- Finally! All-wheel-drive is now optional on the hybrid 2025 Ford Maverick pickup
- Even better, it turns out towing for that configuration can reach 4,000 pounds
- Also in store for model-year 2025: a bigger infotainment screen and other new tech
Ford hit a home run with the Maverick when it appeared in 2021, proving a compact pickup with a right-sized bed is all the truck most people really need. It didn’t hurt that Ford baked in numerous “real truck” features into the Maverick, such as a trailer brake controller; and options permitting some configurations to haul 4,000 pounds.
You’d almost think the Blue Oval was a leader in the pickup truck space, or something.
Listening to customer demand, Ford has made some significant tweaks to the Maverick for this upcoming 2025 model year — including adding to its roster the much-sought-after combination of all-wheel-drive and a hybrid powertrain. That configuration will be available on XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, which is great news since some brands make customers front for a pricey trim in order to get desirable powertrains combos.
Best of all, the all-wheel-drive hybrid can be opted with the 4K Towing Package, doubling hauling prowess to 4,000 pounds, which equals that of a non-hybrid Maverick.
Also new this year is a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen display, which replaces the previous 8.0-inch screen and the little cubby alongside. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now wireless, while a 5G modem permits Wifi capabilities. Taking a page from its F-150 brother is the new availability of a 360-degree camera, which will help urbanites as much as those of us trying to tightly navigate around a tree. Also new this year, the Lariat and Tremor are equipped with intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, and speed-sign recognition.
Styling is tweaked for 2025, with the most obvious change being its colour-keyed bumper now intruding into the headlight area. As with other Ford trucks, grille design will vary across trims, and the Tremor is now its own trim level instead of an option package. New wheel designs round out major exterior changes. Inside, in addition to the new infotainment, look for different trim colours in 2025, such as a Smoke Truffle theme with bronze accents on the Lariat. We also spy the new bright-white Ford logo.
Speaking of towing, Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available – just like on the big guns – which makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob to indicate which direction the trailer should go whilst reversing into a spot. Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is also on hand to save relationships and reduce the amount of yelling 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. Snowflakes and Luddites who decry these tools as “cheating” can turn them all off and stew in silence.
Power numbers remain same as last year, with 191 horses and 155 lb-ft of twist from the 2.5L hybrid; while the 2.0L turbocharged EcoBoost makes 238 ponies and 277 lb-ft torques. The former gets a continuously variable transmission; the latter, an eight-speed automatic. We look forward to seeing how the hybrid reacts to hauling 4,000 pounds with that amount of torque, a sum which doesn’t peak until 4,000 rpm; and a curb weight of 3,674 pounds. And, yes, it remains hecho en México.
Want one? Better get in line. Starting price is $34,500 plus destination, though that is clearly for a base front-driver. Extra pricing details will show up later. The Maverick and Maverick Hybrid are available to order starting August 1, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2025.
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