Thinking about the 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid... worth upgrading?

I’ve been eyeing the 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid, and it seems like a solid upgrade. The new touchscreen and fuel economy (over 40 mpg!) are tempting. But I’ve heard the ride can be bumpy, and the underseat storage seems tricky if you’ve got kids or car seats. Anyone driving one yet? How’s the new Lobo trim? Worth the extra cost?

I’ve got the 2023 Maverick Hybrid, and if the 2025 is anything like it, you’ll love the fuel economy. But yeah, the ride can be rough, especially on bumpy roads.

Drew said:
@Hartley
Thanks! That should be fine for my needs. Does it come with the trailer brake controller?

Yup, the Maverick has it if you get the towing package. The Santa Cruz doesn’t, so it’s a nice plus.

@Fallon
Probably! The sport suspension might smooth things out a bit for regular roads. Haven’t driven one yet though.

@Fallon
Does the sport suspension hurt fuel economy, though? That’s my biggest concern with upgrades like that.

The new touchscreen is a nice addition, but I wouldn’t upgrade just for that. The old 8-inch screen works fine for me.

Hartley said:
The new touchscreen is a nice addition, but I wouldn’t upgrade just for that. The old 8-inch screen works fine for me.

Fair, but isn’t the bigger screen faster or easier to use? That’s what I’m wondering.

@Drew
Probably easier for navigation, but for basic stuff like CarPlay or Android Auto, the smaller screen does the job.

If you’ve got kids, keep in mind the underseat storage is a pain to access if car seats are installed. It’s my biggest gripe with the Maverick.

Lennon said:
If you’ve got kids, keep in mind the underseat storage is a pain to access if car seats are installed. It’s my biggest gripe with the Maverick.

Wait, so you have to uninstall the car seats to get to the storage? That sounds annoying.

@Blayne
Yup, the whole seat bottom lifts up, so anything in there is stuck if you’ve got seats installed.

I’m curious how the hybrid compares to the EcoBoost engine. Is the hybrid underpowered for highway driving?

Fane said:
I’m curious how the hybrid compares to the EcoBoost engine. Is the hybrid underpowered for highway driving?

Not really underpowered, but it’s slower—takes about 8.4 seconds to hit 60 mph. The EcoBoost is quicker at 6.4 seconds.

@Griffin
Got it. So if I care more about mpg than speed, the hybrid’s the better choice?

Fane said:
@Griffin
Got it. So if I care more about mpg than speed, the hybrid’s the better choice?

Exactly. The hybrid’s mpg is unbeatable—over 40 mpg in real-world driving.

Has anyone tried towing with the hybrid? Wondering if it’s strong enough for smaller trailers.

Drew said:
Has anyone tried towing with the hybrid? Wondering if it’s strong enough for smaller trailers.

The hybrid can tow up to 2,000 lbs. If you need more, the EcoBoost with the towing package does 4,000 lbs.

@Hartley
Thanks! That should be fine for my needs. Does it come with the trailer brake controller?