We tested our 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid AWD last year, and the results were not all great. It failed the three-wheel on rollers TFL Slip Test. Ford watched the video. They were unsatisfied. They gave us a call a couple of months ago and said – we recalibrated the AWD system for the 2026 Maverick Hybrid. It will pass all of your tests. Would you consider retesting it? We said – yes!
2025 model year was the first for the refreshed Maverick compact pickup truck. This update saw the addition of the AWD system for the Hybrid-powered Mavericks. They also uprated the Hybrid towing to 4,000 lbs (from 2,000 lbs) along with many other changes. We got so excited by this that we purchased it for our long-term fleet. It didn’t do well on our TFL Slip Test.
However, the 2026 Mavericks should be much better. We are thankful for this continuous improvement. Here is the note from Ford…
Ford says: “The original traction control calibration focus was on-road only, ie; flat, dirt road. Typical low mu testing for slippery mode has all wheels with a low mu condition. It minimizes high wheel spin to keep the vehicle in control to make the vehicle feel more stable in icy conditions.“
- “With traction control off with an open differential system, with the original calibration, the brake torque transfer wasn’t enough to get the vehicle off of the roller with one wheel. The team re-calibrated to achieve the required torque transfer with traction control on and off.“
- “To solve the 3-roller test, the calibration team mimicked the strategy of our off-road vehicles’ traction calibrations. They tuned the traction control system for the hybrid powertrain to mimic the 2.0L gas off-road vehicles. This strategy was confirmed by doing our own gamut of testing including the same roller test, icy hill climbs, and obstacle climbs.“
“Result – We’ve introduced the change starting with the 26MY Maverick. This results in improved customer confidence in vehicle capability in low mu situations.“
- Tommy has re-tested the new 2026 model, and here is what happened!
