Review: The Ford Maverick Lobo Really Hauls

Remember “sport trucks”? Popular in the 1980s and 1990s, they were on-road-oriented pickups that were meant to be sporty and fun to drive. Pretty much every manufacturer offered a version. However, this niche pretty much died when Chevrolet axed the S-10 Xtreme in 2004. But, nearly 20 years later, Ford decided to give the sport truck thing a reboot, not with the Ranger, but rather the compact Maverick.

Lobo: The Sporty Maverick

New for 2025, the Maverick Lobo kept everything people liked about the regular AWD Ford Maverick pickup, but added a few sporting features. You get the 250 HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, a seven-speed automatic, AWD, a comfortable and versatile interior, and 1,500 lb. bed capacity. But what makes the Lobo a real wolf in sheep’s clothing?

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CRANKSHAFT CULTURE CHECKLIST

Off-Road Ability (1-5): 2
On-Road Ability (1-5): 4.3
Can You Easily Lift or Lower It: Yes
Would We Drive Cross Country: Absolutely
Would You Drive it to Alaska: In a heartbeat
Aftermarket Support (1-5): 4.5
Spirit Animal: Mexican Wolf: Small, fast, and versatile, it’s an apex predator

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First off, you get great-looking standard 19″ turbofan disc-style wheels. I absolutely love these wheels. This test model came with 225/55R19 Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires (more on that in a minute). There are paddle shifters letting you manually go through all seven gears in the fast-shifting twin-clutch transmission. There is the “track only” Lobo mode, which changes throttle input and driving dynamics, even sending more power to the rear wheels for a sportier driving experience. There is also a Sport mode for the street. And yes, Maverick Lobo has torque-vectoring AWD standard.

Maverick Lobo models get a slightly lowered stance, bigger brakes ala the European Ford Focus ST, and revised dampers for better handling. There’s a bigger radiator for increased cooling, and a different exhaust system that sounds very nice under throttle.

Inside, the Lobo models get unique upholstery, complete with Lobo logos (say that five times fast!). Our top-of-the-line Lobo also got a sunroof and a Bang and Olufsen stereo (which sounded great), as well as heated seats and steering wheel. The interior was less utilitarian than the Maverick XLT Hybrid model I reviewed for Pickup Truck + SUV Talk last year. It was, however, equally comfortable and versatile.

Driving The Ford Maverick Lobo

Driving the Maverick Lobo is a kick in the pants. It’s quick and handles pretty well. But the weak link are those Goodyear Wrangler tires. They are much better for boulevard cruising than canyon carving. If you wrap those awesome 19″ turbofan wheels with stickier rubber, such as Michelin Pilot Sport 4, you’d have a much better handling truck.

Switch into Sport mode, and the throttle response gets noticeably better. Merging is easy, and the truck has plenty of passing power. Lobo mode takes things a step further, making the truck even more wolf-like! Now, it says track-only, so I didn’t get a chance to push it, but I briefly put it into Lobo Mode, and it does make a difference. This truck really hauls. Plus, with a 1,500 lb. payload capacity, it can also haul stuff, not just haul ass.

I drove the Maverick Lobo from Portland to Eugene, OR and back to meet a friend for lunch. It’s a competent and comfortable cruiser, too. There was a bit of road and wind noise, but nothing obnoxious. I’d have no problem taking one on a long-distance road trip. Of course, without a tonneau cover, pickup bed cap, or waterproof luggage, you’re throwing gear in the back seat.

Practical and Sporty

Speaking of, the back seat of this compact pickup is fittingly compact. Taller folks won’t want to spend tons of time back there, but it’s not a torture chamber. You just don’t have scads of legroom.

The Maverick Lobo can still tow, but only up to 4,000 lbs. News flash: If you’re buying a Maverick Lobo for big-time towing duty, you’re buying the wrong truck. But for small trailers, it’ll be just fine. Remember: This is a sport truck, not a work rig.

This pickup was one of those test vehicles I looked forward to driving at every opportunity. Whether it was to the grocery store or halfway across the state, this truck was so fun to drive and very easy to live with. I couldn’t help but think what it’d look like slammed on airbag suspension.

I may have even prompted AI to show me pics. But even at the factory height, the Maverick Lobo looks good. And with the standard AWD, it’d even do well in the snow. Perhaps not as well as a Maverick Tremor, which is the off-road-oriented Maverick, but certainly as well as other AWD vehicles. FYI, the Tremor has 7.4″ of ground clearance, the Maverick Tremor has 9.1″, and a standard gas-powered Maverick has 8.3″.

Right now, all of our vehicles are 4WD or AWD and lifted on BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. So perhaps the lowered Lobo could make a great, sporty daily driver and “stuff” hauler. But Ford has a Maverick for just about any taste, from work truck to track toy to dirt-road adventurer. However, if you want paddle shifters, you’ll need to select the Lobo or the Tremor.

Slower Sales = Deals Aplenty

Frankly, I loved the Lobo. It looks sporty, is quick, versatile, and comfortable. Our 2025 Maverick Lobo had an MSRP of $42,345, which included the $1,595 delivery charge. There aren’t many changes to the 2026 Maverick Lobo, FYI.

According to Auto Spies, the Lobo isn’t selling well, and there are discounts aplenty. Skip some of the niceties, such as the heated seats and steering wheel, moonroof, and other luxuries, and you can get a Lobo for closer to $35,000 before discounts.

Personally, if I were in the market for an AWD, sporty vehicle, I’d consider a Ford Maverick Lobo. The mix of versatility and fun is very well suited to my tastes. I haven’t owned many American cars, the last one being a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. But the Maverick would be the vehicle that’d get me behind the wheel of a Ford again for the first time in a quarter century, and that’s saying something.