In Europe in 2026, if you want to buy a brand-new truck, you’d have to shell out at least over 100,000 euros. If your wallet is tight and you can’t afford it, you either settle for a used truck, or choose another mysterious brand from Turkey: Ford Trucks. Just as China’s TOP3 universities actually have five, Europe’s truck "Seven Sisters" also have eight brands. And Ford Trucks is the newest member among them.
Recently, IAA Transportation — the world’s largest commercial vehicle show — was held in Hanover, Germany. At this show, Ford Trucks brought a series of exhibition trucks, including the star of today’s article: the F-MAX. It uses Ford’s own engine and own transmission, and is Ford Trucks’ top flagship, a concentrated reflection of Ford Trucks’ technological strength. What’s more, it is also several tens of thousands of euros cheaper than mainstream European heavy truck models, making it one of the most price-competitive new trucks on the European market. So behind the low price, how good is the Ford F-MAX really? Let’s study it in detail in today’s article!
As usual, let’s start with the exterior. As a modern European flagship truck, the Ford F-MAX doesn’t lack the elements its rivals all have in exterior design. Its front mask design continues the "shield"-style geometric shape of the previous generation, but the interior of the mask is simplified into a stacked-bar grille, making the design simpler and more direct. Compared with the previous generation, the new F-MAX’s appearance has less muscle, but its recognition has improved.
This new grille design was not dreamed up on a whim by Ford engineers, but has historical basis: as early as the classic Transcontinental model of the last century, Ford had already applied a flat front grille design. Today, the return of this design language on the F-MAX is not only a tribute to the classic design, but also reflects the brand’s continuity in styling heritage.
The Ford oval emblem is set in the center of the front mask, with the F-MAX model lettering blacked out on top — one of the exclusive configurations of this show truck. Incidentally, the new Ford F-MAX also adopts active grille technology, which can automatically control opening and closing based on engine temperature, weather and other factors, helping warm up in winter and cool down in summer.
The word "muscle" is the most apt to describe the Ford F-MAX. The new F-MAX’s headlight design has been optimized: the interior uses a black backing plate, and the light cluster is more refined, blending with the wide front face. The sculpted bumper, paired with the bright headlights, further enhances the front end’s sense of unity and smoothness.
As a show truck, this Ford F-MAX also carries some exterior modification parts, such as the guard bar under the bumper with small lights on top, which enhances the vehicle’s visual tension.
The roof is equipped with a blacked-out light rack, along with a rotating warning light and a strip LED searchlight, serving practical purposes while also making the roof area visually fuller.
This Ford F-MAX belongs to the latest generation, first unveiled in September 2025, officially called the F-MAX Gen2, the second generation of F-MAX. Compared with the previous generation, the powertrain configuration has not changed much. The photographed vehicle uses a 4×2 drive configuration, paired with Ford’s own Ecotorq Gen 2 diesel engine. Compared with the previous engine, about 90% of the Gen 2’s components have changed, with the cylinder block, cylinder head and other components all redesigned, and power output raised to 510 hp and 2,600 N·m torque, with the maximum torque range covering 1,000-1,300 rpm.
Moreover, the vehicle is also matched with Ford’s own 16-speed AMT transmission, model Ecotorq 16S 2600 OD. The top gear of this transmission is an overdrive gear, with a gear ratio range covering 14.107 to 0.823, paired with a 2.31 ratio rear axle, meeting the needs of efficient trunk transport. It can be said that this powertrain chain is Ford Trucks’ own "golden powertrain chain".
The photographed F-MAX is further equipped with a hydraulic retarder, enabling better speed control and improving safety on long downhill sections
All wheel hubs are blacked out, matching the racing-style exterior kit of the whole vehicle
Both front and rear axles use two-bag trailing arm air suspension
Both sides of the chassis are equipped with large lightweight aluminum fuel tanks, with the left tank holding 450 liters and the right 600 liters, for a total capacity of over 1,000 liters, providing the vehicle with excellent endurance.
If the exterior is a gradual evolution, then the new Ford F-MAX’s interior can be called an "epic upgrade". The old, somewhat plain dashboard has been replaced by a "dual-screen" of a fully digital instrument cluster and a central control screen. Modern configurations such as one-touch start and electronic parking brake have also been added, greatly enhancing the cabin’s sense of technology and operating convenience.
The central control screen uses touch operation, running a new-generation in-vehicle infotainment system, allowing real-time viewing of vehicle status and function settings. An air conditioning control area is permanently docked below the screen, balancing intuitive interaction and operational convenience.
The electronic parking brake and one-touch start are set between the instrument cluster and the multimedia screen
In terms of sleeper comfort, the new Ford F-MAX has undergone a major upgrade. Although its width has not changed, the combined thickness of the mattress and pad has been greatly increased to 20 centimeters. Compared with the somewhat hard feel of the previous generation, the new model’s comfort has improved significantly, better meeting the rest needs of long-haul transport.
Summary
Overall, the appeal of the Ford F-MAX is not just "cheap". What it is really good at is that, without missing any of the exterior, powertrain and chassis configurations, it can still be several tens of thousands of euros cheaper than mainstream European heavy trucks. For users with limited budgets who don’t want to compromise on core experience, the Ford F-MAX is not a "fallback option", but a new choice that gives flagship feeling to cost performance. It may not yet be the central protagonist of the European heavy truck stage, but it has already made the "Seven Sisters" list add one more name that cannot be ignored. This year’s Hanover show has been brilliant; Tijia will continue to bring you the freshest coverage and deepest technical interpretation! Don’t want to miss more highlights? Keep following Tijia Commercial Vehicle Network and its European & American Truck Community!
