Does Maverick remind anyone else of Scion?

[MaverickAngler]

I’ve been thinking this for a while... The Maverick reminds me of Scion. Affordable but still a value. Scion hinted at a small sub $20k truck (A-BAT) for a few years and I was dying for it to happen back then. I feel they are intentionally trying to develop a cult following with supporting and encouraging modifications between the bed and the FITS system etc.
I don’t see that in Ford as a whole but this vehicle specifically. I could see this being a gateway Ford/Truck just like Scion intended to do with their products. Might not build a life long Maverick owner but you might get a person into the Ford world and make them loyal.
I have limited Ford experience and here I am ready to line up and try. If they serve me a good vehicle experience I’ll stay loyal
Just my thoughts because that’s all we have at this point lol

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[es7129]

That thing looks like the bastard child of a Santa Cruz and Saturn Ion.

 

[Old Ranchero]

nah, different business model- and purpose. Toyota created Scion as a whole separate company (like Lexus) and aimed to attract younger generations above all else. Yeah, they hyped customizing to suit your tastes as well as Maverick features you mentioned. Also, there was Saturn that was another separate company from GM going after entry level buyers to start with and had innovations like high impact plastic door, fender panels to stand out. They both flamed out after time as they duplicated other similar offerings from Toyota and GM and weren't cost effective enough to produce. These were attempts to compete in the crowed compact segments but couldn't gain/hold market share at expense of established manufacturers.

The Maverick is intended #1 to replace the entry level portfolio for Ford after they decided to quit selling sedans in America and there are multiple justifications for all types of buyers for this vehicle: cheap car buyers, high MPG driven buyers, young active folks, multi-purpose vehicle buyers not wanting a tiny CUV like Ecosport (now discontinued) and several generations of compact truck users not wanting a mid-size. Some here will complain about execution, but it's really a quite brilliant play by Ford

 

[clippedwings]

Agreed. I purchased 3 Frontiers over a 15-year period, Buying every 5 years when increased depreciation began. At every cycle, the cost increase added $2000-$3000. Last time around (5 yrs. ago) I just couldn't make myself fork over for another Frontier that was built on a very aged platform. That's how I ended up in my current Ford Transit Connect. Over the last cycle, my hauling needs changed such that I really needed the flat-loading capability of a pick-up again, and I struggled to find a suitable mid-sized one. The Nissan is still offering the same ancient platform with some cosmetic tweaks. The "new" Ford Ranger had already been around forever in other countries. The recent Colorado platform looked appealing, but gets lots of ho-hum reviews. The other brands didn't appeal either. And all these models were in the low 30's for a mid-level version. My first Frontier? - about $18,000. Along comes the Maverick. First viewing turned me off. No need for a crew cab, and I hate the way they look (my Nissans all had the very usable extended cab). And that tiny 4.5 ft. bed would be utterly useless for my work. I also noted this was a COMPACT. OMG! I hadn't driven a truck this size since my 1978 Toyota! The more I explored this new puppy though, the more impressed I became. The equipment packages were modern and appealing, and the real convincer was the ingenious way they designed that tiny bed to enable re-configuration that even allowed the carrying of 4 x 8 sheet material, which even my Transit Connect couldn't carry. My wife always hated my work trucks and never wanted to ride in them. I realized that for about the same price as a modestly-equipped mid-size offering from the other brands, I could have a top-of-the-line Maverick, equipped to rival my wife's BMW's - finally, a work vehicle she WOULD like to ride in! This is all a big gamble. I just spent $35,000 on a vehicle that I've never seen or driven! I do harbor reservations. Quality? Durability? The controversial direct fuel injection. Buying the first year model. Time will tell, but I can see how this "truck" has crossed age lines and attracted buyers of all ages (I'm 75). There are a lot of aspects which just make good sense in today's outrageously-priced market.

 

[asel3121]

No.

 

[Barracuda340]

nah, different business model- and purpose. Toyota created Scion as a whole separate company (like Lexus) and aimed to attract younger generations above all else. Yeah, they hyped customizing to suit your tastes as well as Maverick features you mentioned. Also, there was Saturn that was another separate company from GM going after entry level buyers to start with and had innovations like high impact plastic door, fender panels to stand out. They both flamed out after time as they duplicated other similar offerings from Toyota and GM and weren't cost effective enough to produce. These were attempts to compete in the crowed compact segments but couldn't gain/hold market share at expense of established manufacturers.

The Maverick is intended #1 to replace the entry level portfolio for Ford after they decided to quit selling sedans in America and there are multiple justifications for all types of buyers for this vehicle: cheap car buyers, high MPG driven buyers, young active folks, multi-purpose vehicle buyers not wanting a tiny CUV like Ecosport (now discontinued) and several generations of compact truck users not wanting a mid-size. Some here will complain about execution, but it's really a quite brilliant play by Ford

What's funny about Lexus brand is if you ask anybody in Japan what a Lexus is, they have no idea. What Toyota did was take a Japan spec high end Toyota, converted it to U.S. spec, added a gold plated L badge to it and hyped it up. You see lexus looking cars all over japan, but they are badged as toyotas. A marketing strategy to get americans to pay $50K for a fancy camry. Nothing more.

 

[atomguy245]

The Maverick actually reminds me of the Honda Element, right down to the blue themed interior. The Element was also targeted at younger buyers, had crazy utility and wasn't that expensive. And ended up being bought by older buyers, just like the Maverick.

 

[Old Ranchero]

The Maverick actually reminds me of the Honda Element, right down to the blue themed interior. The Element was also targeted at younger buyers, had crazy utility and wasn't that expensive. And ended up being bought by older buyers, just like the Maverick.

A good friend of mine has an Element. I have ridden in it several times and found it cramped and uncomfortable. NO comparison whatsoever between Element and Maverick on the interior experience. I get the utilitarian angle- you can do a lot of things with either vehicle and outdoors oriented folks will gravitate towards both- but I think the Maverick is far more refined, flexible, and appeals to a much wider buyer base from all walks of life as a daily driver or primary family vehicle option. YMMV

 

[Old Ranchero]

What's funny about Lexus brand is if you ask anybody in Japan what a Lexus is, they have no idea. What Toyota did was take a Japan spec high end Toyota, converted it to U.S. spec, added a gold plated L badge to it and hyped it up. You see lexus looking cars all over japan, but they are badged as toyotas. A marketing strategy to get americans to pay $50K for a fancy camry. Nothing more.

Another funny thing is the larger, more luxurious Toyota sold in USA (Avalon I think it was) was basically just a re-badged LS sedan with less available options and creature comforts to keep price lower and not siphon sales from Lexus.

 

[testa422]

What's funny about Lexus brand is if you ask anybody in Japan what a Lexus is, they have no idea. What Toyota did was take a Japan spec high end Toyota, converted it to U.S. spec, added a gold plated L badge to it and hyped it up. You see lexus looking cars all over japan, but they are badged as toyotas. A marketing strategy to get americans to pay $50K for a fancy camry. Nothing more.

Except Lexus has been around in Japan for like a decade now

 

[Snax]

The Maverick actually reminds me of the Honda Element, right down to the blue themed interior. The Element was also targeted at younger buyers, had crazy utility and wasn't that expensive. And ended up being bought by older buyers, just like the Maverick.

I bought a Maverick for the same reason that I loved my Element: great utility in a smaller package. Both vehicles can carry bikes, water heaters from Lowe’s, kayaks, yard debris, etc. Despite seeming pretty different, they fill much of the same role for me. While I miss my Element, I’m really happy with my Maverick so far!

 

[atomguy245]

A good friend of mine has an Element. I have ridden in it several times and found it cramped and uncomfortable. NO comparison whatsoever between Element and Maverick on the interior experience. I get the utilitarian angle- you can do a lot of things with either vehicle and outdoors oriented folks will gravitate towards both- but I think the Maverick is far more refined, flexible, and appeals to a much wider buyer base from all walks of life as a daily driver or primary family vehicle option. YMMV

I don't know which Honda Element you rode in but the one I owned had tons of space inside. I could walk between the front seats to the back. The back seats had tons of leg room, and could be folded flat and swung up to the sides, creating a massive open space on the back. I carried full size refrigerators in it, whole kitchens from IKEA in it. It was plenty large inside

 

[Joseaoe1]

I’ve been thinking this for a while... The Maverick reminds me of Scion. Affordable but still a value. Scion hinted at a small sub $20k truck (A-BAT) for a few years and I was dying for it to happen back then. I feel they are intentionally trying to develop a cult following with supporting and encouraging modifications between the bed and the FITS system etc.
I don’t see that in Ford as a whole but this vehicle specifically. I could see this being a gateway Ford/Truck just like Scion intended to do with their products. Might not build a life long Maverick owner but you might get a person into the Ford world and make them loyal.
I have limited Ford experience and here I am ready to line up and try. If they serve me a good vehicle experience I’ll stay loyal
Just my thoughts because that’s all we have at this point lol

I have a 2005 scion xb that we purchased new and I see similarities in the approach to develop a entry level vehicle with a no haggle approach. However scion targeted almost exclusively younger buyers toyota hoped would migrate to its more profitable models as they aged and acquired more income and family. Maverick has better bones than scions which are tin cans by comparison. And mavericks can fill a permanent niche for people that just don't need a larger truck. Ford is hoping the Maverick will be a gateway to future more profitable models but not largely targeted in that manner as Scion was.

 

[CLH917]

No, not enough teenage drivers and fart-can muffler installations…yet

 

[Redneck Garage]

I wish Ford adopted The GM Saturn Model. You went to the dealership - here it is for example - The new Maverick Hybrid. Awesome what is the price ? Well it is the price on the sticker there. Oh are you adding " limited availability" of 5000 to the price ? No sir, it is the price on the sticker. Oh - Ok then can I get 3% off if I buy from a "volume dealer" ? No sir - it is the price on the sticker. Oh Ok - can I order multiple trucks from multiple dealers to see which one comes in first ? No sir no matter which dealer you order from it is - first come first serve - the oldest order gets produced first because these are not stock vehicles. Oh Ok so what is your "allocation " - We dont have any mumbo jumbo like that , you order a vehicle, you pay the price on the MSRP and we dont try and hose you. Wouldn't that be super ?

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