2025 Maverick AWD Hybrid vs Ike (The world's toughest towing test) by TFL

[Cherokee]

Yes, the Ford Maverick hybrid drivetrain is generally considered more complex than the EcoBoost engine, as the hybrid system incorporates both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, requiring additional components like a battery pack and power electronics to manage the energy flow, whereas the EcoBoost is a standard gasoline engine with a turbocharger, making it a simpler design.

Well, I’m glad I looked into that.
I knew I was right !

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[Skrizzi]

Yes, the Ford Maverick hybrid drivetrain is generally considered more complex than the EcoBoost engine, as the hybrid system incorporates both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, requiring additional components like a battery pack and power electronics to manage the energy flow, whereas the EcoBoost is a standard gasoline engine with a turbocharger, making it a simpler design.

Well, I’m glad I looked into that.
I knew I was right !

That's not entirely accurate. There are fewer parts in the eCVT+2.5L system than there is on the Ecoboost with the 8 speed. The hybrid uses 2 electric motors which double as the alternator and starter. The eCVT is only a single planetary gear set, the 8 speed has multiple. There is no torque converter or reverse gearing on the hybrid. No turbo+accesories either.

Hybrid doesn't always mean more complex, and the Toyota and Ford hybrid systems using the eCVT are magnificently simple compared to others. The powerboost for example is way more complex.

 

[Cherokee]

Then why do I find multiple places that say other wise. All good reputable sources ?
I’ll take that question to a Ford mech I know next.

You know I will end up in a Maverick Hybrid when I buy my next truck In four or five years.

My main mistake was I did not consider the complete drive system, motor, tranny and all.
I was thinking only of the drive line after the tranny and pto.

I know the cvt is very reliable and a simpler design.
I just did not like the feel one bit.
old man set in his ways.
I want to feel gear shifts and see the results on my tach.

Thank you Skrizzi for the informative post without berating me.

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[rgmiller32]

The drive train is the same for the most part as the Escape and very close to the ecoboost. Might have slightly different part numbers but close to the same for operation and manufacturing. Hopefully on the next software update I will get access for repair and parts on the 2025 on my repair manuals.

 

[Phimosis]

This thread is filled with wild rationalizations about how the Maverick hybrid is amazing and has NO shortcomings. If you think it has shortcomings, you must be an science-denying, Luddite. A straight up EV and hybrid hater.

On the contrary, I have owned 2 Prius hybrids that I drove for over 300k miles and currently drive a Tesla that I have put over 100k miles on, and I have an ecoboost maverick.

Back when the options were awd ecoboost with 4K towing VS. fwd hybrid with 2k towing, no one was criticizing the hybrid. It was 2 different tools for 2 different jobs.

But now that they are offering an awd hybrid with 4K towing, without beefing up the power train, there has been loads of criticism. Is this “hate”? No. It is criticism. Is it well deserved? In my opinion, yes. I think a 4K capable hybrid Maverick needs a power train like the Lincoln nautilus, which has the 2.0 ecoboost combined with a 100 kw electric motor. The N/A 2.5 hybrid is not up to the task of 4K towing.

The MTC users here defending the Maverick hybrid seem to be forgetting a simple truth: trucks are designed to run around empty with low loads, but then have enough reserve power output, over-built into the system, so that when loaded, they can handle the power needs of that load, while traversing mountainous terrain. But the hybrid Maverick was not built with that design philosophy. It was built with the design philosophy of hybrid cars: small engine, low power, small payloads, slow acceleration, maximize fuel economy. And Ford got it wrong with the Maverick. They did however, get it right with the F150 hybrid, which has the 3.5 turbo combined with an electric motor to make 430 hp snd 570 lb/ft of torque.

 

[rgmiller32]

The transmission/transaxle is not the same as the 22 to 24 models, they used the HF45 unit and the 2025 model uses the HF55 unit that is a beefed unit compared to the HF45. The drive line from the front power outlet and rear axles appear to be the same as the 2 liter ecoboost AWD units. At least going to Ford parts and comparing part listing. The base 2 k tow rating appears to have a 2.91 axle ratio the 4 k has a 3.81 axle ratio. At least that is for our unit in route to us.

 

[Skrizzi]

They did however, get it right with the F150 hybrid, which has the 3.5 turbo combined with an electric motor to make 430 hp snd 570 lb/ft of torque.

Powerboost tow rating 12700#
430hp, 570ft-lb peak torque
29# per hp
22# per ft-lb

Maverick hybrid tow rating 4000#
191 hp, 180 ft-lb peak torque (allegedly)
21# per hp
22# per ft-lb

So the maverick hybrid has the same/better power to weight rating as the Powerboost if you compare max towing to max towing.

Keep in mind for both trucks the numbers shown are peak power/torque which can't sustain more than a minute or two since the battery is depleting. So in a torture test like Ike, you're better off looking at the gasoline engine specs only.

 

[710-oil-614]

This thread is filled with wild rationalizations about how the Maverick hybrid is amazing and has NO shortcomings. If you think it has shortcomings, you must be an science-denying, Luddite. A straight up EV and hybrid hater.

On the contrary, I have owned 2 Prius hybrids that I drove for over 300k miles and currently drive a Tesla that I have put over 100k miles on, and I have an ecoboost maverick.

Back when the options were awd ecoboost with 4K towing VS. fwd hybrid with 2k towing, no one was criticizing the hybrid. It was 2 different tools for 2 different jobs.

But now that they are offering an awd hybrid with 4K towing, without beefing up the power train, there has been loads of criticism. Is this “hate”? No. It is criticism. Is it well deserved? In my opinion, yes. I think a 4K capable hybrid Maverick needs a power train like the Lincoln nautilus, which has the 2.0 ecoboost combined with a 100 kw electric motor. The N/A 2.5 hybrid is not up to the task of 4K towing.

The MTC users here defending the Maverick hybrid seem to be forgetting a simple truth: trucks are designed to run around empty with low loads, but then have enough reserve power output, over-built into the system, so that when loaded, they can handle the power needs of that load, while traversing mountainous terrain. But the hybrid Maverick was not built with that design philosophy. It was built with the design philosophy of hybrid cars: small engine, low power, small payloads, slow acceleration, maximize fuel economy. And Ford got it wrong with the Maverick. They did however, get it right with the F150 hybrid, which has the 3.5 turbo combined with an electric motor to make 430 hp snd 570 lb/ft of torque.

But they have beefed up the powertrain.

 

[Phimosis]

Powerboost tow rating 12700#
430hp, 570ft-lb peak torque
29# per hp
22# per ft-lb

Maverick hybrid tow rating 4000#
191 hp, 180 ft-lb peak torque (allegedly)
21# per hp
22# per ft-lb

So the maverick hybrid has the same/better power to weight rating as the Powerboost if you compare max towing to max towing.

Keep in mind for both trucks the numbers shown are peak power/torque which can't sustain more than a minute or two since the battery is depleting. So in a torture test like Ike, you're better off looking at the gasoline engine specs only.

Meanwhile, the F-150 hybrid pulled the TFL Ike Gauntlet towing test at a speed limit restricted 62 mph at partial throttle while turning 2,400 rpm.

The hybrid Maverick could only muster 56 mph while turning at 5,500 rpm at wide open throttle for 8 minutes straight.

Please rationalize some more about how good of a tow vehicle the Maverick hybrid is.

 

[Phimosis]

But they have beefed up the powertrain.

No they have haven’t. It still has the same, anemic 158 hp Atkinson cycle engine.

Even if they used the transmission, oil coolers and radiator out of the F-150 hybrid, it would still not resolve the inadequacy that the current hybrid Maverick has. The power train needs to be beefed up.

 

[Skrizzi]

Meanwhile, the F-150 hybrid pulled the TFL Ike Gauntlet towing test at a speed limit restricted 62 mph at partial throttle while turning 2,400 rpm.

The hybrid Maverick could only muster 56 mph while turning at 5,500 rpm at wide open throttle for 8 minutes straight.

Please rationalize some more about how good of a tow vehicle the Maverick hybrid is.

7800# on that test, not even close to max towing. Thats the equivalent of the maverick towing at 2500#

 

[710-oil-614]

Meanwhile, the F-150 hybrid pulled the TFL Ike Gauntlet towing test at a speed limit restricted 62 mph at partial throttle while turning 2,400 rpm.

The hybrid Maverick could only muster 56 mph while turning at 5,500 rpm at wide open throttle for 8 minutes straight.

Please rationalize some more about how good of a tow vehicle the Maverick hybrid is.

It is functionally the same as the Maverick EcoBoost 4K. No more, no less.

 

[Phimosis]

7800# on that test, not even close to max towing. Thats the equivalent of the maverick towing at 2500#

No, a 5,500 lb F150 hybrid towing 7,800 lbs would be an equal comparison to a 3,800 lb awd Maverick hybrid towing 5,400 lbs. But, they can’t get anything higher than a 4K tow rating for the Maverick, regardless of how much hp and cooling it has, without reworking a significant portion of its unibody to handle that extra load at its trailer hitch mounting point.

But when you compare truck size and weight to load size and weight, it further shows just how underpowered the Maverick hybrid is.

F-150 hybrid can tow 142% of its weight up a 7% grade, faster than the speed limit, while spinning 2,400 rpm.

The Maverick hybrid can tow 105% of its weight up a 7% grade, but only going slower than the speed limit and spinning 5,500 rpm the whole way up.

Likewise, the ecoboost maverick can pull 105% of its weight up a 7% grade at the speed limit while spinning 2,600 rpm most of the way.

Please rationalize some more about how good of a tow vehicle the Maverick hybrid is..

 

[Phimosis]

It is functionally the same as the Maverick EcoBoost 4K. No more, no less.

You are right on this point: the F-150 hybrid can tow a comparable load, with the same relative ease that the Maverick ecoboost can.

But that is completely untrue of the Maverick hybrid. With a comparable load, the hybrid struggles beyond its 100% power limit to be able to handle the load at speeds lower than the speed limit.

That was an acceptable characteristic in pre-fuel injection, smog restricted trucks in the 1970’s where it was common to pull mountain passes at 40 mph because the engine was underpowered.

But 50 years later, the technology has advanced and customers expect their vehicle to act like a modern vehicle, not a 50 year old vehicle.

 

[23grayXLT84]

I'll say it again. The hybrid 2k test was equal to the eco 4k.

Hybrid 4k did ok, but I think it was running out of steam. Maybe Ford will do a mild refresh for 26 and squeeze out a few more hp out of the engine.

...granted, all 2k hybrid, 4k eco and hybrid will likely fulfill the needs of 94.2% buyers. Since 88% of those buyers will never exceed tow rating.

Could always slap on a cold air intake for a couple hp and a sweet sound ar WOT.

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