2026 Ford Maverick Review
Our automotive expert shares opinions and new photos of the 2026 Maverick.
Perry SternÂ
- Pros: Good storage and hauling capability, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and enjoyable to drive.
- Cons: Slow response from the continuously variable transmission and tight rear-seat space, plus adaptive cruise control is only available on higher trims.
- The Takeaway: Hybrid efficiency and proper pickup truck capability make the compact 2026 Maverick a great alternative to a crossover SUV.
Coming off its best sales year ever, for 2026, Ford's Maverick continues to bring the utility and capability expected of a pickup truck while offering exceptional fuel efficiency from its available hybrid powertrain. With a comfortable, stylish cabin and easy-to-drive nature, the compact Maverick is an excellent choice as a daily driver for the shopper who needs to haul smaller loads and doesn't want the hassle of owning a full-size pickup truck.
What's New for the 2026 Ford Maverick
QuickTake: After a significant refresh in 2025, the Maverick comes into the 2026 model year with only minor changes.
The 2026 Ford Maverick carries over last year's styling updates, but the small truck does get two new color options: Marsh Gray and Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat. Also for 2026, customers once again have the option of a non-hybrid front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant.
Perry Stern
About the 2026 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD Review Vehicle
QuickTake: Multiple trims and a choice of engines add to the Ford Maverick's appeal.
The 2026 Ford Maverick comes in XL, XLT, Lobo, Lariat, and Tremor trim levels, and base prices range from about $29,000 to around $42,000, including the destination charge to ship the truck to a dealership from its Hermosillo, Mexico, assembly plant. All Mavericks come as a four-door crew cab. The Maverick's lower two trims offer FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD), and its upper three trims are exclusively AWD.
For this Maverick review, I test-drove the XLT Hybrid AWD in Dexter, Michigan, outside Detroit. Optional equipment highlights included the Luxury package, Ford's Co-Pilot360, a spray-in bedliner, and bed tie-down locking rails, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to $38,145, including the $1,845 destination charge. Ford provided the vehicle for this Maverick review.
Perry Stern
Design, Quality, and Interior Layout
QuickTake: Simple and straightforward design both inside and out.
While it received an exterior design refresh last year, the compact Maverick doesn't look hugely different from when it arrived for 2022. As the only unibody pickup truck in the Ford lineup, it has a unique look that sets it apart from its larger siblings, the F-150 and Ranger.
The Maverick, an entry-level model in Ford's truck lineup, makes extensive use of hard plastics and basic cloth trim in its cabin. That's not surprising, given its price point, but as I found during my test drive, the interior is so much better than it sounds. The dashboard looks like it was 3D-printed, with surfaces featuring a stylish pattern that gives the truck a clean, upscale look enhanced by the two-tone fabric seat trim.
Controls are simple and intuitive, highlighted by the 13.2-inch central touchscreen display that appears to rest on the dashboard. Climate functions remain static at the bottom of the screen, and while I prefer knobs for adjusting temperature, the controls are easy to use. A separate panel below features a large volume knob and a few buttons for vehicle functions, but otherwise there are almost no physical controls.
Perry Stern
Comfort, Convenience, and Cargo Space
QuickTake: It may be small, but the Ford Maverick delivers impressive versatility and comfort.
Seats in both the front and rear of my test vehicle were not only attractive, with Navy Pier and Aspen Gray two-tone fabric trim and contrasting stitching, but also quite comfortable, thanks to nice bolstering and padding. Admittedly, from what I saw, the rear seats may be short on legroom for taller passengers, but three adults could fit in a pinch.
It would be easy to become a pack rat in the Maverick, given how many storage spaces are in the cabin. In addition to the good-sized cupholders, the center console houses several cubbies ideal for storing smaller items or mobile phones, as well as a sizable bin below the center armrest. Front and rear doors have large bottle holders with door panels shaped to keep drinks in place. Larger items can be stored out of sight in bins under the rear seat, though the hybrid has less space due to its battery placement.
As pickup trucks go, the Maverick's bed is one of the smallest, measuring just 4-feet-5-inches long and 3-feet-6-inches wide. But that's still plenty of space for a trip to the home-improvement store or hauling garden supplies, and it can handle up to 1,500 pounds of payload. With its smaller stature, loading is easy, and you can even reach into the bed from the side.
Multiple tie-downs keep the load secure, and the truck bed features slots for dividers, increasing versatility. Ford also offers add-ons such as a tonneau cover, and even a tent.
Perry Stern
2026 Ford Maverick Infotainment System Review
QuickTake: Easy to use with a large display and straightforward navigation.
All trims of the 2026 Ford Maverick come standard with a bright 13.2-inch touchscreen display running Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system. Also standard is a configurable 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster.
- Standard features include:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- SiriusXM satellite radio with 360L
- Natural voice interface
- AM/FM stereo with six speakers
Optional features include, depending on trim level:
- B&O premium sound system with eight speakers
A number of the new models in the Ford lineup, including the Explorer and Expedition, now use a Google-based infotainment system, but the Maverick hasn't adopted it yet. The SYNC 4 system in the Maverick is relatively basic, but I found the interface clear and easy to navigate, with large icons. While there is no native navigation system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is standard with a wireless connection, which mostly takes care of the issue. My Samsung Galaxy S23+ connected quickly, and I like that Android Auto uses the entire screen.
SYNC 4 comes with a voice interface, activated via the steering wheel button or by saying "Hello, Ford." While I don't find it as advanced as Google Assistant, the voice system worked well enough, and I was able to use it to adjust the cabin temperature, make a phone call, and change the audio source.
Perry Stern
Safety Features and Ratings
QuickTake: The Ford Maverick offers a range of advanced safety tech, depending on trim.
Ford equips every Maverick with basic advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Standard equipment includes:
- Forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Post-collision braking
In addition to those features, my test car added Ford's Co-Pilot360, featuring:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear automatic braking
- Automatic high-beams
- Exit warning
Adaptive cruise control is one of my favorite driving features, especially for long road trips. It's commonly standard on a range of new vehicles, so it was disappointing that, except for the higher trims, the Maverick settles for basic cruise control. However, the rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking proved quite useful when backing out of my driveway onto a busy street, alerting me to an oncoming vehicle I couldn't see and applying the brakes when I didn't slow quickly enough.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has limited crash-test results for the 2026 Maverick, showing a "Marginal" score in the updated moderate overlap front test and the top rating of "Good" in the updated side crash test. Crashworthiness results for the 2026 Maverick were not available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as of publication.
Perry Stern
2026 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid AWD Specs and Fuel Economy
QuickTake:Â The Maverick Hybrid delivers a nice blend of performance and fuel efficiency.
Powering the 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine teamed with an electric motor to produce 191 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard, as is FWD on lower trims; however, my test vehicle included the optional AWD system.
The EPA reports an estimated 39 mpg in combined city and highway driving for the FWD 2026 Maverick Hybrid. Depending on trim, AWD versions return 36 to 37 mpg combined. During my drive in the Ford Maverick, temperatures were in the single digits, and I encountered several snow-covered roads — a typical Michigan winter. These conditions likely contributed to the lower-than-expected 30 mpg on the trip computer. Still, in my experience, 30 mpg isn't bad for an AWD pickup truck.
Whether you choose the hybrid or non-hybrid powertrain, the Maverick can haul up to 1,500 pounds of payload, or, when properly equipped with the available 4K Tow Package, can tow up to 4,000 pounds. Higher trims offer Ford's innovative Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Hitch Assist systems, designed to simplify trailer setup.
Perry Stern
2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid Test Drive
QuickTake: It may be a pickup truck, but the Maverick drives and handles like a compact crossover — that's a good thing.
With 191 horsepower on tap, the Maverick delivers more than adequate performance and never seems to be lacking for power. It gets moving quickly from a stop, though the throttle is less responsive at higher speeds — a common trait with a CVT, I've found. At higher speeds, there was a bit of engine and road noise, but I was still able to carry on a conversation in the cabin without interference.
The hybrid powertrain works quite well, with a seamless transition between the gas engine and electric-only operation. When the drivetrain load is light, the internal-combustion engine will seamlessly shut down and restart when more power is needed. With no tachometer in the gauge cluster, it was almost impossible to tell when the engine was off, though the trip computer showed that after driving almost 200 miles, 26.6 of those were on electric power only.
The little truck handled like a compact crossover SUV rather than a typical pickup. It performed well on my favorite back roads with good steering response and a balanced suspension that kept the ride stable when pushed hard in the corners. The Maverick's AWD system provided excellent traction and proved capable on snowy back roads and in wet weather at highway speeds. With almost no noticeable wheel slip, the Maverick delivered a confident disposition in the slick driving conditions.
Perry Stern
Alternatives to the 2026 Ford Maverick
QuickTake: The Ford Maverick is a unique offering in today's truck market.
It's not often that a car company offers a vehicle with almost no direct competition, but if you're looking for a compact pickup truck with impressive versatility and a fuel-efficient hybrid drivetrain, the Ford Maverick is an obvious pick. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is the closest competitor to the Maverick. While the Hyundai offers a more premium cabin, it isn't available as a hybrid and has a higher starting price. But don't think that the Maverick is popular just because of its limited competition — it truly is a great choice in the pickup truck market.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Perry SternAs a small child, Perry was constantly playing with toy cars and trucks, and that enthusiasm for anything motorized with wheels never faded. After college, he moved to Seattle and began his long automotive career working in an automotive consulting firm, helping customers choose the right vehicle for their needs. In the late 1990s, Perry joined Microsoft to work on CarPoint, part of the new Microsoft Network (MSN). He went on to become editor of the site, remaining on staff for 20 years before venturing out on his own. Today, in addition to his work on Capital One Auto Navigator, he still contributes to MSN, as well as J.D. Power, TrueCar.com, and U.S. News & World Report. Perry lives in the small town of Dexter, Michigan, with his wife and dog, and he still smiles when he sees his 2006 Mazda Miata in the garage.
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