2025 Ford Maverick Lobo: The Good Times Go Fast Small Truck We’ve Been Waiting For

Point the wheel east heading out of San Diego, get off of the interstate as soon as you’re able, and chances are good that a wonderful driving road will rise to meet your tires. The roads that curve through the expansive Cleveland National Forest are frequently used by automakers for new car test drive programs, and for good reason. Proximity to San Diego, good weather, and tremendously varied driving environments like this aren’t found just anywhere (though the combination is easier to come by in the Golden Bear State).

Over the years I’ve been on the likes of Otay Lakes and Campo Roads more times than I can count, but it’s hard to remember a time when I had so much fun blasting through the twisties in a pickup truck. In fact, I’m pretty certain that – in about 19 years of doing this – I’ve never reviewed a vehicle quite like this 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo.

Extending A Good Idea

The updated

builds on what’s been a successful small truck formula for the automaker since 2021. For the most part, the updates follow the typical mid-cycle-refresh pattern of more content and capability: a big increase in towing capacity (up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped, a big new 13.2-inch touchscreen to display the newly available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, revamped exterior styling, etc.

But Ford has also added an all-wheel-drive option for the Maverick Hybrid that seems destined to be extremely popular, and a deeply interesting “street performance” variant called Lobo. I’ll be sure to cover the

in greater detail later on, but for reasons that might be obvious (it’s awesome) my focus for this review is the unexpected Maverick Lobo.

What Is This Puppy?

The heart of the beast is Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder; developing 250 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque to deliver to all four wheels. In the case of my Velocity Blue test truck the wheels in question are a set of what Ford calls “turbofan-style” 19-inchers that I adore, but buyers can also opt for a slightly more traditional split six-spoke if they don’t like the monoblock look. Lobos also stand out from the pack by way of a menacing convex grille in gloss black, and some subtle badging on the front fenders.

But looking cool doesn’t help one to enjoy a canyon road. Thankfully, Ford has also done some magic to make the performance variant’s driving chops match its look. The Lobo has a retuned suspension with stiffer shocks, lowered ride height (down 1.12 inches compared to the standard Mav), more powerful brakes, and a revamped steering tune.

And, because it’s 2025, there’s also a new drive mode that truly sets the Maverick Lobo apart from the rest of the line…

Become The Wolf

Ford has developed a “Lobo Mode” for its street truck, being quick to underline that it is intended for tracks or closed courses (virtually ensuring that new owners will engage it every time they hop on the freeway). I don’t typically get excited about drive modes, but in this case the setting really does transform the character of the Maverick from buttoned up and sporty to just shy of a drift-seeking missile.

Lobo mode engages the truck’s torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system by sending more power to the outside wheel in a cornering situation, while also loosening up the reigns on the stability control for more rapid changes of direction. After making it into the corner, the torque shifts to the outside wheel on corner exit to help you power out with a quickness.

The team set up an autocross course (closed, natch) to help demonstrate, and the result was a far better-handling vehicle that should be available with a truck bed out back.

Maybe the biggest proof point: While lots of journalists did the autocross course once and carried on with lunch, I was entertained enough to keep running until the staff told me to stop. Whether or not you plan to drive your Maverick this way, it sure is cool to have some go-fast capacity to match those street truck looks.

Exterior Dimensions

Good Times On Great Roads

Performance on the autocross was no doubt impressive, but Lobo drivers are going to appreciate the tuning in regular on-road diving, as well.

Back in the canyons with Sport mode selected, I was impressed with the truck’s responsive steering, with a lively turn-in character even on tightly wound roads, and a lot more road feel than you’d expect from this vehicle class. (I’ll add that even the Maverick Hybrid AWD was a lot more fun on a back road than anyone would expect).

While the 2.0T powertrain doesn’t overwhelm you with acceleration in the era of EVs, a curb weight of just over 3,800 pounds allows the EcoBoost to feel punchy, at least.

It’s also fair to point out that Ford had my Lobo shod in all-season rubber (presumably as-standard). Anyone who puts a set of performance tires on this truck will be rewarded – the Lobo feels like a great platform for continued improvement if that’s your jam.

Fierce (But Housebroken)

The biggest change to the 2025 Maverick cabin is the aforementioned 13.2-in touchscreen infotainment display and the addition of wireless charging and phone-mirroring tech. Ford’s SYNC 4 operating system and an upgraded 5G modem ensure a hassle-free human-machine interface; I had zero issues pairing my phone or using any of the baked-in connectivity.

The Lobo has a trim-specific cabin that includes blue accents on the door handles, vents, and a collection of cubbies under the central IP. The seats are embossed with a cool Lobo logo and framed with yellow and blue stitching for a pop of color.

I do wish that Ford had spent the money for some deeper side and back bolsters for the model, rather than just the styling change, as the flat front seats are not at all up to the experience offered by the rest of this package.

But those are minor complaints. For 99% of driving people will appreciate the smooth ride quality, quiet cabin, and highway poise that Maverick and Maverick Lobo both offer. The trick of this unibody small truck platform has always been that it feels very much like driving a car, despite the handy truck bed out back.

Interior Dimensions

Empty Competitive Set

There’s no direct competition for the Maverick Lobo in the U.S. market; the Hyundai Santa Cruz Limited, with its 281-hp 2.5T engine and AWD comes closest, but it is really different to drive (quick but far less engaging) and a lot more expensive. Where the turbo’d Hyundai retails for around $43K (or a few thousand lower for the off-road focused XRT with the same engine), the Maverick Lobo starts at $36,850 with destination fee.

The Santa Cruz is the only truck in this size class, but the real cross-shop for Lobo could be anything from a Honda Civic Si to a Toyota GR Corolla to a Subaru WRX. There are plenty of fun-to-drive machines in the mid $30K to low $40K range, in other words, but only one with a truck bed out back and the utility to do a little towing, hauling, and the like.

The

doubles down on the formula that has made the truck a success since day one. Practical, cleverly designed, and frugal, the Mav is a right-sized vehicle for many folks who wouldn’t otherwise even sniff a truck purchase. The Maverick Lobo really extends the goodness of the model then, opening the audience up to a performance truck fanbase that has been ill-served in recent years.

For hardware store runs, hardcore commuting, and hunting apexes on canyon roads, the Lobo is the badass little truck that does it all.