Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Ford Maverick Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO SyndicateBest Ford Maverick Model Years (Ranked)
Direct Answer
The Best Overall Ford Maverick is the 2025 Maverick Lariat Hybrid, which finally pairs the efficient 191-hp 2.5-liter hybrid powertrain with available all-wheel drive plus a refreshed interior, a larger touchscreen, and added standard safety tech. The Best Value pick is the 2022 Maverick XLT Hybrid, the launch-year model whose standard 40-plus-mpg hybrid and sub-$25,000 original price made it the cheapest new pickup in America and a strong used buy today.
Because the Maverick only launched for the 2022 model year, this ranking covers every model year and the key powertrain and trim combinations within them to reach ten distinct picks, judged on efficiency, capability, reliability, and value. Every pick lists real engines, horsepower, and model-year facts.
How We Ranked These
We weighed each model year and configuration on fuel efficiency, powertrain and capability, reliability and known issues, value and pricing, tech and safety, and bed and towing usefulness. Sources include Car and Driver, MotorTrend, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, **U.S.
News, Consumer Reports, the IIHS, the EPA, and Ford**. The Maverick's whole appeal is delivering real pickup utility with car-like efficiency at a low price, so the configurations that nail efficiency, capability, and value rank highest.
1. 2025 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Engine: 2.5L hybrid I4, 191 hp, eCVT, FWD or AWD | Best for: Buyers who want efficiency plus all-weather traction
The 2025 Maverick Lariat Hybrid is the most complete Maverick yet. The mid-cycle refresh added a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, and standard driver-assist features, and crucially Ford made all-wheel drive available with the hybrid for the first time.
The 2.5-liter hybrid makes 191 hp and still returns excellent fuel economy around the low-to-mid 30s with AWD. The Lariat adds leather-trimmed seats and the nicest cabin in the lineup. It is the Maverick that fixes the early car's two biggest gaps: a small screen and no hybrid AWD.
Pros:
- Hybrid now available with all-wheel drive
- Larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and digital cluster
- Strong efficiency with the refreshed interior
Cons:
- Higher price than launch-year cars
- Still a unibody, not a heavy-duty hauler
Verdict: The most refined, most flexible Maverick to buy.
2. 2025 Ford Maverick Tremor
Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4, 250 hp, 8-speed auto, AWD | Best for: Light off-road capability and the most power
The 2025 Maverick Tremor pairs the 250-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost with a Tremor off-road package: a 1-inch lift, all-terrain tires, a unique AWD system with a torque-vectoring rear differential, and off-road drive modes. It also gains the refresh's larger screen and tech. It trades the hybrid's efficiency for genuine trail ability and 4,000-pound towing with the tow package, making it the capability pick.
Pros:
- 250-hp EcoBoost with torque-vectoring AWD
- 1-inch lift and all-terrain tires
- 4,000-lb towing with tow package
Cons:
- Far thirstier than the hybrid
- Premium pricing
Verdict: The capability-focused Maverick.
3. 2024 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid
Engine: 2.5L hybrid I4, 191 hp, eCVT, FWD | Best for: Efficient daily hauling at a used-car price
The 2024 Maverick XLT Hybrid carries the efficient hybrid powertrain with the pre-refresh interior, which means a smaller 8-inch screen but a lower used price than the 2025. It returns roughly 42 mpg city in front-drive form and includes the clever FLEXBED with its built-in slots and tie-downs.
Early reliability for the hybrid has been solid, and it is the cheaper way into a low-mileage hybrid Maverick.
Pros:
- Around 42 mpg city in FWD hybrid form
- Clever FLEXBED utility
- Lower price than refreshed 2025 cars
Cons:
- Smaller 8-inch screen
- Hybrid was FWD-only this year
Verdict: An efficient used hybrid value.
4. 2022 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid 💎 BEST VALUE
Engine: 2.5L hybrid I4, 191 hp, eCVT, FWD | Best for: Maximum value with class-leading efficiency
The 2022 Maverick XLT Hybrid was the launch year and a genuine bargain, originally the cheapest new pickup in America with a standard hybrid rated around 42 mpg city. Used examples now offer that efficiency, the FLEXBED, and a usable crew cab at a low price. As a first-year model it had a few recalls Ford has addressed, but it remains the value champion of the lineup.
Pros:
- Standard hybrid near 42 mpg city
- Lowest used pricing in the lineup
- Practical crew cab and FLEXBED
Cons:
- First-year recalls to verify as completed
- FWD hybrid only
Verdict: The best money in the Maverick range.
5. 2023 Ford Maverick Lariat EcoBoost AWD
Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4, 250 hp, 8-speed auto, AWD | Best for: Power and towing with all-wheel drive
The 2023 Maverick Lariat EcoBoost with the 4K Tow Package can tow up to 4,000 pounds, double the hybrid's capacity, and its 250-hp turbo makes it genuinely quick. With available all-wheel drive, it handles weather and light trails better than the FWD hybrid. It is the choice for buyers who need to tow or want more performance from a used Maverick.
Pros:
- 250-hp EcoBoost with available AWD
- Up to 4,000-lb towing
- Quicker than the hybrid
Cons:
- Worse fuel economy than the hybrid
- Tow capacity needs the right package
Verdict: The towing-and-power used pick.
6. 2023 Ford Maverick Tremor
Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4, 250 hp, 8-speed auto, AWD | Best for: Off-road ability before the refresh
The 2023 Maverick Tremor introduced the off-road package with the lift, all-terrain tires, and torque-vectoring AWD. It delivers the same trail capability as the later Tremor at a used-car price, with the pre-refresh interior. For buyers who want light off-road ability without paying for a new truck, it is a strong used option.
Pros:
- Off-road Tremor hardware
- Torque-vectoring AWD
- Lower used price than 2025 Tremor
Cons:
- Thirsty turbo engine
- Smaller pre-refresh screen
Verdict: The used off-road Maverick.
7. 2024 Ford Maverick Lariat EcoBoost AWD
Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4, 250 hp, 8-speed auto, AWD | Best for: A loaded, low-mileage turbo Maverick
The 2024 Maverick Lariat EcoBoost AWD is a well-equipped, low-mileage used option with the 250-hp turbo, all-wheel drive, and the full 4,000-pound tow capacity. It carries the pre-refresh interior but adds maturity over the launch-year cars. It is the pick for a near-new turbo Maverick without the 2025 price premium.
Pros:
- Loaded Lariat with AWD and turbo
- 4,000-lb towing
- Low-mileage examples available
Cons:
- Lower efficiency than the hybrid
- Pre-refresh tech
Verdict: A near-new turbo Maverick value.
8. 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat EcoBoost AWD
Engine: 2.0L EcoBoost turbo I4, 250 hp, 8-speed auto, AWD | Best for: The cheapest loaded turbo Maverick
The 2022 Maverick Lariat EcoBoost AWD is the launch-year loaded turbo, offering leather-trimmed seats, the 250-hp engine, all-wheel drive, and tow capability at the lowest used price for a feature-rich Maverick. As a first-year model it shares the early recalls, so verify they are addressed, but it remains an affordable way into a well-equipped Maverick.
Pros:
- Cheapest loaded turbo AWD Maverick
- Leather and full feature set
- 4,000-lb towing with the package
Cons:
- First-year recalls to confirm fixed
- Thirstier than the hybrid
Verdict: A budget loaded turbo pick.
9. 2023 Ford Maverick XL Hybrid
Engine: 2.5L hybrid I4, 191 hp, eCVT, FWD | Best for: Bare-bones efficiency at the lowest cost
The 2023 Maverick XL Hybrid is the work-truck trim: simple cloth interior, steel wheels, and the same efficient 42-mpg-city hybrid. It skips the niceties but keeps the FLEXBED and the low running costs that define the Maverick. For a tradesperson or budget commuter who wants efficiency over features, it is ideal and inexpensive used.
Pros:
- Same efficient hybrid powertrain
- Lowest-cost hybrid trim
- FLEXBED utility retained
Cons:
- Sparse, basic interior
- FWD only
Verdict: The efficiency-first work-truck pick.
10. 2025 Ford Maverick XL Hybrid AWD
Engine: 2.5L hybrid I4, 191 hp, eCVT, AWD | Best for: Affordable hybrid efficiency now with all-wheel drive
The 2025 Maverick XL Hybrid AWD brings the newly available hybrid all-wheel drive to the cheapest trim, combining strong efficiency with all-weather traction at the lowest new price for an AWD hybrid pickup. It is basic inside but gains the refresh's larger screen and standard safety tech.
For snow-belt buyers who want efficiency and traction without spending up, it is a smart new buy.
Pros:
- Hybrid AWD at the lowest new price
- Refresh tech and standard safety
- Efficiency plus all-weather grip
Cons:
- Basic XL interior
- Slightly lower mpg than FWD hybrid
Verdict: The affordable new hybrid-AWD pick.
How to Choose
The first decision is powertrain. The 2.5-liter hybrid (191 hp) is the efficiency star at around 42 mpg city, while the 2.0-liter EcoBoost (250 hp) delivers real performance and 4,000-pound towing. For years through 2024 the hybrid was front-drive only; the 2025 refresh added hybrid all-wheel drive, a major upgrade for snow-belt buyers.
If you want capability, the Tremor package adds genuine off-road hardware. For pure value, the 2022 XLT Hybrid delivers the core Maverick promise cheaply. Verify that any first-year 2022 recalls have been completed before buying.
FAQ
Which Maverick year is the best? The 2025 Maverick is the most complete after its refresh, which added a larger screen, more safety tech, and crucially hybrid all-wheel drive. Among used cars, the 2022 XLT Hybrid is the value standout.
How much does the Maverick tow? The hybrid tows about 2,000 pounds, while the 2.0-liter EcoBoost with the 4K Tow Package tows up to 4,000 pounds. Choose the EcoBoost if towing matters.
Did the early Maverick have problems? The 2022 launch year had several recalls, including for taillights and a rear-camera issue, which Ford addressed. Confirm any open recalls are completed on a used 2022, and the truck is otherwise solid.
Can you get the hybrid with all-wheel drive? Only from the 2025 model year onward. Before the refresh, the hybrid was front-wheel drive only, and buyers needing AWD had to choose the EcoBoost. The 2025 hybrid AWD finally combines both.
Bottom Line
The 2025 Maverick Lariat Hybrid is the best Maverick yet, finally pairing class-leading efficiency with available all-wheel drive and a refreshed cabin. Value shoppers should target the 2022 XLT Hybrid, which delivers the Maverick's core appeal of real pickup utility and roughly 42 mpg at the lowest used price.
Buyers who tow or want performance should choose an EcoBoost AWD, and snow-belt efficiency seekers should look at the 2025 hybrid AWD. Match the powertrain to your needs and the Maverick remains the most sensible small truck on the market.
Sources
- Car and Driver — Ford Maverick reviews and specifications
- MotorTrend — Ford Maverick hybrid and Tremor testing
- Edmunds — Ford Maverick model-year reviews and used pricing
- Kelley Blue Book — Maverick used values and ownership costs
- U.S. News & World Report — Ford Maverick rankings
- IIHS — Ford Maverick safety ratings
- EPA fueleconomy.gov — Maverick fuel-economy figures
- Ford — official model-year specifications and trim details