Small Maverick gripes, and why the dial shifter exists.

[clofan]

Headrests aren't there for comfort, it's so when you get rear-ended your head doesn't snap backwards at 6G

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[bcmav]

Agree with the safety aspect 100%, which is why I store them under the rear seat for when I have a rear passanger.

 

[Mymaverick2021]

When it comes to what you get for the money (if you paid MSRP) and how well designed the Maverick is, I could not be more impressed. These are just 2 minor things I would have changed and some possible clarification on why something exist.

A lot of people don't like the dial shifter, but it took me one day driving the Maverick to figure out why Ford went with that.

A normal shifter on the steering wheel would have been too close to the infotainment screen. Like literally an inch or two. Which means you would hit the screen and potentially damage it if it was on the steering wheel. Or at the very least, keep annoyingly hit a buttom on it. The other option would be the second most normal shifter option...in the center console area. It wasn't put THERE because it would block the pathway to all the storage area in front of it. It would probably only be marginal, but still be a nuisance. The option Ford went with takes up the least amount of space. And overall, the Maverick does a great job utilizing space. There is nothing bulky or protruding in or around the Maverick and I have never seen such a small vehicle feel so roomy and have so much storage.

But, one way they could have fixed this and the biggest change I would have made...get rid of that center cubby next to the screen and move the screen right 3-4 inches. That way, you could either put a normal shifter on the steering wheel, or move the middle air vents to each side of the screen instead of keeping them down low and harder to reach the back.

Also, I would have made the cubby hole behind the screen deeper and have a lip on it so a phone could be placed there for GPS purposes. Having something like that on the bottom doesn't make much sense since it's unsafe to look all the way down there while driving.

But that's it. I still can't explain not being able to keep the car in Eco mode always and during start up. I assume there's a reason for it. I would hope.

Who knows I've seen those dial shifters on $100000 Cadillacs

 

[Spook]

Someone may have covered this already but if they haven't, I have found that the little cubby hole next to the screen is a good place to store my remote for the garage door opener. There is a little lip in it to keep it from sliding out.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

Here's my 2 1/2 cents (inflation) on a few gripes: I can live with the rotary dial, but the continuous spin drives me crazy. A biggie gripe: After picking up the MAV from the dealer, I noticed the really limited view from the rear window especially with the auto slide feature. I decided to remove the rear head rests and store them under the seat which make a great improvement. Note to FORD: Jeep Wrangler had this same problem for years, with the 2019 model some really smart engineer decided to make the head rest fold forward until needed. Just saying...... Other than that after 4 weeks of ownership and 1000 miles the MAV is still a winner.

You wouldn't think but this costs money to develop and implement. Add all of the little wish list things together and you now have a Maverick at a Ranger price.

 

[BuddyS]

I think the reason for the cubby in the dash is because they designed it for a larger touchscreen but couldn't source them. Imagine when they can it will be a "new feature" on Maverick trucks.

My guess is that there will be a full electric Maverick announced in a year or two and it will use a larger screen in that space.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

My guess is that there will be a full electric Maverick announced in a year or two and it will use a larger screen in that space.

I doubt we'll see a full electric Maverick anytime soon if ever, too much platform engineering would be required and Ford already has a BEV (truck) that the price point would probably hit, low 40k starting. If I had to bet I'd say a plug in hybrid with AWD possibly for MY24 and that Lariat and XLT trims will come standard with the 10" screen for MY24

 

[olderbudwiser]

When it comes to what you get for the money (if you paid MSRP) and how well designed the Maverick is, I could not be more impressed. These are just 2 minor things I would have changed and some possible clarification on why something exist.

A lot of people don't like the dial shifter, but it took me one day driving the Maverick to figure out why Ford went with that.

A normal shifter on the steering wheel would have been too close to the infotainment screen. Like literally an inch or two. Which means you would hit the screen and potentially damage it if it was on the steering wheel. Or at the very least, keep annoyingly hit a buttom on it. The other option would be the second most normal shifter option...in the center console area. It wasn't put THERE because it would block the pathway to all the storage area in front of it. It would probably only be marginal, but still be a nuisance. The option Ford went with takes up the least amount of space. And overall, the Maverick does a great job utilizing space. There is nothing bulky or protruding in or around the Maverick and I have never seen such a small vehicle feel so roomy and have so much storage.

But, one way they could have fixed this and the biggest change I would have made...get rid of that center cubby next to the screen and move the screen right 3-4 inches. That way, you could either put a normal shifter on the steering wheel, or move the middle air vents to each side of the screen instead of keeping them down low and harder to reach the back.

Also, I would have made the cubby hole behind the screen deeper and have a lip on it so a phone could be placed there for GPS purposes. Having something like that on the bottom doesn't make much sense since it's unsafe to look all the way down there while driving.

But that's it. I still can't explain not being able to keep the car in Eco mode always and during start up. I assume there's a reason for it. I would hope.

A more likely answer, long ago a female upper end project manager complained the floor type stalk shifter resembled a phallic symbol and Ford needed to change things up.

 

[Bj517]

Late to the party, but I for one can't stand column shifters for some reason. Dial shifter > standard center console shifter > column shifter. Maybe because I associate them with the POS park avenue I had to drive for a summer during college.

 

[Bj517]

A more likely answer, long ago a female upper end project manager complained the floor type stalk shifter resembled a phallic symbol and Ford needed to change things up.

What a strange, unsolicited misogynistic response...

 

[olderbudwiser]

What a strange, unsolicited misogynistic response...

Well the subject of why rotary shifters came up. If facts bother you read the local news papers.

 

[RR - All the way]

Well the subject of why rotary shifters came up. If facts bother you read the local news papers.

The subject is not: "Why rotary shifters came up". It is: "Why rotary shifters exist?" I did not see any facts in your post to become bothered with. Local Florida newspapers have little to interest me; too many obituaries!!!!

 

[Bj517]

Well the subject of why rotary shifters came up. If facts bother you read the local news papers.

Your made-up story about some "female" at Ford who didn't like floor shifters was factual?

 

[dadd75]

Not to argue with you about why the rotary dials exists but in this months issue of C&D they had an article about the aging population of the US and how auto manufacturers are responding to it.

The article mentioned that Ford is moving to the rotary dials for ease of use and putting them within easy reaching distance . Not sure if you're aware but as of 2018 there were 45 million licensed drivers over the age of 65 in the US and it's projected that by 2030 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older.

As these numbers grow automobile manufacturers will have to account for this trend by making their vehicles easier to operate for an aging population.

Most of us '65' and older folks grew up with shifter on the floor and are well accustomed to the traditional stick shift IMHO.

 

[TedTX]

I dislike it for visual, size and placement. First it’s all electric with a fake locking in place gear. It’s in the highest cross traffic location in the center of the truck. You got to seat spill-able just next to it. Eat hamburger over the area to keep from dropping thing in your lap etc. loose toddler in the back can play with it. Dog drooling from the back seat.
Second you got no feedback that it’s where You want it by touch. So I always have to glance at it.
If it’s purely electronic why is it so frickin BIG it’s got the same functionality off say like the headlight control. It would be better placed next to that control and ‘small’
There is no real pushback on dail size versus the important functionality. That would only seem off/wrong different for a day or so.

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