2026 Ford Maverick

Finding an affordable new truck gets tougher every year. As pickups continue to grow in size and cost, it’s nice to know that the 2026 Ford Maverick offers plenty of truck capability at a low starting price. If you want to tow 4,000 pounds (that’s enough capacity for a decent-size boat), want the all-weather confidence of all-wheel drive (AWD), or just want a good-looking little truck for errand running, the Maverick is for you.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of fuel-efficient trucks, including the Ford Maverick.

After last year’s significant refresh, Ford did some fine-tuning for 2026. The 2.0-liter EcoBoost gas engine is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) again. The Maverick now comes standard with the Ford Connectivity Package, including a one-year subscription. A power sliding rear window is optional on all trims except the XL, which gets fixed glass. A conventional spare tire is available as a standalone option. There are two new colors: Marsh Gray and Orange Fury.

Ford’s pricing for the Maverick is a little confusing. If you want the least expensive truck, that’s the FWD XL with the EcoBoost gas engine. However, as Ford explains it, the XL, XLT, and Lariat come standard with the hybrid powertrain. In the case of the XL and XLT, the gas engine includes a $1,000 discount, or a $2,220 discount with the Lariat. Regardless, that the hybrid only costs $1,000 more makes it a bargain.

If you want a small truck for towing, we recommend getting the XLT and adding the 4K towing package. However, if you’re looking for a nice street truck, the stylish Lobo is a great choice.

As of this writing, the only other new compact truck in America is the Hyundai Santa Cruz, with a starting price of just over $30,000.

Before buying a new Maverick truck, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are stronger than those of the Santa Cruz. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

When it comes to power, both engines are well matched to the Maverick’s size and curb weight. What the hybrid will get you is better fuel economy, up to 42 mpg in the city, but it doesn’t have as much horsepower as the gas-only powertrain. Transitions from electric motor to gas engine are smooth.

Ride quality is good, leaning more firm than cushy. The Maverick’s underpinnings, which are a modified version of the Bronco Sport platform, help ensure carlike handling. Overall, the Maverick is a very easy truck to drive, is user-friendly, and has a minimal learning curve.

Fuel Economy

EPA ratings for the 2026 model are still to come at the time of this writing, but the last year’s Maverick Hybrid earned 38 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 37 mpg with all-wheel drive. That’s 12 mpg better than the turbo gas engine when both are equipped with all-wheel drive. It also translates to about 100 more miles of range on a tank of gas.

The crew cab-only Maverick provides plenty of room for passengers. Its cabin was designed with several handy storage spaces: the doors can take large water bottles and the rear seat cushions flip up to reveal storage areas beneath. The hybrid version has a little less interior storage, as some space is taken by the system’s battery. That system also reduces rear-seat legroom by one inch. The seats are comfortable, especially up front.

Standard features include an 8-inch gauge cluster, 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone integration. Visual cues are different based on trim level. For example, the Tremor Off-Road package includes orange stitching in the upholstery, plus all-weather mats. The Lobo has sneaker-inspired blue and lime stitching.

There are plenty of great features available, but the base XL is really basic. You have to move up to the XLT trim to get push-button start and even have access to features like Pro Power Onboard, a soft vinyl-wrapped steering wheel, remote start, and a power moonroof.

While some past and current small trucks look like a wagon or SUV with a truck bed mounted on the back – with varying degrees of success – the Ford Maverick looks like a small truck. It’s only available as a crew cab with a short bed, but that’s the heart of the market, the combination that most truck shoppers look for. Available helpful features for the 4.5-foot bed include locking rails with tiedowns, spray-in bedliner, and the Flexbed system that lets you create your own truck bed mods. The Pro Power Onboard system is an outlet that’s mounted in the truck bed.

Because this is a smaller truck with a lower ride height, it’s very easy to reach into the bed, climb in to position gear and tools, and unload when you get to the worksite or your home. We love that we can lean over the side to get stuff out of the bed without needing to open the tailgate every time.

Hybrid powertrain
The Maverick’s highly efficient hybrid powertrain can save hundreds of dollars a year in gas costs, and it can be paired with all-wheel drive.

Easily accessible bed
As well as being 4.5 feet long, the load-in/load-out height is a back-friendly 30 inches. There’s also the option of closable compartments at either side, and a 400-watt version of Ford’s Pro Power Onboard.

Tremor
The Tremor takes the Maverick further off-road than the FX4 package. In addition to the suspension setup, other enhancements include a reshaped front bumper for improved approach angle, underbody protection, locking AWD, and Trail Control — a cruise control system for challenging terrain where the driver simply needs to steer, while the system handles throttle, brakes, and gears.

Lobo
This street truck has a performance-tuned steering and suspension system, 7-speed quick-shifting transmission, lowered ride height, a special Lobo drive mode, and unique styling that makes it a street truck from the factory. There’s nothing else quite like it, except the bigger and pricier F-150 Lobo.

4K Tow package
If you want to tow 4,000 pounds with the Maverick, this is the way. This package includes a trailer hitch receiver with a 7-pin connector, transmission oil cooler, and a higher-capacity radiator with an upgraded fan.

As we mentioned earlier, Ford describes the hybrid powertrain as the default setup. It uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor, for a total of 191 horsepower. Ford doesn’t give a total torque figure, but the engine makes 155 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm, and the electric motor develops 173 lb-ft. The hybrid uses a continuously variable automatic transmission, with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

The optional engine is the gas-only powertrain. It’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 238 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, that’s linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The Lobo uses a 7-speed automatic with the gas engine, and all-wheel drive is standard.

Payload and Towing

The Maverick’s maximum payload is 1,500 pounds, while the Santa Cruz can handle up to 1,411 pounds.

Gasoline-only versions of the 2026 Maverick can tow up to 4,000 pounds with the right equipment. Using the Tow/Haul or Sport modes allows the driver to stay in one gear (it’s an 8-speed automatic transmission) for longer, in order to access the most power. The hybrid configuration is also rated at 4,000 pounds when equipped appropriately. For comparison, the Santa Cruz is rated to tow 5,000 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Ford’s new-vehicle warranty is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains have a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. These are typical terms for mainstream manufacturers, but the Hyundai Santa Cruz does better with five years/60,000 miles (bumper to bumper) and 10 years/100,000 miles (powertrain).

Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested the 2026 Maverick, but it gave the 2025 model four stars overall out of a possible five. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Maverick several “Good” ratings, but this truck did not win the TSP or TSP+ Award. The Maverick comes standard with a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.