I like a vehicle that’s honest about what it is. I like the 2025 Ford Maverick.
If, like me, you spent years lamenting that automakers had stopped building truly small pickups, then you’re likely happy to see the compact truck re-emerge as a category. It’s a tiny category at the moment, with just the Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz on offer.
But industry rumors say Toyota has a compact pickup in the works, and both Chevrolet and Ram have toyed with re-entering the small truck space recently. The pickings are fattening up.
Of the two small trucks you can buy today, the Maverick is the most truck-like. The Santa Cruz can feel more like an SUV with an open bed attached. The Maverick is also the only one with a hybrid option.
Ford loaned me one for a week, which I split between city and suburban driving. The weather was summery and I didn’t take it off-road, so I didn’t put its all-wheel-drive (AWD) system to the test.
Which Trim Level:
My tester was the mid-level Maverick XLT AWD with the 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain. The XLT Luxury Package gave it a power driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, and LED lights in the bed. Ford also added a spray-in bed liner and its Co-Pilot 360 driver assist system.
The total on the sticker came to $35,505, including delivery fee.
Favorite Feature:
The best thing about the Maverick isn’t a single feature. It’s that it knows precisely what it is.
This shows best in the interior. The Maverick is Ford’s least expensive vehicle. Most automakers fill their budget model with hard plastics, and Ford has done that here. But most automakers try to hide that, going with vinyl and similar plastics made to look softer than they are. They upholster seats in cheap faux leather that will show every scratch.
They sabotage themselves with this, as those materials don’t wear well over time and look cheap.
Ford gives the Maverick hard plastic that looks like outdoor gear. The seats are hard-wearing cloth. The result? A truck that will likely hold up well to hard use over many years.
The bed is practical, too, with wheel wells that don’t intrude much on the space and a fairly well-recessed speed rail, so the box is mostly box-shaped.
What It’s Like to Drive
The hybrid is the weaker of the two Maverick powertrains, making 191 horsepower compared to 238 hp in the non-hybrid model. Unless you’re hauling heavy loads often, you won’t regret the power difference. If you are hauling heavy loads often, you should likely look at a midsize truck like the Ranger, anyway.
Transitions from electric to gas power are smooth – Ford has nearly caught up to Toyota in this regard.
The handling is light and car-like, showing that this is a unibody platform and not a true body-on-frame pickup. The size and purpose of this pickup mean easier handling in traffic and make it ideal for commuting.
One technology I enjoyed is a “brake coach,” which tells you how much energy you recover for the hybrid battery each time you brake. It gamifies improving your fuel economy, and it’s an easy game to win.
Interior Comfort and Technology
From the driver’s seat, the vibe of the 2025 Ford Maverick XLT is like nothing else on the road.
I thought of coolers and other outdoor gear as I focused on the hard plastic dashboard, a mix of medium and pebbled light grays. Cool blue elements in the vents and storage bins give it a contemporary feel.
Two-tone seats with cool blue stitching make basic materials feel special.
The front seats are comfortable, but don’t make the mistake of thinking the rear seats can hold up to daily use by adults. They’re small, with no air vents or ports to charge devices in the rear of the truck. You feel the budget in the back in ways you don’t up front.
It’s an affordable cabin, but it’s unashamed of that and looks made to last. I can’t help but think of the Slate truck project that has won so much press in recent months. Sadly, Ford hasn’t kept the Maverick’s price as low as it had planned when this model debuted a few years ago. But here is a truck priced lower than the average new car with a pleasant interior built to last. Maybe this captured something in the zeitgeist just a little early.
Limitations
The Maverick has a heavy tailgate for a small truck. I like that Ford keeps it simple to keep costs down. But I would love to see them add an option for a powered tailgate to keep this truck useful for people with some mobility limitations.
If you want a genuinely small truck, you have only two choices.
I drove the Maverick’s competition, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, for similar real-world testing just a few weeks before the little Ford showed up.
I think most buyers would be happy with either truck, but shoppers should know that the Hyundai is sportier, with a slightly less useful bed and a higher price. The Ford feels more truck-like, costs a little less, and has a more useful bed. It’s also the only one with a hybrid option. I think that would tip my decision slightly in the Ford’s favor.
