The Ford Maverick continues its award-winning streak. MotorTrend has officially named the Maverick its 2026 Truck of the Year, recognizing the compact pickup for delivering a rare mix of practicality, efficiency, and genuine truck capability in a market dominated by larger and more expensive options.

In announcing the award, MotorTrend highlighted the Maverick’s ability to stand out during two weeks of intensive testing against both new and refreshed competitors. Judges praised the pickup for excelling across key criteria including performance of intended function, engineering excellence, efficiency, value, safety, and thoughtful design improvements that make it equally suited to workdays and daily commuting.

When the Maverick first launched for the 2022 model year, there was plenty of skepticism around whether North American buyers would embrace a truly compact, unibody pickup. With nearly half a million sales since then, that question has been firmly answered. Buyers responded to the Maverick’s approachable size, flexible interior, and affordable entry point, proving that smaller trucks can still deliver big usefulness.

MotorTrend also noted that Ford has continued refining the Maverick lineup, updating both hardware and software to make it more capable and more enjoyable to drive. Recent updates have broadened the lineup, offering buyers everything from efficiency-focused hybrid models to street-oriented performance options like the Maverick Lobo.

The accolades may not stop there. The Ford Maverick Lobo is currently a finalist for North American Truck of the Year for 2026. If it takes home that title, the Maverick would once again join a long list of recent Ford winners, reinforcing how consistently The Blue Oval has delivered trucks that resonate with real-world buyers.

From city streets to job sites, the Ford Maverick continues to punch well above its weight. Being named MotorTrend’s 2026 Truck of the Year only cements what owners already know. This small truck is doing big things.