- Joined
- Oct 28, 2021
- Threads
- 14
- Messages
- 160
- Reaction score
- 237
- Location
- Atlanta, GA
- Vehicle(s)
- Gulfstream / Grumman AA5B
- Engine
- 2.5L Hybrid
- Thread starter
- #1
Maverick owners have posted great reviews, thank you all for them.
The big change for 2025 is the change from the front wheel drive platform to an all wheel drive platform based on the HF55 transaxle. It seems like there is more to it than just adding a power takeoff unit and the rear suspension from the EcoBoost version. There were a lot of suspension tuning changes and it feels different than the EcoBoost in the 2023 model year. The wheels are up an inch to 19' and the tires now a sportier 55 series instead of the previous Lariat's 60 series.
Overall the truck is a LOT more refined over broken pavement and rough road surfaces. It is quieter. The lower sidewall section should have made the truck worse, but Ford has added dampening, or softened bushings, or both to give the little Truck the kind of composure that would pass in the Lincoln Nautilus.
The all wheel drive set up gives the truck a Subaru like billy goat grip tenacity. The wrong wheel burn outs when trying to accelerate at break neck speed into traffic are gone. The front plow, back end skip, action that could have been fun in something like the OG Focus SVT (but terrible in a small truck) is also gone now. It still feels a bit nose heavy, but it tracks a turn in a much more balanced way. The Lobo's trick rear diff would be an improvement wasted on most, but I'd like to have it to balance the vehicle even more. A first generation RIVIAN defies reality for how good a truck can drive. This aint that, but for its price point it's good to drive, has the same sized bed, and only gives up ~25-30 MPGe.
Counter-intuitively, the steering is less lively and lacks any feel. It goes where pointed, but don't expect any communication. The vehicle is heavier and feels heavier. Wired magazine claims 18% improvement in 0 to 60 times (6.8 seconds) and a 10% improvement in 30-60 passing times. I'm not ripping on this truck during its break in, but it doesn't feel any faster (less slow). It also doesn't feel like >7 seconds. I can feel the driveline drag. There is a bit more regen and my sense (without knowing for sure) if that the truck's electric motors offer more torque but this is offset with less asset from the gas motor with both are operating in ECO mode. The other modes improve throttle response, but total power feels exactly the same in all the modes. My ass-ometer says the 2025 is slower in direct proportion to the weight and drag added by the AWD system.
Co-Pilot 360's Lane-Centering technology has improved and will now accelerate from a stop, making it much better in stop & go traffic. It also requires more attention and will nag you to apply torque to the wheel, letting the truck know you are there. The system is less easily confused by poor road markings or cut lines. I find a use it quite a bit more now than before. It is simply better.
Coming from a garage full of EVs, Sync 4 is really a pretty minor improvement from Sync 3. Wireless CarPlay is nice, but the cameras on modern iPhones seem to defeat the charging pad, so one ends up plugged in anyway. Having to use a screen for HVAC is OK, not great, but not terrible either. You learn where things have moved to and adjust. Most everyone prefers buttons. Moving the driving mode select to the steering wheel is a HUGE improvement; now if they'd just let us set and leave the thing in ECO mode.... The movement of the Volume knob to the lower right is a pain.
But the forward camera and park assist is fantastic. The BLISS works better (not sure if there was a substantial change) The camera quality is much better, EXCEPT WHEN IT RAINS AND ALL OF THE CAMERAS ARE USELESS. Come on Ford, just copy Tesla's little tricks to keep their cameras clear. Mold a little chevron to shield the cameras or blow them off.
Fuel economy wise, 1,000 miles isn't enough to really know. I was at 45.6 MPG over 16,000 miles in the 2023 version. The 2025 is at 41-42. I bought the express lane pass with the 2025 so I'm doing more driving at 80 where my older truck was mostly 65 and I could keep it in EV mode on mostly flat surfaces for a few more miles.
Build quality - at least mine, seems to have slipped since 2023. There is a rattle I can't find around the top of the right side A pillar and the 2023 was kind of a marvel of proper fitment. I must have just gotten lucky.
B&O sound system has less adjustability in Sync 4 and so far, I have a mile preference for the 2023, but I've not listened to enough through it yet to have a strong opinion.
In sum, I think the changes warranted the $11,300 plus the 2023 Lariat trade. The big rub for me is seeing how unbelievably cheap used Teslas are in this market. I'm happy with my Maverick, but had I waited a week I'd have probably grabbed a 2023 Model Y for the same money and had a ton more power, acceleration, handling, self-driving, less maintenance, and world's better technology. Oh and the Tesla has twice the storage space as the Maverick with the seats folded down (72 cubic feet v/s 33 in the bed) but only the Maverick can carry a 4 ft wide anything (above the wheel wells, I've used it, it works).
The big change for 2025 is the change from the front wheel drive platform to an all wheel drive platform based on the HF55 transaxle. It seems like there is more to it than just adding a power takeoff unit and the rear suspension from the EcoBoost version. There were a lot of suspension tuning changes and it feels different than the EcoBoost in the 2023 model year. The wheels are up an inch to 19' and the tires now a sportier 55 series instead of the previous Lariat's 60 series.
Overall the truck is a LOT more refined over broken pavement and rough road surfaces. It is quieter. The lower sidewall section should have made the truck worse, but Ford has added dampening, or softened bushings, or both to give the little Truck the kind of composure that would pass in the Lincoln Nautilus.
The all wheel drive set up gives the truck a Subaru like billy goat grip tenacity. The wrong wheel burn outs when trying to accelerate at break neck speed into traffic are gone. The front plow, back end skip, action that could have been fun in something like the OG Focus SVT (but terrible in a small truck) is also gone now. It still feels a bit nose heavy, but it tracks a turn in a much more balanced way. The Lobo's trick rear diff would be an improvement wasted on most, but I'd like to have it to balance the vehicle even more. A first generation RIVIAN defies reality for how good a truck can drive. This aint that, but for its price point it's good to drive, has the same sized bed, and only gives up ~25-30 MPGe.
Counter-intuitively, the steering is less lively and lacks any feel. It goes where pointed, but don't expect any communication. The vehicle is heavier and feels heavier. Wired magazine claims 18% improvement in 0 to 60 times (6.8 seconds) and a 10% improvement in 30-60 passing times. I'm not ripping on this truck during its break in, but it doesn't feel any faster (less slow). It also doesn't feel like >7 seconds. I can feel the driveline drag. There is a bit more regen and my sense (without knowing for sure) if that the truck's electric motors offer more torque but this is offset with less asset from the gas motor with both are operating in ECO mode. The other modes improve throttle response, but total power feels exactly the same in all the modes. My ass-ometer says the 2025 is slower in direct proportion to the weight and drag added by the AWD system.
Co-Pilot 360's Lane-Centering technology has improved and will now accelerate from a stop, making it much better in stop & go traffic. It also requires more attention and will nag you to apply torque to the wheel, letting the truck know you are there. The system is less easily confused by poor road markings or cut lines. I find a use it quite a bit more now than before. It is simply better.
Coming from a garage full of EVs, Sync 4 is really a pretty minor improvement from Sync 3. Wireless CarPlay is nice, but the cameras on modern iPhones seem to defeat the charging pad, so one ends up plugged in anyway. Having to use a screen for HVAC is OK, not great, but not terrible either. You learn where things have moved to and adjust. Most everyone prefers buttons. Moving the driving mode select to the steering wheel is a HUGE improvement; now if they'd just let us set and leave the thing in ECO mode.... The movement of the Volume knob to the lower right is a pain.
But the forward camera and park assist is fantastic. The BLISS works better (not sure if there was a substantial change) The camera quality is much better, EXCEPT WHEN IT RAINS AND ALL OF THE CAMERAS ARE USELESS. Come on Ford, just copy Tesla's little tricks to keep their cameras clear. Mold a little chevron to shield the cameras or blow them off.
Fuel economy wise, 1,000 miles isn't enough to really know. I was at 45.6 MPG over 16,000 miles in the 2023 version. The 2025 is at 41-42. I bought the express lane pass with the 2025 so I'm doing more driving at 80 where my older truck was mostly 65 and I could keep it in EV mode on mostly flat surfaces for a few more miles.
Build quality - at least mine, seems to have slipped since 2023. There is a rattle I can't find around the top of the right side A pillar and the 2023 was kind of a marvel of proper fitment. I must have just gotten lucky.
B&O sound system has less adjustability in Sync 4 and so far, I have a mile preference for the 2023, but I've not listened to enough through it yet to have a strong opinion.
In sum, I think the changes warranted the $11,300 plus the 2023 Lariat trade. The big rub for me is seeing how unbelievably cheap used Teslas are in this market. I'm happy with my Maverick, but had I waited a week I'd have probably grabbed a 2023 Model Y for the same money and had a ton more power, acceleration, handling, self-driving, less maintenance, and world's better technology. Oh and the Tesla has twice the storage space as the Maverick with the seats folded down (72 cubic feet v/s 33 in the bed) but only the Maverick can carry a 4 ft wide anything (above the wheel wells, I've used it, it works).
Sponsored
Last edited:
