It may be the smallest pickup in Ford’s North American line-up but the Maverick has been a big success since its launch three years ago. And Ford hopes to keep the momentum going with the 2025 update of the compact truck by adding an all-wheel-drive version of the Maverick hybrid, as well as an assortment of new tech features.
The 2025 Ford Maverick retains the features that helped it click with buyers initially, including a 1,500-pound payload rating for both the hybrid and EcoBoost engines..
It’s a good thing Ford didn’t listen to conventional wisdom. Otherwise, it never would have introduced the Maverick pickup for the 2022 model-year. Instead, it now dominates the small but growing compact truck market, U.S. motorists purchasing 94,000 Mavericks last year alone.
The challenge for Ford is to keep the momentum building and it hopes to do so with an unusual extensive array of mid-cycle updates. That includes the usual exterior styling tweaks and some welcome new tech features. But the big draw is likely to be a first-time all-wheel-drive version of Maverick’s hybrid drivetrain.
Powertrain upgrades
Maverick’s initial timing was fortuitous for Ford, demand for hybrids growing at an almost exponential rate over the last few years. It helped that the compact pickup’s gas-electric drivetrain also happened to come standard. For 2025, the hybrid remains the most affordable powertrain option. But it gets a significant update, buyers now being offered an all-wheel-drive package, rather than the original front-wheel-drive layout.
The big news for 2025 is the addition of an all-wheel-drive option for the Maverick hybrid.
The powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter gas engine with an electric motor drawing power from a 1.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. As before, the hybrid turns out a solid 191 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. In both FWD and AWD configurations, power is channeled through a continuously variable transmission.
We’ll have to wait a bit for final EPA mileage ratings but the AWD hybrid is expected to fall just short of the 42 mpg city, 33 highway and 37 combined the 2024 FWD hybrid delivered.
Enhanced towing
Not only is there a new AWD version of the Maverick hybrid but towing capacity for the gas-electric powertrain – both front- and all-wheel-drive — jumps to 2,000 pounds for 2025, the same as Maverick’s optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo powertrain. That package delivers aa peppier 238 hp and 277 lb-ft.
The 2025 Maverick adds features meant to make towing easy, including Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Back Up Assist.
Another plus: the 2025 Maverick will be offered with several tech features first introduced on the full-size F-150 designed to make pros out of folks who may never have towed before.
The optional Pro Trailer Hitch Assist system “helps take the frustration out of hitching a trailer. It works by using the rear camera and corner radars to align the hitch with the trailer coupler while simultaneously controlling the truck’s speed, steering, and braking to stop at just the right place.” Ford explains.
Once the trailer is hitched up, the Pro Trailer Backup Assist simplifies the process of maneuvering a trailer or RV. A knob on the instrument panel is used to aim a trailer where you want it to go, taking the guesswork out of the process.
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Each 2025 Ford Maverick trim gets a unique grille and fascia. The new Lariat edition is shown here.
Design updates
As you’d expect of a mid-cycle update, the 2025 Ford Maverick gets a handful of exterior and interior tweaks. Premium models, such as the Tremor, now get LED exterior lighting, for example. And there are new 19” wheel options.
There are new bumpers and redesigned grilles – plural — chief exterior designer Josh Blundo explaining that “There’s more differentiation between trims” with the 2025 model year.
Buyers also can opt for a new Black Package featuring its a black roof, black Ford badges, and 19-inch gloss black wheels, as well as its own grille design.
Tech upgrades
All versions of the 2025 Ford Maverick upgrade to 13.2-inch touchscreens, as well as a digital instrument cluster.
From a visual perspective, the biggest change in the cabin can be seen on the instrument panel where the old 8-inch infotainment screen has been replaced by a 13.2-inch touchscreen.
The latest infotainment system, Sync 4, features both Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. And connectivity gets a boost as Maverick upgrades to a 5G LTE cellular connection to power the infotainment system and the truck’s built-in WiFi hotspot.
The new tech features also include a 360-degree birds-eye view display standard on the Tremor trim. As with the current version of the top-line model, the 2025 upgrade features an EV-like One-Pedal driving mode.
All versions of the Maverick now jump up to a 5G LTE cellular connection with onboard WiFi to improve connectivity and streaming speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as does the latest Ford Sync 4 infotainment system.
Upgraded functionality
With a saw and some lumber a handy owner can create shelves for the Maverick cargo bed.
As before, Maverick offers a number of features geared to the do-it-yourselfer. Among other things, the cargo bed can be configured with shelves using cut 2×4 lumber.
The bed also can be equipped with both 12 and 120-volt outlets.
And the “Flexbed” can be outfitted with a bed extender the makes it easier to load in oversized cargo. The multi-position tailgate also makes it easier to carry oversized goods, like lumber or kayaks.
Pricing and Availability
Though production isn’t set to begin until this coming autumn, Ford will begin taking orders on August 1.
Expect to see the first of the 2025 Mavericks reach U.S. showrooms before the end of the year.
As for pricing, the base XLT with a front-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain starts at $26,295 for the base front-wheel-drive hybrid model. Add $1,595 for delivery fees on all 2025 Mavericks.
Every now and then Ford really does have a better idea.
Too bad what Maverick adds to the bottom line doesn’t match what the EVs take away.