Ford’s Maverick Lobo dials up the fun factor with European-inspired performance and styling that’s both practical and distinctive
The Ford Maverick Lobo offers Canadians a truck that’s fun to drive and easy to live with.
Ford’s Maverick Lobo is a small truck with big attitude. With street-ready styling, sport-tuned performance and a price well below most full-size pickups, the Lobo transforms the practical Maverick into a head-turner that’s as fun to drive as it is affordable.
The Maverick has already proven its worth in the Canadian market since launching in 2022. It gave buyers a new option: a compact pickup that’s easy to park, efficient, and priced thousands below full-size alternatives. The Lobo takes that winning formula and dials up the personality.
As Ford puts it, “Inspired by the lowered truck era of the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, the Maverick Lobo is a new canvas for modern street truck builds.” The Lobo sits lower than other Mavericks and features a unique front grille, painted rear bumper and flat wheel covers. It looks ready for the track, not the job site—and that’s the point.
The Maverick’s success reflects a growing demand among Canadians for smaller, more affordable trucks that still offer everyday utility. With fuel prices high and urban parking tight, the appeal of a compact, capable pickup has never been stronger.
It’s not just appearance, either. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine pushing 250 horsepower. What sets the Lobo apart is its seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters—borrowed from Ford’s European Focus ST hot hatch—along with sharper steering and performance-tuned brakes. Ford says this truck is “designed to deliver on-track performance with spirited handling,” thanks to performance-tuned steering and brakes. The result is a compact pickup that handles more like a sport sedan than a utility vehicle.
Fuel economy isn’t its strongest suit, however. Natural Resources Canada rates it at 11.2 litres per 100 km in the city and 7.8 on the highway. That’s well above the Maverick hybrid’s 5.6 and 6.7 figures, but this version of the truck isn’t about squeezing every kilometre from a litre of fuel—it’s about enjoying the drive.
The interior backs up the bold exterior. My test vehicle came finished in Velocity Blue, with a black interior featuring blue accents on the dash, vents and doors. Lime green and blue stitching on the seats and console add to the sporty feel. It’s fun, not fussy.
All Mavericks are crew cabs with four full-sized doors and a proper back seat, making them practical for families or adults riding in the back. Each also comes with a 4.5-foot bed, offering enough room to carry bikes, camping gear or weekend project materials. At just over five metres long, the Lobo is easy to park and manoeuvre, especially compared to full-size pickups like the F-150.
Price is a key strength. The Lobo starts at $44,295—still well under most full-size trucks, which can easily top $70,000. The well-equipped test model landed at $50,095. That’s competitive with other compact SUVs and significantly lower than most full-size pickups.
Inside, the cabin feels modern and well-built. A large 13.2-inch touchscreen dominates the centre console, while an eight-inch display sits in front of the driver. Storage is smartly arranged, with extra space under the flip-up rear seat.
But not everything hits the mark. The touchscreen controls can be frustrating. Adjusting the temperature or fan speed means tapping tiny icons instead of turning a dial—an unnecessary distraction while driving. Several automakers are already returning to physical controls for these functions, and Ford should take note.
While the 2025 Maverick Lobo has addressed many earlier issues, prospective buyers should still be aware of a few lingering concerns from past models. Previous Mavericks (2022 to 2024) saw occasional brake rotor wear around 50,000 kilometres, minor infotainment glitches and some cosmetic issues such as wheel-well paint chipping. These haven’t been widely reported in 2025 models, however, and the updated infotainment system has been praised as faster and more responsive.
Ford has also issued several recalls across recent model years, including for battery failures, software-related tail light problems and rearview camera freezes. A limited 2025 recall affecting the airbag indicator light has also been announced. All fixes are covered by Ford at no cost to the owner. Canadian drivers can check for open recalls using their vehicle identification number on Ford Canada’s website or by contacting their local dealership.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2025 Maverick is expected to offer average reliability, based on data from previous years. That places it in line with most compact trucks and small SUVs on the market.
Still, these concerns are far outweighed by the Lobo’s confident handling, expressive styling and strong value. For first-time truck buyers or downsizers looking for something more fun than functional, the Lobo is a compelling option.
Ford says the Maverick Lobo “stands out from the crowd.” In a market flooded with oversized, overpriced pickups, it absolutely does.
Our verdict
Ford’s Maverick Lobo brings real personality to the compact truck market. It combines sporty styling, solid performance and practical utility in a package that remains reasonably priced. While the touchscreen controls and a few known issues from earlier models deserve attention, the 2025 Lobo’s improvements in tech and driveability make it one of the most distinctive and accessible pickups in Canada.
Dale Johnson is an award-winning author, broadcaster and journalist who has worked in TV, radio, print and online. While the manufacturer provided Dale with a vehicle to test drive, the content of this review was not reviewed or accepted by the manufacturer.
Explore more on Ford, Product review, 2025 car review, Consumer information
The views, opinions, and positions expressed by our columnists and contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of our publication.
Troy Media empowers Canadian community news outlets by providing independent, insightful analysis and commentary. Our mission is to support local media in helping Canadians stay informed and engaged by delivering reliable content that strengthens community connections and deepens understanding across the country.
