Video: New 2025 Ford Maverick AWD Hybrid Impresses on the World’s Toughest Towing Test – With One Exception!

It can now tow up to 4,000 lbs!

2025 ford maverick awd hybrid towing test ike gauntlet max load

We took our new 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid AWD on the world’s toughest towing test – the Ike GauntletTM, and it impressed us. It did better than we expected when pulling its maximum 4,000 lbs trailer, but there is at least one big exception. Let’s dig in!

Although, the Maverick hybrid compact pickup first came to market as a 2022 model, this is the first time that Ford combines an efficient hybrid powertrain with all-wheel-drive and a heavier towing capacity. Ford has beefed the eCVT to handle more abuse. The system also has improved cooling. We want to see if it’s indeed a very useful little pickup truck.

Big thanks to Granger Warranty and Weigh-Safe Hitches for making this Ike GauntletTM run possible.

The hybrid system has a total power rating of 191 horsepower, which does not sound very impressive at first. It combines a 2.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor. It’s a front-wheel-drive based architecture, and the rear axle is driven via a driveshaft.

The Ike Gauntlet is an 8-mile stretch of the treacherous I-70 highway over the Continental Divide and through the Eisenhower / Johnson memorial tunnels. The maximum elevation of this highway is 11,158 feet above sea level.

The new Maverick AWD impresses us with a controlled descent. The electric motor and the eCVT do a very good job of controlling the speed on the way down. We counted just two brake applications as we drove more than half of the downhill. We were forced to stop due to a semi-truck accident, but when we continued – the Maverick controlled the descent just the same. Some new turbocharged midsize pickup trucks require 10 or more brake applications to come down this 8-mile 7% grade. This new Maverick needed just five brake applications.

The way up is a bit more difficult. There is typical CVT engine drone, and the system is asking for maximum power. Unless you are playing your favorite music or podcast loud, this background engine droning can get annoying. This is the exception to the otherwise solid performance. The cabin is well insulated from exterior noises, so the drone is not super loud.

We registered an 8:20 second mountain climb. This is a bit slower than a perfect 8-minute run. There were times when we could not keep the the 60 MPH speed limit on the way up.

The ride is comfortable and confident, even with the maximum weight trailer behind it. The Maverick’s towing package included an integrated trailer brake controller. Just hook up the height-adjustable Weigh-Safe hitch and go!

We paid just over $36,000 (this is the sticker price) for our 2025 Maverick XLT hybrid AWD with a towing package and a luxury package.

Please join Kase and I for this maxed out trailer towing test video.