2025 Ford Maverick Lobo reinvents the compact sport truck — at a price
SAN DIEGO — The Ford Maverick Lobo is about to introduce a new generation of drivers to the fun of a sporty compact pickup, a vehicle that had vanished from American streets.
A day driving Maverick Lobos on a seaside autocross course, the streets of San Diego and beyond convinced me competitors will respond with the truest form of flattery: new models to compete with the frisky little Ford.
The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo turns up the wick on style and performance, borrowing equally from tuner culture and Ford's deep bin of performance parts.
In dealerships now, the Lobo is the most expensive Maverick, but it opens the door for even higher performance models to come, and lower priced sport pickups young enthusiasts might buy and customize one paycheck at a time.
XL: $26,995
XLT: $29,495
Lobo: $35,255
Lariat: $37,290
Tremor: $40,350
Source: Edmunds
Prices exclude new import tariffs and $1,595 destination charge.
All Maverick Lobos have all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 250 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. There's no hybrid Lobo.
The Lobo's ride height is a half-inch lower than other Mavericks in front and 1.12 inches lower in the rear. The roofline is 0.8-inch lower.
Ford used performance parts from vehicles all over the world to add grip, handling and fun to the Lobo:
Dual piston front brakes from the Focus ST.
Faster steering from the European Kuga compact SUV.
Front struts from the Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle.
The new track-only 'Lobo' drive mode adjusts steering, transmission throttle response and stability control.
Other changes:
Twin-clutch rear-drive unit can send up to 50% of torque to rear wheels, and shift it between them for stability.
Upgraded radiator and fan for engine cooling
Transmission oil cooler
Gloss black roof and grille
19-inch gloss black wheels
Track only Lobo drive mode
The Maverick has no real competition at the moment. The only other compact pickup on the market, the Hyundai Santa Cruz, has a more powerful model, but not one that leans into the drift-racing culture and style born among young enthusiasts tweaking compact cars in the 1990s.
More: Things customers will like about the rugged 2026 Honda Passport SUV – and 1 thing I want
The Lobo is fun and easy to drive on the street, with a satisfying engine note, but it really came to life on a closed course. The steering is direct and predictable and the rear-drive unit allowed controlled drifts through fast curves. The brakes had plenty of stopping power. The specially tuned suspension kept the little pickup stable in extreme maneuvers.
Those characteristics translate to a vehicle that's distinctive, yet easy to drive in heavy city traffic and on twisting mountain roads.
Other Mavericks added features for 2025. Most notably, the popular hybrid model now offers all-wheel drive, a feature sure to win new buyers.
Other significant changes:
Adaptive cruise control on Lariat and Tremor trim levels.
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist for connecting to trailers.
Pro Trailer Pro Backup Assist for reversing with trailers.
Surround view cameras.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
13.2-inch touch screen
5G modem
Automatic front braking
Automatic high beams
Lane keeping assist
I liked everything about the Lobo, but that doesn't mean I don't want more. Ford has left itself plenty of room to do an even more powerful and sporty model that delves even deeper into the Focus ST or RS's bag of tricks.
There's room at the other end of the price range, too. Tuner street trucks are young people's vehicles, but the near-$37K base price after adding destination charges is out of most of their reach. Delete some of the Lobo's creature comforts, christen the little wolf the Maverick Coyote, and a legend is born.
The 2025 Maverick Lobo is fun to drive, with styling credibility that will wear well on the streets. So will its retuned driveline and suspension. Combine that with the Maverick's practical five-seat interior and 54-inch bed, and the Lobo feels like a perfect fit for a lot of buyers who never considered a pickup before.
All-wheel-drive, five-seat compact pickup
Base price: $35,255 (All prices exclude $1,450 destination charge.)
On sale now
Price as tested: $40,750 (excluding import tariffs and $1,595 destination charge)
Engine: 2.0L turbocharge four-cylinder
Power: 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 277pound-feet of torque @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
EPA estimated fuel economy: 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 combined. Premium fuel for rated power output
Wheelbase: 121.1 inches
Length: 200.9 inches
Width: 72.4 inches (83.5 including mirrors)
Height: 67.7 inches
Ground clearance: 7.4 inches
Passenger volume: 102.5 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 2,000 pounds
Curb weight: 3,814 pounds
Assembled in Hermosillo, Mexico
(This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy supplied by a source.)
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo reinvents compact sport truck: Price, features
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