A Velocity Blue 2025 Ford Maverick XLT AWD pickup sits at the trailhead, splattered with the fine dust of a Foresthill Road descent. Behind it, 730 feet of air separates the Foresthill Bridge from the canyon floor below. This is exactly where a compact truck like the Ford Maverick XLT: not parked in a suburban driveway waiting for a Costco run, but pointed toward the next adventure, ready for whatever the road throws at it.
Ford’s smallest pickup has answered years of buyer demand with a single, significant upgrade for 2025: all-wheel drive is now available with the hybrid powertrain.
Engine and Performance
The Ford Maverick XLT AWD tested here runs the 2.5-liter hybrid engine paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT).
The system produces a combined 191 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 155 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
These numbers are modest on paper, but the electric motor’s instant torque provides satisfying responsiveness from a standstill.
The AWD system prioritizes the front wheels under normal conditions, engaging the rear axle as needed for traction.
Ford has clarified that this is not a Haldex-type system that waits for front-wheel slippage before sending power rearward. Instead, the rear wheels engage proactively under various conditions. Drivers can monitor power distribution through a display that shows real-time torque delivery to each wheel.
With the available 4K Tow Package included on this XLT, towing capacity jumps from the standard 2,000 pounds to 4,000 pounds. The package also adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, features previously reserved for the EcoBoost engine only.
Acceleration to 60 mph takes approximately 6.7 seconds. That figure trails the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost by less than a second, a reasonable trade-off for the hybrid’s fuel efficiency advantage.
The EPA rates the 2025 Maverick Hybrid AWD at 40 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined.
The window sticker projects annual fuel costs of $1,400 and estimates savings of $2,500 over five years compared to the average new vehicle. The truck emits 240 grams of CO2 per mile.
Real-world results vary depending on driving style and conditions. Owners report averaging between 32 and 38 mpg with the AWD hybrid, with some achieving 40 mpg or higher during extended city driving in warm weather.
Highway speeds and cold temperatures reduce these figures. With a 13.8-gallon fuel tank, the Maverick can travel over 500 miles on a single fill-up under optimal conditions.
Driving Through California’s Gold Country
The Maverick’s compact dimensions prove their worth on the winding roads above Auburn. Descending toward Lake Clementine, the truck navigates tight switchbacks without the constant mirror-checking required by larger pickups.
The lake sits in a narrow canyon on the North Fork of the American River, created in 1939 when the Army Corps of Engineers built a dam to contain mining debris from Gold Rush operations. The water runs clear and shallow in summer, ideal for kayaking and swimming.
Continuing east on Foresthill Road, the Maverick crosses the famous bridge that spans the canyon 730 feet above the river.
The Foresthill Bridge was the second-highest in the world when it opened in 1973, built to accommodate a reservoir that was never created after the Auburn Dam project was abandoned due to earthquake fault concerns. The four-lane span remains the tallest bridge in California and among the ten highest in the United States.
Beyond the bridge, the road descends into the American River Canyon toward Yankee Jim’s Bridge. This remote crossing sits at the site of one of Placer County’s richest mining areas. Gold was discovered here in 1850 by a notorious character named Yankee Jim Robinson, who stumbled upon the deposit while on the run for horse theft.
By 1857, the town was among the most important in the county. Today, people still pan for gold in the river below the historic bridge, searching for flakes in the same gravels that yielded fortunes 175 years ago.
The Maverick’s selectable drive modes help manage these varied conditions.
Normal mode optimizes for efficiency, while Slippery mode adjusts throttle response and traction control for loose surfaces. The truck’s 8.3-inch ground clearance handles the dirt access roads without difficulty, though the standard all-season tires are no match for serious mud.
The Maverick transitions easily from backcountry exploration to urban cruising. Midtown Sacramento has become an outdoor gallery, with more than 293 documented murals scattered across buildings, walls, and alleyways.
The Wide Open Walls festival, launched in 2016, commissions world-renowned artists to paint large-scale works throughout the city.
Walking tours cover the R Street Corridor, Downtown, and Midtown neighborhoods, with guides explaining the stories behind each piece.
Parking the Maverick on Sacramento’s grid presents none of the challenges faced by full-size trucks.
The 199.7-inch overall length fits comfortably in street parking spaces, and the tight turning radius allows quick navigation through the numbered streets.
The 121-inch wheelbase keeps the ride stable while remaining maneuverable enough for parallel parking between art stops.
Interior Design
The XLT’s interior is straightforward and functional. Hard plastics dominate the touch surfaces, a design choice that invites use rather than careful preservation.
The materials scratch easily but clean without fuss. For a truck intended to haul kayaks to Lake Clementine, muddy boots from Yankee Jim’s, or dusty gear from any number of trails, this approach makes sense.
The cloth bucket seats resist staining better than leather and prove comfortable across long drives.
The Navy Pier interior with Medium Slate trim offers contrast without flash.
An 8-inch productivity screen behind the steering wheel displays trip data, fuel economy coaching, tire pressure, and navigation turn-by-turn directions. The main event is the 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen, a significant upgrade from the previous generation’s 8-inch display.
The screen responds quickly to inputs and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford+Alexa integration enables voice commands for navigation, climate, and phone functions.
The XLT Luxury Package on this truck adds an 8-way power driver’s seat, a welcome upgrade from the base manual adjustment.
The second-row bench folds to reveal under-seat storage, and the 2nd row flip-up configuration allows access to additional cargo space. USB ports and 12V power points keep devices charged.
Build quality exceeds expectations for the price point. Road noise remains reasonable at highway speeds, and the cabin stays free of creaks and rattles that might otherwise appear in vehicles focused on value over refinement.
The 4.5-foot bed measures 54.4 inches long, 53.3 inches wide at maximum, and 42.6 inches wide between the wheel wells.
Bed depth is 20.3 inches, providing 33.3 cubic feet of cargo volume. Payload capacity reaches 1,500 pounds.
The FlexBed storage system distinguishes the Maverick from competitors. Built-in slots accept 2×4 and 2×6 lumber, allowing owners to create custom dividers, bike racks, or shelving without aftermarket accessories.
Tie-down hooks double as bottle openers. The multi-position tailgate locks half-closed, aligning with the wheel wells to support longer materials like ladders or paddleboards.
This XLT includes a spray-in bedliner and bed tie-down locking rails. The enclosed bed storage compartments keep smaller items secure and hidden.
The power tailgate lock provides convenience without fumbling for keys when hands are full.
Technology and Safety Features
Ford Co-Pilot360 comes standard on the XLT, providing Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, dynamic brake support, and lane-keeping aid.
The system uses front-facing sensors to detect pedestrians and other vehicles, applying brakes automatically if the driver fails to respond to warnings.
Rear parking sensors help judge distances when backing into tight spots at trailheads or along Sacramento’s crowded streets.
The rear-view camera displays guidelines for trailer alignment when the 4K Tow Package is installed.
FordPass Connect provides 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability for up to ten devices. The modem enables remote start, lock, and unlock functions through the FordPass smartphone app.
Over-the-air software updates keep the SYNC 4 system current without dealer visits.
The XLT also includes LED reflector headlamps with auto high-beam and wiper-activated features, intelligent access with push-button start, and a perimeter alarm with SecuriLock anti-theft system.
Ford backs the Maverick with a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance.
The hybrid-specific components receive extended coverage of 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Pricing and Competition
The 2025 Maverick XLT AWD Hybrid starts at $28,895.
The test vehicle includes Equipment Group 301A, the XLT Luxury Package, 4K Tow Package, Ford Co-Pilot360, spray-in bedliner, and bed tie-down locking rails.
Total options add $6,370 to the base price. With the $1,595 destination charge, the window sticker shows $36,860.
The Maverick competes directly with the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which offers similar dimensions and a more angular design.
No other manufacturers currently produce compact pickups in this segment, leaving buyers with limited alternatives. The Santa Cruz starts higher and returns lower fuel economy than the Maverick Hybrid.
Compared to mid-size trucks like the Ford Ranger, the Maverick offers a lower entry price and better fuel efficiency while sacrificing towing capacity and off-road capability.
Buyers who genuinely need mid-size truck capabilities should look elsewhere. Those who want truck utility without truck compromises find the Maverick’s balance persuasive.
The 2025 Ford Maverick XLT AWD Hybrid delivers what buyers have requested since the truck launched: the efficiency of the hybrid powertrain combined with the traction of all-wheel drive. The plastic interior will not impress luxury shoppers, but it serves the truck’s intended purpose. This is a vehicle built for use, not admiration.
For drivers who explore Lake Clementine on weekends, cross the Foresthill Bridge regularly, or seek out the historic sites and art murals that make Northern California distinctive, the Maverick provides honest transportation at a fair price. It hauls enough for weekend projects, fits where larger trucks cannot, and sips fuel while doing so. The combination is difficult to find elsewhere.
Article Last Updated: November 24, 2025.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.