This week we had the unexpected 2026 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid. I say “unexpected” because everyone who saw me with it was surprised to see me driving a truck. It definitely doesn’t constitute as many’s every day ride. And as a single individual, I do not need to haul people, let alone a flatbed worth of items.
However, thanks to the vehicle’s build it did feel like driving a sedan, but just longer. And a little sporty thanks to its orange paint job with the classic Ford Mustang racing stripes down the hood. The truck was lowered to the ground and compact, with the same amount of arm and legroom that you would find in your modern sedans. I didn’t have to struggle to climb on to the driver’s seat, nor did I note additional blind spots from it, and steering didn’t require putting my body into it to compensate for the weight or any tail whipping. This was a steady mid-size truck that accommodated smaller builds such as mine.
The backseat was completely accessible from the driver’s seat, speaking to the Maverick’s smaller cabin. I didn’t have to stretch and strain to reach something therein, meaning limited leg room and cramped quarters for those in the second row. In contrast I wish I had less leg room up front. I have shorter legs and a longer torso meaning I struggled to each the pedals at all times. And there was no way to further lower the seat and have it at a tilt so that I could better access the pedals, without straining my calf and hip to accommodate. Thankfully my time with 2026 Ford Maverick was limited and I never needed to drive over 45 minutes in it. Because any longer I would have surely felt the fatigue.
Otherwise it had your familiar Ford truck tough aesthetic. This is achieved with lots of plastic, visible bolts, a hanging door handle and the overall feeling of rough Tupperware bins. The bining was well compartmentalized and felt like a garage’s utility set up. One of my only critiques is the grainy quality of the reverse camera, especially considering how small truck rear view windows are normally.
The 2026 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid is ideal for those who want all the cargo room and hauling capability of a truck, but with the sensibility of an everyday sedan, that includes great fuel economy thanks to its hybrid feature. Eco-mode and the ability to capitalize on the brake assist to get the most out of recharging during your everyday drives. Towards the end of the week I found myself aiming to get the 100% rating each time.
