2025 Ford Maverick Lobo Review: Specs, Performance, and Design

In today’s market dominated by SUVs and off-road pickup trucks, Ford made a bold decision: to bring back the glory days of the street-focused sport truck. The result is this brand-new 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo.

It isn’t built for crawling over rocks; instead, it’s designed for tearing up asphalt. It perfectly blends the nostalgic feel of 90s street trucks with modern technology. So, how does this little beast, which is only available in the U.S. market (Note: Prices in this article are for the U.S. region), actually drive? Let’s dive deep into its specs, performance, and design.

What is the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo?

Simply put, the Lobo is a new model within the Maverick lineup that focuses on on-road handling performance. Instead of using common off-road packages, it takes the opposite approach. By lowering the ride height, stiffening the suspension, and incorporating track-derived technology, it creates a “hot hatch with a bed.”

Performance and Specs: Hardcore Hardware Upgrades

Under the hood, it shares the same 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the high-end Maverick. This engine produces 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. For a truck with a curb weight of approximately 3,800 pounds, this power is actually quite ample.

The real secrets lie in the transmission and chassis.

• A Special Transmission: The Lobo doesn’t use the standard 8-speed automatic transmission. Instead, it gets a 7-speed automatic. This gearbox is actually derived from the 8-speed unit, but engineers specifically removed 2nd gear. The goal is to maintain better RPMs on the track and through corners, reducing shifts and making power delivery more responsive.
• Torque-Vectoring Rear Drive: It borrows the twin-clutch rear drive unit (RDS) from the Bronco Sport and Maverick Tremor. This system can actively distribute torque between the left and right rear wheels, helping the vehicle corner more nimbly and even allowing for controlled drifting maneuvers.
• Lowered Chassis: Compared to the standard version, the Lobo’s front suspension is lowered by 0.5 inches, and the rear sits over an inch lower. Combined with stiffer springs and retuned dampers, it virtually eliminates that “boat-like” feeling.
• Borrowed Performance Parts: Ford sourced good parts directly from the European market. It features the dual-piston front brake calipers from the Focus ST, along with the quicker steering rack from the Kuga (the European Escape).

Performance Test Data (U.S. Test Track Data)

According to tests from multiple media outlets, while the Lobo has high handling limits, strangely enough, its straight-line acceleration is slightly slower than the standard Maverick.

Data Source: Edmunds

As you can see, the Lobo surpasses the standard version in cornering grip (0.86g), proving the value of its suspension upgrades. However, the acceleration and braking distance are lackluster. This is typically attributed to its standard Goodyear Wrangler Territory HT highway tires, which, with their high treadwear rating (680), lack sufficient grip during aggressive driving.

Driving Experience: This is the Real Fun

Once you guide the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo onto an on-ramp or a narrow country road, its charm is fully unleashed.

In corners, it feels incredibly agile. You’ll immediately notice the difference from the quicker steering rack; the front end points very precisely. Despite the relatively higher ride height, body roll is well-controlled. You can manually control the 7-speed transmission via the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, listening to the engine emit a slightly raspy growl as it approaches the redline. This feeling can even make you forget you’re driving a pickup truck.

It also has a hidden “easter egg”—the Lobo drive mode. Ford explicitly states this mode is for closed-course use only. When activated, the vehicle’s stability control intervention is greatly reduced, and the electronically controlled differential on the rear axle engages, allowing the rear to slide to a certain angle under throttle. You can absolutely perform impressive four-wheel drifts in this little truck.

Of course, it’s not perfect. In daily driving, the stiffer suspension transmits more road imperfections. Furthermore, due to the lack of physical buttons, adjusting the climate control temperature must be done through the 13.2-inch touchscreen, which can be somewhat distracting while driving.

Interior and Design: Sneaker Inspiration and Sporty Details

Exterior: Understated Aggression

At first glance, the Lobo doesn’t look like those flashy, aggressive performance cars. Its design is quite restrained. The unique black grille, body-color side skirts and bumpers, and the black-painted roof combine to create a subtle, “factory-tuned” lowered stance.

The most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly the set of 19-inch turbine-style black wheels. This design originates from the classic style of the 1980s, reminiscent of KITT from Knight Rider. While some might not like it, it’s undeniably distinctive.

Interior: A Tribute to Street Culture

Step inside, and you’ll find many interesting design cues. Ford’s designers drew inspiration from sneakers. The interior features unique dark blue trim accents, paired with contrast stitching in Grabber Blue and Electric Lime. The seats not only have Lobo embroidery but also patterns resembling street graffiti or sneaker soles.

Space remains a Maverick strong suit. It can comfortably accommodate five adults, and there are hidden storage bins under the rear seats. Although the interior materials are still predominantly hard plastics, the unique textures and design elements prevent them from looking cheap.

Pricing and Trim Levels (U.S. Region)

The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo is primarily offered in two versions in the U.S. market. Specific prices are as follows (including destination charges):

• Lobo Standard Edition: Starting price $35,930.
• Lobo High Edition (702A Package): Starting price $41,425. Our test vehicle reached a price of $43,120, which included nearly all optional equipment such as the moonroof, B&O sound system, Co-Pilot360 assistance package, and heated steering wheel.

Considering it has almost no direct competitors (the Hyundai Santa Cruz leans towards off-road capability), this pricing is quite attractive. Although it’s more expensive than a Volkswagen GTI, it offers unique pickup truck practicality and all-wheel drive.

Conclusion: A Unique Pickup Built for Fun

The 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo is not a perfect vehicle. Its power hasn’t been increased, the brake and tire setup holds back its lap times, and the interior still has plenty of hard plastic. But none of that really matters.

What matters is that it is genuinely fun to drive. It successfully revives the bygone era of the street truck. It’s a vehicle you can drive to the hardware store for lumber, then hit the mountain roads at night, and even attempt drifting on a track. Its versatility and driving enjoyment are truly unique.

For nostalgic buyers, or for young people who want a truck that doesn’t drive like a truck, the Lobo is undoubtedly a very appealing choice.

Of course, for car enthusiasts worldwide, this certainly deepens the desire for this characterful little truck. Although it is currently aimed primarily at the North American market, on the vast stage of chinese cars for sale, we are also seeing more and more similarly personalized, high-performance domestic pickups and “boxy” models emerge. Perhaps the “rebellious” spirit of the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo can also provide some new inspiration for Chinese automakers, allowing us to see more interesting global models competing side-by-side in the future.