road option in the XRT, the arrival of a sporty new Lobo trim gives the Maverick an obvious advantage in the condensed class.

XL

It all starts with the entry-level XL trim, which offers a refreshingly well-equipped array of modern tech, including a 13.2-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, and Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

XLT

The XLT makes some important upgrades to the Maverick’s comfort and convenience resume, gaining upgraded upholstery and a keyless entry system as well as a trailer hitch receiver, power-locking tailgate, and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels that boost the pickup’s curb appeal. The trim also allows drivers to access two intriguing equipment packages that add some significant high-end appeal and off-road ability.

The XLT Luxury Package creates a comfortable cabin complete with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat, not to mention a remote starter, Pro Power Onboard, and an LED bed lighting that allows the cargo area to double as a mobile workbench even after dark. 

The FX4 Off-Road Package equips the Maverick with a full slate of adventure-ready gear, including the expected all-terrain tires, an off-road-tuned suspension, tow hooks, and skid plates, as well as premium features that significantly reduce the learning curve for those with little off-pavement experience. The package adds a dedicated Off-Road setting to the selectable drive mode system, which adjusts the Maverick’s throttle, transmission, and stability control to help drivers power through sand, mud, gravel, and other challenging off-road terrain.  

Lobo

The Maverick Lobo was designed to honor the low-riding sport compact trucks that were such a fixture of 1990s automotive culture. Based on the XLT trim, the Lobo sees the Maverick gain a 250-hp EcoBoost engine, a lowered, sport-tuned suspension, sport-tuned steering, and performance brakes to keep the truck’s considerable power in check. The Lobo swaps out the eight-speed automatic for a seven-speed version, and also gives owners a little more control over the shifting process with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters that can be used to cycle through the gears at your discretion.

Ford has also equipped the Maverick’s newest trim with its own Lobo Mode, which adjusts the pickup’s handling, gear ratios, throttle response, and torque-vectoring AWD system to provide a lively ride with improved cornering and reduced understeer. Most importantly, the Lobo looks every bit the part, with an exclusive grille, synthetic leather upholstery, front-end styling, and 19-inch rally-inspired wheels. 

Lariat

The Lariat sees the Maverick reach its most luxurious form, and it offers a lot of value given the trim’s relatively low starting price. Drivers will be able to access the latest comfort, convenience, and safety tech while staying well within their budget with the Lariat offering integrated GPS navigation, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, adaptive cruise control, a dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control system, and even front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera that’ll have you confidently eyeing even the tightest parking spot.

The trim also includes an upgraded version of the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, with added features such as blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, intersection collision mitigation, and rear automatic braking, as well as adaptive cruise control.  

Tremor

Finally, Ford shakes up the compact segment with the Tremor, a rugged trim that pulls out all the stops to transform the Maverick into a dedicated off-road rig. The Tremor offers many of the best aspects of the Lariat, but adds to the model’s luxury appeal with a full complement of heavy-duty components designed to ensure success on the road less traveled.

Like the FX4 Off-Road Package, the trim features an off-road-tuned suspension, but it also gains a little extra ground clearance to elevate the truck to 9.4 inches. Underbody skid plates protect precious components, and a full-size spare tire ensures that you’ll never end up stranded in some off-the-grid locale.

While these features get the Tremor off to a solid start, it’s the trim’s locking rear differential, six selectable drive modes, and a Trail Control system that serves as a sort of low-speed off-road cruise control. Trail Control commandeers all of the braking and acceleration duties, giving drivers the opportunity to focus on navigating a tricky, technical stretch of the road.

Embrace Your Inner Maverick at Lupient Ford

The Maverick’s well-rounded design should come as little surprise given Ford’s experience in the pickup segment, but it’s still a refreshing change of pace in an industry that seems to have largely forgotten about the compact class. Full-size pickups are tough to beat in terms of sheer utility, but a quick look at the history books proves just how far such models have strayed from the original pickup formula.

The Maverick brings the segment back to its roots with a well-balanced mix of performance, utility, and efficiency that allows the compact to meet most of the pickup prerequisites while still serving as a comfortable daily driver. Whether you’re tackling DIY projects or heading out on an off-road adventure, the Maverick is the right-sized option that’s designed to fit your active lifestyle.

Ready to experience the cream of the compact crop for yourself? Lupient Ford is at your service. We stock a full selection of new and pre-owned Ford pickups, from America’s bestselling vehicle, the F-150, to the midsize Ranger and the 2026 Maverick. Stop by today and learn why the compelling 2026 Maverick is the ultimate truck for budget-conscious buyers.

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