2026 Ford Maverick: Lakeland Buyers Guide

A small truck that's grown a real following in Lakeland

Lakeland Ford's homepage specials still put the F-150 first, but scroll through the dealership's Google reviews and a different pattern shows up: the Maverick gets named by name more often than almost anything else on the lot, going back to buyers who put down a reservation the week Ford first opened orders. That's not an accident. A compact unibody pickup with a real bed, a hybrid drivetrain standard on three of five trims, and a starting price nearly $12,000 under the F-150 fills a gap a lot of Polk County shoppers didn't realize they had — something that tows a small trailer and hauls yard debris on the weekend without the fuel bill or parking footprint of a full-size truck.

The 2026 model year isn't a quiet holdover, either. Ford added a genuinely new trim (Lobo), opened up front-wheel-drive availability on the EcoBoost engine for the first time, and picked up three of the industry's most-watched truck awards in the same year. For a segment that started as a slightly unusual experiment in 2022, that's a strong statement about where Ford thinks the Maverick is headed.

Two engines, one clear tradeoff

The 2.5L PowerBoost full hybrid is standard on XL, XLT, and Lariat, and it's the trim to default to unless there's a specific reason not to: 191 hp, 155 lb-ft, an EPA-estimated 42 mpg city / 35 highway / 38 combined in front-wheel drive, and it never plugs in — it's a self-charging hybrid, not the plug-in system Ford offers on some of its SUVs. All-wheel drive drops that to a still-strong 37 combined (36 on Lariat, which is AWD-only). The alternative is the 2.0L EcoBoost turbo four — 250 hp and 280 lb-ft, standard on Lobo and Tremor and optional on XL/XLT — which trades the hybrid's mileage for more conventional power delivery and, on XL/XLT with the available 4K Tow Package, a max tow rating of 4,000 lbs versus the standard 2,000. Every Maverick, regardless of engine, shares the same 4-foot-5-inch FLEXBED and 33.3 cubic feet of cargo volume — there's no bed-length decision to make here, unlike shopping a full-size truck.

Pick your 2026 Maverick

What Lakeland Maverick owners say

Lakeland Ford carries a 4.4-star rating across more than 1,800 Google reviews, and Maverick buyers write some of the most detailed ones on the page. Paul K. wrote about the truck his wife picked after their previous car was totaled: "We had Garrison (salesman) help with the sale, he brought it to us so we could try it out — he did an excellent job with the sale, very helpful with everything." Garrison Stinnett is a Ford Sales Specialist on the team. Another reviewer, Sarah F., mentioned a family pattern that shows up more than once in the reviews: she bought an Escape, and "my parents also just purchased a Maverick from this location and enjoyed their experience with Trey and the financial team." Trey Peterson is also a Ford Sales Specialist at the dealership.

D. G. left one of the more detailed accounts: "ABOVE & BEYOND! This Team @ Lakeland Ford exceeded my expectations and delivered us a new 2025 Ford Maverick. Sooo excited... My salesman Trey was just awesome! Sales Manager(s) Jason & Justin put us in our new vehicle a few hours later." Trey Peterson, Jason Tulchinsky (General Sales Manager), and Justin Bowling (Ford Sales Manager) all currently hold those roles at Lakeland Ford.

Owning one in Central Florida

The buying side and the ownership side connect directly here: the Maverick service & repair guide covers the maintenance rhythm for both the hybrid and EcoBoost engines, plus what Florida's climate does to a small truck's tires and AC system. Tax math, destination fees, and lease-versus-buy questions for a Maverick specifically are in the pricing & leasing guide.

Frequently asked questions

What's new on the 2026 Ford Maverick?

The biggest change is the new Lobo trim — a street-performance model with the 2.0L EcoBoost, a torque-vectoring twin-clutch rear drive unit, and a unique 7-speed Quick Shift transmission with paddle shifters. Ford also opened up front-wheel-drive availability on the EcoBoost engine (it was AWD-only for 2025) and added a power-sliding rear window option on XLT and Lobo. The 2026 lineup also picked up Kelley Blue Book's Best Buy Award, MotorTrend's Truck of the Year, and the North American Truck of the Year.

Is the Maverick hybrid actually worth it?

For most buyers, yes — it's standard equipment on XL, XLT, and Lariat at no extra charge in front-wheel drive, rated up to 42 mpg city, and it's a self-charging hybrid that never needs to be plugged in. The tradeoff is towing capacity (2,000 lbs standard, 4,000 with the available 4K Tow Package) versus the EcoBoost, which is the better call for buyers who tow more than the occasional small trailer.

What is the Ford Maverick Lobo?

A new-for-2026 street-performance trim, not a plug-in accessory pack — it comes with the 250-hp 2.0L EcoBoost only (no hybrid option), a torque-vectoring rear drive unit, paddle shifters, and unique styling including a black-painted roof. It's a distinct Maverick trim, unrelated to any Lobo-named option on other Ford truck lines.

How much bed does the Maverick have?

Every trim shares the same 4-foot-5-inch FLEXBED with 33.3 cubic feet of total cargo volume — there's no shorter or longer bed option across the lineup, unlike a full-size Ford truck.

Where can I see the full 2026 Maverick lineup in Lakeland?

Check current Maverick inventory at Lakeland Ford, or browse the full new vehicle search to compare against the Ranger and F-150.

Five trims, one lot

The guides below go deeper on each trim, but for most Lakeland shoppers the fastest decision tree is engine first (hybrid or EcoBoost), then styling (Lobo's street stance versus Tremor's off-road hardware). Lakeland Ford keeps the range on the floor at 1430 West Memorial Boulevard, just off I-4 Exit 28, alongside the same Nationwide Lifetime Warranty program the dealership backs its other new Ford purchases with.