The Ford Maverick has been making waves ever since it was first introduced in 2022. In an age where “bigger is better” has been the guiding principle in the pickup world, the Maverick offers a refreshingly compact experience that’s quickly won it some early praise. From your friends and neighbors to leading critics, everyone seems to be talking about the Ford Maverick. The compact pickup has quickly climbed through the sales charts to become the segment’s best-selling model, and has racked up plenty of hardware in the process. The Maverick was named the best compact model by Car and Driver, and also earned a spot on the publication’s 10Best Trucks list for 2025. more The Maverick’s utility and hybrid-powered efficiency already gave the truck a solid resume, but Ford wasn’t done tinkering yet. This year sees the introduction of some important new safety and convenience tech, as well as two new trims that allow the truck to excel both on and off the road. If you’re on the hunt for a Ford Maverick for sale near Des Plaines, you’ve come to the right place. Read on as we explore the Mavericks' performance highlights, dive into the new trims, and learn how the pickup is rapidly raising the bar in the compact segment. Hybrid Power Comes Standard The Maverick made history in 2022 as the first pickup to employ a hybrid powertrain as a standard feature. The hybrid approach makes a lot of sense when it comes to Ford’s compact truck, allowing the Maverick to offer the segment’s best fuel economy without making any sacrifices in the power department. The hybrid engine has had the chance to prove itself over the last few years, and the reviews couldn’t be better. Ford has combined a 2.5L I-4 engine with an electric motor, enabling the pickup to produce 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. While the Maverick’s 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack doesn’t provide enough juice for all-electric driving, it will make a big difference at the pump. The electric motor is designed to kick in when it’s needed most, such as when accelerating from a dead stop, and helps to steadily recharge the battery through a clever regenerative braking system. The proof is in the pudding, or in this case, the gas tank, with the Maverick achieving an EPA-estimated 42 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway for the front-wheel drive model, and 40 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway on the all-wheel drive version. Those numbers blow away the pickup’s sole competitor in the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which, lacking hybrid technology, performs more like your traditional pickup in terms of fuel economy, with its efficiency topping out at 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. The Maverick doubles down on its eco-friendly approach with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) designed to get the most out of every gallon while providing a smooth ride that’s particularly well-suited to Des Plaines’ stop-and-go traffic. EcoBoost Ups the Horsepower The Maverick’s hybrid engine holds a lot of appeal for those who want to limit their visits to the gas station, but the optional 250-hp 2.0L EcoBoost I-4 is the real standout from a performance perspective. Found on the Maverick’s sporty and off-road-oriented Lobo and Tremor trims, the EcoBoost engine offers 30 percent more power than the 2.5L mill, largely thanks to an added turbocharger that brings some serious benefits in terms of both performance and efficiency. Add in 275 lb-ft of torque, and the purely gas-powered Maverick can put in the sort of hard day’s work that drivers have come to expect from the pickup segment. The gas engine might not be able to match the hybrid when it comes to pure efficiency, but it still trends well above average, with 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway when you’re cruising into Chicago on I-294. The best part is that the 2.0L engine comes standard with AWD, greatly increasing the Maverick’s ability to successfully navigate off-road trails and slippery roads. The other big improvement comes in the form of an eight-speed automatic transmission. A CVT certainly has its advantages where efficiency is concerned, but the eight-speed automatic delivers the sort of feedback that can have such a big impact on creating a strong truck/driver connection. Towing in 4K The 2025 Maverick defies its compact designation to offer some impressive towing capacity that significantly improves the truck’s utility. While it can’t match the F-150’s mammoth 13,500-lb rating, the Maverick isn’t afraid to put in a little work with a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 lbs and a 1,500-lb payload capacity. Perfect for utility trailers, smaller campers, and boats, the pickup’s pulling power should be intriguing to those looking to put in a little work or enjoy their days off with a little outdoor excursion at Big Bend Lake. Up until this year, the 4WD Maverick with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine was the only model that could achieve the full 4,000 lbs, but that all changes for 2025 as Ford has made 4WD an available add-on for the hybrid version. Drivers will have to invest in the 4K Towing package in order to achieve this lofty figure, but it's a small price to pay if you regularly use the trailer hitch. The 4K Towing package adds a host of purpose-built equipment, from an integrated trailer brake controller that allows drivers to control their cargo’s brakes directly from the cab to an upgraded powertrain cooling system that’ll keep things from getting too toasty when you’re hooked to a heavy load. The package also includes a trailer hitch receiver with a seven-pin trailer wiring harness connector, which connects the Maverick’s electrical systems to the trailer in order to power vital safety features such as lights and brakes. The Maverick’s towing capacity tops out at 2,000 lbs without the 4K Towing package, making the suite a logical upgrade for Des Plaines drivers seeking the true pickup experience. The Tremor Shakes Things Up The 2025 model year has brought some serious changes to the Maverick lineup. In addition to refreshed exterior styling, new advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and a much-improved 13.2-inch infotainment display, the truck now welcomes two new trims to the lineup in the form of the Lobo and Tremor. While the Tremor off-road package has been a staple of the Maverick since the model’s debut, it now graduates to a full-fledged trim that includes all the off-road goodies you’ll need for some serious weekend adventures. Based on the luxurious Lariat trim, the Tremor melds premium features and off-road ability in a way that few models can match. The trim provides extra ground clearance courtesy of a lifted, off-road-tuned suspension. It has plenty of rugged components, from a robust torque-vectoring AWD system and all-terrain tires to underbody skid plates and an upgraded transmission cooler to keep things chill during a long day of hill climbing and mud slinging. A full-size spare tire is sure to come in handy if you find yourself with a puncture when you’re miles off the grid, but the locking rear differential and advanced driver modes really earn the truck its off-road stripes. The Tremor packs a number of custom drive modes that enable the truck to tackle a wide variety of terrain, with specialized settings that include Mud & Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. The Tremor’s Trail Control feature brings cruise control to the off-road realm, enabling the truck to maintain a slow and steady pace on its own while giving drivers one less thing to worry about when they encounter a tricky stretch of trail. Lead the Pack In the Lobo If you want a trim that’ll leave you howling at the moon, the Maverick Lobo is here to serve. Ford has capitalized on the current nostalgia for the 1990s by embracing one of the era’s leading automotive trends: sport trucks. While many of today’s pickups trade on their off-road ability and towing prowess, sport trucks harken back to a time when lowered, souped-up models ruled the road. Ford has dropped the Lobo’s suspension by over an inch and made some important tweaks that provide a responsive driving experience. Packed with the 250-hp EcoBoost engine, the Lobo is the alpha of the compact pickup pack with the styling and equipment to match. A set of 19-inch black-painted alloy wheels gives the trim an aggressive look, while a unique grille and front-end styling lend it a unique visage when compared to the rest of the trim ladder. Ford has also outfitted the Lobo with performance brakes to keep all the power in check and tuned the truck’s steering response to provide a dynamic, engaging ride. The new Lobo model also swaps out the eight-speed for a seven-speed automatic, complete with paddle shifters that offer even more control when you’re behind the wheel. From downshifting as you prepare for a turn or trying to maintain momentum on a steep hill to upshifting to a higher gear that’ll maximize traction by keeping you in the lower RPM range, the paddle shifters are just one of the reasons why the Lobo trim has already created such a buzz. It also gains a brand-new Lobo drive mode that unlocks the door to hours of tire-shredding fun, adjusting the truck’s cornering, grip, and stability control system to allow for controlled drifting and new lap records. The Lobo is a pleasure to drive and includes some valuable additions to the Maverick’s ADAS arsenal in the form of Ford Co-Pilot360. The package adds some crucial tech like blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, evasive steering assistance, and intersection collision mitigation that can provide a vital alert or even apply the brakes if it detects an imminent collision. Live Like a Maverick at Schaumburg Ford The Maverick proves that big things can come in small packages. While it might represent Ford’s most diminutive pickup, the Maverick's performance, towing power, and off-road ability present a compelling case for scheduling a test drive around Des Plaines. The truck’s standard hybrid engine is a model of efficiency, allowing the Maverick to achieve the sort of fuel economy that’s rarely seen in the pickup segment. The EcoBoost engine provides the compact with a remarkable power-to-weight ratio, pumping out 250 hp to set the Lobo and Tremor up for miles of both on- and off-road enjoyment. The two new trims make the Maverick’s trim lineup one of the segment’s most diverse, giving drivers the opportunity to source a ready-made ride that can conquer difficult terrain or burn some rubber with the best of them. If you’re ready to buck the trend towards larger pickups and live like a real maverick, Ford’s compact pickup is worthy of a closer look.
