2025 Maverick Lobo Cat-Back Exhaust Comparison

[wdninja]

I’ve gone through four different cat-back systems on my 2025 Maverick Lobo (Ecoboost), so I figured I’d share impressions for anyone considering an upgrade. The ones I tried: Ford Performance (Borla-made), Magnaflow, MRT Sidekick, and Thermal R&D.

Ford Performance (by Borla)

• Fitment was perfect, but the volume was extreme. Even the Ford tech thought it had a leak at first.
• Uses a larger muffler than Borla’s retail version, but it’s basically hollow, so it isn’t quieter.
• Loud on cold start and with any throttle input, easily the most aggressive of the bunch.

Magnaflow (2022–2024 kit)

• Ordered the earlier fitment since a 2025+ version isn’t out yet. It does not fit due to changes in the catalytic converter and hanger locations.
• I rigged it with Ford Performance piping just to test the sound.
• Very quiet with no drone, deeper tone but not much personality. Good if you want tame and drama-free, but wait for the proper 2025+ fitment.

MRT Sidekick (Street version)

• Exits in front of the passenger rear tire and eliminates some underbody piping, nice for ground clearance on my lowered truck.
• MRT claims “low drone.” That’s not accurate. I’d call it a 3–4 out of 5 on the drone scale.
• Tone and volume were otherwise good, but the drone was unbearable for me.

Thermal R&D (2025+ specific)

• Went with the dual black tips, driver-side exit. Fit was spot-on: good welds, hardware, hanger placement, and no cutting required.
• Tips hang ~¾–1" below the bumper, avoiding heat issues.
• Sound is excellent: louder than Magnaflow, but only really noticeable at cold start or heavy throttle. No drone at cruising speeds.
• Customer service was also reassuring, they were confident it would hit the “sweet spot,” and they were right.

Final Take

• Quiet / conservative: Wait for Magnaflow’s 2025+ kit.
• Aggressive / loud: Ford Performance (Borla).
• Perfect balance (my pick): Thermal R&D.

I took a video of the Thermal R&D cold start, warm-up idle, and 2k/3k revs:

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[1929]

I’ve gone through four different cat-back systems on my 2025 Maverick Lobo (Ecoboost), so I figured I’d share impressions for anyone considering an upgrade. The ones I tried: Ford Performance (Borla-made), Magnaflow, MRT Sidekick, and Thermal R&D.

Ford Performance (by Borla)

• Fitment was perfect, but the volume was extreme. Even the Ford tech thought it had a leak at first.
• Uses a larger muffler than Borla’s retail version, but it’s basically hollow, so it isn’t quieter.
• Loud on cold start and with any throttle input, easily the most aggressive of the bunch.

Magnaflow (2022–2024 kit)

• Ordered the earlier fitment since a 2025+ version isn’t out yet. It does not fit due to changes in the catalytic converter and hanger locations.
• I rigged it with Ford Performance piping just to test the sound.
• Very quiet with no drone, deeper tone but not much personality. Good if you want tame and drama-free, but wait for the proper 2025+ fitment.

MRT Sidekick (Street version)

• Exits in front of the passenger rear tire and eliminates some underbody piping, nice for ground clearance on my lowered truck.
• MRT claims “low drone.” That’s not accurate. I’d call it a 3–4 out of 5 on the drone scale.
• Tone and volume were otherwise good, but the drone was unbearable for me.

Thermal R&D (2025+ specific)

• Went with the dual black tips, driver-side exit. Fit was spot-on: good welds, hardware, hanger placement, and no cutting required.
• Tips hang ~¾–1" below the bumper, avoiding heat issues.
• Sound is excellent: louder than Magnaflow, but only really noticeable at cold start or heavy throttle. No drone at cruising speeds.
• Customer service was also reassuring, they were confident it would hit the “sweet spot,” and they were right.

Final Take

• Quiet / conservative: Wait for Magnaflow’s 2025+ kit.
• Aggressive / loud: Ford Performance (Borla).
• Perfect balance (my pick): Thermal R&D.

I took a video of the Thermal R&D cold start, warm-up idle, and 2k/3k revs:

Pretty close to riding mower. Mower Sound

 

[Chops]

I’ve gone through four different cat-back systems on my 2025 Maverick Lobo (Ecoboost), so I figured I’d share impressions for anyone considering an upgrade. The ones I tried: Ford Performance (Borla-made), Magnaflow, MRT Sidekick, and Thermal R&D.

Ford Performance (by Borla)

• Fitment was perfect, but the volume was extreme. Even the Ford tech thought it had a leak at first.
• Uses a larger muffler than Borla’s retail version, but it’s basically hollow, so it isn’t quieter.
• Loud on cold start and with any throttle input, easily the most aggressive of the bunch.

Magnaflow (2022–2024 kit)

• Ordered the earlier fitment since a 2025+ version isn’t out yet. It does not fit due to changes in the catalytic converter and hanger locations.
• I rigged it with Ford Performance piping just to test the sound.
• Very quiet with no drone, deeper tone but not much personality. Good if you want tame and drama-free, but wait for the proper 2025+ fitment.

MRT Sidekick (Street version)

• Exits in front of the passenger rear tire and eliminates some underbody piping, nice for ground clearance on my lowered truck.
• MRT claims “low drone.” That’s not accurate. I’d call it a 3–4 out of 5 on the drone scale.
• Tone and volume were otherwise good, but the drone was unbearable for me.

Thermal R&D (2025+ specific)

• Went with the dual black tips, driver-side exit. Fit was spot-on: good welds, hardware, hanger placement, and no cutting required.
• Tips hang ~¾–1" below the bumper, avoiding heat issues.
• Sound is excellent: louder than Magnaflow, but only really noticeable at cold start or heavy throttle. No drone at cruising speeds.
• Customer service was also reassuring, they were confident it would hit the “sweet spot,” and they were right.

Final Take

• Quiet / conservative: Wait for Magnaflow’s 2025+ kit.
• Aggressive / loud: Ford Performance (Borla).
• Perfect balance (my pick): Thermal R&D.

I took a video of the Thermal R&D cold start, warm-up idle, and 2k/3k revs:

Pretty close to riding mower. Mower Sound

Thanks for your impressions.

If you think the Ford/Borla is loud - you should hear the stock Borla for the Maverick!

The Ford/Borla muffler (shaped like the OEM) is replaced by a grapefruit sized bundle of 4 straight pipes. Yikes. Currently planning to add a direct flow Magnaflow or Borla resonator/muffler someplace upstream.

I have noticed the stock Borla is more bearable driving in “Normal Mode” than my typical driving in “Sport” or “Lobo” modes.

Where the paddle shifts are instantaneous in Sport/Lobo Modes, the paddle shifting in Normal Mode has a slight delay - as if the ECU is disengaging/re-engaging an imaginary clutch. Feels more like an actual manual transmission

It must be more difficult for catback designers to fine tune their products these days with all the different ECU driving modes…

 

[timmyturbo]

I’ve gone through four different cat-back systems on my 2025 Maverick Lobo (Ecoboost), so I figured I’d share impressions for anyone considering an upgrade. The ones I tried: Ford Performance (Borla-made), Magnaflow, MRT Sidekick, and Thermal R&D.

Ford Performance (by Borla)

• Fitment was perfect, but the volume was extreme. Even the Ford tech thought it had a leak at first.
• Uses a larger muffler than Borla’s retail version, but it’s basically hollow, so it isn’t quieter.
• Loud on cold start and with any throttle input, easily the most aggressive of the bunch.

Magnaflow (2022–2024 kit)

• Ordered the earlier fitment since a 2025+ version isn’t out yet. It does not fit due to changes in the catalytic converter and hanger locations.
• I rigged it with Ford Performance piping just to test the sound.
• Very quiet with no drone, deeper tone but not much personality. Good if you want tame and drama-free, but wait for the proper 2025+ fitment.

MRT Sidekick (Street version)

• Exits in front of the passenger rear tire and eliminates some underbody piping, nice for ground clearance on my lowered truck.
• MRT claims “low drone.” That’s not accurate. I’d call it a 3–4 out of 5 on the drone scale.
• Tone and volume were otherwise good, but the drone was unbearable for me.

Thermal R&D (2025+ specific)

• Went with the dual black tips, driver-side exit. Fit was spot-on: good welds, hardware, hanger placement, and no cutting required.
• Tips hang ~¾–1" below the bumper, avoiding heat issues.
• Sound is excellent: louder than Magnaflow, but only really noticeable at cold start or heavy throttle. No drone at cruising speeds.
• Customer service was also reassuring, they were confident it would hit the “sweet spot,” and they were right.

Final Take

• Quiet / conservative: Wait for Magnaflow’s 2025+ kit.
• Aggressive / loud: Ford Performance (Borla).
• Perfect balance (my pick): Thermal R&D.

I took a video of the Thermal R&D cold start, warm-up idle, and 2k/3k revs:

I went with the Thermal R&D too, also went with the black dual tips. I agree the fitment was dead on, and I really like the dual tip look. It does sound nice at cruising speed, but on acceleration and during cold start it is just too much for me. I took it off immediately. I might give it another go if I can't sell it.

 

[Chops]

I went with the Thermal R&D too, also went with the black dual tips. I agree the fitment was dead on, and I really like the dual tip look. It does sound nice at cruising speed, but on acceleration and during cold start it is just too much for me. I took it off immediately. I might give it another go if I can't sell it.

I’ll trade you for the gentle soothing sounds of my Borla Type 3? Just kidding - my black dual tips look & sound just like the Thermal in OP’s sound clip!

 

[Chops]

By the way - I view my quest to make the EB sound more “aggressive” as silly of course.

Also consider the Hybrid Owners questing for the “800 Mile Club” membership silly too.

This forum has all kinds of “silly”.

 

[timmyturbo]

By the way - I view my quest to make the EB sound more “aggressive” as silly of course.

Also consider the Hybrid Owners questing for the “800 Mile Club” membership silly too.

This forum has all kinds of “silly”.

It's a young man's game...... I'm not sure what I was expecting. I think the last catback exhaust I had was on my Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 25 years ago. All the other modified turbo cars over the years I've had have usually just been a downpipe to stock catback. I think what I really want is just an axle back with the dual tips. If I can't sell the Thermal I should just hack up the stock exhaust and mate the Thermal axle back section to it.

 

[Chops]

It's a young man's game...... I'm not sure what I was expecting. I think the last catback exhaust I had was on my Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX 25 years ago. All the other modified turbo cars over the years I've had have usually just been a downpipe to stock catback. I think what I really want is just an axle back with the dual tips. If I can't sell the Thermal I should just hack up the stock exhaust and mate the Thermal axle back section to it.

I let you know if I was successful in my Borla hack

 

[Cherokee]

It’s a four cylinder, it’ll always sound like a lawnmower.
But I will admit some lawnmowers sound better than others.

 

[Chops]

It’s a four cylinder, it’ll always sound like a lawnmower.
But I will admit some lawnmowers sound better than others.

A modern VVT 4 Cylinder Turbo engine sounds different from a lumpy cammed engine from the 70’s for sure. Both sound better than a Tesla though!

 

[84IM]

I was seriously thinking of order the Thermal exhaust kit, but they don't ship to Canada.....bummer.

 

[2023AWD]

I’ve gone through four different cat-back systems on my 2025 Maverick Lobo (Ecoboost), so I figured I’d share impressions for anyone considering an upgrade. The ones I tried: Ford Performance (Borla-made), Magnaflow, MRT Sidekick, and Thermal R&D.

Ford Performance (by Borla)

• Fitment was perfect, but the volume was extreme. Even the Ford tech thought it had a leak at first.
• Uses a larger muffler than Borla’s retail version, but it’s basically hollow, so it isn’t quieter.
• Loud on cold start and with any throttle input, easily the most aggressive of the bunch.

Magnaflow (2022–2024 kit)

• Ordered the earlier fitment since a 2025+ version isn’t out yet. It does not fit due to changes in the catalytic converter and hanger locations.
• I rigged it with Ford Performance piping just to test the sound.
• Very quiet with no drone, deeper tone but not much personality. Good if you want tame and drama-free, but wait for the proper 2025+ fitment.

MRT Sidekick (Street version)

• Exits in front of the passenger rear tire and eliminates some underbody piping, nice for ground clearance on my lowered truck.
• MRT claims “low drone.” That’s not accurate. I’d call it a 3–4 out of 5 on the drone scale.
• Tone and volume were otherwise good, but the drone was unbearable for me.

Thermal R&D (2025+ specific)

• Went with the dual black tips, driver-side exit. Fit was spot-on: good welds, hardware, hanger placement, and no cutting required.
• Tips hang ~¾–1" below the bumper, avoiding heat issues.
• Sound is excellent: louder than Magnaflow, but only really noticeable at cold start or heavy throttle. No drone at cruising speeds.
• Customer service was also reassuring, they were confident it would hit the “sweet spot,” and they were right.

Final Take

• Quiet / conservative: Wait for Magnaflow’s 2025+ kit.
• Aggressive / loud: Ford Performance (Borla).
• Perfect balance (my pick): Thermal R&D.

I took a video of the Thermal R&D cold start, warm-up idle, and 2k/3k revs:

The first car I put a header and exhaust on was a buddy’s Toyota in about 1980. It sounded like every other 4 cylinder with aftermarket exhaust……to each their own.

Very nice job on your write up.

 

[Chops]

The first car I put a header and exhaust on was a buddy’s Toyota in about 1980. It sounded like every other 4 cylinder with aftermarket exhaust……to each their own.

Very nice job on your write up.

I put a Magnaflow catback on my 4 cylinder 2.7l 2019 GMC Canyon - sounded only slightly deeper than OEM. Barely hear it in cabin. No drone whatsoever. Would recommend.

Put REMARK catbacks on both my 2020 Corolla Hatch 6MT & 2024 Corolla Hatch CVT. Same 4 cylinder 2.0l engine - both sounded a bit more aggressive but nice. No drone.

The Borla on my Maverick is way louder & deeper than any 4 cylinder I’ve heard. Deeper than the 4 cylinder 2.3l ecoboost mustangs I’ve heard.

 

[alex lobos]

I had the ford performance exhaust put in and usually they quiet down eventually. Takes time to break in the mufflers and they quiet down. And just like any cold start it’s gonna be loud. Here’s a comparison from a warm engine start to a cold start.

 

[r0tax]

I had the four performance exhaust put in and usually they quiet down eventually. Takes time to break in the mufflers and they quiet down. And just like any cold start it’s gonna be loud. Here’s a comparison from a warm engine start to a cold start.

What entry lights are you using? Is the projector on the mirror?

The idle sounds good too.


I'm excited to install my [muffled] MRT next week.
While I expect and will tolerate some drone, I sorta expect it with most 'small' mufflers without a resonator.
I wasn't ready/willing to go to a straight pipe for a DD, and my only auto.

I bet a downpipe and cat delete would sound really good on a straight pipe. down turned after the rear of the cab?
Someone, share your vid!
Bring on the drone. But, it'll sound aggro!
The 'straight headers' version of a 4 cyl turbo.

Then the crackles n pops tune, to make it sounds like a rally car with anti-lag on decl.


Lobo - "Wolf unleased" mode. TM

The Lobo needs to be 'Ken blocked'. And it'd be wild, and beautiful art on the street. Even if it gets a twin turbo nitro meth engine put in it. as long as all 4 wheels have smoke boiling off them, with a WIDE body kit. slammed.

Think Hoonicorn, with a Lobo. going up Pikes peak.

Would you guys finally be happy with the Maverick Lobo's sound then?

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