- Rapid acceleration with turbo engine
- Tremor adds off-road fun
- Up to 42 mpg city with the hybrid
- 4,000-pound max towing & 1,500-pound max payload
- Price yours | See listings near you
Ford didn’t invent the compact pickup; it just reminded everyone how much Americans missed having the option. The 2026 Ford Maverick provides light-duty pickup utility in an attractive package with multiple personalities. Its compact size easily slips into parking spaces too small for a full-size truck. Its lower ride height means loading the bed doesn’t require bodybuilder-size arms. The Tremor and FX4 packages give the Maverick legit off-road credentials without severe penalty to the truck’s fuel economy or its pleasant on-road driving manners. And the Lobo offers street truck attitude. So good is the Maverick that it just nabbed our Compact Truck Best Buy Award for the fifth year in a row.
Truck-Like Capability, Compact Car Fuel Economy
Ford switched it up last year, making the Maverick’s hybrid powertrain standard and the turbocharged 2.0-liter gas engine optional, and that has stuck around for 2026. That’s OK with us, as the hybrid gets an exceptional 38 mpg combined, 42 mpg city/35 mpg highway (manufacturer estimate). With more than 500 miles of range, the hybrid Maverick bests even the most frugal subcompact, yet it’s capable of hauling a 1,500-pound payload and towing up to 4,000 pounds. Try that in a Toyota Prius!
The 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine is also impressive, pumping out a healthy 238 horsepower while returning 30 mpg on the highway, and, when properly equipped, it can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Both the hybrid and the turbo gas engine are available with all-wheel drive (AWD) in lieu of the standard front-wheel drive (FWD).
Versatility Is the Name of the Game
One look at the Maverick, and it’s clear Ford thought long and hard about the things compact pickup buyers need most. The 4.5-foot Flexbed, for example, is wide enough to fit a 4×8 sheet of plywood. It features numerous grooves and slots, allowing for further customization using 2x4s to form barriers or stops.
Buyers can opt for up to 10 tie-downs, add a 110-volt power outlet, and even get personalized advice on how to build a bike rack or install bed lighting simply by scanning a QR code on the Maverick’s bed.
The Maverick’s cab is equally clever. There are door pockets that can fit a laptop or tablet, and armrests designed to accommodate a one-liter water bottle. The rear seat bottom folds up, with additional storage underneath. There’s even an integrated tether system at the back of the center console for different storage solutions, including accommodating home-grown designs using a 3D printer.
A Cool Factor of One
The Ford Maverick has the style and capability of a full-size truck, albeit on a much smaller scale. The Maverick is the compact truck choice for those who want an upright cab, tall ride height, and a multi-talented bed, plus phenomenal fuel economy. Best of all, the Maverick’s sub-$30,000 starting price means buyers who never thought they could afford a new pickup truck might still have a chance.
Photo Tour: 2026 Ford Maverick
More 2026 Ford Maverick
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Our 2026 Best Buy Award Winners
- Best New Model: 2026 Nissan Leaf
- Best Subcompact SUV: 2026 Hyundai Kona
- Best Compact SUV: 2026 Toyota RAV4
- Best Midsize SUV: 2026 Hyundai Palisade
- Best Full-Size SUV: 2026 Ford Expedition
- Best 3-Row EV: 2026 Kia EV9
- Best Electric Vehicle Under $35,000: 2026 Nissan Leaf
- Best Electric Vehicle: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best Compact Car: 2026 Honda Civic
- Best Midsize Car: 2026 Toyota Camry
- Best Minivan: 2026 Toyota Sienna
- Best Midsize Truck: 2026 Toyota Tacoma
- Best Full-Size Truck: 2026 Ford F-150
- 2026 Best Buy Awards Home
