Maverick’s Strong Position in the SegmentThe Ford Maverick remains the leader in the compact pickup truck market, with its closest competitor being the Hyundai Santa Cruz. That momentum is likely to carry into 2026 as Ford makes its pricing more competitive. The base XL EcoBoost with front-wheel drive now starts at $27,145, which is $900 cheaper than the 2025 model once destination fees are included. Even higher trims, such as the Lariat and Tremor, see price reductions, bucking the trend of annual increases across the industry.Still, it raises a question. With leftover 2025 inventory, which has undergone a major update, still sitting on dealer lots, often carrying discounts that exceed Ford’s 2026 adjustments, some buyers may want to weigh their options carefully. It may be smarter to buy a discounted 2025 model rather than wait for the slightly cheaper 2026 models.Cole AttishaView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleLooking at 2025 DiscountsA quick scan of Cars.com inventory shows sizable markdowns on new 2025 Mavericks units. The Lariat, which officially starts above $36,000, can be found for as low as $33,243 – with discounts averaging around $5,000. The sporty Maverick Lobo High trim features even steeper cuts, with some units priced at $35,945, a reduction of $6,000 to $7,000 from the typical price. For those who like the Lobo’s style but not its price, the Lobo Standard is available for just under $30,000, with $3,000 to $5,000 shaved off the MSRP.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt the lower end, the XLT trim offers the most balanced value, with prices starting at $27,073 and discounts ranging from $4,000 to $5,000. The entry-level XL is even more affordable, dropping to $25,135, which is approximately $2,000 less than the new 2026 XL EcoBoost.On the other hand, the Tremor sees little movement, with most listings holding close to the MSRP, despite a $350 price drop for the new model year. These patterns suggest that shoppers who want more equipment may find the biggest bargains in outgoing 2025 Lariat or Lobo trims, while those chasing the absolute lowest starting price may need to compare carefully against the new 2026 base model.View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleWhat’s New for 2026Beyond pricing tweaks, the Maverick carries over essentially unchanged from last year’s refresh. The same powertrains return: a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbo four with 277 lb-ft of torque, and a hybrid setup with 191 combined horsepower and an EPA-rated 42 mpg city for the FWD version. Towing capacity remains capped at 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFord has added two new paint colors, Orange Fury and Marsh Gray, and restructured some options. The power-sliding rear window, once standard on higher trims, is now optional, which helps lower the starting prices. That feature is also newly available on XLT and Lobo models. A spare tire is now also available as a standalone option across more configurations.FordView the 1 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally reported by Autoblog on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.