Being a current owner of a sport compact hatchback and always having had a taste for this segment, I search for something small, sporty, and fairly priced when shopping for a new car. This week, Ford loaned me the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo, the sportiest version of their compact pickup truck, for review and test.
The Lobo meets nearly all of my requirements but has a price tag of almost $43,000 which includes its destination charges. This price tag places 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo ABOVE Subaru WRX, Hyundai Elantra N, Toyota GR Corolla, Golf GTI, Golf R, and the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Premium.
Pricing Considerations
The Ford Maverick Lobo, while an unusual and hip choice, can be difficult to sell unless you want something sporty with a pickup bed that you can drive daily. But if you’re willing to shell out extra for these features and don’t mind giving up some performance relative to other cars at this price point, it might be an excellent option. During the last week with the Maverick, I’ve come up with a list of likes and dislikes that I’ll work through in this review.
Likes
Styling and Appearance
The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo do have fresh styling on the outside as well as inside. The Lobo goes one step above with gloss black and body color trim to differentiate it from the rest of the model lineup. The outside is also detailed with distinctive gloss black and body-colored trim pieces, which are my personal preference over matte black plastic. The black outside of the Lobo makes it slightly more difficult to see the distinctive pieces, but on other colors of outside, the gloss black grill and body-colored details truly pop.
Inside, the Lobo feels little dark with navy blue and black interior with distinctive lighter blue and yellow stitching accents and the Lobo logo stamped into the seatbacks. Overall this feels and look good in exterior & interior so we count it as an like.
Performance Enhancements
2025 Ford Maverick Lobo has 2.0L turbo engine which i feel more than enough to do extraordinary tasks. This has horsepower of 250 and torque of 277 lb-ft which feels extraordinary.
These include firmer suspension spring rates, rebalanced dampers, a dropped ride height, special wheel and tire options, and a rear Bronco Sport off-road model differential. On top of that, the Lobo also has an available track-only drive mode and Focus ST brakes, as well as improved engine and transmission cooling. A seven-speed quick-shift transmission is also added, offering improved gear ratios for performance driving.
Utilitarian Aspects
We have to admire the utilitarian styling of 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo which offers four-and-a-half-foot bed which is integrated with storage and great payload space. It gives 400W 120-volt power outlet, and LED bed lighting along with tie-down points which further enhances its utility capability.
Power Rear Sliding Window
A power rear sliding window, as part of the high equipment package, is a highlight among features of the Maverick Lobo. It’s extremely convenient to use on a daily basis and provides better ventilation without buffeting. Ford makes this feature standard on its truck lines, and it adds much to the driving experience.
Audio Controls
The audio controls on the Maverick Lobo are yet another feature I like. The steering wheel buttons and volume knob provide for coarse volume adjustments, so it is simpler and more intuitive to operate than in other vehicles with more precise volume control.
Automatic Windows
All four Maverick windows are automatic up and down, a luxury feature for small cars. It is particularly useful for everyday driving and yet another example of Ford’s focus on functionality.
Pro Trailer Assist
The Pro Trailer Assist helps you to give direction to the back trailer and makes it easier for towing.
Dislikes
Volume Knob Placement
We have seen multiple pros or good things of 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo but there are few things i dislike about it which are as follows. first is where the volume knob is given it is far on the passenger side make it hard to reach while driving and it can significantly disturbing.
Rear Sliding Window Button Location
I personally find the placing of rear sliding button is not ideal. it has same issue like volume knob very uncomfortable to reach and get their. it should have been given next to sunroof button.
Center Console Design
I am not impressed with the design of center console which pinched my fingers when shutting. i dont know why but you should consider checking this system before buying it.
Sync 4 Infotainment System
New 13.2-inch infotainment screen could have been more refined. I find annoying is the temperature slider which comes every time unnecessarily when adjusting temperature. While i feel this will be fixed in upcoming UI updates.
Seating Position and Interior Design
Yes, 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo features upright seating position that is good for ergonomic but may not be ideal for sporty driving. The Lobo version would benefit from a lower seating position but take a test drive before making any choice about it.
Build Quality
At the $40,000+ level, the Maverick’s build quality falters. Plasticky rattles on the door panels and trim components, along with problems with the audio system, take away from the high-end experience. The driver’s side window also fails to roll all the way down, leaving an unattractive gap, which wasn’t a problem on the 2024 model.
Underseat Storage
The Maverick underseat storage is a bonus with more room than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. But that the seat needs to be flipped up completely to access it is a drawback. This configuration has you requiring people in the back to move if they’re sitting on the bench, which isn’t great.
