“And when Alexander Jim Farley saw the breadth of his domain, he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.” It’s a quote by Hans Gruber in 1988’s Die Hard, but on this fine day, July 31, 2024, we’re going to borrow it to describe Ford, purveyor of the brilliant outside-the-box conveyance known as the Ford Maverick unibody hybrid pickup truck, which now — for the first time ever — gets all-wheel drive.
Ford has finally done what everyone has been asking since the company rolled out the modern iteration of the Maverick: It is offering the hybrid model with optional AWD and, for good measure, the “4K Tow Package,” which doubles the truck’s max towing capacity to, as the name suggests, 4,000 pounds.
A New Edge To Headlights
On Friday, July 26, I headed down to the Detroit neighborhood of Corktown to get up close and personal with the 2025 Ford Maverick. I’ve been to the Detroit Auto Show a few times and the 2023 LA Auto Show, but it’s still pretty mindblowing to go from infiltrator to contributor, especially for a refresh of a vehicle that has been such a large part of my life over the last few years.
During Ford’s presentation, the covers were pulled off three 2025 Mavericks models: a Desert Sand Tremor (which is now a package above Lariat), an Azure Gray XLT FX4, and an Eruption Green Lariat Hybrid.
The first thing anyone will notice about the 2025 Maverick is its distinctive headlights. If the original Maverick set the tone for what would follow with the Ranger, this refresh is more akin to the F-150 King Ranch or Lightning. Exterior Designer Joshua Blundo told me the new look was aimed at keeping the truck modern, and bringing it more inline aesthetically with the F-Series. He also iterated that customer feedback played a major factor in the refresh.
The negative space is, to an extent, also about saving space. The upper half of the first-generation Maverick’s headlights on the XL and XLT were fake: it was just silver plastic. Check it out:
Only on the Lariat trim did those become additional daytime running lights. High-end trims for the 2025 (shown before the old model directly above) will also come with an LED projector unit. The standard lights are shown below.
Making Distinct Faces
The grille and air dam are also distinctive across the different trims and packages, another trait the Maverick now shares with the F-150. Ford tells me the XL and XLT share the same basic look, with a new grate design on the grille. The Lariat adds reflective accents to the grille (see below), while the Tremor, which is now the top trim instead of a package, has a more open grille and a slanted air dam.
I also noticed little camera “bumps” on the Tremor and Lariat. They’re for the new-to-Maverick 360 camera system, which I found myself wishing for on my ’23 Maverick when dealing with cramped parking situations or narrow campsites. I’m sure I’m not the only Maverick driver who came from a small vehicle and would appreciate the assistance trying to navigate around the notably different sight lines.
Big Screens, Fewer Knobs
Looking inside, the Maverick gets a new 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13-inch touchscreen running Sync 4.
Those are now standard on all models, along with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Enterprising Maverick owners had already been swapping their clusters with analog needles out with digital ones from the Ford Escape. This upgrade will save 2025 owners the hassle.
The new screen is also a massive leap over the outgoing 8-inch touchscreen and its “cubby buddy” port:
2022-24 Lariat models were equipped with Sync 3, while XL and XLT owners had to make do with the “Connected Touch Radio” infotainment system OS. But on the new truck’s bigger screen, almost all the physical HVAC and audio controls have now been integrated into the touch screen.
I’ll withhold judgment until I hopefully get the chance to take out the 2025 model for a road test, but I will say I really like the physical controls on my 2023 XLT Maverick. There is also a lot of compelling evidence that drivers like buttons for important features, and they’re safer.
Other minor interior changes include the accent color for the XLT interior shifting from orange to Grabber Blue, with orange reserved for the Tremor. That’s kind of a shame because the orange accents nicely complement the Navy Pier plastic throughout the cab. The start button, aka “Intelligent Access with Push-button Start (incl. Approach Detection),” is now standard on the XLT per the 2025 order guide.
One more tech upgrade of note: The 2025 Maverick will have a “5G LTE Modem,” which will support OTA updates ( this would save me a lot of time with all the recalls I have to bring mine in for), real-time traffic data, and hotspot functionality. The communications reps said it’s a three-month free trial, and the OTA update functionality would still work without a data plan.
New Glorious Hybrid Guts
Prospective Maverick Hybrid owners now have a chance at the whole enchilada. Horsepower and torque remain unchanged at 191 ponies and 155-foot pounds, respectively, but the options will take you and your gear places. The 4k Tow Package, previously only available on the Ecoboost Maverick, is now an option if buyers also check the box for the new-for-2025 all-wheel drive.
The equipment package is aptly named, as it allows the truck to tow up to 4,000 pounds. Efficiency only takes a slight hit, going from 42 mpg city on FWD hybrids to 40 mpg city on AWD hybrids.
When I asked if any major changes had to be made to accommodate AWD (which was already in the outgoing Maverick, except only on EcoBoost cars), Kirk Leonard, the Maverick Vehicle Integration Supervisor, said that overall, it was the same basic architecture. He says the eCVT transmission (which uses planetary gears and not the much enthusiastically maligned belt-driven CVTs in Hondas, Nissans, etc.) has been “beefed up,” going from the HF45 to the HF55. So far, the only vehicle I’ve found that uses that specific transmission is the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus.
Leonard clarified that “it’s just a power pack, drive shaft to the rear, except that it’s a transverse engine, so not your typical [setup].” As for the change with the tow package, he spotlighted the radiator fan, seven-pin trailer plug, and brake controller. I have not yet been able to confirm if the eCVT gets a transmission cooler or if the final drive ratio is altered on the hybrid 4k Tow Package like it is on the Ecoboost.
Making Towing Easier For Newcomers
As what Ford says is a “mid-sized” truck (even if I think it’s a small truck and is worth celebrating as such) is becoming an even more capable vehicle, the Blue Oval is now making more F-150 technology available for the 2025 model year with Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist.
Our Mercedes Streeter wrote about the tech last year and seemed pretty happy with it.
Once Pro Trailer Hitch Assist knows where everything is, you tell the system that your trailer’s coupler is vertically higher than the ball. Then, push and hold the button and the system will get to work. Ford says that the systems control algorithms will maneuver the truck into position directly under the tongue. It handles everything including steering, braking, and throttle. You don’t have to align the truck; all you do is sit there, hold the button, and monitor the progress from the big screen.
As for the backup system, it moves the control off the steering wheel and to a small knob near the touch screen.
Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist targeted the difficulties some have with backing up a trailer. As you may know, when you reverse with a trailer, your inputs with the steering wheel result in an opposite action. Crank that wheel to the right, the trailer begins going left. Crank it left and it’ll go right. Keeping the trailer straight in reverse requires what’s essentially a combination of that. Well, Pro Trailer Backup Assist gives you a knob. Turn the knob in the direction that you want the consist to go and it’ll go there.
James Gilpin, Maverick Brand Manager, described it as perfect for people who only tow a few times a year and might not have the practice that someone who uses a Super Duty at the job site might have. Considering 80% of Maverick owners are “new to truck,” according to Ford, this could be extremely helpful for first-time truck owners… like me. I truly suck at backing up, especially single-axle trailers that go every which way but the right one.
The Price Is… Right?
All these new features sound great, right? So, what will it cost to get a refreshed 2025 Maverick? Per Ford, the starting MSRP is $26,295, plus $1,595 for destination and delivery. The base option engine is back to being a hybrid, which is the right move and goes back to what made the trucklet so appealing at launch.
When announced in June 2021, the 2022 Ford Maverick started at $19,995. Adjusted for inflation, that comes out to $23,121, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Is the 2025 Maverick worth the extra $3,174 over the inflation-adjusted launch price? It does come with a much nicer touchscreen and redesigned headlights, and it keeps the ever-important hybrid engine. Overall, the platform is more capable than ever before, and it has me thinking about possibly trading in my XLT for an AWD Hybrid in Eruption Green, which, tragically, is a one-year-only color.
I would also really like to get behind the wheel and push a hybrid with 4k towing through its paces to see how it holds up to the “Built Ford Tough” moniker. But as Gilpin argued during the presentation, this is the “lowest starting MSRP for any pickup in America,” and it’s shocking no other rival has sought to move back into the small truck space with a vehicle that perfectly serves as a family hauler and sub-$30K daily driver. And now, one could argue, the “almost perfect truck” is better than ever.
If you’re interested in buying one, the order bank opens up on Thursday, August 1, with deliveries expected in late 2024.
Glad I didn’t wait for this. All the iffy tech and Pavement Princess Package stuff are sound marketing tho. How much for the dealer installed spray on mud and dirt?
lol it’s a unibody small truck, off course it’s going to be largely on-pavement
How does that prevent off road/soft road travel? I mean, beyond testosterone signaling?
this is the least testosterone signaling truck ever made. gets better mpg than most vehicles on the road. isn’t any taller than a rav4 or the other billion boring crossovers on the road. base model is cheaper than a camry hybrid.
Appears most of the Maverick buyers are not trying to compensate for their inadequacies/egos. Rarely see one around here that isnt bone stock.
Those other folks buy a Jeep or the biggest truck they can finance and then upsize the wheels/tires. Amazing how cheap you can buy brand new takeoff factory wheels/tires around here from Jeeps/Trucks on Marketplace.
To note: the overall payload capacity exceeds every new Tacoma model except the base SR.
That’s a lot of ugly, flat, plastic real estate around the grille. And of course the extreme dash tablet treatment with less buttons.
Love my ’24 maverick… for the price. I got it mostly poverty/base spec. Once you are in the mid-30s with this AWD/tow I think I’d be cross shopping Rangers and Colorado. I do wish a Tremor-lite spec was available on XL. A 1″ lift and chin, minus the graphics and tow hooks. But I’m cheap, so I know I’m not catered to. Time will really tell if I love it: will it last 120k mostly worry free miles. I hope it does.
That Rattler trim on the F-150 was brilliant, too bad it didn’t last or trickle down
I had to google it – you are right. A halfway point (1/3-way point?) between budget and performance. My older canyon was 2wd with the G80 differential (tow package) and I never had trouble in mud at the ranch. If it had rained for 3 days straight, I just didn’t go. What did stop me was electrical gremlins and unreliable air conditioning.
I did get hung up with the Mav. May gave us 17 inches of rain (central texas), and the usual creek crossing got built up with sand on one bank. Never seen that before at our middle creek crossing, but hey, 17 inches of rain! Fortunately it only took a couple of minutes digging with my hand to free up the truck. A tiny bit of extra clearance would have be nice. I’ve now carried 12′ metal roof panels (kayak rack) and sheets of 4×8 decking with the Mav, and its been enough truck. I’ll say that again: I have an 80 acre hobby ranch with a couple miles of unpaved roads, hauling up building supplies, and my XL poverty spec Maverick has been sufficient. The 1/time per year I may tow a kawasaki mule for service I can do with a uhaul rental truck. I’d have to rent a trailer anyway.
This model has been a runaway success for ford. I always wonder why the Hyundai version doesn’t have nearly the same desirability. And, the Honda Ridgeline (which is slightly larger and more expensive) has never caught on to this level neither…
Off the top of my head the Santa Cruz is styled much more radically (a negative in the pickup space), costs more and Hyundai’s wet clutch DCT probably is a yellow flag for those who look at the turbo models.
The Ridgeline is also pretty up there with its competition in price while also being almost full-size in width, at a half-foot over the Maverick so it’s a much larger vehicle so I don’t think it’s ever really been a value play.
Pricing/option packaging for the most part hurts the Santa Cruz. At the price of the lower trims, with the NA 2.5L/8AT, Ford has the choice of better hybrid economy or way more power for about the same base price. The Hyundai 2.5T can match the latter, but you spend well into the upper $30s to get it and the DCT as Cranberry said might seem risky. A Maverick can get just as pricey, but there’s far more variety to it across the full price range.
A hybrid Santa Cruz would be great, but they seem to be reserving their hybrid setup to crank out as many crossovers as they can and now the Carnival, which I do think makes more sense if they’re limited in available supply. I don’t think Hyundai is that serious about selling it and could see it just hanging around for years like the Ridgeline with occasional updates as other models from the lineup get them. The Ridgeline has actually seen something of a boon to sales the last couple years, but the Passport is about to be redesigned sooner despite being introduced a couple years later.
You both beat me to it. There’s no hybrid option, and on top of that the ICE engines are inefficient to boot. The Koreans are kind of a generation behind when it comes to their internal combustion engines. Add in the fact that it’s too expensive in the upper trims and they put their maligned DCT in it for some reason and it just isn’t a particularly appealing product.
It kind of sucks, because if they launched with a hybrid and/or the Maverick wasn’t introduced at the same time it could’ve found some footing as a niche product. But unfortunately it launched alongside the Maverick which is basically a better vehicle in every way. Also, I think they’re more or less shoving that dual clutch in everything as a last ditch effort to make up the massive development costs.
They put a lot of effort into that gearbox and unfortunately introduced it right as DCTs went out of vogue. It’s great in my car and the other N products but it’s rough at low speeds. In a sporty application you’re willing to accept that compromise, but in a light duty truck or a family hauler? It’d be a royal pain in the ass. It’s absolutely transcendent when driven hard (seriously, it makes VW’s DSG seem sluggish and that’s a great transmission) but it’s extremely clunky in bumper to bumper situations/parking lots/etc.
“The Koreans are kind of a generation behind when it comes to their internal combustion engines.”
This is true on the higher tier turbo engines but not on the base NA engines for the cheapest models. The 2.0L Elantra gets 1 mpg better than the direct injection 2.0L civic while only losing 3 hp. Getting rid of direct injection for dual MPI should help longevity.
Isn’t that 2L found in the Elantra and Forte an Atkinson cycle engine? I know they are more efficient than a more widespread Otto cycle engine but at the expense of lower hp/displacement. And that 3hp deficit against the Civic feels higher, as power is delivered in a slighly different way. The same Elantra from 10 years ago made only 2hp and 2ft-lbs less with just 1.8L.
Bottom line, most competitors have gained HP and fuel economy over the last decade or so, but Hyundai has only picked up MPG gains despite using a bigger displacement engine with no significant power gains.
The hybrid Elentra has a 1.6L Atkinson cycle, but not the base 2.0L.
The 2.0L 2024 Civic takes 9.2 seconds to go 0-60, but the 2024 Elentra only takes 8.4 seconds so the Civic is not faster. The 2014 Elentra took 9.4 seconds. Shaving 1 second off while improving fuel economy by 10% sounds like doing both to me.
Maybe the issue is the displacement tax in South Korea means that engines above 2.0L are barely sold in the home market so engines above that do not get as frequent updates.
I can’t imagine how that Santa Cruz’s DCT would do on a weekly basis towing north of 4K lbs. Do these come with a transmission cooler?
isn’t the Ridgeline about to be redesigned as well? Or that’s what I heard not long ago. The current gen debuted a couple years after the 3rd gen Pilot’s release so it’s already overdue.
I feel like I see conflicting rumors about it, that a redesign will come or Honda will drop it in a couple years. The Passport’s redesign looks like it will more substantially differentiate it from the Pilot, so it would seem like that would make a good base for a new, tougher Ridgeline. Plus last year was the Ridgeline’s best-ever sales year, so it seems like they’re finding a market for it and a new one would bolster that.
Biggest thing is cost, I think. I was shocked at how much more expensive the Santa Cruz is when comparably equipped.
>Honda Ridgeline never caught on
Because the Honda Ridgeline looks like a minivan with the van cut off.
True, I even talked my sister in law into getting one a few years ago (before the mid cycle refresh) and she didn’t like it as it looked “annoying”. She ended up getting a 2nd gen Colorado
A lot of current Maverick owners seemed to not like the front end from spy shots, but I think it’s mostly an improvement.
Great to see proximity key trickle down to the XLT, that’s the only er, key feature I would really want from the Lariat. Although the new “Smoke Truffle” interior does look pretty good on the Lariat and the price might end up narrowing between the two trims when comparably equipped.
Announcing green as one-year-only so early seems odd but they do like to rotate colors, every year seems like it’s a different blue but at least seem to be vivid blues.
Also, would be neat to see if any of the mags do a comparison test of “outdoorsy hybrids” in this price range once the hybrid CX-50, Forester, next RAV4, etc. are out. Unless a Bronco Sport AWD hybrid does follow next…
It’s crazy this thing is 8k more in just a few years. But other than putting all the hvac controls in the screen it seems like they have mostly found ways to improve it. Does the base model have cruise control now though? I remember it didn’t at launch somehow.
According to the buying guide posted on the Maverick Truck Club forum, it shows the transmission oil cooler. I don’t know if that’s completely accurate, but they tend to get the right details.
That buying guide also has the Lobo details.
The order guide and spec sheet are also available for view on the release on Ford’s media site, although I don’t think there’s anything too different on the spec sheet that isn’t listed elsewhere.
Looks like that’s exactly where they pulled it from. Thanks for finding the official source!
The headlights now look like shit and they assed up the ergonomics. Good job, well done, no notes.
Without the cubby next to the screen, where does the pack of smokes go?
They are gonna sell you a holder for that
Plan on getting one later this year – at least get the order in and wait for it
Too bad they no longer offer the chili-pepper red (it’s got some nice orange in it) and disappointed they’ve done away with more physical controls. The new front face is fugly too but none of that is a show-stopper for me. I’ll probably wind up with the green color but really wanted the chili-pepper red.
The addition of Hybrid AWD and wireless carplay is what I was waiting for. Getting the tow rating up to 4K for the Hybrid is a bonus too.
I thought I’d go with a Lariat but they sure want a premium to take the step up from XLT. I’ll wait and see what the order options are. Don’t really want the auto trailer gizmo but I do want the 4K rating. I do wonder if the AWD hybrid hp and torque is more than just the Hybrid variant?
It will be a nice compliment to our fleet (EVs for local, Miatas for fun). This will be our “GT” cruiser for road trips so don’t mind getting one with the nicer trim. Let’s hope Ford has a handle on their quality issues.
The hybrid’s 191 horsepower and 155 foot-pounds torque are the same for both FWD and AWD. They’re also identical to the previous model years. It’s still a 2.5 L Atkinson cycle engine.
However, Kirk Leonard said with adjustments made to the 2025 “power delivery system, it’s able to send more power to the transmission.” I’m hoping someone is able to tear down the HF55 transmission sooner than later so we can get a close up look at the improvements made.
All of this is great except moving the goddamn climate controls into the infotainment screen. That sucks ass but I fear we’re too far gone at this point and that’s just going to be the norm now 🙁
My thoughts exactly. I was game for everything (except maybe the headlights, which I’m sort of on the fence about) until I saw the HVAC buttons gone and then my excitement about the AWD hybrid with 4K towing went down considerably. This is on my list for my next new vehicle (if I ever buy one), so it is disappointing to not have physical buttons for HVAC, but then again that’s a complaint I have for seemingly every vehicle made in the last few years, so I either need to learn to deal with it or keep driving older vehicles.
What less knobs and buttons is so much better /s just another way to make it seem more premium by saving money but also increasing price.
I dont know if someone noticed but the one with the trailer package, has the radio and other buttons inverted, like a RHD configuration. Is this going to be sold in Australia?
I think that’s just to put the trailer knob toward the driver.
Australia? Not a hope in hell. It would cannibalise too many Ranger sales and therefore impact Ford Oz margins.
I assume Ford has you guys keeping your mouths shut on the Lobo package (sporty street truck trim) until they officially unveil it?
And the sweet, sweet black turbofan rims. Too bad the Lobo is only Black, white and blue.
And metallic gray.
Agreed. More importantly, not in that sweet sweet green, or red.
This is awesome. A hybrid with usable towing capacity.
I hope that people won’t seriously try to tow 4000 lbs with it. 191 hp will make for slow going. Figure that 2000 lbs is enough and it’ll be fine.
That’s just silly. An 92 Chevy truck would tow 6000 lbs with the 160 hp 4.3 liter engine.
Yeah my Cummins has a whole 160 horsepower (well it did from the factory and the truck is still stock besides straight exhaust) and I am sure I can tow more then 4k with it and still be going 55-60mph on flat roads.
Diesel != gas hybrid.
True true just saying going based of horse power figures for towing isn’t the way to go about it.
It’ll tow it but not fast. I towed a 2000 lb popup with a 176 hp vehicle for a few years. It didn’t go uphill particularly quickly. Not 30 in a 55 slow but not fast. Flat ground was just fine.
I towed a 3300 lb loaded bass boat, motor and trailer with a 150HP 1992 Dodge Caravan.
I never had any trouble at all maintaining 65MPH over the hills between Minnesota and Missouri. Merging and passing was like driving a Geo Metro, though.
I also never had any difficulty with launch and recovery, but it did require a bit more care than a beefier tow rig.
The biggest challenge with the Caravan is that the trailer felt like it was in charge when braking, and occasionally while turning. The trailer did have its own brakes that worked well and felt right when behind a pickup truck.
I expect the Maverick will tow much better than a 1992 Caravan.
I tow a 3300 lb boat with ~280 hp, 262 tq. While it isn’t slow, it struggles at interstate speed above 65 MPH. Accelerating up to speed on an entry ramp isn’t dangerous slow, but I use most of the HP doing it. I cannot imagine trying to do the same driving with Maverick numbers.
Plus I wonder if it could hook up enough to get a boat up a launch ramp.
That’s gotta be the weakest 280hp in the world then. My 300hp Expedition tows 6500lb with ease, at 80mph if you want it to. Which is what you’d expect, considering every diesel made before the millennium had sub 300hp(many of them sub 200) and they’re all towing beasts.
280 HP in a gas burner is different than diesel. Diesels with that much HP tend to have monster TQ. Mine is a V6 gas. I’ve driven older Cummins power Dodges/Rams and they pull nicely up and down hills and highways. They weren’t much on HP, but they could tow.
While the boat isn’t a big squared off drag chute like a pontoon, it does pull some air along with it.
I have towed 3600 lbs of rock and once up to speed, wasn’t hard at all to maintain highway speed. I didn’t push the speed up because with the trailer, I was at or a little above the 5000 lb tow rating.
Our grain trucks hit the scale at 66,000 pounds and have 275hp. I think 4K will be fine.
I have towed over 6000lb easily with my 150hp pickup. 4000lb with 190hp is quite favorable power to weight.
Remember, semi trucks gross 80,000+lb with 500-600hp. A 191hp Maverick with 4000lb behind it has a power to weight ratio roughly 4x better than any loaded semi.
I said what I said based on experience. Don’t expect to keep up with highway traffic uphill towing 4k lbs with this rig.
Matt’s next article: I regret buying a CR-V now that there is a AWD hybrid Maveric.
It’s a Ford. You don’t want a first year of anything new anyways.
My argument would be that the Maverick is based of the Escape and the C2 platform. Over the years, the Escape’s hybrid tech has been pretty bullet proof and is backed by an impressive 8-year/100,000 mile warranty. I’ve had a few minor issues with my ’23 but the hybrid drive has performed perfectly. Though, 4K Towing will be a test beyond anything that’s come before.
for what it’s worth, ALL hybrid & EV tech is required to have the 8yr/100k warranty thanks to CARB
That’s actually Federal mandate. CARB is even longer, 10yr/150k miles for the battery and 15 years/150k miles for other emissions critical equipment.
Thanks for the correction!
I think that’s only for PHEV, not for regular hybrid.
My argument would be, it’s still a Ford. The company with by far the most recalls. I’m not shitting on the hybrid tech, I’m shitting on Ford’s ability to put it all together in a way that results in a trouble free ownership experience.
I’m strongly considering a Maverick, but I’m sure as shit not buying the first year of even a facelift from Ford.
Plus, as others have stated, their warranty is a mandate, not because the company has some special belief in the longevity of their product.
Same. The Maverick would be perfect for me. A truck for the few times I need to haul something and a fuel efficient car (basically) for the 85-90% of times that I don’t and am just driving to work or taking the kids to school. But I’m so leery of Ford quality…
As someone with just over 35,200 miles on a Ford truck that has a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, I can tell you I am extensively researching ESP warranty options from Flood, Granger, and Ziegler Ford dealerships. They are more affordable and can last much longer than I was originally anticipating.
We told him to wait… This is what you get.
The decisions they made…keep physical HVAC controls, not media controls! There are physical media controls on the steering wheel. Eruption Green for one year only? Why?
I don’t know about the tow assist knob. If it is helpful, sure, but it feels strange.
But I do like the idea of the 4k tow package on a hybrid. And the 360 camera, while not necessary, is a nice add. I was looking at a used one near me, but I might consider ordering a new one in green. I wish they’d kept physical controls for everything. That would make the decision easy.
It’s also interesting how the Tow Assist controller moves the volume knob over to the right side. I’m wondering those locations are repurposed from the 2022-2024 HVAC controls.
Feels like they’d have to be. If they were designing from scratch, I think they would have made different decisions.
The addition of the AWD Hybrid should move this to the top of my purchase list (if there was one, which there isn’t at the moment) but Ford’s continuing quality issues still would likely hold me back. My company uses exclusively Ford’s in it’s corporate fleet and the 2 escapes (both XLT, AWD, a 2022 and 2023) we have on my project have both been problematic. I think one of them is on it’s 4th recall? Ford needs to do better before I’m dropping 40k on a new Maverick Lariat.
Their atrocious QC issues have been going on since the 90’s when my dad had a Ford…and all through my life with family/friends owned Fords. I can’t imagine now will be the time they turn it around.
AWD hybrid sounds great but adding it costs $10k over the base FWD version? Sheesh.
It still needs another 1,500 pounds of towing capacity. If a 2011 Ranger can tow 5,500 pounds then the Maverick should be able to do the same.
Why not just buy a Ranger?
The bed walls on the new Ranger are too high to reach low items that so de to the middle of the bed.
The only old Ranger I would buy is Sarah N Tuner’s and she’s not selling.
You think that the real low bed-height has something to do with the lower tow rating? Possibly a result of the unibody, suspension, and FWD-biased architecture underlying the whole vehicle?
You realize that the Ranger is body on frame, and the Maverick is a unibody truck? There’s a reason why they don’t have the same towing capacity.
If they can get it to tow 4K, then they can adjust it to tow 5.5K.
There are unibody vehicles that can tow over 5500lb. Unibody vs BOF has nothing to do with it.
The difference is that a Ranger is an actual pickup meant for actual work, and the Maverick is a Ford Fusion that lost its trunklid, and isn’t a truck even a little.
Looks at username and yeah it fits you
Damn straight.
This is thoroughly tempting me as my next daily.
That being said, Eruption green is one year only? I’m really hating this “fun colours aren’t a thing anymore” stuff that Ford has been up to post-pandemic. I miss my Magma coloured F150.
I told them that making Eruption Green available for just one year was mean! However, the designers said that was a decision out of their hands. It is worth noting that Velocity Blue is back after only being available for the 2022 model year, so maybe this beautiful shade of green can return down the road too.
I can’t wait to see the sales numbers.
The Maverick was a hit because it was the anti-truck. Simple controls, not aggressive, no stupid complex headlights, massive grill, or fake off-road equipment. It is still a compelling vehicle but in my eyes they’ve started to focus group it to death. Yes everyone wants one more thing but if you add them on you eventually end up with a fat, expensive, over-teched monstrosity that make up today’s vehicle market.
Yes. The Homer effect.
They had to get rid of the physical controls to pay for the angry techno squiggle headlights.
Backing with a trailer? Use the bottom of the steering wheel to aim. Simple as that.
That’s how I was taught.
I agree. But the trailer assist is pretty damn cool if you’ve never tried it. It takes a while to set up (you have to put a sticker on the trailer, you have to take a few measurements, and then you have to enter them into the truck) but once you’ve got it set up it is great. I took the time to set it all up on my folks truck just to try it out, and it was great. It can hold the trailer perfectly straight while you back up, and it makes minor adjustments easy. While I prefer your recommended way for most cases, if I had a truck with it, I’d still use it for stuff like really long boat ramps.
It literally makes backing up way easier for people that don’t know what they are doing. I had my wife try it and while she still struggled, she struggled significantly less than when I had her try the “grab the bottom of the steering wheel, and now move it in the direction you want the trailer to go” method.
Toyota (and other car companies) absolutely fucking up by not making a comparable vehicle. So much so that Ford has come out with a second version and still no competition lmao.
That’s what I was going to say. The other companies have had more than enough time to get one to the roads.
There is they Hyundai Santa Cruz, but I do agree with your point especially since many manufacturers have something that might compete available in other markets.
The chicken tax is the big factor. RAM and GM’s compact trucks are made in Brazil. So they either get hit with a considerable import fee coming into the US, or move production but then have import fees in their original market (Brazil has its own 35% tariffs).
They have factories in Mexico they can use.
I think ram is at the top here. They don’t even have a midsize truck, let alone a small truck (in the US). Why haven’t they brought back the Dakota?
cause Tarvares is a dolt and probably sees the wrangler camino as a small truck
Rumor has it they’re working on it.
Even if Toyota followed through on a good idea like a small hybrid pickup, they would make like 1500 (all in the most boring colors) of them and dealers would mark them up to death.
Sweet!
That’s exactly what I have been waiting for.