28 Aug 7th- Aug 13th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | Questions? Feedback? Email me at [email protected] • Follow me on RATING (out of 5 McFly’s) 2025 FORD MAVERICK LOBO: THE RETURN OF THE LITTLE GUY 2025 FORD MAVERICK LOBO The Ford Maverick The Ford Maverick Lobo is giving strong Lobo is giving strong Chevy S10 from the 90s Chevy S10 from the 90s energy—in a good way. It’s energy—in a good way. It’s an approachable, no-BS an approachable, no-BS pickup that doesn’t try to pickup that doesn’t try to pretend it’s a full-size bro- pretend it’s a full-size bro- dozer. Instead, it leans into dozer. Instead, it leans into being light, nimble, and just being light, nimble, and just enough truck for 80% of enough truck for 80% of what most people actually what most people actually need. need. Under the hood, you get a Under the hood, you get a 2.0L EcoBoost that moves 2.0L EcoBoost that moves pretty well without drinking pretty well without drinking like a V8—21 city / 30 like a V8—21 city / 30 highway MPG means you highway MPG means you can actually afford to drive can actually afford to drive the thing. It’s quick enough the thing. It’s quick enough to feel useful, especially to feel useful, especially when unloaded, and when unloaded, and parking it doesn’t require parking it doesn’t require divine intervention or a divine intervention or a sherpa guide. sherpa guide. Now, the $42,345 price Now, the $42,345 price tag might raise an eyebrow. tag might raise an eyebrow. It’s fair considering what It’s fair considering what trucks cost these days— trucks cost these days— especially when full-sizers especially when full-sizers are pushing $80k+—but it are pushing $80k+—but it would feel perfect if it were would feel perfect if it were hovering in the mid-$30s. hovering in the mid-$30s. That said, for the person That said, for the person who doesn’t need to haul a who doesn’t need to haul a horse trailer but still wants horse trailer but still wants a bed, some capability, a bed, some capability, and better-than-average and better-than-average mileage, the Lobo is a solid mileage, the Lobo is a solid call. call. It’s not flashy. It’s not It’s not flashy. It’s not massive. But it’s exactly massive. But it’s exactly what small trucks should what small trucks should be: honest, capable, and be: honest, capable, and kind of charming in its kind of charming in its simplicity. simplicity. Comfort: Value: Fuel Economy: Looks: The Drive: Safety & Security: Overall: Sound System: Bells & Whistles:
