If I had a spare F350 sitting around my property then yes, I agree a Corolla makes sense for commuting and running around stuff. Unfortunately I need a do all vehicle. Most Home Depot runs can be done with Maverick, my small boat will fit in the back, can tow 4K pound trailer and a almost 1500# payload. Corolla can do none of those things except save a few bucks in gas and will cost near 30kWhy wouldn't it be? Most folks I know who have ordered a Maverick (the Hybrid in particular) already own a full-size truck for pulling and carrying stuff (i have an F350 for that). I put in an order in Oct 2021 for a Maverick Hybrid to replace a 2007 Ford Focus that was on its last legs (that unfortunately died and was sent to the scrap-yard in June). When I placed the order, it was promissed I would have the Maverick "by April at the latest" :-/
Why a Maverick? Better gas mileage than the Focus, cheaper than just about anything else on the market, and easy to carry my bikes (road/mountain/BMX). I never got a VIN and not really expecting my MY23 to ever be filled. I am seriously looking at the Corolla Hybrid (50 MPG, decent interior, better reputation and resale value than Ford, etc.). Pretty sure if I put in an order today it would come in way before the Maverick I have been waiting a year for. As for carrying my bike, I just need to add a $100 hitch (same as I had on the Focus) and good to go. A Corolla will still go 98% of the same locations as a Maverick for most people. For the other 2%, I have a real truck (but it will cost me 3x in fuel cost). As for price, with the Maverick price increase and the Corolla price decrease, they are now almost exactly the same.
At least down here in rural Texas, the Maverick is far more of a car or compact SUV replacement than a truck replacement. Folks are seeing it as something they can drive to work, still fit in the overly-small parking spots down-town, and still be able to buy dog food, a few bags of fertilizer for the garden, etc. on the way home. To me (and a lot of folks I know), the Corolla and Maverick are pretty much interchangeable with pros and cons to each (more versitility for the Maverick but better MPG for the Corolla). The Corolla is better for runs to the grocery store while the Maverick is slightly better for a run to Tractor Supply Company (but will use my F350 for runs to Lowes of Home Depot).
Sponsored