2025 Ford Maverick: Best Compact Pickup Truck Under $35K

May 21st, 2025 by

If you’re looking for a compact pickup truck that’s capable, fuel-efficient, and spacious, but half the price of a full-size pickup like the F-150, the 2025 Ford Maverick is your best bet. Car and Driver ranks it:

  • #1 in Best Pickup Trucks Under $35,000
  • #1 in Best Hybrid Trucks
  • #1 in Cheapest Trucks
  • #3 in Best Pickup Trucks for Families

With a standard hybrid engine, available AWD, and an easy-to-drive size, the Maverick proves you don’t need a massive truck to get real work done. 

 

Engine and Performance

Every Maverick trim except the Tremor now comes standard with a 2.5L hybrid powertrain paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup produces 191 horsepower and is focused on efficiency. For the first time, all-wheel drive is available with the hybrid, making it a more flexible option for buyers in colder or rugged regions.

For more power, you can upgrade to the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It delivers 250 horsepower and comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine is standard on the Tremor and Lobo trims, and optional on the XL, XLT, and Lariat. 

New for 2025, the Lobo trim features the 2.0L turbo engine with a 7-speed automatic and paddle shifters, borrowed from the European Focus ST. It also comes with a lowered suspension, upgraded brakes, and a special “Lobo Mode” that allows for light rear-wheel drift out of corners.

 

Ride and Handling

The Maverick doesn’t ride like a traditional truck, and that’s a good thing. It feels more like a crossover behind the wheel. The suspension is firm enough to handle 1,500 pounds of payload, but it’s not punishing. It soaks up bumps well and stays composed over rough pavement.

Steering is light and responsive, making the Maverick easy to maneuver in tight city streets or crowded parking lots. It’s a big win for drivers who want truck utility without the full-size hassle.

The Tremor and Lobo trims take things further. Tremor is off-road ready with all-terrain tires and a tuned four-wheel-drive system. Lobo is performance-minded, with a sportier suspension and quicker handling feel. Even with different setups, both keep the Maverick feeling stable and controlled.

 

Towing Capacity

Every Maverick, hybrid or gas, can tow 2,000 pounds out of the box and handle up to 1,500 pounds of payload. But if you opt for the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and the available Tow Package, you unlock a max towing capacity of 4,000 pounds. It outperforms top rivals like the Hyundai Santa Cruz and base Chevy Colorado WT. Both only tow up to 3,5000 lbs. 

 

Fuel Economy

The 2025 Ford Maverick leads the compact truck segment in fuel economy, especially with its standard hybrid powertrain. The FWD hybrid gets up to 42 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, blowing past most competitors. Even the new AWD hybrid is expected to hit 40 mpg city.

That’s better than the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which maxes out at 26 mpg highway, and the Toyota Tacoma, which only manages around 21–24 mpg combined in its most efficient trims. If fuel efficiency is your priority, and it should be, the Maverick is the smartest pick in the small truck game.

 

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo 

The 2025 Ford Maverick keeps the cabin practical, roomy, and easy to live with. Every model comes as a crew cab with space for five and rear legroom that beats some midsize trucks. The seats are supportive, and higher trims add comforts like heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a heated steering wheel. 

Storage is smartly designed, with deep door pockets, a large center console, under-seat bins, and a clever shelf above the screen. Out back, the 4.5-foot bed is more capable than it looks. It fits full sheets of plywood (with the tailgate down), has built-in cargo rails, and offers available outlets for tools or tailgating. 

 

Infotainment & Tech Features

The 2025 Maverick comes standard with a huge 13.2-inch touchscreen running Ford’s SYNC 4 system. You get wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot across all trims, even the base XL. The interface is quick and easy to use, with physical knobs for volume and climate control.

Higher trims like the Lariat and Tremor add extras like wireless charging, SiriusXM, and an optional 8-speaker B&O sound system. There’s no built-in nav or rear-seat entertainment, but the tech setup is solid, modern, and user-friendly for a truck at this price.

 

Safety Rating and Driver-Assist Features

The NHTSA rated the 2025 Maverick model a 4-star overall safety rating, indicating a solid performance in crash tests and safety assessments. Key safety features include: 

  • Standard lane-keeping system
  • Standard adaptive cruise control
  • Standard automatic high-beam headlamps
  • Standard pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking

 

2025 Ford Maverick Price and Trims

The 2025 Maverick is available in five trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, and Lobo. For most buyers, the XLT trim is the best value in the 2025 Ford Maverick lineup. It starts under $30K and adds solid upgrades over the base XL, including 17-inch wheels, push-button start, and extra storage. It comes standard with the efficient 2.5L hybrid and lets you upgrade to the 2.0L turbo or add AWD, the Tow Package, and other extras without breaking the budget.

 

XL – Starting at $26,295

  • 2.5L hybrid engine with FWD
  • 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • LED headlamps
  • 17-inch steel wheels
  • Six cargo bed tie-downs

 

XLT – Starting at $28,895

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels
  • Intelligent Access with push-button start
  • In-bed cubby storage
  • 2K trailer hitch receiver
  • Additional tie-downs

 

Lariat – Starting at $36,735

  • Standard AWD with hybrid
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Power-adjustable driver’s seat
  • 19-inch machined wheels
  • B&O 8-speaker sound system

 

Tremor – Starting at $39,795

  • 2.0L EcoBoost engine with advanced 4WD
  • Off-road suspension and Trail Control™
  • Skid plates, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires

 

Lobo – Starting at $40,495

  • 2.0L EcoBoost with 7-speed automatic and paddle shifters
  • Lowered suspension and 19-inch rally-style wheels
  • “Lobo Mode” performance setting
  • Unique interior trim and sport accents

 

Test Drive a 2025 Ford Maverick at Corwin Ford of Springfield. 

The 2025 Ford Maverick is America’s favorite compact truck for a reason. Stop by Corwin Ford Springfield for a test drive. We proudly serve Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Fairgrove, Pleasant Hope, Billings, Clever, Republic, Aurora, Branson, Marshfield, and the greater Springfield, Missouri area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bed size on 2025 Ford Maverick?

The 2025 Ford Maverick has a 4.5-foot bed with 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

 

What is the bed size on Ford Ranger and Maverick?

The Maverick offers a 4.5-foot bed. The Ranger offers two options: a 5-foot bed or a 6-foot bed, depending on the cab configuration.

 

What is a 500A package on the Ford Maverick?

The 500A package is the standard equipment group for base trims like XL. It includes core features like the hybrid engine, 13.2-inch touchscreen, and basic safety tech.

 

Are Ford Mavericks reliable?

Absolutely. The Maverick has shown great reliability so far. Most owners report strong performance and few major issues.

 

Is the Ford Maverick electric?

No, it’s not electric. It comes standard with a 2.5L hybrid engine and a 2.0L EcoBoost gas engine is optional. 

 

Where is the Ford Maverick made?

The Ford Maverick is built in Hermosillo, Mexico.

 

When did the Ford Maverick come out?

The Maverick debuted for the 2022 model year.

 

Is the Ford Maverick a good truck?

Yes, it’s highly rated for value, efficiency, and practicality, especially if you don’t need full-size truck capability.

Posted in Ford Maverick