Ford Maverick: Which Engine Is Perfect for You?

Since it first hit the road, the Ford Maverick has been making waves and turning heads with its gorgeous design, impressive capabilities, and fantastic overall performance, allowing it to join the Ranger and F-150 in Ford’s modern truck lineup. When you look for a Ford Maverick for sale in Atlanta, you’ll notice that you have two different engines to choose from with this truck, but the right engine for your truck depends on what you’re looking to do with your truck and the performance you want as you drive around Atlanta each day. There are some important considerations to remember when determining which engine is right for you, so let’s look at what you should be thinking about before you start hunting for the truck of your dreams!

Consider the Kind of Performance You Want

When looking at engines for any vehicle, the best place to start is performance, which is the power they deliver and how that will impact your drive each day. We’ll get into more factors tied to overall performance in a moment, but let’s start with some raw numbers first. The standard engine for the 2025 Ford Maverick is a 2.5L I-4 hybrid powertrain that provides 191 hp, which is plenty of muscle for a compact truck. If you’re looking for a sleek pickup to get you around Atlanta and want to stick to a tight budget while shopping, this standard engine is a great choice that won’t disappoint you.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with a bit more oomph, you should check out the Maverick’s available gas engine; a 2.0L EcoBoost turbocharged I-4 engine delivers an impressive 250 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. While this is a significant step up from the 2.5L HEV, we should also mention that the standard hybrid engine comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the EcoBoost engine comes with either a seven-speed or eight-speed automatic (depending on the trim you’re looking at). The HEV engine is available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), but the EcoBoost is only offered with AWD.

A Question of Fuel Efficiency

If the available EcoBoost engine is much more powerful, why would you stick with the standard hybrid powertrain (other than price)? In large part, the most significant advantage of any hybrid engine is fuel efficiency. Hybrid engines use a battery-powered motor to take some of the pressure off the engine to generate all the power for a vehicle, so less fuel is needed to get you around Atlanta. Without this benefit, the available EcoBoost engine gets an estimated 22 MPG in the city, 30 MPG on the highway, and 25 MPG of combined fuel efficiency.

By comparison, the hybrid engine lets the Maverick get an estimated 42 MPG in the city, 35 MPG on the highway, and 38 MPG of combined gas mileage. That’s a significant difference, so you can get a lot more done between stops for gas with the hybrid powertrain. This is with the benefit of FWD, which the EcoBoost is not available for. If you choose the hybrid engine with AWD, you’re still looking at an estimated 40 MPG in the city, 34 MPG on the highway, and 37 MPG of combined fuel efficiency. No matter how you cut it, the Maverick gets much better gas mileage with its standard hybrid engine.

Don’t Overlook the Importance of Towing

Of course, the engine you get in your truck isn’t just about raw performance and gas mileage, although those things are undoubtedly important. As with any pickup, your capacity for towing and hauling large payloads matters greatly in the buying process, but fortunately, both of these engines allow the Maverick to do some serious towing. The standard hybrid engine can handle up to 2,000 lbs of towing with its standard setup and FWD or AWD. Similarly, the EcoBoost engine with standard AWD can also handle 2,000 lbs of towing; both models give you 1,500 lbs of payload rating for things you want to take with you.

What’s notable, however, is how the available 4K Tow Package changes things; this package lets the Maverick haul up to 4,000 lbs behind it. For the 2024 model year, only the EcoBoost engine was available with this package as an option, but in 2025, Maverick models with the hybrid engine can also come equipped with the 4K Tow Package. If you’re looking to do heavy construction around Atlanta or simply have a boatload of camping gear to haul out of the city, the Maverick will provide the same level of satisfaction regardless of your choice of powertrain.

Which Trim Do You Want to Drive in Atlanta?

Finally, one of the most important things to consider with the Ford Maverick when trying to decide which engine is right for you is the trim level you’re interested in. Ford offers five different trims for the 2025 Maverick, giving a wide selection of options to consider when shopping. Regarding what we’re talking about today, it is notable that some trims are only offered with one engine. The starting XL model comes with the standard hybrid engine, but the EcoBoost engine is also available as an add-on, which offers a good starting point for those who need a Maverick with just the basics while maintaining their freedom of choice.

The XLT trim is similarly offered with either engine, with the EcoBoost remaining as an available option, and it gives you some upgrades like Push-Button Start and extra storage plus tie-downs in the bed to make loading up your truck easier. The Lariat trim is the highest model with both engines available, with the hybrid engine as standard, including standard AWD, dual-zone electronic temperature to stay comfortable during Atlanta summers, a B&O sound system, and much more.

If you choose the all-new Lobo trim for the Maverick, you can only access the EcoBoost engine as standard with AWD and a seven-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the off-road-focused Tremor trim has a standard EcoBoost engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission, AWD, off-road-tuned suspension, and much more, but, similar to the Lobo, it lacks access to the hybrid engine. You can see why it’s essential to consider which model you’re most interested in regarding the engine, since these two things are closely connected.

Put it All Together: Choose the Right Engine

At this point, you should be able to assemble everything we’ve looked at and figure out which engine of the Ford Maverick is right for you. If you prefer the cost of the standard powertrain, the best fuel efficiency possible, or the features of the XL, XLT, or Lariat trims, the hybrid engine is likely perfect for your travels throughout Atlanta. If you want the best performance possible with your truck, are interested in the Lobo or Tremor trims, or prefer the feel of an automatic transmission over a CVT, then the available EcoBoost engine is the way to go. Just remember that you can get the same level of towing with either engine; the capabilities depend more on the trim and packages you choose. If you’re still unsure which engine and Maverick model has what you’re looking for, we’re here at Jim Ellis Ford to help you figure it out!