2026 Maverick Hybrid AWD Improvements (Slip Test)

[MaverickDragon]

AI-generated bullshit. The trick differential is, again, only available on Tremors and Lobos for 2026.

For those too busy to actually watch, he specifically says in the video that the truck is NOT equipped with the fancy rear diff

99% sure this is only a software update to the stability / traction control logic that applies the brakes to free-spinning wheels in order to fake the effect of a LSD

I hope you are right. I could not find any official source of information that indicated exactly what was changed, and I watched the video. I did state it was a robot opinion.
There could still be a hardware tweak to enable the software.

Until Ford announces it as viable 25 MY upgrade, it's all conjecture.

Perhaps of interest, the local Ford dealer tech services rep had no idea this change was even implemented for MY26.
I sent them the video url - They said they would get back to me.

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[Tbone289]

I hope you are right. I could not find any official source of information that indicated exactly what was changed, and I watched the video.

There was a statement from Ford in the video that it was a software modification to update functionality similar to 2.0 liter off road models

 

[Maverick123]

I hope you are right. I could not find any official source of information that indicated exactly what was changed, and I watched the video.

Listen to what he says at 13:20
"It does feel a lot more like a Bronco Sport Badlands off-road now, which is impressive because it doesn't have that twin-clutch rear diff; it's all in the software"

 

[MaverickDragon]

I'm not the one who needs to be convinced.
His statement may be true, but he's not the one who can say it can be applied to the MY25...

 

[Tbone289]

I'm not the one who needs to be convinced.
His statement may be true, but he's not the one who can say it can be applied to the MY25...

My apologies, I was referring more to your comments in posts 7&8, where you seemed to have doubt that it was only software. I quoted your more recent post simply because it was more convenient.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Listen to what he says at 13:20
"It does feel a lot more like a Bronco Sport Badlands off-road now, which is impressive because it doesn't have that twin-clutch rear diff; it's all in the software"

I heard that the first time.
I did not see that statement in the communication from Ford as indicating it was all inclusive to software, so I took that to be his opinion, not that he's wrong.

I certainly hope he's right, as that would make the change applicable to the MY25 much more likely, and I am one of those who actually gets into situations on a regular basis where that might make a difference.
It hope it's just a software module update, but until it's available, it isn't.

 

[notfast]

I was mildly disappointed when TFL did their first slip test on the 2025 Maverick Hybrid that they purchased.


Looks like they were provided with an "updated" 2026 Maverick hybrid that fared much better on the slip test and the off road test, with apparently just software changes. Wonder if those software updates will be provided to 2025s.

 

[Dad]

Kudos to the Ford engineers for responding to a clear disadvantage in their AWD system. Hopefully, the update can be installed on earlier Mavericks.

 

[Darryl]

The only information I could find is NOT official, but according to the robot continium, the changes made to the '26 for the improvement in low traction capabilities:
"The torque transfer modification for the 2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD involved both software and hardware changes, including the addition of a torque-vectoring rear differential to enhance performance. " I hope it's just software, but it doesn't sound like it..

They don't have the talk vectoring rear end to my knowledge. That's reserved for the tremor and lobo if I'm not mistaken. In fact, that is why the the 4K towing package is not available in those trims

 

[sanpablo]

Actually, the good news was that the '25 wasn't too bad as long as traction control was disabled.
I have a Subaru Forester that needs TC disabled as well to get through mud easily.

I discovered that turning off TC in my 23 XLT hybrid FWD helped in the snow. Still not good but better, lol

 

[710-oil-614]

I hope that this gets pushed to the 2025s

 

[MaverickDragon]

I hope that this gets pushed to the 2025s

That would be a spectacularly good outcome.
I'm going to be following up with the dealer tech I sent the video to.
I encourage others to do the same, and ask them when the 25's can get the upgrade.

Maybe if enough queries make it up to corporate, they will have an incentive to roll it out.
If it is just a software change, it could be an easy great customer service good will gesture from Ford.

 

[710-oil-614]

That would be a spectacularly good outcome.
I'm going to be following up with the dealer tech I sent the video to.
I encourage others to do the same, and ask them when the 25's can get the upgrade.

Maybe if enough queries make it up to corporate, they will have an incentive to roll it out.
If it is just a software change, it could be an easy great customer service good will gesture from Ford.

I won’t hold my breath for it but I really wish they would.

I find the AWD adequate but this is a clear improvement and if it’s truly just software updates it would be crazy of them not to do it for us, or at least give us the option to pay them some stupid amount of money for the flash

 

[Baldazzer]

That would be a spectacularly good outcome.
I'm going to be following up with the dealer tech I sent the video to.
I encourage others to do the same, and ask them when the 25's can get the upgrade.

Maybe if enough queries make it up to corporate, they will have an incentive to roll it out.
If it is just a software change, it could be an easy great customer service good will gesture from Ford.

Possibly more effective to tell Ford Corporate directly…https://www.ford.com/help/contact/?srsltid=AfmBOoqT10bcI3koUH-4gb9Z03lfys0g53mQDxx3zrxtNmat-W9Pr7bp

 

[MaverickDragon]

Possibly more effective to tell Ford Corporate directly…https://www.ford.com/help/contact/www.ford.com/help/contact/

I'm going to follow up via the dealer route, as I already started that.
Have you forwarded a link to corporate?

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