Ford Maverick Hybrid Tested for Two Years – Here's What We Learned

Even though there were some stressful recalls, we adore this small pickup so much that we're holding onto it.

The Ford Maverick It arrived as a refreshing change to a market desperately needing an authentic compact truck. We instantly fell for Ford's small pickup when we first tried it out, which made us excited to conduct a long-term evaluation of the Maverick. However, it wasn't until the second model year—2023—that we were able to get one parked in the... garage.

In fact, we did something beyond just parking it. We bought it . Using our own funds. (Our long-term vehicles are typically obtained through loans from manufacturers.) Owing the truck allowed the Maverick to extend past our standard one-year testing period and last for two years.

What Edition Were We Evaluating?

We purchased a Maverick XLT hybrid in Cactus Gray, a lively yet understated hue chosen for the trim model that represented the ideal balance within the range. Unlike the more basic XL work truck, the XLT offered a better-equipped experience and had access to various luxury features typically found on the high-end Lariat trim. That's exactly what we opted for.

The $1,730 XLT Luxury package was essential, featuring heated front seats, side mirrors, and steering wheel (along with a windshield washer fluid heater)—especially since our vehicle is based at our office close to Detroit. We wished we hadn't purchased the $150 manual sliding back window, as we rarely used it and found it unnecessary. However, we were happy with the reasonably priced spray-on bed liner ($495) and weather-resistant floor mats ($175). These items helped keep the truck's cargo area and interior clean over two years of use.

We hauled absolutely everything—stacks of cardboard, heaps of stones, scraps of metal, and large amounts of mulch and garden waste. Travel equipment and tailgate supplies, bicycles, ready-to-assemble furniture, and regular furniture—the Maverick's 4.5-foot cargo area handled all of it with ease. If we required protection from the elements, we just deployed our reliable tonneau cover. (But let me ask, was that cover really worth the $1,200 we spent on it?) Maybe not .) The limited towing we performed within the truck's 2,000-pound capacity went smoothly, without any jolting or difficulty.

Any Features We Missed?

We would have liked our truck to come with a wireless charging mat (which is available on the Lariat) and the updated 12.5-inch entertainment system, which is now included in every model. However, these were not major issues. A potential problem could be today's prices, which we'll discuss further shortly.

Was the hybrid powertrain available with all-wheel drive when we purchased our truck (the option) became available for 2025 ), we would have likely purchased it. Still, the front-wheel drive hybrid performed very well in Michigan's heaviest rain and snowstorms. A set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires was useful during the coldest months, but they were not always installed when we faced bad weather.

Cost of Ownership, Mileage Efficiency, and Pricing

The Maverick initially came out with a starting price below $20,000 (not including delivery costs), but this increased to around $23,000 by the time we purchased ours. Ours was an XLT version, which had a base cost of $25,950 and ended up costing $30,355 when fully equipped. It’s hard to find such a good offer these days. For the 2025 model year, the Maverick received updates, and replicating our vehicle in the updated range (now the XLT hybrid begins at $32,340) would cost approximately $36,975. Fortunately, option prices have not increased significantly.

The maintenance costs totaled nearly $500 over two years and included regular oil changes, check-ups, and tire rotations. There were also some labor expenses to determine if the musty odor we suspected was caused by a leak inside the car, but they couldn’t find anything, and the smell eventually disappeared. It probably was from a damp dog, though nobody admitted to it.

The precise maintenance cost of $478.55 over two years looks much better than the $1,100 we spent keeping our Hyundai Santa Cruz—the sole similar model to the Maverick—running smoothly throughout its 12-month evaluation.

Likewise, the Mavvy's fuel efficiency (35.7 mpg) and price ($0.12 per mile) outperformed the Santa Cruz's (23.8, $0.16). However, it should be noted that the Hyundai was not a hybrid, and its turbocharged engine surpassed the Maverick in both horsepower and torque. During testing, the Maverick's overall fuel economy dipped slightly below its rated 37-mpg combined EPA figure, yet it remained commendable considering how much time it spent on highways, where it isn't as efficient. For further perspective, the compact... The Toyota Corolla Cross managed just 29 miles per gallon overall. throughout the course of a year with us. over the span of a year alongside us. within the timeframe of a year here. as part of our journey over the past year. in the time we've been together this year. across the duration of a year with us. for the entirety of the year we have shared. during the period of one year with us.

One significant expense related to our Maverick wasn't due to us; we got hit from behind. You can learn more about the incident and fixes by clicking here However, the truck was out of commission for about 10 days and needed $4,843.44 in insurance funds to restore it. It still operates as though the accident had never occurred.

Wear, Recalls, Reliability

Our vehicle did not experience significant mechanical, electrical, or software problems, and the Maverick performed reliably throughout its time with us—except during periods when it required recall repairs. During our testing phase, we encountered an overwhelming total of 10 recalls and "Customer Satisfaction Program" alerts. (CSPs function as additional coverage for components that might develop issues later.) Many of these recalls addressed small concerns, but one involved a serious potential fire hazard. Fortunately, none of these issues occurred while we were using the car, and all the necessary repairs—which consisted solely of software upgrades—were efficiently completed by our nearby dealership.

Regarding the inside of the Maverick, it handled two years of rough use very effectively, showing minimal noticeable damage to the fabric seats. Some scratches can be seen on the darker plastic parts, which is normal considering it's a rugged vehicle where most surfaces aren't made of soft-touch material.

Most of our long-term review features come to an end here. However, because we own our Maverick—and we're still fond of it—this one will stay with us. Watch for it driving around Royal Oak, Michigan, in the days ahead. narratives, or perhaps even within my own garage.

Additional Details About Our 2023 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid:

We Purchased a Maverick and It's an Actual Damn Truck!
Inside Look: Nearly All the Information You Require
10,000-Mile Fuel Economy Update
So, Are We Feeling Sorry?
Our Rebel Got Hit from Behind! What’s the Cost of Repairs?
Our Rebel Has Been Pulled From The Market Five Times (And Still Rising)
Tonneau Costs $1,200 — Is It Worthwhile?
Maverick's Dimensions Compared to 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s Trucks
More Recall Issues Continue To Arise For Our Rebel

2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT
BASE PRICE	$25,950
PRICE AS TESTED	$30,355
OPTIONS	XLT Premium Interior Bundle ($1,730: adjustable eight-way power driver’s seat; six-way manual front passenger seat; 110-volt inverter featuring cabin and cargo area outlets; heated side mirrors, seating areas, and steering column; LED illumination for the truck bed; towing receiver equipped with a four-prong plug; defroster for windscreen wipers), fold-down rigid tonneau cover ($1,200); Ford Co-Pilot360 package ($650; includes blind spot detection, rear traffic alert, lane keeping assistance, and fatigue recognition system); liquid bed liner application ($495); durable floor covers paired with plush matting ($175); manually operated backside glazing ($150)
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Rear-engined, front-wheel drive, five-seat, four-door hybrid pickup truck
POWERTRAIN	2.5-liter port-fuel injected Atkinson cycle DOHC 16-valve inline-four engine, producing 162 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute, with 155 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 RPMs	Fixed magnet motor, 126 horsepower, 173 pound-feet of torque
TOTAL POWER	191 hp
TOTAL TORQUE	173 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION	Continuously variable automatic
BATTERY	1.1-kWh NCM lithium-ion
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,762 lb (57/43%)
WHEELBASE	121.1 in
Dimensions: Length × Width × Height	199.7 by 72.6 by 68.7 inches
TIRES	Continental ProContact TX 225/65R17 102H M+S
EPA FUEL ECONOMY, CITY/HWY/COMBINED	40/33/37mpg
EPA RANGE	511 mi
Test Results
0-60 MPH	7.7 sec
QUARTER MILE	15.9 seconds at 89.8 miles per hour
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	113 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.81 g
FIGURE-EIGHT LAP	27.8 seconds at 0.64 g (average)
Ownership Experience
SERVICE LIFE	24 mo/23,935 mi
REAL-WORLD FUEL ECONOMY	35.7 mpg
ENERGY COST PER MILE	$0.12
DAYS OUT OF SERVICE	18
MAINTENANCE AND WEAR	3,127 miles: engine oil and filter replacement, wheel alignment check, routine examination, total cost of $91.32	15,726 miles: adjust and replace all-season tires, costing $114.91	19,798 miles: engine oil and filter replacement, routine check-up, cost of $116.72	22,148 miles: adjust tire pressure and replace all-season tires, install new windshield wipers, cost $155.60
DAMAGE	700 miles: Swap out the right back tire, $174.11
RECALLS	7: (1) A problem with the engine could lead to a fire; fixing this requires upgrading the software in the powertrain control module. (2) The emissions control system may work incorrectly if the heater designed to warm a sensor isn’t functioning correctly because of a software issue; resolving this needs an update to the powertrain control module as well as connected systems. (3) Issues with the air/fuel ratio setting might occur when operating at maximum speed or under MyKey mode; correcting this calls for reprogramming the powertrain control module. (4) If just one bulb out of two on each side of the back signal lights fails, the turn-signal fault detection system may fail to warn the driver; solving this means refreshing the body control module’s software. (5) The dashboard display might not light up, making warning indicators and gauge readings hard to see; addressing this includes updating the software in the instrument panel cluster. (6) An improperly adjusted body control module (BCM) can wrongly sense excessive electrical load on either or both tail lamps, causing them to stop working; this is fixed through an upgraded BCM software version. (7) The rearview camera picture might become frozen; resolution entails performing a software upgrade on the relevant module.