New Member

[Johnnypedals]

New member here. I joined to learn more about the Maverick. I bought a 2025 Ford Ranger in August and after a few months I realize I don't need or want a body on frame truck. So now I'm looking to trade in the Ranger. My 2 choices are a 2025/26 Ford Maverick (2.0 ecoboost XLT or Lariat )and I2025/26 Honda Ridgeline Sport . I understand these 2 vehicles might not technically sit in the same class but for what I want and need they are close enough. Either bed is large enough for what I carry and I don't tow. Looking for drivability and ease of entry /exit.

My hesitation with sticking with Ford is all the Recalls on my Ranger and the fact the the Transmission needed replacing at 1600 miles. How is the reliability of the Mavericks? My biggest concerns with the Maverick are Reliability and the cheap looking plastic interior becoming a rattle box. Also I think I read somewhere that the 2026 has some type of exhaust filter that might become problematic down the road.
Looking forward to gather as much info as I can before moving forward.
Thanks,

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[DS_Ohio]

It sounds like a Hyundai Santa Cruz would be a good fit for you.

 

[Johnnypedals]

Santa Cruz is a nice little truck but I can't get past the engine reliability concerns. Or at least the issues Hyundai and Kia have had in the past and from what I have read they are really good at voiding the warranty on the drivetrain for the smallest thing. Also they get pretty pricey when you start adding options.

 

[OleFordGuy]

Sounds like you might have a sour taste and concerns about ford, I get it. I have a MY22 EB Lariat, I've had Zero issues and happy with it, love the easy in/out, ease of parking. Plenty of power. Does it have cheap plastic interior, yes. I really like the Ridgeline, its interior is light years ahead of the Maverick. IMO it's a higher class truck than the Maverick and naturally a little more costly, but to be totally honest, if I were in the market to trade now, I would give the Ridgeline some serious consideration. IMO, carefully compare ALL aspects of a new Lariat and then the same with the equivalent Ridgeline, walk away and take a few days to review the good and bad of both vehicles, then follow your gut on what YOU feel would be the best for you long term. Good Luck in whatever you end up driving.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Hard to go wrong either way. I like my Maverick, and I would not worry about Ecoboost reliability, but I also have owned Hondas/Acuras going back 30+ years and have loved owning, driving, and working on them.

The interior of the cheapest Ridgeline is like a Bentley compared to any Maverick.

The mileage will be noticeably worse in the Ridgeline.

Feature-wise it depends on what it is important to you - but the Sport seems decent although missing a few things the Lariat has.

If I could step up to the RTL, the real leather seats, heated seats, and moonroof etc. bring it up to or beyond the Lariat in content and quality IMHO, admittedly for 10% more. I don't know how Honda dealers are dealing compared to Ford dealers these days.

 

[Johnnypedals]

Hard to go wrong either way. I like my Maverick, and I would not worry about Ecoboost reliability, but I also have owned Hondas/Acuras going back 30+ years and have loved owning, driving, and working on them.

The interior of the cheapest Ridgeline is like a Bentley compared to any Maverick.

The mileage will be noticeably worse in the Ridgeline.

Feature-wise it depends on what it is important to you - but the Sport seems decent although missing a few things the Lariat has.

If I could step up to the RTL, the real leather seats, heated seats, and moonroof etc. bring it up to or beyond the Lariat in content and quality IMHO, admittedly for 10% more. I don't know how Honda dealers are dealing compared to Ford dealers these days.

Thanks you do have a point on the RTL. Do you happen to know how Ford dealers are dealing on Mavericks. I know historically they weren't very willing to deal because of the popularity of the Maverick but that might have changed. I know I'm going to take a hard hit on my Ranger for trade in but thinking a Ford dealer might be more willing on that part than Honda.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Do you happen to know how Ford dealers are dealing on Mavericks. I know historically they weren't very willing to deal because of the popularity of the Maverick but that might have changed.

Sorry, I don't, since I am a few years removed from the process, and even mine was purchased used. I know the big dealers like Granger and Long MacArthur were going below MSRP last year if you ordered one - not sure how that translates to something sitting on their lot.

It also seems the MY26 are de-contented slightly from the MY25s, so I don't even know if an "old" 2025 truck is any less desirable now. You might snoop around some of the other recently-new member posts here to see what their experience was.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

#Tremor all the way

 

[Suzukiridr14]

New member here. I joined to learn more about the Maverick. I bought a 2025 Ford Ranger in August and after a few months I realize I don't need or want a body on frame truck. So now I'm looking to trade in the Ranger. My 2 choices are a 2025/26 Ford Maverick (2.0 ecoboost XLT or Lariat )and I2025/26 Honda Ridgeline Sport . I understand these 2 vehicles might not technically sit in the same class but for what I want and need they are close enough. Either bed is large enough for what I carry and I don't tow. Looking for drivability and ease of entry /exit.

My hesitation with sticking with Ford is all the Recalls on my Ranger and the fact the the Transmission needed replacing at 1600 miles. How is the reliability of the Mavericks? My biggest concerns with the Maverick are Reliability and the cheap looking plastic interior becoming a rattle box. Also I think I read somewhere that the 2026 has some type of exhaust filter that might become problematic down the road.
Looking forward to gather as much info as I can before moving forward.
Thanks,

Unless you want a hybrid, or don't want to keep your truck for a long time, I would go for the Ridgeline. A Honda will last forever, a Ford will last long enough, until you get tired of things needing fixing! If you like modifing, and tinkering, Ford gives you more aftermarket products, fewer things on the Honda, so you see most Hondas are just Honda trucks. Mavericks are personnal designs!

 

[Hunters Edge]

I wouldn't even consider or entertain an idea for the Honda Ridgeline. Lots of information and u-tube videos of fixing tailgate trunk and other issues. Also in Northern Michigan we get deep snow the Honda is considerably lower ground clearance. Also I use the bed and I also in the past have gotten flat tires. The Ridgeline is a engineering nightmare, try getting to the spare if using the bed to haul stuff.

I and others are wondering why you want to get away from body on frame design? It it's to lower the height, keep in mind the bed is raised to allow a trunk on the Ridgeline. Also I have read if you have a tonneau cover the 5 gallon fuel tanks with nozzle won't fit under the cover. Actual cubic ft is relatively close for both because the Maverick has higher sides which do allow gas cans and still keep the tonneau cover.

Anyway it's your decision and I'm sorry to hear about the incident with your transmission but to be frank all new vehicles can have similar results that's why they come with manufacturers warranty. Also hello and welcome to MTC. I hope you do consider the Ford Maverick and hopefully they have several dealerships to choose from both to purchase or to have service near home or away from home. Because that's not talked about enough, plenty more dealerships nationwide that can be used if needed. Just want to leave you with this link below.

 

[Johnnypedals]

I wouldn't even consider or entertain an idea for the Honda Ridgeline. Lots of information and u-tube videos of fixing tailgate trunk and other issues. Also in Northern Michigan we get deep snow the Honda is considerably lower ground clearance. Also I use the bed and I also in the past have gotten flat tires. The Ridgeline is a engineering nightmare, try getting to the spare if using the bed to haul stuff.

I and others are wondering why you want to get away from body on frame design? It it's to lower the height, keep in mind the bed is raised to allow a trunk on the Ridgeline. Also I have read if you have a tonneau cover the 5 gallon fuel tanks with nozzle won't fit under the cover. Actual cubic ft is relatively close for both because the Maverick has higher sides which do allow gas cans and still keep the tonneau cover.

Anyway it's your decision and I'm sorry to hear about the incident with your transmission but to be frank all new vehicles can have similar results that's why they come with manufacturers warranty. Also hello and welcome to MTC. I hope you do consider the Ford Maverick and hopefully they have several dealerships to choose from both to purchase or to have service near home or away from home. Because that's not talked about enough, plenty more dealerships nationwide that can be used if needed. Just want to leave you with this link below.

Wow this is all great information. Alot of great points on the ridgeline bed design.
You are correct the body on frame design is just too much for my needs the height of putting stuff in the bed is one downside as well as getting in and out. Yeah I'm not knocking the Ranger as a truck. If you need a mid sized Truck it's definitely the best by far. I shopped them all before buying. Also I'm sure the Transmission was just a fluke but the 10 speeds aren't known to be the best in reliability. On the bright side my local ford dealer (Wayne Ford) was awesome to work with. They diagnose and put the new Transmission in within a week and the tech did an amazingly thorough and clean job (not always a given)
I love the exterior of the Maverick way more than the Ridgeline. I just wish the interior was as nice as the Ridgline. I'm 59 years Old and just like a more conservative cabin.

 

[Hunters Edge]

Wow this is all great information. Alot of great points on the ridgeline bed design.
You are correct the body on frame design is just too much for my needs the height of putting stuff in the bed is one downside as well as getting in and out. Yeah I'm not knocking the Ranger as a truck. If you need a mid sized Truck it's definitely the best by far. I shopped them all before buying. Also I'm sure the Transmission was just a fluke but the 10 speeds aren't known to be the best in reliability. On the bright side my local ford dealer (Wayne Ford) was awesome to work with. They diagnose and put the new Transmission in within a week and the tech did an amazingly thorough and clean job (not always a given)
I love the exterior of the Maverick way more than the Ridgeline. I just wish the interior was as nice as the Ridgline. I'm 59 years Old and just like a more conservative cabin.

I think you be like most who enjoy driving it so much they either think of excuses to get out or like myself try to limit it. Thereby not putting on all those miles.

Another thing for myself I will not buy or pay for leather or fake leather. Grew up with vinyl and can not stand burning myself or sweating in the summer or freezing in the winter. I also don't like sliding around when off road so that's why I chose XLT because of cloth seats. Some it doesn't matter others buy seat covers for me it's a deal breaker. So what I'm trying to say make sure it and it's options are what you want. You don't want to be taking another hit like you are expecting with your Ranger.

I'm not sure if you can but it maybe possible to lease or rent one for a week or a few days to make sure which one you want to spend your hard earned money on. If you go with a Ridgeline or anything else you do buy, I wish you the best.

Keep in mind another important thing to consider. The Ford Maverick is hot, in other words harder to get a hold of because they are selling and people want one. Not so with the Ridgeline so this will also transpire in the used car market or resale. Remember besides being used your Ranger is one year old by model year. Before long it will be 2 years old when the 2027 model years are open. Not sure if it's the same as in the 90's first years about 30% depreciation 2nd year up to 50% after that it doesn't depreciate as much and it may have changed that was 35 years ago

 

[Johnnypedals]

Hunters Point that's definitely something to think about. I'm actually ok with cloth seats(I actually prefer them) My Ranger is an XL/SLX. There are a few things I would really like though that my ranger is missing. Sliding Rear window, heated mirrors , and leather wrapped steering wheel being the big ones.

 

[rk06382]

Welcome to the Maverick Truck Club forum from Alaska!

My 2025 Maverick is larger than my 1990 Ranger.

I wanted to compare my 2025 Maverick to my 1990 Ford Ranger. The Maverick is Larger.

VELOCITY BLUE Maverick Photos Thread [post#671]

 

[rody]

Welcome to the forum! I remember when I first joined, and it felt overwhelming at first. I’ve also read razer reviews for tech gear recently, which reminded me of the importance of having good accessories for long drives. Your excitement about the Maverick shows in your post, and it’s great to see newcomers so enthusiastic.

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