Compact pickup trucks are becoming a sweet spot in the automotive landscape, especially where practicality, fuel economy, and winter-ready drivetrains carry serious weight. The 2025 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid stands as one of the most interesting vehicles in this space. It’s not just a scaled-down truck, but a thoughtful blend of utility, efficiency, and urban versatility designed for Canadians who want pickup truck capability without pickup truck drawbacks.
First impressions
The refreshed 2025 Maverick doesn’t stray too far from the design language that made it so popular at launch. Its proportions balance ruggedness and everyday approachability, with an upright front fascia, squared-off headlights, and bold grille delivering a proper presence without looking oversized or intimidating. On this Lariat trim, a mix of paint-matched and satin aluminum accents add visual refinement, setting it apart from the more work-oriented trims. The Lariat also includes heated mirrors, LED headlights, and an optional spray-in bedliner that provides durability against snow, ice, and slush.
The bed remains one of the Maverick’s highlights—compact at 4.5 feet yet cleverly designed with tie-downs, cubbies, and the ability to accommodate four-by-eight sheets of plywood with the tailgate down. It’s small enough to parallel-park with confidence in places like downtown Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, but versatile enough to haul weekend gear for the cottage or even use as a work truck due to the inherent utility of a pickup bed.
Interior comfort, practicality, and tech
Step into the Lariat, and the cabin immediately signals that this isn’t just a budget-friendly workhorse. The Lariat trim emphasizes a few touches, such as leather-trimmed seating and increased sound deadening, even if most of its interior is primarily hard-touch plastic with textured accents. It’s a bit bit underwhelming considering this Lariat is supposed to be the luxury-oriented top trim of the Maverick lineup.
Despite this, the aesthetic is modern but not ostentatious, aiming for functionality and durability. The Maverick Lariat comes standard with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, both of which essential when temperatures dip. Dual-zone climate control is also standard, and the cabin’s insulation does a solid job of keeping road noise at bay, especially on long highway trips. Seating is upright and supportive; taller passengers in the rear might feel the pinch on long journeys, but the back seats fold up to reveal clever storage bins that make stashing tools, groceries, or emergency winter gear a breeze. Compared to larger mid-size trucks, the Maverick feels car-like inside, but it doesn’t skimp on space where it counts.
Technology in the 2025 Maverick Lariat leans toward simplicity and user-friendliness. A new, upsized 13.2-inch touchscreen now runs Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The interface is clean, responsive, and doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary complexity. The one glaring downside is that the screen orientation continues to be pointed downwards towards the centre console, making it awkward to interact with for first-time users.
A premium Bang & Olufsen sound system is available on the Lariat; for those who enjoy road trips, the upgrade makes a noticeable difference in sound clarity. The new digital instrument cluster shows clear, customizable information on fuel economy, powertrain status, and navigation. Safety tech is another area where the Maverick Lariat shines—Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite includes blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
What’s under the hood?
Our 2025 Maverick Lariat tester also sees one of Ford’s most anticipated updates: pairing the hybrid powertrain with all-wheel-drive. Earlier models offered hybrids only with front-wheel-drive, limiting its appeal. But by finally offering AWD, Ford widens the Maverick’s practicality for many more buyers. The hybrid setup combines a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 191 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. It’s not blisteringly fast, but plenty for daily commuting, merging onto highways, and light towing. The beauty of this system is smoothness—the transition between electric and gas feels seamless, and around-town driving often leans heavily on the electric motor for quiet, efficient operation, especially in Eco mode.
The addition of all-wheel-drive dramatically improves traction in snowy or wet conditions, not to mention off the beaten path. While it doesn’t project to be a hardcore off-roader like the Ranger or Bronco, the Maverick Lariat handles dirt roads, gravel, and cottage trails confidently. Its suspension tuning favours comfort, absorbing bumps and potholes better than you’d expect from a pickup this size. One revelation was the Maverick Lariat’s steering—it’s communicative, predictable, and provides surprisingly good feedback, all traits I wish the Mustang EcoBoost had.
Elsewhere, the Maverick Lariat Hybrid is an excellent-driving vehicle. Traction is confident, stability control is unobtrusive, and heated features keep drivers comfortable. The ground clearance isn’t as high as a traditional pickup, but is more than enough for city urban dwellers. On long drives, the Maverick feels composed and quiet. Road and wind noise are minimized thanks to the additional sound deadening, and hybrid operation reduces engine drone compared to smaller turbocharged options. The truck’s relatively compact footprint makes city driving far less cumbersome than piloting a full-size F-150 through narrow downtown streets.
Fuel efficiency is where the all-wheel-drive Maverick Hybrid really earns its keep among buyers facing long commutes and high gas prices. It’s officially rated at 5.6 L/100 km in the city, 6.7 highway, and 6.2 combined. Our stint for the week returned an average of 6.9 L/100 km in the real world, even with my lead foot. That puts it on par with other hybrid compact crossovers we’ve tested while offering genuine pickup utility. For city dwellers especially, the hybrid system pays off most around town, where traffic lights and stop-and-go traffic allows the electric motor to shine and save fuel on short trips. On highways, the electric motor doesn’t kick in as often, but the gas engine settles into an efficient rhythm. The end result is one of the most cost-effective trucks to operate in Canada.
Utility and usability
A truck, even a compact one, needs to deliver on utility, and the Maverick doesn’t disappoint. The standard tow rating capacity with the hybrid AWD sits around 2,000 pounds – enough for small trailers, camping gear, or a pair of jet skis. Payload is modest at 1,500 pounds – handling garden supplies, bikes, or renovation materials without issue. Our tester is equipped with the optional Towing Package increases the towing capacity to 4,000 pounds. The bed’s design deserves mention again. It includes Ford’s “Flexbed” system, with slots and pockets allowing owners to build dividers, racks, or custom storage solutions from simple lumber. For Canadians who like to DIY or outfit their trucks for specific hobbies, this feature adds huge flexibility.
Is the 2025 Ford Maverick worth it?
In the Canadian market, pricing is where the Maverick solidifies its appeal. Positioned below mid-size trucks, it offers genuine pickup usability without requiring buyers to stretch their budgets. Pricing starts at $34,600 for the base XL trim; our Lariat tester with the hybrid powertrain and all-wheel-drive comes in at $49,450 as-tested, with the right mix of premium features and increased practicality to justify the cost. When factoring in fuel savings from the hybrid powertrain, the Maverick becomes one of the best value propositions among right-sized pickups.
The 2025 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid isn’t just another truck—it’s one of the most forward-thinking offerings in the Canadian automotive landscape. By combining hybrid efficiency with the all-weather confidence of AWD, Ford answered one of the Maverick’s biggest criticisms while retaining everything that made it appealing in the first place. It’s not for everyone; those needing heavy-duty towing capability or expansive space will still gravitate toward the Ranger and F-Series. But for the vast majority of Canadian drivers seeking efficiency, versatility, comfort, and car-like driving dynamics with the pracitcality of a pickup bed, the Maverick Hybrid is arguably the most well-rounded choice on the market today.
