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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $26,280–$31,842 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Ford Maverick is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 9.1/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.9/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.6/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,280–$31,842, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Ford Maverick sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Its value score of 9.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Ford Maverick will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2026 Ford Maverick ranks #16 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,280 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 25%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the Maverick model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $26,280 | |
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $26,280 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $25,515 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $24,749 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $23,984 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Power train / Automatic transmission / Internal / Park pawl 12/12/2025 · 25V863000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these… |
|---|---|
| Structure / Interior panels / Dashboard 18/12/2025 · 25V884000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The instrument panel cover may separate when the air bag deploy. |
| Electrical system / integrated trailer brake control 20/02/2026 · 26V104000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer,… |
| Visibility / Sun/moon roof assembly 17/03/2026 · 26V157000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The moonroof glass may not have been bonded correctly to the moonroof frame, which could result in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. |
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 31/03/2026 · 26V201000 | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
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