Being boring is safe. It’s easy. It’s arguably why there is such little color in the automotive world — neutral tones are inoffensive. It’s why so many cars follow similar formulas. But to be bold, to be different — it’s a risk worth celebrating, which is why I’m so happy the “performance-tuned” Ford Maverick Lobo “Street Truck” is real and is looking to bring excitement to its slice of the automotive world.
On Wednesday I told you about the refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick and its new hybrid AWD option, headlights, and updated interior. Well, at the end of the presentation, Ford pulled a “one more thing” and asked everyone to step outside the Corktown venue to a fenced-in patio (with fake turf that generated a ridiculous amount of static electricity) to check out two Lobos. The Lobo, named after the Spanish term for “Wolf” (and also what the F-150 is called in Mexico, which, by the way was instrumental in starting what Ford calls the “lowered truck era that lasted from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s”) on the order guide slots in as two trim options between the XLT and the Lariat, with “standard” and “high” configuration options.
The Ultimate Building Block
During the unveiling, Ford Maverick Exterior Designer Joshua Blundo said street truck fans have been underserved for nearly two decades, but that ends with the Maverick Lobo. You may notice there is more than a passing similarity with the Tucci Hot Rods build at the 2021 SEMA show:
Blundo said his goal was for the SEMA build to use modifications that an enthusiast would.
Three years later, the passion for creativity carries over to the Lobo, which Blundo describes as the “ultimate building block.” Is it a street truck, autocross machine, or sporty daily driver? It could be all of those.
Turbofan Wheels And A Wavy Grille
From a visual perspective, the Lobo has a unique weave-pattern grille, standard Turbofan-styled rims, a unique lower fascia with Lobo-exclusive daytime running lights, and plenty of colorful flourishes. If, for some reason, you hate cassette-punk and fun, you can also opt for a black 19-inch painted non-turbofan aluminum rims. But why would you do that?
Color and Materials Designer Kristen Keenan said the seats use an “embossed pattern with a graffiti-inspired overprint” that’s a “nod to street style.” The truck also gets not one but two accent colors, Grabber Blue and Electric Lime. That stitching does pop against the black, overprint-textured seats.
Modified Hardware For Maximum Fun
You know when you have a really cool project, you can’t wait to show off to your friends for fellow enthusiasts? That was Keith Daugherty, Maverick Vehicle Integration Engineer. He said the Lobo’s performance group started with a Skunk Works-like team that got a hold of a pre-production model. They took their cues from mods and performance and suspension changes dedicated fans were already making.
“SuperCrew Advanced 4WD” is standard and the truck’s suspension is lowered by 0.5 inches in the front and 1.12 inches in the back for a more “athletic stance” thanks to stiffer springs that should help with handling.
For those looking for the hybrid, this is a strictly gas-powered affair. The Lobo, like all other 2025 EcoBoost-powered Mavericks, has 238 horsepower and 275-foot pounds of torque. To keep up with more spirited driving, there’s a transmission oil cooler, along with the larger radiator and fan from the standard truck’s 4K Tow Package. To soup up the braking, dual-piston calipers sourced from the European Focus ST are housed inside the sporty truck’s wheels. Daugherty said the team went with a more comfortable pad for use with everyday driving, but they anticipate anyone looking for more will find it easy enough to swap out in their driveway.
The brakes are apparently not the only part coming from overseas. The steering gear is cribbed from the Kuga SUV, as it has a faster steering ratio compared to the Escape, its American cousin. Strut mounts are out of the Mustang Mach-E, Ford says, and the mono-tubes from the FX4 and Tremor are going in as the rear dampers.
For those looking for a bit of engagement, there are paddle shifters. This is matched up with a 7-speed transmission that has been apparently “tuned for performance shifts.”
Last but not least is the secret weapon: a twin-pack rear drive unit from the Bronco Sport (and also Maverick Tremor) that allows for “true differential torque vectoring.” This gives the rear increased grip and the ability to “drive into that corner with the most stability and performance possible.” This can only be engaged in “Lobo Mode,” which alters the stability control. A “track use-only” message will display on the instrument cluster, similar to performance modes seen in cars like the Mustang.
Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts Bin?
This truck isn’t for those craving maximum horses. If that’s your thing, Ford will be very happy to sell you a 700-horsepower F-150 with a 3.0L Whipple supercharger. The Lobo is for those yearning for the soul of a hot hatch (speed, space, fuel economy), reborn in in a shape that is palatable to Americans. (Because America has given up on, you know, actual hatchbacks).
Do you want to be able to pick your kids up from soccer practice, throw their bikes in the bed, and then hit up your local mall’s parking lot for autocross on the weekend? This is the truck for you. If this were an RPG, the towing stats would be turned down slightly, with the leftover experience points going into the “cool” and “pep” categories on the spider chart [Ed Note: Apparently this is a video game reference. I’ll leave it in so as not to contaminate voice, but I don’t know what it means. -DT]. Per Ford’s technical specifications, the Lobo has the lowest payload capacity of all Mavericks at 1,045 pounds, down 95 pounds from the Tremor. Towing is also capped at 2,000 pounds, and, like the Tremor, it too is excluded from the 4K Tow Package.
(Note: There’s no info on whether the Lobo’s fuel economy is significantly different than the 25 MPG combined we saw from the outgoing AWD EcoBoost Maverick. I bet it’s similar).
If this is your cup of Baja Blast, the Standard configuration starts at $35,000 (MSRP) with all the same features of the XLT and the other add-ons mentioned above. Your choice of colors is Carbonized Gray Metallic, Oxford White, Shadow Black, and Velocity Blue. If you’re looking for a bit more luxury, the High Configuration goes for $40,495 and adds:
- Heated steering wheel and seats
- Ford Co-Pilot360 2.0 driver-assist technologies
- 360-degree camera system
- Spray-in Bedliner
- Moon roof
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Per Ford, the High Configuration is available for order starting today, August 1, with the rest of the Maverick order bank. The Standard Configuration will be available for order in late 2024. The first Lobo deliveries are slated for early 2025.
Some more images of the Lobo:
I like it, but I still wish they made a Maverick SUV. 4.5 feet behind the back seats would be awesome compared to what the Escape and Bronco Sport offer.
I mean, I know I’m a big supporter of the Hornet, but I’m also very keen on the Maverick…. honestly, more so the Maverick then the Hornet, but I just gotta say:
Dodge will sell you a 140mph crossover with fixed four piston calipers, 245-wide tires, and adaptive suspension for less than Ford will sell you a lowered Maverick with paddle shifters, 2 less gears, less power, and some additional cooling. And you aren’t forced to get a moonroof, as I just discovered looking at the website.
I can also build a Hornet with different colors, with most of the options I want, and it’ll be 10k less than what I priced a Maverick Lobo out to be.
I wouldn’t get the cool wheels though if I chose the Hornet.
How much did you price out for the Lobo? Also, only the “High Configuration” Lobo is listed in the configurator at the moment, with the “Standard” option to go online later this year for about $35k.
I also like the Hornet, in theory. But the price for performance and the significant tech issues give me pause.
I got to about 46,000 all in. There wasn’t much for packages and independent options, outside of accessories.
The only thing that kinda off-puts me about the Hornet is the hybrid, because it’s the exact same scenario as the Pacifica: the gas ones seem to not have that many issues, but the hybrids are just hot messes. For $35k though, I’d still rather have a 2.0T Hornet if I’m getting anything “sporty”. No Maverick has the specs to compare on the performance the rebadged Alfa offers!
I highly recommend checking out the build for the Tucci Hot Rods version that was used as inspiration. The wheels were fabricated from scratch from sheet metal and a lot of the body work was 3D printed which was even more impressive the year that the Maverick launched. https://www.instagram.com/p/CYHeRI7Jq1Q/?img_index=2
I still see some of those low mini trucks occasionally where I live in Tucson. Part of me never really accepted the “why are you removing functionality from a truck” part but on the other hand, for awhile, it was an inexpensive entry to body on frame vehicles for modifying and I get that.
I am ok with removing functionality from the truck if they aren’t adding, will kill you levels of height and removing functionality.
First impressions: Too much sidewall and no manual. 265/45-20’s high performance all weather would be a good compromise between handling and ride. Also hate black rims, should be white/silver/gray.
*Holds phone to head like Carnac* I can see the Autopian article now: “Dealers are already marking up the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo by as much as $50k”.
Seriously. How am I supposed to get excited about new stuff anymore?
I am not, and never have been, in to mini trucks. By that I do not refer to small trucks (I own multiple Datsun 720s), but slammed modified small trucks. And yet regardless, I really hope this can inspire a resurgence in mini trucking as a popular build style.
Upvote for the 720 owner! Fond memories of those (and 620’s), but I haven’t seen one in the wild in a LONG time.
Base Lobo is $10K more than a base Maverick? Sheesh……
I hear you about that price jump but that $40k Lobo in the configurator right now isn’t a “base” model. Consider it a tricked out launch edition trying to sucker first wave buyers and making them pay for a loaded options bundle.
Shit, that’s good-looking.
Ready for some 80s-style graphic overlays on the wheels!
And some good 80s style graphics on the sides of the truck too. This is perfect for something like that.
Yes! Though perhaps either-or. I was thinking BBS graphics, or maybe a Ronal Turbo type thing. Also, black body and gold turbofans give you a Trans-Am look 🙂 In blue, the body does kind of lend itself to ‘Jazz’ style splash graphics.
ooooooh yes. Black with gold turbofans, and some sort of stylized big wolf graphic on the hood, similar to the screaming chicken from the Trans Am.
No…the ultimate Lobo is black with gold turbofans, and a Three Wolf Moon graphic on the hood 🙂
I can’t wait to see this baby get airbrushed.
I wouldn’t call it tangentially related to a hot hatch even at gunpoint but I’d take it over an f150 anyway
I think all of the components and the platform it shares with hot hatches make it at least tangentially related to those hot hatches.
Poor word choice, I just see red when it comes to trucks lmao
No manual no care
Was already considering a Maverick to replace my Wrangler 6sp. This would be about perfection with a stick. Plus my kids are both getting close to driving age and want to learn how to drive stick. ❤️
Ford fumbled the ball right before the end zone on rhis truck. They should have put the 2.3 Ecoboost in it even if detuned to 280hp (especially given the now lower 238hp 2.0). But they could fix it with a Lobo Loco Edition.
Lobo nameplate is used in Mexico to name highline F150. I wonder what are they going to call this Maverick down here, if it ever comes.
El Pequeño Lobo.
Lobito
“…The Lobo, named after the Spanish term for ‘Wolf’…”
Okay, when combined with Maverick I assume Ford wanted to evoke a lone dissenter who takes an independent stand apart from their peers. Lone Wolf.
But given that Maverick was part of the Mustang-Maverick-Pinto horse theme, and taking the original meaning of Maverick, the Maverick Lobo is unbranded livestock mated with a wolf. Or maybe an awkwardly branded truck.
Since maverick means unbranded livestock, most commonly a bull as used on the Maverick logo, what do you mean it’s part of a horse theme? Was the original Maverick Grabber a poor name because bulls don’t have thumbs and thus cannot grab you?
Maybe a Maverick Grabber is a cowboy who rounds up strays. 😀
The Maverick was bull themed, not horse
Oops, you’re right.
We have a horse snake, we can have a bull wolf too.
True.
1) that’s a Jeep’s Grill.
2) the new lights ruin what was one of the best parts of the First gen. Maverick.
3) they are cowards for not going with the white wheels.
I just wanted the white wheels! I can’t believe they didn’t do that!
I totally agree with 2! The First gen Maverick was so .. Benign. Friendly. Chill.
IMHO with how commonplace “sporty” BEVs are who beat this thing out in 0-60s unless you’re faster than BEVS (unlikely at best) ICE performance vehicles should have a manual transmission option. You’re already losing the race, so you’re driving it for the experience, hence the manual transmission option.
I like this way more than I should given Fords recent reliability record. Also it’s gonna be very tire limited performance number wise, looks like it still has very trucky tires, gonna need to swap those out. Can we get a drift mode, haha?
Ford has some video of the Lobo being tested on what looks like an impromptu autocross route. It seems quite drift-capable. Especially since I assume it was in “Lobo mode.”
I’m all for this. Granted, I’m not likely to buy one – I’ll hang on to my actual hot hatch… but a lowered Maverick would be a much more pleasant companion on the city streets than a Raptor.
Perfect for the person that must drive a truck (for actual or imagined reasons) but recognizes that street manners are good too.
I love it! Speaking just for me, it isn’t the Maverick model I would buy, but what excites me is Ford putting something like this out there for the peeps that do. It’s fun to see models like this coming back into vogue