Consumer Reports, April 2025 issue, Ford Maverick

[scottjl]

This thread clearly exemplifies how taking free advice from unvetted anonymous strangers can be a mine field of bad information.

but i read it on the internet, it must be true!

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[scottjl]

CR inconsistencies.. they rate Ford horribly (19th in ranking compared to other auto manufacturers). Trash the Escape Hybrid with a score of 54 and mention the following (from the April 2025 issue, pages 56 & 57):

"Recent changes brought an optional 13.2-inch infotainment screen with touch-based climate controls. But severe lag plagues every aspect of the touchscreen, which houses everything from audio to climate controls, creating a frustrating experience."

The 13.2" Sync 4 system has been in the Escape since at least 2023 when I purchased mine, not that recent. It's now also present in the 2025 Maverick, which they fawn over giving it a score of 74(gas)/69(hybrid) without any mention of the 13.2" screen now present.

So they hate Ford, but love the Maverick, and 13.2" screen is a flaw in the Escape but doesn't even get mentioned in the Maverick? In fact they rate the 2023 Hybrid Escape so horribly I should probably stop driving mine.

 

[TonyS]

It's interesting that this discussion has been more about Consumer Reports than the Maverick.

I've subscribed to CR I guess 40+ years now. For the first 20 years it was extremely helpful in selecting products. Now it it should be one of multiple sources for reviews and guidance. A wise consumer looks at multiple sources, which the internet has made available.

A few examples. I purchased a 2000 Hyundai Elantra. Consumer Reports said Hyundai's had much worse than average reliability. And projected that for the 2000 models. But other places that reviewed cars (Edmunds, Car & Driver, etc..) were saying that Hyundai had really shifted into high gear in 1999 and their cars were much better quality. So I bought (new) the 2000 Elantra and it was great. Three years later CR's reporting (based on their reader's reviews) said the same thing. Along the same lines CR was giving the Subaru Forester great ratings for reliability all through the trouble years that ran what - 2014 to 2018? And didn't catch up - per reader's annual survey - until 2019-2020.

It's not that the readers surveys are biased. Yes, it's a "voluntary" group but it's a really large sample. And you have to complete the entire survey for it to count. So you can't just bash your troublesome car or washing machine. You have to do it all which should level out the results.

I still subscribe to CR because it's interesting reading and they do advocate for consumer friendly laws at the State and Federal levels. Many products are safer and better and labeling more transparent as a result of their efforts. But when it comes time to make a big ticket purchase I look to other sources as well. As far as picking a laundry detergent CR does a lot of testing and it saves me a lot trouble. I just pick a top rated one that is the best value.

BTW - back to the Maverick. CR actually listed the 2022 Maverick Hybrid as a vehicle to avoid buying in the out just two weeks ago annual auto issue (April). After years of recommending. Which does not match my own experience. Yes, there have been more recalls than "average". But every single one for me has just been software updates. All but one was done when I took mine in for oil change/tire rotation/inspection. So not like it was a lot of trouble. The 2023 and 2024 Mavericks are still on the best used vehicle list.

I was kinda disappointed to see this. But again it's just from the survey. It could change back in a few years. .

 

[Cherokee]

A better way to judge the Maverick is to remember how fast they sell, how little inventory is sitting on dealer lots and how many we see out there. And every owner I talk to is giggle happy with their mini truck.
Consumer reports is just a structured review against other products of the same type.
I don’t put much weight on them.
Especially with a Bazillion reviews from actual owners at our disposal.

 

[stevj]

Most of the readers understand that. Stevj perhaps had a bad day.

Nah. It was all about some differences between real world experience and a magazine article review he read.
We don't know the objectivity, driving style or the presupposed expectations of the people who test drove the vehicle and had input to the article.
Your driving style will no doubt differ from the reviewers'.
Magazine says one thing and you get different results. Big deal.
Find something else to fret about.

Steve

 

[MikeS1942]

My 24 Lariat hybrid has averaged 37.9 mixed driving in its first 13 months, with zero issues or recalls

 

[Mikeske]

I tend to give CU a glance but in their reviews I don’t give them much weight as I tend to only to go to the trouble spots as it gives me an insight to look out for. I normally buy used but if the used prices are to high I will go new.

My Maverick was bought used and I did not want the hybrid as the vast majority of my driving is highway and I wanted the power with the loss of MPG I was ok with.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

My 24 Lariat hybrid has averaged 37.9 mixed driving in its first 13 months, with zero issues or recalls

That's because yours is a hybrid.
The mpg chart I posted is for the EcoBoost.

 

[Kskr]

The '25 EB does have a redesigned engine, so your experience may not be the same if you have an older EB Maverick.

In what way has the engine been redesigned?

 

[MikeS1942]

In what way has the engine been redesigned?

Good question---first I hear of an engine redesign.

 

[Thoron99]

CR might not be as good at car reviews as they used to be, but are a good starting point. Been subscribed since the 90s and every time I’ve had reliability issues they have lined up with the CR charts.

They are still light years better than places like JD Power where getting an automotive award is just a question of the manufacturer cutting a check.

 

[Bill Quattlebaum]

Nah. It was all about some differences between real world experience and a magazine article review he read.
We don't know the objectivity, driving style or the presupposed expectations of the people who test drove the vehicle and had input to the article.
Your driving style will no doubt differ from the reviewers'.
Magazine says one thing and you get different results. Big deal.
Find something else to fret about.

Steve

I was not fretting. I was just sharing some information.

 

[James K]

In what way has the engine been redesigned?

It's now port and direct injection. This helps with the intake valve deposits.

 

[AircraftEngineer]

I am concerned that some of the information they reported on the new Maverick is not correct. They said that the turbo engine gets 23 mpg overall. They also said the turbo tends to lug along at low revs sending vibrations into the cabin. My truck has averaged 29.4 mpg over the last 11 months with the same engine they are talking about. I have not noticed any lugging and vibrations. Could there be that much difference in a 2025 and a 2024? Even the EPA mileage figures are higher than Consumer Reports. They did say the Maverick has a refined ride, and the handling is very secure.

I like CR but they are not always right on everything. They did give the Mav high marks, for them. It's good to see.

 

[MikeS1942]

It's now port and direct injection. This helps with the intake valve deposits.

Thank you

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