TFL Slip Test on 2025 Maverick Hybrid AWD

[710-oil-614]

If there's enough complaints made to Ford, an update is possible. I'm holding out hope once more are delivered we can get a campaign going

A campaign for what? Until TFL or someone else performs a slip test with an FX4 and a non-FX4 Maverick it is pure conjecture that the AWD Hybrid is any less capable than the EB AWD.

The Texas Trucks video I posted above shows how bad the FX4 struggles to transfer power between the wheels. With the driver having to two pedal it to achieve desired power transfer.

Tommy from TFL tried to compare the AWD Hybrid Maverick to a Badlands Bronco Sport - which is apples to oranges as the Badlands Bronco Sport has the same Advanced AWD dual clutch pack RDU found in the Tremor and Lobo.

The Hybrid AWD system is the same as the ecoboost AWD unless you get a Tremor or a Lobo.

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[Nw_adventure]

At the end of the day- I know the Eco/boost can really get them tires spinning to work itself out of a jam with Traction off- Mud/Ruts On- But by the way Ford warns both AWD Non/FX4 turbos and Hybrids about not doing anything off-road probably just comes down to the skill of the driver and not being afraid of letting things rip when needed.

I don't know how many more nannies the AWD/Hybrid might have but that slip video seemed like they are working overtime.

So lets see the first one that does Snow/Nuts with the A/Hybrid - )

 

[710-oil-614]

I don't know how many more nannies the AWD/Hybrid might have but that slip video seemed like they are working overtime.

So lets see the first one that does Snow/Nuts with the A/Hybrid - )

This is where you fall off. Because you don't know - you assume that you have purchased something superior when there is nothing to back that up in regards to the AWD system you have.

But I'm glad you can blast those tires with your 277 lb ft of torque and blow through those rutted out obstacles

 

[Scupking]

Didn't read this whole thread yet, but I saw that video and thought maybe Ford mixed something up or has a software bug. It seems like traction control is only working in slippery mode when traction control is off. A bit counter-intuitive, at least to me.

That is just not what traction control is for.. On all my previous vehicles even non Ford's I would need to make sure traction control was off if in snow or off road otherwise it would bog down and not send power to wheels. Traction control is more for dry pavement to make sure you are not losing traction if you floor it or when the roads are wet.

 

[NotARealTruck]

FX4 provides skid plates, AT tires, hill descent, upgraded radiator cooling capacity, and tow hooks. Plus some drive modes that can be added to other models via Forscan.

It’s a nice package but it doesn’t alter or improve upon the standard AWD system. Until they slip test an FX4 you’re all falsely assuming it will perform any better.

Oh my bad I thought the fx4 came with limited slip diffs like the tremor. Whose putting a skid plate on an open diff awd vehicle lmao.

 

[dn325ci]

The Hybrid AWD system is the same as the ecoboost AWD unless you get a Tremor or a Lobo.

Likely true at the back axle/differential. Front axle likely has response differences. Whether it substantially changes the outcomes, unknown.

EDIT: Should have added that, in short, this a programming problem. There is nothing in that video that couldn't be solved by an earlier engagement of the brake on the slipping wheel.

 

[710-oil-614]

@Nw_adventure So after trying to get my hybrid AWD up on 4 ramps to apply Fluid Film the way it free rolls backwards - I’ll concede there’s something else at play with the Powersplit eCVT.

 

[colinl]

@Nw_adventure So after trying to get my hybrid AWD up on 4 ramps to apply Fluid Film the way it free rolls backwards - I’ll concede there’s something else at play with the Powersplit eCVT.

huh. so, you couldn't drive it up onto the 4 ramps? how steep are they - I assume not shallow angle race ramps, like a miata or corvette would need?

 

[TheMaverickLife]

We were going to order a 2025 Lariat AWD Hybrid with the 4k towing. NOT NOW.

After seeing the TFL slip-test and the "nothing more and a camp/fishing site" test ... and the FACT the Maverick AWD Hybrid can't un-stick itself on a "slippery" road (e.g., two wheel off the road on snow or ice) ... or getting up an off-camber road in snow-ice ... just after the plow (super slick, if one does not know), etc ... then the AWD isn't what it MUST be to pay $40,000. Sorry FORD.

LOOK at the Subaru Forester ... HAS open front and rear diffs ... and it goes UP a steep sandy hill.
Sarah-N-Tuned ... was able to drive the 2025 Forester on dirt with ... as EXPECTED AWD ability.



TFL ... seems Subaru doesn't like them, yet they borrowed a customers 2023 ... and did the same roller slip-test and the same camp/fishing site test ... and the 2023 Forester had no problems.



yes, I understand the Forester does not tow ... but its open diff AWD system sure performed better.

And, FORD knows this .... because at Michigan Proving Grounds ... one will SEE every vehicle there from other makes being tested. Then, the "lift reviews" ... engineers get invited to ... see and comment. In the Ford parking lots, plenty of Sabaru ... owned and driven by Ford employees.

We are NOT looking for ... or Expecting ... to "rock crawl" a Maverick ... but need High Sierra Nevada winter traction, and ... if ever go down some gravel or dirt ROAD (not trail) and there is a 'bad patch' ... and NOT get stuck. If one wheel is on the ground ... the brake-bias torque vectoring MUST stop the spinning wheel ... Else, one is back to a 1951 open diff Willy truck.

Ever get an idiot stop on a slick road in front of you? You'll be stuck. Road are slick, off camber, whatever ... has to be able to get going. The Maverick ... just sat there ... on the rollers. awful. Sad

One can get 'stuck' on the snow and ice "hills" in Ann Arbor ... two wheels off on the side.
Northville has some hills ... . On and ON ... Dearborn is level, but there are the two HILLS at Michigan Proving Grounds ... .

Have YOU seen the "truck" routes at Michigan proving grounds ? The maverick AWD will NOT go up the mini hills and routes ... based upon TFL's roller test ... or the dirt test.

Let's say ... been there, done that.

BTW, other CUVs TFL recently tested had NO problems on that "dirt test" !!! "cheap" CUVs better !!

If HONDA can make a unit-body truck (Ridgeline) with a clutch-pack rear diff and tow 5,000 pounds, then surely Ford can make a Maverick with one and tow 4,000 pounds.
Heck, use the GNK diff out of the Focus RS (almost exactly the Honda system, btw) ...
For the 2018 Focus RS, Ford added the Quaife LSD to the front diff. With the updated Mountune gearbox ... there wasn't a faster car on a "back road, with hairpins ... . That might be possible on the Ecoboost transmission ... but maybe not the E-CVT (no belt).

TURNING OFF the traction control will NOT help ... stuck. (watch it AGAIN).

Mileage ... 29 versus 34 indicated ... is no excuse.

Ford, sadly, has too many "yes-men' getting bonuses to 'sign-off' and pass unacceptable product to production. Witnessed that too many times ... ... . Corporations.

==========

This is unacceptable.

FARLEY ... needs to wake-up ... rolls some heads. And take a HUGE pay CUT.

Soon ... these will be on lots ... collecting dust.

=========

Looking forward to a Sarah-N-Tuned test of a 2025 AWD Hybrid ... Lariat (vs XLT) ... but both have the same drivetrain. Want to see what Sarah says ... how it goes up her CUV hill, etc. How it drives on her "dirt rally stage" ...

TFL needs to get their hands on a 2025 AWD Ecoboost ... and TEST it ... slip and that "typical camp/fishing site dirt road" ... . Does the Ecoboost have a better brake-bias torque vectoring ?

SOFTWARE .... FARLEY ... software.

@ Ford Motor Company
======

More References:






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READING IS REQUIRED

 

[NotARealTruck]

We were going to order a 2025 Lariat AWD Hybrid with the 4k towing. NOT NOW.

After seeing the TFL slip-test and the "nothing more and a camp/fishing site" test ... and the FACT the Maverick AWD Hybrid can't un-stick itself on a "slippery" road (e.g., two wheel off the road on snow or ice) ... or getting up an off-camber road in snow-ice ... just after the plow (super slick, if one does not know), etc ... then the AWD isn't what it MUST be to pay $40,000. Sorry FORD.

LOOK at the Subaru Forester ... HAS open front and rear diffs ... and it goes UP a steep sandy hill.
Sarah-N-Tuned ... was able to drive the 2025 Forester on dirt with ... as EXPECTED AWD ability.



TFL ... seems Subaru doesn't like them, yet they borrowed a customers 2023 ... and did the same roller slip-test and the same camp/fishing site test ... and the 2023 Forester had no problems.



yes, I understand the Forester does not tow ... but its open diff AWD system sure performed better.

And, FORD knows this .... because at Michigan Proving Grounds ... one will SEE every vehicle there from other makes being tested. Then, the "lift reviews" ... engineers get invited to ... see and comment. In the Ford parking lots, plenty of Sabaru ... owned and driven by Ford employees.

We are NOT looking for ... or Expecting ... to "rock crawl" a Maverick ... but need High Sierra Nevada winter traction, and ... if ever go down some gravel or dirt ROAD (not trail) and there is a 'bad patch' ... and NOT get stuck. If one wheel is on the ground ... the brake-bias torque vectoring MUST stop the spinning wheel ... Else, one is back to a 1951 open diff Willy truck.

Ever get an idiot stop on a slick road in front of you? You'll be stuck. Road are slick, off camber, whatever ... has to be able to get going. The Maverick ... just sat there ... on the rollers. awful. Sad

One can get 'stuck' on the snow and ice "hills" in Ann Arbor ... two wheels off on the side.
Northville has some hills ... . On and ON ... Dearborn is level, but there are the two HILLS at Michigan Proving Grounds ... .

Have YOU seen the "truck" routes at Michigan proving grounds ? The maverick AWD will NOT go up the mini hills and routes ... based upon TFL's roller test ... or the dirt test.

Let's say ... been there, done that.

BTW, other CUVs TFL recently tested had NO problems on that "dirt test" !!! "cheap" CUVs better !!

If HONDA can make a unit-body truck (Ridgeline) with a clutch-pack rear diff and tow 5,000 pounds, then surely Ford can make a Maverick with one and tow 4,000 pounds.
Heck, use the GNK diff out of the Focus RS (almost exactly the Honda system, btw) ...

Mileage ... 29 versus 34 indicated ... is no excuse.

Ford, sadly, has too many "yes-men' getting bonuses to 'sign-off' and pass unacceptable product to production. Witnessed that too many times ... ... . Corporations.

==========

This is unacceptable.

FARLEY ... needs to wake-up ... rolls some heads. And take a HUGE pay CUT.

Soon ... these will be on lots ... collecting dust.

=========

Looking forward to a Sarah-N-Tuned test of a 2025 AWD Hybrid ... Lariat (vs XLT) ... but both have the same drivetrain. Want to see what Sarah says ... how it goes up her CUV hill, etc. How it drives on her "dirt rally stage" ...

TFL needs to get their hands on a 2025 AWD Ecoboost ... and TEST it ... slip and that "typical camp/fishing site dirt road" ... . Does the Ecoboost have a better brake-bias torque vectoring ?

SOFTWARE .... FARLEY ... software.

@ Ford Motor Company
======

More References:

What in the scitzo posting is this. Who is "we"? Are you more than one person? I'm so lost.

 

[TheMaverickLife]

we ... could be a family

It is all there ... in black and white ... and some color.

NOT getting into any "discussions" ... as the truth is all there.

Sorry FORD ...

 

[bgn]

There are at this point 3 different AWD systems on the Maverick. At least one would work for you.

I'll wait for a side by side comparison with the standard EcoBoost AWD, but this was pretty weak "off-road" performance. I could see why they didn't slap the FX4 and Tremor stickers on these units, and that's okay...they're even more street oriented, and you get more mpg to boot.

 

[NotARealTruck]

we ... could be a family

It is all there ... in black and white ... and some color.

NOT getting into any "discussions" ... as the truth is all there.

Sorry FORD ...

Time to take your meds grandpa. Turning traction control off isn't that big of a deal.

 

[colinl]

Time to take your meds grandpa. Turning traction control off isn't that big of a deal.

it was a mostly incoherent rant, but if you watch that Hyundai video around 11 min it does go up the tfl test hill far better.

 

[npaladin2000]

Subaru has always focused on their AWD systems, trying to make them as robust as they can. Then they talk them up way past their capability, which is why they got mad at the TFL guys. But I'll grant they're still top of the line for open-diff soft-road AWD systems.

I think it's likely the Maverick system is tuned differently. The hybrid is going to have some prioritization for fuel economy, and the system is going to take into account the fact that it's a truck and needs to send traction to the rear during weight transfer. I think "off road" performance was a distant third. That's not to say I'm happy about the result, as I think Ford can do better. But I also think for most people who are just looking for bad weather traction and towing capability (pretty sure they couldn't get it to tow 4k only driving the front wheels) it'll be fine. I'm hoping they can push out some software updates to improve things though.

Also, I don't recall, and mine hasn't arrived yet, but does the Lariat have a 4WD-Lock mode? I know the XLT doesn't, but it would be a nice thing to start with AWD running all the time, since I'm sure it only engages when the front wheels slip, even in "slippery" mode. If there's no button for it, they could still add a drive-mode called AWD-Lock...assuming the system could handle it. MGS would nosedive, but sometimes that's not the priority.

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