Ford Maverick > Jeep Wrangler in snow

13° driveway

5ish inches a few days ago. Nothing can climb my driveway except for my Maverick. UPS and Fed Ex both slid down, and the USPS attempted it today.

Looking closely, I can see the front wheels spinning a bit, so she was in 4WD. Compare and contrast to my Maverick just scooting right up, even the first time when the snow was fresh to the other 50 times since last Friday. Iced over, fresh snow, it doesn't matter.

Now, I am no fanboy. I'm looking to trade this thing for a Ridgeline, and even as not-a-fanboy I am proud of the way this thing dominates in the snow.

No problem!

The AWD, especially with decent tires, is simply sublime. It's at least as good as Subaru's.

bgn said:

The AWD, especially with decent tires, is simply sublime. It's at least as good as Subaru's.

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I'd agree. It was arguably easier for the mail jeep given that I cleared out the ruts somewhat. (don't own a snow shovel) but even coming home on icy nights, the Mav just popped up the driveway.

Thanks for posting. I sure would not be even considering a Ridgeline though. What a engineering nightmare for a truck. Besides your going to pay more at the gas pump. If you do, I wish you the best of luck. Even getting up the driveway with less ground clearance on the Ridgeline.

Again thanks for posting.

Hunters Edge said:

Thanks for posting. I sure would not be even considering a Ridgeline though. What a engineering nightmare for a truck. Besides your going to pay more at the gas pump. If you do, I wish you the best of luck. Even getting up the driveway with less ground clearance on the Ridgeline.

Again thanks for posting.

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Other than the ground clearance being pretty low, what are the negatives? I'm interested because its wider and just overall bigger and the RTL-E trim (2021-2023 models) comes packed with features. Also I tend to trust Honda's reliability but then again, I haven't owned a Honda in decades. Open to opinions though.

bgn said:

The AWD, especially with decent tires, is simply sublime. It's at least as good as Subaru's.

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Glad you mentioned such a thing as I was thinking something similar yesterday. IMO, I couldn't tell when the Subaru (3 different ones) were losing grip in slippery conditions. On the other hand, the Maverick performs great, but the slippage is more noticeable.

I remember the days when a Jeep was a tank. Recent years? Not so much.

The Mav slips a little when taking off in the clip and it is noticeable but I think its good that the car communicates that to the driver. Even going up the driveway when its icy, you feel the slip. Just keep your foot down and she climbs right up though. Maybe the jeep driver lifted too early.

Tires might have had a lot to do with it too? Enjoy the Ridgeline. I wish Honda would make a smaller truck to go with the Ridgeline.

Scott Asheville said:

Tires might have had a lot to do with it too? Enjoy the Ridgeline. I wish Honda would make a smaller truck to go with the Ridgeline.

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Where's your video? I'm in WNC too!

Aw the mail lady could have done it. She just needed to cut a new driveway path in real time. I bet if she'd gone around the tree to shallow the grade, she'd have pulled it off.

Still waiting for the snow to melt here. It's being stubborn where the sun isn't hitting (north slopes).

Justin says... said:

Other than the ground clearance being pretty low, what are the negatives? I'm interested because its wider and just overall bigger and the RTL-E trim (2021-2023 models) comes packed with features. Also I tend to trust Honda's reliability but then again, I haven't owned a Honda in decades. Open to opinions though.

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The 6 is a naturally aspirated engine but it cuts or stops cylinders to get mileage which cools certain engine components. Then all of a sudden throwing them in demand when needed.

Next it is a little wider but the Maverick has more leg and head room in the back seat, in the 2.0 ecoboost.

The great idea of the Maverick is having a low lift height to load and unload cargo. The Ridgeline is raised to allow a trunk in the back.

The Ridgeline bed height is low and if a tonneau cover it is not high enough to accommodate 5 gallon gas, diesel, kerosene cans.

Even with the width the Ridgeline has 33.9 cubic ft the Ford Maverick is like 33.3 less than 1 cubic ft difference.

Because the spare is in the trunk they don't offer a full size spare but only an emergency doughnut.

If you are hauling which increases GVWR you are more likely to get a flat. If your bed is loaded, sand , gravel etc. the item or items need to be removed to access the trunk and the doughnut.

The trunk is ergonomically a accident waiting to happen. Every doctor will tell you to lift with your legs. The trunk you leaning way over for one secondly your not so can not use your legs to lift.

I like the idea of a swinging tailgate. Unfortunately if open in a parking lot it's a accident waiting to happen. If another car even nicks it, it's pinning whoever is between the bumper/bed and the tailgate. I have heard issues with that as well as it ages, I don't really know about that. I think a split tailgate design that swings is a much safer alternative. Besides the short not width of the tailgate is light and not overly wide to lift stuff in or out. At least the Maverick is and the Ridgeline is not as deep/height etc .

Now this has nothing to do with engineering. If they can not sell the new or basically the demand is low. How do you figure that resale would not take a hit.

The Ridgeline needs a complete overhaul to correct these issues but it's basically the same since it was introduced just shy of 2 decades ago.

Lastly because of a naturally aspirated engine the RPM is much higher to get the maximum horsepower and torque. Totally different on the Maverick.

Last but not least I don't believe they offer a brake controller, backup assist or a trailer hitch assist. They do claim it can tow 5000lbs but most states require trailer brakes on anything 3000lbs or more

Excellent analysis. I test drove the 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport before buying my 2024 Maverick Lariat AWD, and these factors and more all played a part in my decision to go with the Maverick. Other factors? The Ridgeline Trailsport was $10k more than the Maverick Lariat AWD. Also found the steering wheel stitching on the Ridgeline Trailsport was precisely at the 10 and 2 position, directly under where my hands naturally grip the steering wheel. The stitching was raised, uncomfortable, and annoying while driving. That was the final straw. Bought the Maverick, love the Maverick, and haven’t looked back!

What I learned is your mail carrier is not a good driver and you are too lazy to clear your driveway.

DoLoJo said:

Excellent analysis. I test drove the 2024 Ridgeline Trailsport before buying my 2024 Maverick Lariat AWD, and these factors and more all played a part in my decision to go with the Maverick. Other factors? The Ridgeline Trailsport was $10k more than the Maverick Lariat AWD. Also found the steering wheel stitching on the Ridgeline Trailsport was precisely at the 10 and 2 position, directly under where my hands naturally grip the steering wheel. The stitching was raised, uncomfortable, and annoying while driving. That was the final straw. Bought the Maverick, love the Maverick, and haven’t looked back!

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Yep and the trailsport has less ground clearance than a FWD Ford Maverick. Anybody that ever found themselves high centered or stopped because the frame was on the ground would understand the significance. Sometimes it's not obstacles but a wet hole or rut lowering the frame to the ground. Or snow being pushed until it acts as the same and causes it to be high centered.

Here is link that may help those wondering why ground clearance should be considered.

https://offroadalliance.com/our-blog/understanding-ground-clearance-and-why-its-important

Leuf said:

What I learned is your mail carrier is not a good driver and you are too lazy to clear your driveway.

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lol I don't see the point. My truck gets up it no problem so why bother? The sun will melt it in a couple days so for now, it's just entertaining seeing who can get up and who cant.

edit: Might also be worth mentioning, the landlord forbids use of salt. He thinks it tears up the asphalt. I don't know; maybe it does, but the rent is good so I abide. Yeah I know I could shovel but.. naa.