Ford’s lineup once carried the mantle of performance sedans with evident pride. The ST badge, once the loudest voice at the family table, now survives primarily in the Explorer ST and the Escape ST-Line. For Maverick, Ford has already enhanced its off-road cred with the Tremor package. But what about a more street-focused, pocket-sized performer? Enter the Maverick Lobo; Ford’s invitation to turn everyday roads into a playground.

The Maverick Lobo makes its aims clear from the outset. At quick glance, it communicates purpose as the ride height is lowered by about half an inch at the front and just over an inch at the rear. A sport-oriented body kit smooths the profile, giving the Lobo a more aggressive silhouette while the eye gets drawn into the bold 19-inch gloss-black wheels, a design that reads as deliberate drama even when the truck is parked.

Under the hood, Maverick’s heart remains lively rather than revolutionary. The powertrain carries over the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a robust little engine that Ford has calibrated to deliver 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque in other Maverick variants. The surprise here isn’t the engine’s output; it’s how Ford reimagines the mechanicals around it to lean into a sportier vibe without turning the Maverick into a full-on hot hatch.

LIKES: Entertaining performance & Lobo mode, frisky handling characteristics, comfortable cabin space

The Lobo adds further performance capability with upgraded brakes and cooling. Front and rear brake rotors are enlarged, and the front calipers are sourced from the Euro-market Focus ST. A larger radiator and an upgraded transmission cooler, typically found on the towing package help keep the Lobo from overheating when pushed aggressively. The eight-speed automatic has been reworked into a seven-speed dual-clutch unit, with software tuned to skip second gear to deliver brisk midrange responses and a more immediate, punchy feel without the need to hunt for gears. And a new Lobo drive mode then sharpens the package further, shifting the Maverick from everyday errands into a more playful, throttle-steered, drift-curious character.

Lobo mode is where the package really comes alive. Engaging this setting switches the digital cluster to a track-focused display, deepens the exhaust note, and subtly stiffens the chassis, freeing the Maverick from its everyday pavement duties. The result is a slightly more mischievous character that invites you to probe its limits, lean into corners a touch more than usual, and coax a playful twitch from the rear end. The steering-wheel paddles grant satisfying access to the gears, though the experience would benefit from a true manual option to unlock the Lobo’s full, unshackled potential.

As practical as Ford’s performance ambitions may be, the Maverick remains, at heart, a compact pickup that proves surprisingly capable in everyday duties. With 250 horsepower on tap, it also delivers a welcome nod to efficiency. Our testing returned a respectable 26 mpg combined, about two miles per gallon better than the EPA rating. In daily use, the Maverick Lobo stays well-mannered, delivering a calm ride over rough pavement and maintaining a relatively quiet cabin at highway speeds.

Inside, the Lobo trades some ruggedness for a touch more flair. The cabin is dressed in blue accents and bright green stitching. The digital displays are clear and appropriately scaled, and the physical controls live in a familiar, user-friendly layout. One odd note; our tester sported trailer backup assistance, but its control knob sits in an awkward spot and, in a moment of distraction, could be mistaken for the volume knob.

DISLIKES: Could do for a manual option, could use better performance-based tires, a little high on the price

Pricing brings the reality check. At $38,320, the 2025 Maverick Lobo is not exactly a bargain, especially before you factor in the $5,495 of the Lobo Equipment Group 702A. That package adds the sorts of creature comforts that turn a practical truck into a more comfortable daily driver with heated front seats and steering wheel, a sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 Assist. It’s a premium lean, but the payoff is a cheeky, capable performance truck that earns its ST badge, even if its under a different name.