2025 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD Evaluation & Check Drive : Automotive Addicts

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On the planet of pickup vans, America holds a particular place in its coronary heart that’s deep-rooted within the primary fundamentals and tradition. As such, producers like Ford have wised as much as customers wanting extra types of pickup vans far exterior of simply the numerous trim ranges of a particular truck. That’s a part of the explanation Ford has the compact-sized Maverick—now with a sporty model dubbed Lobo.

The brand new Ford Maverick Lobo brings in a sporty tackle the smallish truck and performs somewhat for reminiscent of the modified mini vans of many many years in the past. Nevertheless, the Maverick Lobo doesn’t do a lot to vary up its precise efficiency however as a substitute dials up the seems, giving consumers one thing they don’t must essentially modify themselves to look “cool.” And sure, “cool,” it does look as if there’s considerably of a menacing look with the reworked entrance facia and grille that every one observe a theme into the distinctive turbofan-like black painted wheels and barely lowered suspension.

The brand new Ford Maverick Lobo doesn’t essentially get extra energy, however it does get a distinct transmission, one which’s taken from the elements bin from Ford throughout the pond with seven gears as a substitute of the 8-speed computerized that you’d usually get. Energy remains to be delivered by the welcomed 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which has a very good midrange energy band and a good grunt of torque. The 250 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque do properly to scoot the small truck together with some authority, firing clean shifts by way of the 7-speed computerized transmission to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 6.1 seconds. There’s little or no turbo lag, and it rides excellently for a “truck.” The usual all-wheel-drive setup with a front-wheel drive bias is generally seamless in its means to grapple on the pavement. Nevertheless, the limiting issue stays to be the tires if you put the Maverick Lobo into turns – the 225/55R19 Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT tires simply don’t reduce it for avenue thrills. Nevertheless, the tires stay to be principally civil till you push issues onerous into corners or carry out ABS-lock-impending stops.

Positive, the Maverick Lobo has a little bit of a foolish components as a ‘avenue truck,’ however somebody’s going to love it, and I admittingly get pleasure from the way it seems and inevitably turns heads because it’s fairly distinctive. Ford is aware of they didn’t make a mistake with the Maverick Lobo, and there’s not a lot to compete with such a truck aside from the Hyundai Santa Cruz. You might not be capable to tow a lot as you’re restricted to 2,000 kilos and to about 1,045 kilos for hauling. Nevertheless, there’s a cheek form of specialness to such a car that somebody can be proud to drive as a each day commuter and have the flexibility of some utility with a small, spray-lined mattress, distinctive seems, and truck kind.

Having the small truck kind has different advantages within the space of effectivity because the Maverick Lobo matches its EPA gasoline financial system estimates of 21 mpg metropolis, 30 mpg freeway, and 24 mpg mixed – all in the actual world. Whereas that’s down from the Maverick Hybrid, there’s much more to understand within the conventional gas-powered drivetrain, AWD, and its glorious journey high quality. The cruising vary is about 495 miles on the freeway because of a 16.5-gallon gasoline tank that you may basically burn Common unleaded gasoline as Premium is just beneficial for max efficiency.

Contained in the Maverick Lobo is the most effective that you may get out of the brand new Maverick with a bigger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi (and USB-connected) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi smartphone charger, and accented Grabber Blue and Electrical Lime inside stitching and Lobo logos on the ActiveX trimmed entrance heated seats (8-way energy driver’s seat/6-way handbook passenger seat). There’s a surprisingly inviting area for the inside of the Maverick Lobo because the seating areas are principally cozy, and there’s loads of adjustability within the entrance seats to discover a good driving place for many – even myself at 6 ft 3 inches tall.

You get all of the anticipated energetic security options along with a digital driver’s gauge cluster that’s considerably configurable to show fascinating car data. One welcomed security characteristic is the 360-degree digital camera system, which turns into useful for many even with the Maverick being on the smaller spectrum. The onerous plastics play properly to not look overly low-cost as there’s a restricted quantity of accent colours and mushy surfaces in simply the fitting locations to your arm relaxation on the door trim.

Regardless of some anticipated criticism of the silliness of the Maverick Lobo, there’s lots to understand in a quite distinctive and infrequently head-turning ‘small’ package deal. Furthermore, pricing retains with its dimension – small – beginning at $40,750 and testing out on my assessment car at $42,345, which features a $1,595 vacation spot and supply cost.

Malcolm Hogan is the founder and editor of Automotive Addicts, a trusted voice within the automotive media world for over twenty years. With 20+ years of hands-on expertise overlaying the trade, Malcolm has constructed a repute for delivering sincere evaluations, sharp insights, and in-depth protection of every part from new automobile debuts to high-performance take a look at drives. Passionate in regards to the evolving automobile tradition and staying forward of the curve, Malcolm continues to steer Automotive Addicts as a go-to vacation spot for lovers and trade insiders alike.