10 Biggest News Stories of the Week: Ford Maverick Efficiently Outperforms Subaru Forester Hybrid
The competitive field for small pickup trucks is also small, with just two main competitors, the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Maverick’s already been edging out its lone rival as far as we’re concerned, but it isn’t content to take a comfortable lead. For 2025, Ford improves on a great thing, with a new look, upgraded equipment and expanded offerings — all of which is documented in one of Cars.com’s most popular articles of the past week, reviewer Conner Golden’s comprehensive critique of the 2025 Ford Maverick.
Related: 10 Biggest News Stories of the Month: Nissan Leaf Charges Less, Nissan Kicks Punts Prices
The latest Mav model scores with an innovative all-wheel-drive addition to its hybrid powertrain that does the deed without drawing attention to itself; adequate acceleration and passing power; a continuously variable automatic transmission that spares you the screaming sound; easy-to-adapt-to regenerative braking; and consistent handling character despite added weight. Oh, and there’s also the all-new Lobo trim, a throwbacky sport trim that borrows performance parts from elsewhere in the Ford family of vehicles and adds some racy stylistic flourishes — and while it is an elevated experience, it’s not quite ready for the ST badge with which Ford blesses its true performance-oriented models.
For our full take on the 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid and Maverick Lobo, follow the link below to the No. 2 article on this week’s countdown of most read stories.
If a hybrid pickup isn’t your thing, perhaps a hybrid SUV is — and if Subaru is your thing, well, then the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid SUV is definitely your thing … sight unseen, even. (Subie hive, throw ’em up!) The new Forester Hybrid boasts an all-new powertrain setup comprising a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, lithium-ion battery pack and two transmission-mounted electric motors — good for roughly an 8% boost in horsepower and a 40% improvement in fuel economy. The Forester Hybrid still trails top rivals in fuel economy, power and affordability — but what it lacks in those areas, it more than makes up for (at least to its captive audience of repeat customers) in off-road capability, unhybridlike driving characteristics and patented Subaruness.
For full details on the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid — including whether you should pony up the extra cash for it or just go with the gas-only version — follow the link below to Golden’s review, the No. 6 article of the week.
Beyond that, we’ve got headlines on Trump tariffs, cheap cars, the GMC Acadia and much more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. How Are Automakers Responding to Trump’s Tariffs?
2. 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid and Lobo Review: The People’s Perfect Truck
3. How Will Tariffs Affect Car Insurance Costs?
4. When Do Tariffs Get Applied to a Car Purchase?
5. Which Electric Cars Are Still Eligible for the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit?
6. 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Review: Say Hello to the New Cult Leader
7. What Are the Best Used Cars for $15,000?
8. Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
9. 2025 GMC Acadia Review: Do You Really Need a Yukon?
10. Here Are the 11 Cheapest Electric Vehicles You Can Buy
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