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I could head out to visit friends in rural Ontario in the evening.

And I could do all this without blowing the bank; this capable compact vehicle is miserly on fuel.

Driving the refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid, I’m reminded of how pragmatic this compact pickup truck is. From winding back-roads to highways to smallish parking spaces, the feeling of “I know it’s a truck, but it feels and drives like a car” is a constant. The refreshed 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid is a practical alternative in the crowded world of compact crossovers.

At roughly two-thirds the price of the average new vehicle in Canada — this clocked in at more than $60,000 in 2024 — it’s a smart-sized pickup truck for urban life. The all-wheel drive version consumes just 0.1 litres of fuel more per 100 km than the front-wheel drive vehicle.

The 2025 model is Ford’s mid-cycle refresh. Ford said Maverick hybrid-buyers yearned for more than front-wheel drive. So that’s what they’re getting.

Inside, the highlight is a new 13.2-inch infotainment system, nearly double the size of the previous eight-inch version. It’s quick and responsive and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There are lightly refreshed exterior styling cues to modernize the vehicle’s appearance. Although there are still hard plastic bits on the interior, practicality scores high.

On the road, the all-wheel-drive version handles similar to the front-wheel drive vehicle; it’s fairly smooth, sturdy and comfortable and has ample power. It is in inclement weather and less-than-ideal driving conditions that the all-wheel-drive version comes into its own. Having power available to each wheel coupled with a terrific hybrid system truly is the best of worlds.

The Maverick feels more like a car than a pickup truck. It’s small footprint makes it easy to manoeuvre, especially in highly congested urban areas and it can be a viable alternative to a compact crossover. It’s not cumbersome. There’s no feeling of rumbling down the road. This small and sensibly sized truck is more than enough for most needs.

All hybrid versions use Ford’s continuous variable transmission. The front-wheel drive hybrid system can tow up to 2,000 pounds. The all-wheel drive vehicle can double that, if you choose the tow package. Payload in the 4.5-foot bed — that is the amount of weight that can safely be put there — is 1,500 pounds for front-wheel drive and 1,400 pounds for all-wheel drive.

So, yes, this Maverick does all the things a pickup truck does, even though it is relatively small.

Glancing at the bigger picture, the overall Maverick lineup includes a nonhybrid trim, an off-road variant and a “street-truck” version, new for 2025, called the Lobo.

As one of just two compact pickup trucks in the Canadian market — the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the other — Ford has quite the breadth of offerings in this niche market.

With a starting price of less than $40,000, the all-wheel drive hybrid Maverick is an smart option for those who want cheap and cheerful paired with capable and confident.