The Ford Maverick has officially been crowned the 2026 MotorTrend Truck of the Year, proving that a small pickup can outshine bigger and more expensive rivals. After two weeks of tough testing, MotorTrend’s judges found that the refreshed Maverick delivers the best mix of capability, engineering, efficiency, design, value, and safety among this year’s contenders.

This recognition arrives four years after the Maverick first hit the market and nearly won the award in 2022. Since then, the compact truck has become a major success story, with nearly half a million sold, far more than its closest competitor, the Hyundai Santa Cruz. For 2026, Ford made noticeable upgrades to both hardware and software, making the Maverick smarter, stronger, and even more enjoyable to drive.

Built to Do Real Truck Work

One of the biggest reasons the Maverick won is its ability to handle real truck tasks despite its small size. Ford added features normally seen on larger F-Series pickups, including:

• Pro Trailer Hitch Assist – Uses cameras and sensors to guide the truck directly under a trailer hitch.
  
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist – lets the driver steer the trailer with a dashboard knob for easy reversing.
  

These features come standard on Lariat models and are optional on the sporty new Lobo.

Testers successfully towed more than 1,400 pounds of jet skis and noted that the Maverick remained stable even when loaded with 700 pounds of cargo. Off-road, the Maverick surprised judges by handling rough terrain better than expected, especially in Tremor trim, which adds a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires, skidplates, and special drive modes.

Yet most Maverick owners spend more time commuting than towing, and that’s where this truck’s crossover-based architecture shines. Even with its tougher upgrades, the Maverick still delivers a smooth, controlled ride that rivals many small SUVs. And for those who love fun behind the wheel, the Lobo model offers rear-axle tuning that encourages spirited driving on dirt or pavement.

Engineering Done Right

MotorTrend praised Ford’s clever engineering, especially how much space the Maverick offers in such a small footprint. Surprisingly, it provides more rear-seat headroom and legroom than the larger Toyota Tacoma, and nearly the same bed capacity despite being a foot shorter.

The hybrid all-wheel-drive system was strengthened to allow a 4,000-pound tow rating, impressive for a compact pickup. Ford added upgraded cooling components to help the hybrid powertrain handle tough conditions.

Small but smart touches also stood out. For example, if you shut the truck off in Tow/Haul mode, it will ask whether you want to resume that mode when restarting, something the judges appreciated.

Refreshed Design, Inside and Out

Ford didn’t radically change the Maverick’s look, but the midcycle update brings cleaner styling and new grilles that better match the rest of the Ford truck family. The Lobo model, with its body-color fascia, black roof, and low, sporty stance, adds a fresh street-truck vibe to the lineup.

Inside, the Maverick continues to impress with smart use of textures and creative design that make hard plastics look upscale. The digital instrument cluster is new, though some testers preferred the old analog gauges. Ford also updated interior colors and stitching, with the Lobo sporting unique blue and yellow accents. See more Photos

Efficiency That Leads the Class

The Maverick Hybrid remains the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered pickup in America, earning up to:

• 42 mpg city
  
• 35 mpg highway
  
• 38 mpg combined
  

Even the turbocharged EcoBoost models deliver up to 30 mpg highway, making the Maverick far more efficient than most trucks on the road. MotorTrend’s long-term testing of a hybrid Maverick proved these numbers are realistic, averaging 35.7 mpg over 24,000 miles.

Strong Value for 2026

Ford has slightly adjusted pricing for 2026, but the Maverick still delivers major value. Highlights include:

• The new front-wheel-drive EcoBoost model is now priced $1,000 below the Hybrid.
  
• All-wheel-drive EcoBoost is now priced the same as the Hybrid FWD model.
  
• Fully loaded Hybrid Mavericks still cost about $5,000 less than the average new car in the U.S.
  

Operating costs also stay low, with previous long-term tests showing fuel and maintenance costs far below those of full-size trucks.

Safety Ratings

The Maverick includes standard safety tech such as automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, and seven airbags. It earns strong crash scores from NHTSA, with excellent front and side-impact ratings. A slightly lower rollover score keeps it from earning five stars overall, but testers note that the rear seats, used less often in small trucks, are the main area that affects its IIHS rating.

Why It Won Truck of the Year

In the end, MotorTrend’s editors agreed that the Ford Maverick has evolved far beyond its groundbreaking 2022 debut. It’s better to drive, more capable, more versatile, and still incredibly efficient and affordable. And with new models like the Lobo and updated trailside features, Ford has broadened the Maverick’s appeal even further.

MotorTrend summed it up clearly: Americans absolutely will buy a compact, crossover-based pickup if it’s designed and built by truck experts.

Thanks to its smart upgrades and growing popularity, the Ford Maverick now stands proudly as the 2026 MotorTrend Truck of the Year.

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