Will Mavericks powertrain efficiency forever rule the "new" Compact hybrid truck class?

[Finnster]

Ford has been acknowledged for the durability and efficiency of it's hybrid powered cars! Now it appears that the Maverick hybrid will continue that trend.
Can any other manufacturer top the Maverick for fuel mileage, load capacity, towing capacity, interior space, and price? Will any other OEM even bother to try?
I think Ford landed a "Moon Shot" with the Maverick and it will take more than several years for it to be equaled!

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[Darnon]

The obvious competitor would be if Hyundai throws a hybrid drivetrain in the Santa Cruz.

 

[Gpp]

No

 

[JimCT]

Ford's definitely ahead of the competition here, but there are some strong contenders - like Darnon says, Hyundai's already got the hybrid powertrains in the SUVs on the same platform as the Santa Cruz, so it's not a big leap.

I'd love to see Toyota come out with a RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid, AWD, 300 hp) based small pickup. I don't imagine it would happen in the next few years though.

 

[Kelli]

Personally, I'd love to see a hybrid Ridgeline. That would be competition (in my book).

 

[Finnster]

The obvious competitor would be if Hyundai throws a hybrid drivetrain in the Santa Cruz.

Just my 2 cents, but for me Santa Cruz doesn't compete with maverick very well! I'm considering: fuel mileage, load capacity, towing capacity, and interior space.

 

[Finnster]

I'd love to see Toyota come out with a RAV4 Prime (plug-in hybrid, AWD, 300 hp) based small pickup. I don't imagine it would happen in the next few years though.

I think we would ALL like to see that! I hope it happens. I'll take mine with a 5 foot bed!

 

[Finnster]

Personally, I'd love to see a hybrid Ridgeline. That would be competition (in my book).

I would agree completely if Honda could match efficiency and price for content, but I don't see that happening. Ridgeline's a great vehicle though.
Note: I edited my original post to include "price" in my criteria list, don't know how I forgot that!

 

[Darnon]

Just my 2 cents, but for me Santa Cruz doesn't compete with maverick very well! I'm considering: fuel mileage, load capacity, towing capacity, and interior space.

Hyundai's hybrids are competitive in fuel efficiency. Payload capacity of the Santa Cruz is also about equal or better although there was the whole thing about the 660 lb bed load notice that I don't know what the outcome was. And the bed is a little smaller dimensionally. Interior space: on paper they trade blows although I haven't sat in a Santa Cruz to appreciate where one beats out the other. Standard tow rating is higher.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

I'm sure GMC is 'trying' to come up with a competitor. But do they have any factories in Mexico? If the Mav weren't so cheap I don't know they'd sell as well!!

 

[Finnster]

Hyundai's hybrids are competitive in fuel efficiency. Payload capacity of the Santa Cruz is also about equal or better although there was the whole thing about the 660 lb bed load notice that I don't know what the outcome was. And the bed is a little smaller dimensionally. Interior space: on paper they trade blows although I haven't sat in a Santa Cruz to appreciate where one beats out the other. Standard tow rating is higher.

I'll certainly consider Hyundai when their Hybrid Pick-up truck becomes reality.

 

[Finnster]

I'm sure GMC is 'trying' to come up with a competitor. But do they have any factories in Mexico? If the Mav weren't so cheap I don't know they'd sell as well!!

Agreed! Had the base Mav been 30K instead of 20K originally, I wouldn't have bothered to even look!
For me the Maverick is a Honda Civic that can reasonably carry four adults while towing a freaking boat! Beat that GMC! and I've always bought Chevy/GMC.
At times I have to pinch myself to be sure this isn't just a dream!

 

[Darnon]

Well your question was asking about hypothetical potential challengers.

Even if Hyundai does materialize a Hybrid Santa Cruz Ford will likely still beat out on value with the XL and XLT trims. Admittedly if they had launched with a hybrid offering I'd have had a tough choice between the two; the high end Santa Cruz features edge out the Lariat slightly.

 

[Finnster]

Well your question was asking about hypothetical potential challengers.

Even if Hyundai does materialize a Hybrid Santa Cruz Ford will likely still beat out on value with the XL and XLT trims. Admittedly if they had launched with a hybrid offering I'd have had a tough choice between the two; the high end Santa Cruz features edge out the Lariat slightly.

I'm thinking Kia could give it a good shot, but for me that Hyundai bed would need to grow!

 

[Bob The Builder]

Ford is ahead in almost all areas with the Maverick and will maintain the same type of leadership and sales figures in the compact segment as the Taco currently enjoys in the mid size segment. The other manufacturers are going to face an uphill battle fighting the Maverick.

The one major improvement Ford should make with the 2.0EB engine is dual porting like Toyota does on their DI engines and Ford on some of their other EB engines.

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