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Poll: Does The Ford Maverick Need A High Performance Model?

The updated 2025 Ford Maverick debuted the first-ever Lobo trim, which answers the call for a sporty compact pickup in terms of looks. There is one thing that the Maverick Lobo leaves to be desired, though. While it looks cool on the outside, under the hood, its power figures are exactly the same as the rest of the Maverick lineup. Ford is well aware of the demand for high-performance pickups, as demonstrated by the popularity of the Raptor variants of the Ford F-150 and Ford Ranger. That begs the question: is it time for the Maverick to get its own high-performance variant?

That’s not to say that the Ford Maverick Lobo – which will get a more affordable variant next year – doesn’t offer any advantages over the “regular” Maverick. It’s slightly lower than its brethren by a mere 0.5 inches, and as previously mentioned, it’s been treated to unique exterior bodywork that set it apart from a visual standpoint and a special set of 20-inch wheels.

And while it does harness the turbocharged 2.0L I4 EcoBoost available under the hood of other Maverick models, the Maverick Lobo gets torque vectoring, which is facilitated by its twin-clutch rear drive unit. It also boasts specially-tuned steering and dual-piston front brake calipers lifted right from the Focus ST. The Lobo also features the same upgraded cooling system present in the optional 4K Tow Package, with its larger radiator and fan, plus a transmission oil cooler. Its transmission also represents a bit of an upgrade too, borrowing the seven-speed automatic from the Ford Edge ST.

Despite all that, the 2025 Ford Maverick Lobo has exactly the same power output as its brethren, which is 238 horsepower, 277 pound-feet of torque. A power upgrade in the form of a Maverick Raptor wouldn’t be out of place in Ford’s lineup, joining the likes of its other two light-duty pickups. Moreover, the F-150, Ranger, and Maverick all offer a Tremor variant, so it would only make sense for The Blue Oval to add a third Raptor model to its stable of high-performance pickups, or at least an ST variant.

Closeup of the Ford Maverick Lobo tailgate.

We want your thoughts on the matter. Should the Ford Maverick Raptor be a thing, or is the compact pickup fine as it is? Let us know by voting in the poll below.

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Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. Yes, in keeping with Jim Farley’s performance mandate…”no more boring cars!”, it should be a done deal.

    Reply
  2. This is ridiculous, and especially so in the face of our world’s climate crisis. An all electric Maverick at an affordable price would be much more responsible and welcome.

    Reply
    1. Gary. We Ain’t Got the GRID to Support All this EV GARBAGE.

      Reply
    2. Electric vehicles cause more harm to the environment then gas powered vehicles will ever do!!

      Reply
    3. What climate are you living in? You’re funny.

      Reply
  3. The Lobo is a bust. 12 less hp than my 22 Lariat, only .5 inch lower (hardly noticeable) and those blank black wheels are butt ugly! They should offer a polished version of them and it might actually look good, but it still needs to have more hp than a regular Maverick and a 1-1.5 inch drop.

    Reply
  4. Would LOVE To see it……. However, WITHOUT ALL THE RECALLS!

    Reply
  5. I would buy one immediately!

    Ford could use the work they did on the suspension of the Bronco Sport Sasquatch as a baseline and couple it to a higher output engine.

    Reply
  6. What’s needed is a PHEV Maverick. That’s the future of most vehicles.

    Reply
  7. Our 2023 Lariat with black out package would be perfect with my 2020 Edge ST power package and I would like it actually to be higher off the ground

    Reply
  8. Forget a performance model, give this ugly thing a new grill or kill it!

    Reply
  9. I’ve been a Ford Man since 1958. 12 Mustangs, GTA, 3 trucks. Adding more performance and goodies costs more money. Mustang has been priced out of reach. Ford must have a reasonably priced truck for those who need it.

    Reply
  10. ‘Does The Ford Maverick Need A High Performance Model?’ Nobody NEEDS a HiPo model, but many, many WANT one. Big difference!

    Reply
  11. Yes, with a V8!!!

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  12. Out with the old ICE, in with the new BEVs! Double or even triple the horse power and torque and a tenth of the cost to operate. ICE are noisy, smelly, shifty, sluggish and if you really need to hear an exhaust sound to boost your self esteem, there’s a button for that!
    Come on Ford, if your really Ford tough, stand up to big oil, the corrupt politicians and take that step into an all electric vehicle line up! I have your Lightning and Mach-e, which are great vehicles and I would never go back to ICE.

    Reply
  13. Come on Ford, stand up to big oil and its corrupt politicians , go with an all electric line up!

    Reply
  14. Add a 2.3 ecoboost as an option on the Logo and Tremor trims.

    Reply
  15. The Maverick price is getting people to consider a bigger truck. I feel that reducing the HP and the high cost for replacing the fuel filter at such a high cost is outrageous. Ford will soon realize that the Maverick will not sell in that more not less horsepower is wanted. The Maverick will have very poor sales in that Trump with his ridiculous Tariffs on the vehicle will greatly effect sales. Ford will have problems with the Maverick being built in Mexico and they will not build Mavericks in the USA. I ordered a 2025 fully loaded Maverick but I will cancel the order and consider a new Ranger Lariat.

    Reply
    1. If the tariffs on Mexican made vehicles do go thru it will kill the Maverick. I can see push back on tariffs from Mexican made vehicles from the auto industry and Congress especially since it would cancel the trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. If that agreement is broken then I can see retaliatory tariffs from both Mexico and Canada

      Reply
    2. High tariffs on Mexican made vehicles would be in violation of our trade agreement with Mexico and Canada that was passed by Congress. The proposed tariffs would lead to retaliatory tariffs from Mexico and would make the trade agreement null and void. I can see this tariff on Mexican made vehicles being challenged by Congress and the auto industry. The tariffs on Mexican made vehicles could be challenged in federal courts as an overreach of Executive power of a law passed by the legislative branch. We will see what happens if Trump makes this Mexican tariff but if he does it would be challenged.

      Reply
  16. Love my 24 Mav hybrid. Plenty of power. Solid 50 mpg with easy local driving. If I live long enough it will pay itself off in gas savings.

    Reply
  17. I’m all for performance but, the “Raptor” name doesn’t suit the Maverick. It’s kinda like “Jumbo Shrimp.” Just give us a little hotter engine and better transmission, and leave everything else alone. The bean counters love another trim level to push the price/profit higher. It’s not going to be a Mustang beater so don’t treat it like one. All they want to do is keep down sizing the drive train so the next generation has no idea what driving a “ performance vehicle” feels like.

    Reply
  18. A higher HP Maverick with paddle shifters would be a welcome option. My 2024 Lariat would be so… much nicer with paddle shifters. Ford, if you are reading this, please consider a “dealer installed” paddle shifters upgrade for those of us wanting that option.

    Reply
  19. If Ford puts the 2.3 in the maverick the little truck will fly.

    Reply
  20. They should have put the 2.3L in the Lobo and Lariat already anyways. Would love to see a 2.7t or 3.0t powered ST trim.

    Ford won’t do it, because if they did anything it’d be a Maverick Raptor with huge off-road tires and a lifted suspension that’s totally pointless, but brodozers sell.

    Reply

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