When Ford explained to a group of journalists last week that they’d get to drive various enhanced Ford products, including an 800 horsepower Mustang and bunch of supercharged F-150s and Broncos, there was a palpable but guarded excitement in the room. While I’m never going to turn down the opportunity to wheel any of the above, I have to admit I was a little more stoked for the autocross course with a bunch of Ford Mavericks outfitted with the recently unveiled SV300T kit.
I was right to be excited. The Maverick is already one of my favorite vehicles currently for sale, offering real truck-like capabilities and a package that can be efficient (hybrid), sporty (Lobo), or mildly off-roady (Tremor) depending on you preference. It’s also relatively compact when compared to other trucks, and certainly more affordable.
By a stroke of dumb luck or excellent planning on the part of the event organizers, my group got to drive the autocross last, meaning we could take laps without the time pressure of having to swap to another activity. I used it to drive the various Maverick versions, as well as slide around (maybe swap in some Focus ST seats) as a passenger. If you’re not going with the hybrid Maverick, I do think the upgrade is well worth the extra scratch.
The last time a small truck was this sort of fun, people still could write a headline calling something “sick, dude” and get away with it. We need more hella sick trucks.
A Silly Name With A Serious History
Ford doesn’t seem to have a consistent naming convention when it comes to its OEM customs. Some vehicles get alphanumerics (FP700, FP800s), while others (Ford Bronco Desert Rising) get names. This flexibility means that Ford can call this package the SV300T and no one blinks an eye.
What does it stand for? Technically, it’s Sport Variant 300 HP Turbocharged, which is a nonsense name that sounds like something you’d see printed on the fender of a ’90s Japanese sports car (although, I guess it would say 276 HP). It is quite clearly an indirect way for Ford to shout out the Special Vehicle Team that once made a mix of hotted up Ford that included the Lightning, Mustang, Contour, and Ford Focus.
Of all of those vehicles, this one is way more like the Ford Focus SVT than it is the Lightning. This is about power, sure, but it’s also about offering a somewhat affordable performance compact car (a Sport Compact Car if you’ll allow it).
This gets some of the technology from the Mustang and the last generation Focus RS, and the fact that it’s a truck is almost a fun bonus.
What Does The SV300T Bring?
This gets a little complicated depending on which trim you get, because the SV300T package is available on the XLT, Lariat, or Lobo trim levels (not the Tremor, I asked), and it includes some Lobo pieces, so what you get depends on the truck you start with.
The XLT or Lariat are available in either the Bronze or Black Packages, meaning that there’s a set of 20-inch black or bronze wheels and other graphics. From a performance perspective, the Maverick is lowered, given a Borla exhaust, lower front spoiler, Lobo shocks, upgraded stabilizer bar/bushings, upgraded front brakes (2-piston calipers instead of the usual single units), a better intercooler, and bigger turbo from the Mustang.
What results is a power boost from 250 to 300 horsepower, and a big jump in torque from 280 lb.-ft. to 350 lb.-ft. This is about all you need in a vehicle this size. While the trucks tested here had everyone’s favorite Pilot Sport 4S summers, tire choice will likely be up to you and your wallet when it comes time to order the package later this year.
As with other Ford Custom Garage vehicles, you can buy this directly from Ford via a dealer, have your dealer do the upfit, or bring an already-purchased truck (if properly equipped) to have the package added. As with other Ford accessories, it comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty if installed by a certified mechanic.
The Lobo version obviously doesn’t quite get all of this, since it already has the shocks and brakes.
The Lobo Feels Like A True Sports Truck If That’s What You Want, The XLT Something You Can Tow With
I just realized this will be the fourth time one of us is driving and reviewing a Maverick Lobo. There’s been a somewhat common thread in these reviews, with everyone liking the truck yet also pointing out that the payload rating is low and that you can’t tow as much with it. Sure, but if I’m buying a sport truck I want the most sport truck.
The XLT SV300T is the best vehicle for people who feel that way. It was also the first Maverick I drove on the little autocross track Ford set up in a large parking lot. This might be the sweet spot, because not only do you get the same 300 hp/350 lb-ft of torque, but you don’t lose any of the ability to carry and tow stuff. In fact, Ford engineers on hand recommended adding the tow package to XLT and Lariat models for the extra cooling. A perfect truck to tow your lightweight track car/kart.
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Right off the jump, the Borla exhaust is a perfect accompaniment to the now-turbocharged motor, adding both noise and depth to an engine that otherwise sounds fairly docile. It also implies there’s something special about the truck without being overpowering. To bring up a totally random other Ford product, this did remind me a little bit of my old Merkur XR4Ti in that the turbo isn’t instantly there like in most modern cars, instead taking a few seconds to add a healthy punch.
Take any Maverick and put it on grippy Pilot Sport and it’ll feel more grounded to the ground in an autocross. That’s how tires work. The difference with the SV300T is that there’s enough shove from the motor to make the extra grip worth the compromise of having a summer tire. Given that this will also comfortably tow up to 4,000 pounds, it is a unique proposition that’s not really matched by any other vehicle I can think of currently for sale.
I agree with MotorTrend‘s Eric Tingwall, though, that the Lobo “is the best starting point” if you’re looking for pure performance. It wasn’t quite night-and-day between the XLT and Lobo on the track, as they’re still quite similar vehicles (other than the magically seven-speed Lobo transmission). Maybe it’s dusk-and-day.
This is because the Lobo’s best feature is the twin-clutch rear-drive unit, which allows power to be sent almost entirely port or starboard, makes a huge difference. The system, which is also on the Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch, helped the truck slide a bit through the tighter turns. Did this make the truck faster? Probably. Did it make it more fun? Hell yeah, brother.
I Have Convinced You! What’s This Going To Cost?
Ford didn’t entirely have all the details of this package pricing worked out as of last week, but there were enough details provided to get fairly close. The total SV300T treatment costs $5,000 for everything except tires if you’re getting it done to an XLT or a Lariat. If your dealer installs it, the cost will also need to include the roughly 17-18 hours of labor. Coming from Ford’s upfitter it might be a little cheaper, though sometimes a dealer will figure out how to do these efficiently and be able to undercut even the Ford installer.
For an orange XLT with AWD and the tow package, that’s about $35,220 fully delivered. Add in the cost of the install and the package, and it’s probably low $40k range? Something in the neighborhood of $43,000 is probably a safe bet. If you want AWD, a Golf R is $49,455… this has more torque, more utility, and is cheaper!
The Lobo is an interesting choice because a lot of the features are already built-in, meaning you’re mostly just getting the turbo and calibration. Ford says this means the similarly-equipped Lobo will be both cheaper as a package and also take less time to install. I’m not sure if it’ll be less than an XLT, but it’s probably in the same ballpark.
I’d say the biggest downside of doing the Lobo is that it means you’re getting an extra set of wheels you have to pay for that aren’t as good as the stock turbofans. Honestly, though, you could just sell the extra wheels or use them for winter tires or whatever.
The Quick Verdict
It’s so sick. Trust me.
Top photo Ford, all other photo author unless noted
I like that this exists (both the Maverick and this nifty little package), but is it really that much to ask to get a friggin’ hot hatch back in the lineup?
I love that these exist. I don’t buy new so I am in no danger here…but if I did buy new I would need a lot of convincing that these won’t grenade the transmission. Almost seems that they should make the transmission cooler mandatory.
No regrets on my AWD hybrid Maverick but I might’ve gotten the Ecoboost had I known this would be coming.
My only complaint is that this just how the Lobo should come stock.
My stock ’24 Tremor is already way faster than something like this needs to be, so I’m content. My only off-roading if you call it that has been some pretty rough dirt roads, but it rides pretty nicely!
> my old Merkur XR4Ti
Wow
The Maverick Hybrid should have gotten the Tremor treatment before this.
I’d also argue a height adjustable air suspension setup should have been developed. Lowered or raised whenever you want, not stuck at one or the other, or a compromise between the two.
I’d rather just have the Focus RS back please.
It’s wild how this is basically a truck version of the RS. Like one of those Pokemon evolutions that takes a wild left turn at the final stage.
Now turbocharged motor? Is the stock Maverick not turbocharged?
It is, and its stock transmission that’s known for not being able to handle the standard ecosboost power is still present in this lol
I was just going to say that. The Maverick forums have a great article of the packaging and compromises of that transmission.
If they really want to offer a true sport truck, have a customized version where they chop the back half of the cab completely out of the picture and offer a regular-cab truck with a 6.5 foot box.
Then I might be interested. But I’d still want a FWD hybrid version for the gas mileage.
Wait, which one has the 4k tow rating?
The XLT, when optioned with the towing package.
Thank you!
“This is about power, sure, but it’s also about offering a somewhat affordable performance compact car (a Sport Compact Car if you’ll allow it)“.
Okay – the Maverick is a nice truck and sporting it up sounds like fun. But come on! How can you use the word “compact” in relation to this? Sure, compared to the ridiculous tanks that full-size trucks have become, it’s a lot smaller but still huge compared to what I woud think a “compact” vehicle is (even in this age of bloat).
it is more about Money, the factory warranty coyote F150’s got a lot of good press, probably a few more sales of a base F150 with a V8 by those with grand schemes of affording one at some point. While at the same time a whole bunch of people actually grabbing low value just off lease work trucks and then paying up for the supercharger to have a pretty fun sleeper for daily use. Ford is banking on people approving of this enough to garner attention back to the Maverick. It has not had as much love as it once did with prices right sided and volume production not making false demand anymore.
The whole sports truck makes me a little nauseous. Like what is the point of trying to wheel some lifted tail happy overweight underpowered thing. I just don’t get it.
Guessing you weren’t alive in the late 80s.
Been alive since the 50’s
Apologies. I retract my comment.
I mean this is really more of a car with a bed. I would wager it handles better than some larger sedans too
Doubt but u do u
Well, these are front wheel drive unless you get AWD and they are lowered, not lifted, so, while I get not really understanding why someone would get one, I think your reasoning is flawed.
Lowered for a trucklet. A sporty experience would be wheeling a Miata, GR86, corvette, something that sporty?
Yeah, there are definitely better options for something sporty, but if you’re looking for a multipurpose tool, this is more capable at other things.
It’s a FWD based unibody crossover with a small pickup bed and 300hp and sub 4k weight, it’s neither tail happy nor underpowered.
Hmmm. Underpowered, overweight, and famously tail happy?
Sounds familiar. Like it would bee unsafe at any speed…
Was thinking the same thing! (with respect, as I love Corvairs, and despise Nader’s book)
Autocross a Lobo? Not with the SCCA until Ford coughs up Center of Gravity data to prove it meets SCCA’s stability factor rule!
Do tell more.
The majority of trucks on the road cannot run SCCA sanctioned events unless the model is specifically allowed, due to rollover risk. Taller CG + 200 treadwear or lower autoX tires + novice driver = huge insurance risk for damage, injury, or death.
They should really put the words “Sport Variant” on the back in a chrome badge.
Plus a rocker panel “TURBO” decal.
“RECALL” decal
The Jeep 4xE took them all already.
Such missed naming opportunities. How about the Maverikki Tik? Or Maveroc(k)? Woah Doggie? Here’s a thought: Comet, a tip of the hat to the old Mercury clone of the original Maverick. The Maverick Super? Or the Sticker Shock?
Could have been the Maverick Grabber.
With graphics!
Call me skeptical but I will be shocked if anyone can get one of these from a Ford dealer for under $50k
And this is exactly why the dealership model needed to stay in the 20th century. It’s an unfortunate relic that the American motoring public remains encumbered to.
When I bought my Maverick, the dealer was tacking on an extra $5k, but since I ordered it they sold it to me at MSRP. I would bet they would do the same for this. If you get one off the lot it’ll cost extra, but if you order it, maybe not. Of course not all dealers are the same, so YMMV.
I know the best car dealer in the world if you want one!
Lexus?
Do they have any dealerships in Maryland? 🙂
Will they also give me a good deal on a Lagonda wagon?
Back in my SoCal college days, the number of cars with Galpin license plate holders in campus parking lots was crazy! Tell me you’re from “the Valley” without telling me you’re from the Valley.
Is the Maverick the only new vehicle on the market without that ugly clamshell hood trend which positions the panel gap half-way down the fender?
Excellent observation. I miss the days when for most cars*, hoods were, unlike their clothing counterparts, simply a hatch door that you had to look down at to see the seam.
*sports cars where the entire end lifts up aside. Those are awesome.
Those are pedestrian impact requirements. So basically if it’s only sold in NA, then you may have a traditional hood.
A way to make the glass transmission more even more fragile. Maybe a some kind of upgrade to that over wheels and tires.
The transmission is my big question mark too. Ford said it has more cooling but does that solve the problem?
I don’t think so. As I’ve mentioned in other comments, the transmission is already over its maximum torque rating in the regular ecoboost and, naturally, is already developing a reputation for going boom. I can’t imagine upping the power by 25% is going to solve that issue, but then again it only has to last 36,000 miles, at which point Ford will happily let their dealership charge you $5,000 for a replacement or sell you a brand new F150 on a lovely 120 month loan.
5 years or 60,000 miles for the trans, but I imagine they still try everything they can to blame you for the problem. Deflection to avoid warranty work is pretty bad at all stealerships these days. partly because pretty much all brands are suffering from apathetic designers and assemblers.
I highly doubt it. 8F35 has a history of planetary gear and pump failures. The guy that has designed alot of the kits that get copied by everyone. Has a theory almost all modern transmissions have terrible valve bodys. Beyond that he believes its done on purpose. I believe they have refined the valve body in the 8F35 at least once likey more but they are still causing issues. They need to just buy his valve bodys like they used to do with arp head studs on the 6.0.
OK, this is a little too Jalopnik level writing to me. I am not against more HP, but I would like to be sure the new setup uses the closed deck design with embedded steam ports so it does not start drinking coolant in the #2 or #3 cylinder like every other 300ish HP ecoboost 4 cylinder from Ford.
300? My daughter’s little ecoboom Fusion has that exact issue.
The 3-/4-cylinder EcoBoost got a complete re-engineering a few years ago, implemented in the ’25 Mavericks.
Otherwise the cooling ports got revised back around 2020 and hasn’t been much of an issue on those ‘last gen’ motors.
Afaik: GolfR is 328hp.
Last I checked, 328 > 300.
and not a Ford. (I just read another new recall today, or was it an old one? Lost count.)
Choosing VW over Ford is like choosing herpes over HIV….it doesn’t have a chance of killing you, but you’re still stuck with it for life.
Sorry, more torque.
Two to three year old RS3s are pushing into the high 40s/low 50s now too and 5 > 4
Fuck, why don’t they just put in the Focus ST or RS drivetrain into it at this point?
Or, why not offer a Focus Puma with this drivetrain as an ST or RS version?
Because the Maverick is based on the Focus and the Puma is based on the Fiesta and the already make a Puma ST
Maybe I’m just a truck heathen but man that two tip side 90° side exit just looks…bad. Do a swept single if you’re going with side exit.
I’m a complete truck heathen to be sure, but I actually kinda like it. At least more than the usual truck pretending to be a performance car thing of shiny rear duals. It fits the Mav’s oddball styling bits, like the offset rear license plate to accommodate the tow package.
These things normally have single piston front calipers? In 2026? I would not have guessed that.
“Single piston front calipers? In*this* economy?”
(No my joke doesn’t make sense, unless you’re remembering that there are in fact still drum brakes out there.)
The issue here is the transmission. The OEM transmission is overstressed from the factory in base Ecoboost form. Non hybrid Mavericks already have a reputation for shitting their transmissions out as is. I can’t imagine an additional 100 pound feet of torque is going to uh…help matters.
But then again this is Ford we’re talking about. Quality is concern number 137, with shareholders and Jim Farley’s ample compensation occupying approximately 135 spots before it. It just needs to hold on until that (short!) 36,000 mile warranty is up, then Ford will have an F150 sitting on the lot with your name on it. The finance guy has a $999 a month payment just for you too!
96 month financing available for select buyers.
“Select” here meaning “has a bank account.” Slightly above the Nissan level of “can fog a mirror.”
Nissan salesperson: How do you feel about the Nissan Altima?
Buyer: *heavy breathing, eyes glaze over*
Salesperson: Please sign here, here and initial here.
Yes I agree. A long throw, close ratio floor shifter is the answer here.
Just put the Focus RS transmission in it.