Ford Maverick is MotorTrend 2026 Truck of the Year! 🏆

[Pete Sheppard]

Both the XLT Hybrid AWD and Lobo models managed their cargos easily, though when accelerating under load, the hybrid’s engine revs to redline and loudly hangs there until you’ve hit your target speed.

They should have left this statement out of the article. Not very flattering.

Nah. Tell it like it is. Some customers won't like it, but most won't mind but don't like to be surprised by 'weird' noises in their new vehicle.

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[ScottyC]

Hey!! First time in my adult life I am driving a Motor Trend vehicle of the year....and I agree with their assessment.

 

[ScottyC]

I wonder if it will still be Truck of the Year when it hits its first major redesign and grows up to be the size of a current Ranger?

I can see a redesign targeting more rear seat room....but that is about it. a 3-4 inch stretch would do it.

 

[Master Blaster]

I wonder if it will still be Truck of the Year when it hits its first major redesign and grows up to be the size of a current Ranger?

Hopefully they've finally fired all those vehicle designers who want to make any vehicle bigger with each model year. Its been a trend in every manufacturer for at least 60 years now, and nobody has ever explained why a couple of inches every year is supposed to make it better. The F100 and original F150 were the same size as the Maverick. The Ranger started out at almost exactly the same size as the Maverick, and is now only a foot shorter than the ridiculously oversized F150, GMC, Toyota, Nissan and Ram products. They've also all become taller each year for 20 years, and now you can't even get in without climbing in and can't see the vehicle in front of you over the stupidly high hoods. And they actually haul less than a 60s or early 70s truck.

 

[Pete Sheppard]

Hey!! First time in my adult life I am driving a Motor Trend vehicle of the the year....and I agree with their assessment.

Good point!

 

[TNFurb]

I can see a redesign targeting more rear seat room....but that is about it. a 3-4 inch stretch would do it.

I personally hope they don’t add any length or width. I think it is perfectly sized. Yes the back seat is a little cramped but it’s not bad. My thinking is if you need more space, move up to the Ranger. And instead of continually increasing the size of the ranger, move up to the F150 if you need more space. I’ve never understood why vehicles have to grow in size with each redesign.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I personally hope they don’t add any length or width. I think it is perfectly sized. Yes the back seat is a little cramped but it’s not bad. My thinking is if you need more space, move up to the Ranger. And instead of continually increasing gate size of the ranger, move up to the F150 if you need more space. I’ve never understood why vehicles have to grow in size with each redesign.

It's shrinkflation in reverse.
To justify the price increases.
They try to make customers feel like they're getting a lot more for their money.

 

[ScottyC]

To justify the price increases.
They try to make customers feel like they're getting a lot more for their money.
It's like shrinkflation in reverse.

I remember the big broohahaha when Ford redesigned F-Series from 1979 to 1980 and the truck was incrementally smaller and lighter....the horror!!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I remember the big broohahaha when Ford redesigned F-Series from 1979 to 1980 and the truck was incrementally smaller and lighter....the horror!!

T-Bird, Mustang, Oldsmobile Toronado, Buick Riviera all went through the same thing.

Look how big lexuses have gotten.
Almost 1000lbs. Extra.

 

[Sluggo48313]

I personally hope they don’t add any length or width. I think it is perfectly sized. Yes the back seat is a little cramped but it’s not bad. My thinking is if you need more space, move up to the Ranger. And instead of continually increasing gate size of the ranger, move up to the F150 if you need more space. I’ve never understood why vehicles have to grow in size with each redesign.

The Ranger actually has a cubic foot LESS space inside than the Maverick

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

I can see a redesign targeting more rear seat room....but that is about it. a 3-4 inch stretch would do it.

Ah yes, that would be the first step they would likely make...but while they're at it, may as well add that same amount to the bed, right?

 

[Master Blaster]

Ah yes, that would be the first step they would likely make...but while they're at it, may as well add that same amount to the bed, right?

Bigger is not better. At 200" long, the Maverick is already at the maximum size that a small truck should be at. Any longer and it will not fit in a lot of people's garages and every small increase makes it makes it harder to park in a Walmart or Costco parking lot. I hope that they never do that stupidity like they did to the Ranger and F150, that can't reasonably be parked in a lot of places and has to be parked outdoors only.

 

[ZiggyStardust]

Still love our 2024 XLT Hybrid and it just keeps me smiling and the weekly gas fillup's under $12 at most for us are nice. We are retired and don't do long commutes or trips often.

Only issue we have had is 2 recalls and one was done during a 6 month service visit and the other for the camera patch. They came to our home on that one and were on time and took about 45 minutes total. That tech also checked fluids and such as everything with the upgrade camera software went so smooth.

Since we bought the 5 year 75,000 maintenance package we still got 3 years of no costs except a bit of gas each week and tires I figure sometime next year.

 

[imboden013]

I personally hope they don’t add any length or width. I think it is perfectly sized. Yes the back seat is a little cramped but it’s not bad. My thinking is if you need more space, move up to the Ranger. And instead of continually increasing the size of the ranger, move up to the F150 if you need more space. I’ve never understood why vehicles have to grow in size with each redesign.

The Maverick actually has more interior space than the Ranger. There’s a little over an inch more rear leg room.

 

[BigClydeLittleTruck]

Bigger is not better. At 200" long, the Maverick is already at the maximum size that a small truck should be at. Any longer and it will not fit in a lot of people's garages and every small increase makes it makes it harder to park in a Walmart or Costco parking lot. I hope that they never do that stupidity like they did to the Ranger and F150, that can't reasonably be parked in a lot of places and has to be parked outdoors only.

I couldn't agree with your assessment more than I do. I also know that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior so there's no reason to believe that the Mav will stay the size it currently is. Whatever their reasons, it seems the default for auto redesigns is for them to grow larger over time.

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