2026 FORD MAVERICK

FINALLY, A PICKUP TRUCK FOR THOSE WHO SHY AWAY FROM THE FULL-SIZE BEASTS

If the size and price tag of a full-size version is what is keeping you from buy a pickup truck, Ford may have the solution for you.

The 2026 Ford Maverick can handle loads of up to 1,500 pounds in its 4 1/2-foot bed, can tow a 2-ton trailer, seats 5 passengers in its crew cab, and comes with a beginning price tag of under $30,000, about $17,000 less that what an base trim F-150 will set you back.

Its base EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine offers 26 miles-per-gallon combined city/highway driving and if that doesn’t suit you front-wheel-drive models with a hybrid gas-electric drivetrain (HEV) give you up to 38 mpg combined with 42 around town.

And all-wheel drive knocks only a couple of miles off those figures.

Little wonder sites like Car & Driver, Motor Trend, and US News & World Report rank the 2026 Ford Maverick at the top of the pickup truck class.

The 2026 Ford Maverick comes in five trim levels with the XL, XLT, and Lariat models a choice of either the turbocharged EcoBoost gas engine or the hybrid drive train.

The Lobo and base XL trims come with only the 2.0-liter Ecoboost gas engine that is rated at a healthy 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 4-banger in the Lobo is matched to a 7-speed automatic transmission while the XL gets an 8-speed.

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and electric motor in hybrid models is rated at a combined 184 horsepower with the electric motor producing 236 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid setup includes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The AWD Lobo trim that served as my test vehicle is roomy and comes with one-year subscription or optional seven-year package for Ford’s Connectivity Package (5G Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and the ability to connect up to 10 devices). Front seats offer 40.2 inches of legroom and backseat riders get just under 37 inches. 

Standard features on the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo include a 13.2-inch touchscreen for operating such functions as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, keyless ignition with push-button start, 1-touch power windows, a 6-speaker sound system, LED headlamps, and single-zone up-front air conditioning.

Safety systems include rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor, pre-collision safety system, emergency braking assist and preparation, and a cross-traffic alert.

Starting MSRP for the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo is $37,775.

As noted the base XL comes in at under $30495,000 though just barely at $29,990. XLT models check in at $32,490, the Lariat at $39,935, and the top Tremor trim at $42,490. That is still will under the starting $46,730 for the F-150’s base XL trim.

By the way, if the name Maverick seems vaguely familiar, that is just your memory working overtime. Ford also used the Maverick nameplate back in the early 1970s for a 2-door (later 4-door) sedan that replaced the Falcon. The 1977 model was its last in the U.S.

What I liked about the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD: It is an ideal size for maneuvering in tight spaces but yet the interior is roomy and comfortable. Fuel economy is impressive for a non-hybrid model.

What  didn’t like about the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD: The gas pedal is small and anchored at the top, making its easy for your foot to slip off the bottom. Infotainment features are fairly intuitive but have some quirks for some adjustments, particularly when it comes to manual control of A/C settings.

Would I buy the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD? If you have put off buying a new pickup because full-size models have become so huge, the Maverick offers a sensible alternative. It is a more versatile hauler than an SUV and with a length of around 200 inches for all trims and width of under 73 it is easier to drive in tight urban settings than a full-size pickup.