I test drove 4 vehicles yesterday...

[gte105u]

So I went by 4 dealers and drove 4 vehicles that have been in consideration. The plan was to only drive the Maverick, but to be honest we weren't sold. In fairness the Maverick was a XLT so not in the same class for amenities as others. But my son was concerned the Maverick was a little cramped with him in the back seat (my wife needs the seat pretty far back due to knee issues, I'm 6' so I need it back too, and he's almost 15 so growing by the day.)

Maverick EB AWD XLT- It was "used" with 110 miles, they wanted a silly 40k didn't even have the luxury package. Loved the ride, drove very nice. Confirmed I would want a Lariat (needed for auto cruise any). Just felt cramped...

Santa Cruz - 2.5 Turbo (SEL Premium I think) - honestly really nice. Jumped to number one for my son, and I admitted it gave me a lot to think about. More room, liked the bed trunk that can be a cooler, really moved nicely. Didn't love the lack of dials on radio but could get used to it. And with the Limited I could get ventilated seats which is nice in Houston. This may be in lead I admit.

Mazda CX-50 - 2.5S Preferred Plus (non turbo) - Drove nice, but just another crossover. Dropped off list.

Ridgeline (Black Edition, but poked around RLT which is what we would consider) - I had already driven one as a rental a month or so ago. Really like it for comfort, ride, etc. Don't love that it's bigger, gas mileage even worse than SC, and it actually has lower ground clearance than either by a good bit. My son fell in love, but I think it's the finish more than vehicle.

Now I'm torn. I'm thinking of putting in a Maverick order for Lariat with Lux and letting my wife and son go on test drive of it. If they say no I let the dealer keep it and they get the ADM. Someone sell me here, why the Maverick because I want to love it. It would be the cheapest of three but any of them will be around $40k +-. We buy and drive til they die (my son is getting my Edge next year that's only reason we are looking) so resale isn't a factor, but reliability is.

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[Bob The Builder]

I must be a jerk, and feel free to agree as I have broad shoulders but I would tell my son sorry for the cramped space back there boy, but I'm paying for this wagon and I am perfectly comfy up here behind the wheel.

You asked, so I will tell you, you can't want to like the Maverick. You either like it or you don't. In my case it pushes most of my buttons but at my age I don't have many buttons to push anymore. It is just a sweet looking truck in the vein of the vintage Ranger for size and practicality. Quite honestly, it what the new Ranger should have been, but wasn't. As for the Santa Cruz I tried to like it so I see where you come from, but at the end of the day, meh, it just could never happen.

 

[JBnorthTX]

I'm surprised the rear seat of the Santa Cruz is a lot roomier. Is the bed shorter?

 

[NJBob]

I'm surprised the rear seat of the Santa Cruz is a lot roomier. Is the bed shorter?

I thought the Mav had more legroom than the SC. One reason why it was preferred. But maybe in practical terms that's not the case.

 

[gte105u]

It could be more the position of the seat to the door up front. My wife can't bend her knees well so needs a lot of room at the door to swing her legs in. It's one reason she loves sedans easier to get in and out of (she has one, not going to happen for me). My son simulated that condition and thought he would need the seat further back to do it. His foot was getting stuck on the front door when the seat was far enough up for him to sit behind. Once in the seat could be moved up and plenty or room then. So maybe leg room isn't the right expression as much as door to seat configuration? Or are we crazy and need to try it again?

I think we need to drive a Lariat and Santa Cruz back to back and see. Only way to do that may be to order one though...

 

[pndwind]

Longevity = Honda
I’ve become a hater.
I’m looking at a Lexus tomorrow.

 

[Aza]

Keep in mind that once he starts driving, the amount of time he spends in your backseat will be extremely limited!

 

[gte105u]

I'm surprised the rear seat of the Santa Cruz is a lot roomier. Is the bed shorter?

Bed is 6" shorter, and it shows when you look at it. Not sure if that translates into the bad but it is a negative against the SC. But the trunk under bed and integrated tonneau cover were big positives of SC.

 

[MLowe05]

Longevity = Honda
I’ve become a hater.
I’m looking at a Lexus tomorrow.

People cross shop Lexus and Mavericks?

 

[gills65]

I test drove the Kia Sportage SX Prestige yesterday. I was looking for the EX Hybrid but nowhere to be found in N. Texas. The wife and I really liked this vehicle and the Kia hybrid cost about the same as the Maverick Lariat Hybrid I may or may not ever see. If the Sportage pops up in my area before I get the golden ticket email from Ford, then Kia gets my money.

 

[gte105u]

People cross shop Lexus and Mavericks?

Hmmm... Nope. My CX-50 was outlier enough, hence it dropping off. We really want a bed to throw wet gear and such. Maverick vs Ridgeline is barely a fair contest, really it has to be a fully loaded one but still its an old school V6 vs new generation V4 turbo. Fully loaded Mav still 4-5k less than a Ridgeline. Comparing against a luxury car means one doesn't really know what they want.

 

[MLowe05]

Hmmm... Nope. My CX-50 was outlier enough, hence it dropping off. We really want a bed to throw wet gear and such. Maverick vs Ridgeline is barely a fair contest, really it has to be a fully loaded one but still its an old school V6 vs new generation V4 turbo. Fully loaded Mav still 4-5k less than a Ridgeline. Comparing against a luxury car means one doesn't really know what they want.

I'm buying a Maverick, but don't knock that "old school V6". Honda builds some of the best, most reliable engines on the planet. The J-series V6 has been around for decades and is a sweet engine.

 

[OXHB619]

But my son was concerned the Maverick was a little cramped with him in the back seat (my wife needs the seat pretty far back due to knee issues, I'm 6' so I need it back too, and he's almost 15 so growing by the day.)

Just felt cramped...

We buy and drive til they die (my son is getting my Edge next year that's only reason we are looking) so resale isn't a factor, but reliability is.

Sounds like as of next year your son will be in the back less frequently, so if you are buying a "til it dies" don't limit the next few years for your son over you and your wife IMO. ( and you can always take the Edge on long trips if need be right ?)

I wouldn't want to be in the back of my Mav for long rides, but I never plan on it.

If it was cheaper I would be a lot more interested in the Cruz, I was looking at them before the Mav was announced. Cost + MPG is a big turn off to me. Hot take - but I am one of the few that doesn't just shit all over the styling, I like the look.

 

[r100gs91]

Unless your kids are in booster seats, this is not really a "growing family'" vehicle. Yes there is a decent amount of legroom in back, I have been back there twice for about a 20 mile trip each time. The room is decent but very little wiggle around room with the center arm rest down. Up, it feels more airy.

Up front room impresses. I am a wide guy in the shoulder area and up front my arms and shoulders don't hit the door panels, even when cornering. It is necessary to reach my elbow out to land squarely on the armrest. The dial shifter opens up the area between you and your passenger, makes passing stuff like drinks and easier to hit the cupholders up front. The lady friend and I find it very adequate for us and a couple of her grandkids, when she is dumped on.

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