The Street Truck Returns with Performance-Tuned Maverick Lobo
Today, the Ford Maverick Lobo® was officially named the 2026 North American Truck of the Year™, marking the sixth consecutive year a Ford truck has stood atop the podium to claim the industry’s most prestigious honor. This historic six-peat underscores sustained focus on truck excellence and a deep understanding of truck customers, while highlighting the arrival of a new option for street performance enthusiasts.
This unprecedented winning streak — which began with the F-150 and the original Maverick and continued through the F-150 Lightning, Super Duty, and last year’s Ranger — highlights Ford’s consistent drive to innovate and deliver capability across the entire pickup segment.
This lineup provides a specialized solution for every customer need, from the Super Duty workhorse and the F-150 — available in gas, hybrid, and electric — to the mid-size Ranger, the versatile and efficient Maverick, and now the Maverick Lobo performance street truck.
“Ford earning this recognition for the sixth year in a row is a testament to the spirit of the truck team,” said, Pam Wylie, Ford vehicle line program director. “The Maverick Lobo isn’t just a new offering; it’s a response to a movement. We saw our customers personalizing their trucks for on-road performance and style, and we decided to give them a factory-tuned option that carries the Built Ford Tough seal of approval. This award is a tribute to our customers who continue to inspire us every day.”
A Movement Born on the Streets
To be recognized as the North American Truck of the Year™, vehicles must be new or substantially changed for the year. A jury of 50 independent automotive journalists from across the United States and Canada evaluates candidates based on innovation, design, safety, performance, technology, user experience, driver satisfaction, and value.
The story of the Lobo began in the garages of Maverick owners. Since the truck’s initial launch, Ford’s social media feeds and enthusiast forums were flooded with images of customized Mavericks. Owners were lowering their ride heights, swapping in performance wheels, and tuning their engines to create modern "street trucks" reminiscent of the high-performance pickup culture of the 1990s.
Ford took notice. Rather than letting the aftermarket have all the fun, we put the customer at the center of the development process. The Maverick Lobo is the direct result of that evolution — a factory-engineered performance truck that brings unique design and value to urban streets, all backed by a factory warranty.
Engineered for On-Road Performance
Maverick Lobo is a performance-tuned street truck that brings factory-engineered agility to urban environments. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine with advanced AWD and 7-speed quick-shift transmission, it utilizes a twin-clutch rear drive unit for advanced torque vectoring.
Customers gain a precision driving experience through a lowered ride height, performance steering, and enhanced brakes — all backed by Built Ford Tough standards. This setup provides a high-performance canvas that bridges the gap between daily utility and track-ready excitement. Central to this is the new "Lobo" drive mode. Inspired by autocross, this closed-course setting optimizes cornering, grip, and stability, allowing enthusiasts to confidently explore the truck’s full performance potential.
The Legacy of the Six-Peat
The 2026 North American Truck of the Year™ award serves as a capstone to a historic six-year winning streak for Ford in this competition. The Maverick Lobo builds on the family’s foundation of versatility, value, and Built Ford Tough DNA, providing street truck enthusiasts with a performance-driven option that brings unique design and value to urban environments — all backed by a factory warranty.
As customers take delivery of the Maverick Lobo, it carries with it the validation of the industry’s top experts and the passion of the community that inspired its creation. This recognition confirms that Ford remains the benchmark for innovation and driver satisfaction in the truck world.
Click here for more information on the award-winning Maverick Lobo.
