It's official--the Ford Maverick is still the king of compact pickups. MotorTrend just awarded the Mav the "Truck of the Year" trophy for 2026, which says a lot about how much value is packed into this small frame. While it just had a big makeover in 2025, the 2026 version brings some specific tweaks to the table that you'll want to know about before you head to the dealership.
Key Takeaways
- We're looking at a late winter or early spring 2026 arrival for the new units.
- Beyond the MotorTrend "Truck of the Year" win, this year is all about slightly refining the trims and options.
- It's still the same versatile truck that changed the game back in 2025.
This year, the changes are mostly under the skin or in the fine details. For example, the paint shop swapped some colors; Eruption Green and Desert Sand are out, and Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat and Marsh Gray are in. If you're looking at the XL or XLT, you've got more freedom with the engines now. You still get the hybrid four-wheel drive as the standard, but you can swap to the 2.0-liter turbo at no extra cost, or pay a little more to get all-wheel drive with that turbo engine.
Inside the cabin, Ford actually removed the wireless charging pad across the whole lineup, even on the top-tier trims. On the XLT, they redesigned the armrest--it now uses attachable cupholders instead of an integrated console. Also, if you grab the XLT Luxury package, the passenger seat is now a four-way manual instead of a six-way power seat. One more thing: the power-sliding rear window is now an option on the Lariat and Tremor trims, and that availability has also opened to the XLT and Lobo trims.
Model Year Changes
| 2026 Ford Maverick |
2025 Ford Maverick |
| Eruption Green and Desert Sand removed; Orange Fury Metallic Tri-Coat and Marsh Gray added |
Lobo trim introduced with sport-tuned setup |
| XL and XLT gain more engine flexibility |
13.2-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity became standard |
| Wireless charging removed, XLT armrest redesigned; XLT Luxury passenger seat switches to four-way manual, power-sliding rear window now optional on Lariat and Tremor and available on XLT and Lobo |
Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and other safety features became standard |
To understand the 2026 Mav, you have to remember what happened in 2025. That was the year of the "Lobo" debut--the sport-tuned version with 19-inch rally wheels and a lowered suspension. Every 2025 model now also features a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone connectivity. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and other safety features also became standard on every single truck.
Choosing Your Ford Maverick Powertrain
No matter the year you choose, you have two solid choices under the hood. The 2.5-liter hybrid gives you 191 horsepower and incredible efficiency. If you need more pep in your step, the 2.0-liter turbo generates 250 horses through an eight-speed automatic. The Lobo is the outlier here, using a specialized seven-speed auto with paddle shifters if you want to have a bit more fun with your daily drive.
Want to Experience a Ford Maverick for Yourself?
We are expecting the 2026 models to hit the lot any day now. Give us a shout if you want to be the first to know when they land. Until then, if you want to come by Jarrett-Gordon Ford in Davenport and see how the 2025 models compare, we're waiting to meet you.