The Ford Maverick Hybrid truck is one of the most surprisingly capable vehicles you can buy in 2026, and it's not even close. This compact hybrid pickup doesn't have a monster engine or an exotic price tag, but it more than holds its own where it counts. Craig Cole digs into the clever FlexBed, the refined interior, and the real-world fuel economy that genuinely turns heads, then stacks the Maverick up against its closest rivals, the Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Cruz, to see whether this little Ford's value case holds up under scrutiny. Spoiler: it does, with only a handful of minor caveats worth knowing about before you buy. 👉 Check out our Buyer’s Guide at https://apps.greencars.com/buyers-guide 🔔 Subscribe for luxury EV reviews, performance tests, and more Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:42 Exterior & Overview 1:43 The FlexBed 3:48 Interior & Technology 5:49 How It Compares 8:12 Driving Impressions 9:15 Handling, Braking & Driver Aids 10:37 Pros & Cons 11:19 Conclusions #Ford #Hybrid #Truck
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The only thing I dislike about the current Maverick is the touch screen stuff. Please go back to dials and buttons. Otherwise, these are great trucks.
I think this is one of the few if not only EV focused channels that actually covers HEVs
It’s amazing they don’t sell even more. This and a minivan are the two most practical vehicles for 99% of families.
I have a 2025 AWD Hybrid Lariat with the 4K tow package and couldn't be happier. With the AWD Hybrid, there is no direct competition from any of the other manufacturers (which is mind boggling). Fully agree with your assessments. There are very occasional glitchy electronic display issues (e.g. rarely the "This Trip" feature fails to track what's happening for MPG/miles electric/miles driven) although the main ODO and trip meters continue to function correctly. I also would like physical buttons for the HVAC, but have gotten used to the touchscreen. Love the towing power for my needs and utilitarian features of the truck. I'm averaging 35 MPG over 8K miles so far. I have no regrets. First Ford in a very long time and I'm impressed so far.
I have had my Maverick for 4 years. And have hauled many 4x8 sheets of plywood. I have even hauled 12 foot hardwood lumber by using an adjustable support that goes into the trailer hitch receiver purchased at Harbor Freight. I rarely need the capacity of the 8ft bed of my Ford F250, the Maverick handles almost all of my needs and gets great fuel economy doing it.
Love mine. 100 recommend.
The 4x8 sheet goods trick is excellent. If you put that 2”x6” in the detects it supports the with of the 4x8 sheet of drywall so that it doesn’t sag and crack.
In this day and age it’s about as good of a value as possible. Still though a base XL with zero options is more than I’ve ever spent on a previous vehicle. Despite having quite decent income I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable buying any new vehicle again. Hopefully though stuff like this will prove to be reliable and relatively easy to maintain for those shopping for second/third hand models.
Love mine!
I don't drive enough miles to justify the cost and complexity of a hybrid. I want a simple truck to last 20 years at 5K miles or less per year.
The Maverick is an econobox with a bed. The Ridgeline is basically a mid sized SUV with a bed. They simply aren't remotely comparable when you get down to it.
Ridgeline is better
Sure want one. 🙂
I have the 2023 with the turbo, and I can get 26-28 mpg if I try a little. They didn’t have the AWD hybrid back then. If I were to get a new car, a hybrid AWD version of this would be on the short list.
I love mine - I would have purchased this a LONG time ago if it was available
I bought an early '22 hybrid xlt loaded for MSRP (just over $27,000). 40K on it now with no issues at all. Love the hell out of it, but it saddens me that I'd have to shell out ten grand more for it today...only three years later. Ugh!
I bought a 2025 Maverick Hybrid and I can get 38 MPG on the Interstate when I set my cruise control at 65 MPH. I regularly see upper 40's while driving to work if I use the EV coach on back roads. The thing that really surprises me is how well it handles pulling 4000 lbs. I use my Maverick around the farm and it handles the work just fine. The short bed took some getting used to but the MPG makes it worth the compromise. I also like the ability to turn off a lot of the annoying nanny features like seat belt alarms, auto high beams and lane assist. If you add the 4k tow to the XL it adds a lot of options for the lowest price.
Hybrids suck, and so do turbos, so I’m going to look at the Ridgeline. It’s way more comfortable to drive and has by far the most reliable motor and… it’s a Honda!
The Maverick may be a wonderful Swiss Army knife of vehicles, but let's not kid ourselves. The truck's base model price has nearly doubled in six years. The point of the Maverick was to be the affordable option for people who wanted a truck, but didn't want a TRUCK. Ford realized the Maverick's popularity and went on attack mode to make it profitable, yet somehow reviewers/influencers are praising it as "the best bang for your buck", when in reality, you're getting banged for your buck. Price increases which used to be $10,000 dealer markups are now being rolled into the price and normalized...and we keep giving in. Sure, we want more for less, but we're accepting less for more. Let those Mavericks sit and lose value, then buy them marked down. If Ford takes them away citing "lost interest due to market cooling", they're really saying "we aren't raking in profits, so let's take consumer choice away," which should never be an option in a consumer driven market.
I bought a 2025 Hybrid XLT Maverick last year and I've got nothin but praise for it, I don't want a big truck.... They're annoying to drive, and I want something that isn't going to kill me on Gas, I don't haul a lot of stuff, I don't even tow, I just need something to transport like couches and bed every now and again... Basically i'm not doing anything crazy with it, If you're like me.. This is literally the perfect truck. Also the Milage on this thing is insane if you drive anywhere in the city... like 50+ MPG