Ford Maverick Named MotorTrend Truck of the Year

For years, pickup trucks have been locked in an arms race—bigger bodies, taller hoods, heavier frames, and tailgates that feel more like staircases. In the middle of all that excess, the Ford Maverick has quietly done the opposite. And now, that contrarian approach has earned the industry’s highest praise: the Ford Maverick is MotorTrend’s 2026 Truck of the Year.

It’s a milestone moment not just for Ford, but for compact trucks as a whole.

A Compact Truck That Makes Sense Again

The Maverick’s appeal has always been refreshingly simple. You can reach into the bed without climbing. You don’t need a running start to load gear. It fits in garages, parking spaces, and everyday life. Normal-sized humans can use it comfortably—and that alone feels revolutionary in today’s truck market.

Introduced in 2022, the Maverick nearly took the title back then, losing out only to the groundbreaking Rivian R1T. Four years and nearly half a million sales later, Ford has returned with a comprehensively updated Maverick for 2026—one that’s smarter, tougher, and more fun than ever.

Why MotorTrend Picked the Maverick

MotorTrend evaluates Truck of the Year contenders across six core criteria: performance of intended function, engineering excellence, advancement in design, efficiency, value, and safety. Over two weeks of intensive testing, the Maverick stood out against a field of new and revised competitors.

Performance That Punches Above Its Size

For 2026, the Maverick gains trailering tech previously reserved for full-size trucks. A new 13.2-inch Sync 4 touchscreen enables features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, making towing and reversing small trailers far easier—exactly the kind Maverick owners are most likely to use.

Whether hauling Sea-Doos, loading up 700 pounds of cargo, or navigating light off-road trails, the Maverick proved it can still “do truck stuff” without pretending to be something it’s not.

Fun Is Part of the Formula

The Maverick doesn’t just work—it entertains. The street-focused Lobo model adds playful performance with a twin-clutch rear axle and drift-friendly drive modes, while even the hybrid versions can kick up a little gravel-side fun. Reviewers consistently praised how eager and engaging the Maverick feels behind the wheel, a rarity in the truck world.

Smart Engineering in a Small Package

One of the Maverick’s greatest strengths is packaging. Despite being significantly smaller than midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, it offers more rear-seat head- and legroom and nearly 90% of a Tacoma short bed’s capacity—all in a footprint that’s easier to live with and far more affordable.

Ford’s engineering work also enabled the hybrid AWD Maverick to tow up to 4,000 pounds with the available 4K Tow Package, thanks to upgraded cooling and drivetrain enhancements. Thoughtful touches—like the truck remembering your preferred drive mode—reinforce that Ford understands real truck use.

Subtle Design, Big Improvements

The 2026 refresh doesn’t shout, but it refines. Updated grilles and trim help better differentiate trims while strengthening the Maverick’s family resemblance to larger Ford trucks. Inside, clever use of textures, colors, and patterns makes hard plastics feel upscale, while the new digital instrument cluster adds modern flair (even if opinions on it were mixed).

The Lobo’s monochrome styling, black roof, and street-truck stance bring fresh personality to the lineup, proving compact doesn’t have to mean boring.

Efficiency and Value Still Lead the Class

Efficiency remains a Maverick calling card. Hybrid models deliver up to 42 mpg city, making them the most fuel-efficient gas-powered pickups on sale. Even turbocharged EcoBoost models achieve impressive highway numbers for a truck.

Value is equally strong. For 2026, pricing adjustments make the Maverick even more accessible, with entry-level models undercutting the average new vehicle price by thousands. Even fully loaded, the Maverick remains far cheaper to buy and operate than traditional pickups—a key reason it resonates with real-world buyers.

The Right Truck at the Right Time

When Ford first launched the Maverick, it wasn’t clear whether American buyers would embrace a truly compact, crossover-based pickup. The sales numbers answered that question decisively. The 2026 update builds on that success with meaningful improvements rather than unnecessary bloat.

MotorTrend’s verdict says it all: the Maverick proves that a truck doesn’t need to be enormous to be excellent. By staying focused on usability, efficiency, and genuine fun, the Ford Maverick earns its place as 2026 MotorTrend Truck of the Year—and as one of the most important trucks on the road today.