Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD Review: The Affordable Pickup Gets Even Better

Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD

The Ford Maverick Hybrid has been a runaway success since its 2022 debut, and it’s easy to see why. With fuel economy ratings that rival compact cars, the Maverick offers something rare in the truck market: practicality without compromise. For 2025, Ford has addressed the one major complaint customers had: the hybrid is now available with all-wheel drive.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The base XL trim with front-wheel drive starts at $29,840, while all-wheel drive adds $2,220, bringing the price to approximately $32,060. The mid-level XLT tested here costs $34,560 with AWD, and the top-tier Lariat, which comes exclusively with all-wheel drive, is priced at $40,135.

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

The hybrid system remains unchanged from previous years. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine running on the Atkinson cycle with two electric motors and an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). Unlike many hybrid crossovers that use a rear electric motor for all-wheel drive, the Maverick employs a traditional driveshaft connected to a rear differential.

The AWD hybrid achieves an EPA rating of 37 mpg combined, 40 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. In real-world mixed driving, it delivered exactly 37 mpg. The front-wheel drive hybrid is rated at 38 mpg combined, so the efficiency penalty for AWD is minimal.

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Interestingly, there’s no external badging indicating it is a hybrid. The only visual cues are subtle blue accents throughout the interior, including on the air vents and seat stitching.

More significantly, the all-wheel drive system enables higher towing capacity. While the FWD hybrid is rated for 2,000 pounds, a $745 4K tow package boosts the AWD model’s capacity to 4,000 pounds.

Exterior and Cargo Features

Beyond the new powertrain option and a redesigned front end, the 2025 Maverick’s exterior remains largely unchanged. The FlexBed system carries over with multiple attachment points in the walls and floor, a spray-in liner, and a 400-watt power outlet in the XLT trim, along with smaller 12-volt accessory outlets.

Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD bed
(Ford)

The adjustable tailgate supports allow the bed to accommodate long, wide items by creating a flat loading surface between the wheel wells when the tailgate is set half-open.

Interior Space and Comfort

The cabin offers practical storage solutions, including large door pockets for water bottles and fold-up rear seat bottoms with storage compartments underneath. Rear seat space is adequate for a compact truck, though taller passengers may want the front seats moved forward on longer trips. At 6’1″, I found the rear legroom acceptable but not generous with the front seat in my driving position.

Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD interior
(Ford)

For 2025, the center touchscreen has grown from eight inches to 13.2 inches and houses the climate controls, though a physical volume knob and buttons remain below. The XLT features cloth seats, while the Lariat upgrades to synthetic leather.

All-Wheel Drive Performance

The all-wheel drive system proved capable in testing. On a steep gravel incline with all-season tires, the Maverick launched cleanly with no detectable wheel slip. Even with traction control disabled, the system managed power distribution effectively, maintaining composure through uphill turns without understeer or oversteer.

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The standard setup is designed primarily for snow and slippery roads rather than serious off-roading. However, an $800 FX4 package adds all-terrain tires, a retuned suspension, underbody protection, and dedicated drive modes including an off-road setting.

Ride Quality and Handling

Built on the same platform as the Bronco Sport, the Maverick uses a unibody construction with a fully independent suspension in AWD models. The ride quality is decidedly crossover-like. It’s smooth and comfortable without being bouncy. The longer wheelbase compared to the Bronco Sport actually makes it ride even smoother.

Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD towing
(Ford)

The steering feel reinforces the vehicle’s front-wheel-drive roots, and the overall driving experience is nothing like a traditional pickup truck. The XLT includes basic driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure prevention. The Lariat adds Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 package with lane centering and adaptive cruise control.

Range and Practicality

With a 13.8-gallon fuel tank and 37 mpg efficiency, the Maverick offers approximately 510 miles of range between fill-ups—eliminating the range anxiety associated with electric vehicles while still delivering excellent fuel economy.

The Verdict

The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD may be one of the most well-rounded vehicles of any type available today when considering price, capability, and fuel economy. The addition of all-wheel drive addresses the primary shortcoming of the hybrid model without significantly impacting efficiency or cost.

The Maverick lineup is now comprehensive, offering hybrid and turbocharged powertrains across three trim levels, plus specialty models like the off-road Tremor and the street-performance Lobo. Ford is also reintroducing a budget-friendly four-wheel-drive turbo option next year.

Looking further ahead, Ford plans to launch a new electric pickup in 2027 on its Universal Electric Vehicle platform. The vehicle will be similar in size to the Maverick but with a larger cabin, targeting a $30,000 starting price and acceleration comparable to an EcoBoost Mustang. For now, the Maverick Hybrid AWD stands as an exceptional value proposition in the truck market.

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