Ford Maverick Lobo packs turbo power, torque vectoring and style, but prices start over $48,000.
Its playful, nimble nature and handy bed make it a blast for city chores and weekend runs.
Stiff ride and synthetic engine noise aside, there’s simply nothing else like it on today’s market.

The Ford Maverick has held a special spot on my list of favourite vehicles over the past few years. It all started with my first walkaround experience a few years back, where I gushed about how it represents the return of the compact, no-nonsense truck. Back then, it was the spiritual successor to the old Ranger, a small, affordable pickup that did everything. Those days are long gone. The affordable part that is…

Lobo

For 2025, we meet the Maverick Lobo, a sportier, more aggressive take on this beloved little hauler. When Ford teased it last August, excitement in small truck circles was sky-high. And after spending a week living with it, I can say it delivers… mostly.

Visually, the 2025 Maverick receives a few updates that settle any past comments pertaining to its front end – maybe it was only me. Gone are the awkward oversized headlights of the original, replaced with something sharper. Aiding in the styling department for the Lobo is that this version also rides slightly lower, about a centimetre up front and two out back, on striking 19-inch turbofan wheels and a unique grille. It’s small by truck standards at roughly 5.1 metres long, though that still puts it close to a Kia EV9. My tester came in Oxford White, which, paired with the black roof and trim, looks the business.

Inside, not much has changed from the standard Maverick, save for the Lobo’s unique contrast stitching and logo-embossed seats. The plastics still look a touch nicer than they feel, typical of Ford interiors. Ergonomics are excellent though, with smart storage solutions, good bins, and simple controls. The seats aren’t the plushest but at least you get power lumbar support. The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen is smart and easy to work with thanks to Ford’s own Sync 4.

Boost lives here

The Lobo comes standard with Ford’s 2.0-litre turbo four making 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. Paired with all-wheel drive and a torque-vectoring rear differential, it turns the Maverick into a legitimate little road rocket. The included 7-Speed Quick Shift Transmission, essentially an 8-speed tranny that is programmed to skip second gear, is a willing partner in all types of driving. Ford estimates an average of 9.7 L/100 km, but my reality was closer to 12 L. Blame my excitement.

There’s even a special “Lobo” drive mode that tightens things up, though most of the sport tuning comes baked into the suspension and steering. The trade-off? The ride is firmer than I’d like, but it handles impressively well for a pickup.

Braking is also upgraded with front callipers borrowed from the European Focus ST, adding confidence when pushing through twisty on-ramps, though I did notice a slight delay in the all-wheel drive system kicking in when powering out of corners unless in Lobo or Sport mode. Otherwise, it’s an absolute blast to drive. The intake and turbo noises are genuine, but there’s also a fake engine soundtrack piped through the speakers that you can’t fully disable.

Around town, the Maverick is still brilliant at being a truck. Its bed isn’t huge, but I loaded it with a full set of wheels and some old construction debris with zero drama. Thanks to a low lift-over height, it’s easy on the back, and Ford offers smart options like bed extenders to make the most of the space.

Lotsa $$

Where things start to sting is at the cash register. In Canada, a base hybrid Maverick now starts at about $34,600, and the tested Lobo rings in at nearly $48,000 before freight and other fees with the $6,000 702A package that bundles a moonroof, B&O audio, nav, heated stuff galore. That’s over $50,000 out the door. That’s a lot for what used to be an affordable little truck.

Yet for all the grumbling about cost, the Maverick Lobo is still wildly appealing. There’s really nothing else like it on the market. The Hyundai Santa Cruz isn’t nearly as entertaining, and the more traditional midsize trucks such as the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline are larger, heavier, and serve a slightly different buyer. The Maverick remains unique, which is part of its charm.

If it were my money? I’d likely skip the Lobo and spec a Tremor instead, or maybe the new AWD hybrid XLT, even if that means sacrificing the off-road FX4 package. Still, I can’t deny how much I enjoyed ripping around in the Lobo. It’s pricey, sure, but for those who want a compact truck that doesn’t shy away from acting like a hot hatch, this is it.