Ford’s Maverick Lobo – BART MAVERICK

Ford’s Maverick Lobo

BART MAVERICK

If of a certain age (Boomer!), you’ll remember the ‘50s-era TV series, Maverick. An irreverent take on the Old West, with James Garner starring as Brett Maverick. It ran for five seasons, and is credited with stamping Garner’s ticket to the Big Screen. And while those memories of the series are typically colored by James Garner, there was another Maverick – Brett’s brother Bart, played by actor Jack Kelly. In fact, from the show’s second season episodes featuring Bart alternated with those featuring Brett. But we still remember James Garner as ‘the’ Maverick, while Jack Kelly’s Bart is consigned to Trivia Night. 

And so it is with derivatives of Ford’s extremely well-received Maverick 4-door pickup. Best known for its intelligent design, accessible price point and hybrid drivetrain, the Maverick was launched in 2021 at a mid-$20s price point and never looked back. But not looking back didn’t keep Ford from looking around, introducing Mavericks with conventional drivetrains, various trims and – in our test this week – a derivative tagged ‘Lobo’. If it was slammed the 4-door pickup would perhaps be nicknamed Lowboy – but it’s not slammed, although slightly lowered. Perhaps we should call it Bart.  

In my often-confused view, branding an all-new vehicle is – at best – a hit-or-miss proposition. And if the branding initiative works, run with it and don’t (forgawdsake) expend much energy ‘looking around’. Ford, however, elected to hedge its bet; alongside the hybrid-powered Maverick, Ford offers the option of a 2.0 liter EcoBoost four. The more conventional, turbocharged drivetrain certainly boosts acceleration, reducing (according to Car and Driver) the sprint to 60 from 6.7 seconds to 5.8 seconds. But it also reduces fuel efficiency, with the combined EPA estimate plunging (PLUNGING!) from 37 in the Maverick hybrid to 24 from the EcoBoost four. All of that, of course, is just conversation when gas is $3/gallon, but transitions to ‘heated discourse’ when filling up at $5 bucks per gallon. 

Within the community of truck enthusiasts, however, burning gas is seen as a rite of passage, and from the perspective of a more urban, 10K miles/year usage, that 24 Combined figure won’t be seen as much of a penalty. And I gotta’ admit, from a dynamic standpoint the Lobo mods – and that EcoBoost four – certainly work behind the wheel. 

In fact, if every domestic vehicle handled as well as the Maverick Lobo I’d have little need for BMW or Mazda. With its lowered ride height (relative to the standard Maverick), enhanced steering and improved brakes, the mods – in Ford’s words – ‘provide a high-performance canvas that bridges the gap between daily utility and track-ready excitement.’ I couldn’t have said it better…so I wouldn’t try. And while I could name dozens of platforms I’d take to the track before lapping with a Maverick (except as a tow vehicle), the small truck’s tossability is a revelation, and I’m wishing they’d develop a small/tall wagon from this same platform.

Part of the above suggestion is a result of its 4-door cabin and the abbreviated bed. Obviously, I understand the convenience of four doors, and if hauling mulch – and nothing but mulch – I like the idea of a pickup bed. But the Maverick’s bed is too short for much of anything, and is in almost desperate need of a mid-gate (pass-thru) similar to the one used by Chevrolet on its since-discontinued Avalanche.  This would allow longer cargo to pass through the bed and into the rear area of the cab. It’d be great for lumber…and would have been great for my road bike. Obviously, long or bulky loads could be mounted on the roof, but if you go to the roof why’d you buy a pickup?

And then there’s the pricing. That base Maverick with hybrid power started firmly in the mid-$20s, but that was then – and it’s closer to $30K now. And our Lobo, while neat as all git out, is sitting north of $40K. Although that $40 Large is still well below the average new car price of $50K, you’d hardly call it entry level for a guy or gal just starting out. As Ford’s people would already know, the excitement around the Slate EV is its accessible price point and minimal vibe. A Maverick should not only remember its roots, it should be a celebration of those roots.

If Maverick does move upmarket, Ford should find its old (very old!) Ranger tooling and, perhaps in partnership with the Chinese, resurrect the $20K truck. At $350 (or so) a month you’d still have a budget for beer – and, of course, video!