Talk me into or out of the Maverick--getting cold feet

[Mattwalsh07]

If you need space for the kids then forester would be a better option since any numbers of car seat can be placed on the back. Also the trunk space on forester is pretty substantial.

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[Scott Asheville]

OP, your worries are well phrased and seem valid to me. My personal (purely anecdotal) answers after owning a Maverick for 13 months and 18,000 miles are...

1. You have a point about storage space if the inside is filled with passengers. There isn't a frunk because it's an ICE vehicle. Especially if you have or get a dog - no room left for stuff. And we all know families with kids generate stuff.
2. You have a valid point about reliability. Mine's been rock solid, but that's anecdotal and we simply won't know the Maverick statistics until we've had the fleet in service for 3 to 5 years.
3. The other vehicles you listed are rock solid choices. I especially love the Forester for visibility and practicality. And they just did a big refresh on the 2024.
4. FWD is no problem in snow if you use snow tires. It's a hassle few perform to get a set of snows and change them out spring and fall, but well worth it in poor conditions. Better to have snows than AWD. BTW, Michelin has a very good all season tire - can't recall the name. TFL reviewed it and loved them. I used to drive a RWD.

I had buyer's remorse five minutes after I drove my eco Maverick away from the dealership a year ago September. But it's grown on me as a solid ride. Not a good inner city ride, but a solid country or suburban ride. I drove it around narrow streets in Asheville for 9 months and it was a PITA on sharp right turns and congested streets. But now out in my new countryside location, that's no longer true.

Whatever you decide, best wishes for a great automotive experience with your new ride.

 

[surfstar]

AWD hybrid considerations:

New Forester might finally get a hybrid option - if you can wait, that's a very compelling family AWD + mpg vehicle (more cargo space than a Rav4 I believe).

Sienna hybrid AWD - GREAT family option with tons of space. $$$ and hard to get non-expensive one.
highlander hybrid - better off with Sienna
Rav4 hybrid

BUT - get a XL Maverick hybrid and a set of winter tires/wheels - even better in the snow and cheapest option, if you can handle the "base" model.

 

[Gray Goose]

If you're thinking about more than one child, go with the SUV.
I had a Sport Trac (essentially a Maverick 20 years ago). One child is fine. Two is cramped. Because you already know room is needed for their toys, stuffed animals books, snacks etc. for a trip of any length. Stopping to get stuff out of the bed is not near as convenient as reaching over the seat.
After a couple years with child #2, I traded the Sport Trac for a Trailblazer EXT. A couple years after that we had child #3 and was glad to have 3 rows.
Now they are young adults and have their own vehicles, so looking forward to having a truck again.

 

[Llamaryudo]

Get a Tesla Model Y. Good for cargo space and as family vehicle.

 

[Jman79]

So many varied uses and personal opinions it's hard to morph my experiences to your needs. So I'll brain dump what I find relevant and you can take what you think applies.

Between my wife and I we have had 4 cars in the past 15 years and two kids now early tweens.

- VW Passat = did nothing great
- Subaru Forester = nice SUV / wagon, the AWD was a nice bonus but nothing to get excited about, FWD has been plenty good for us all throughout the NE (we're skiers too)
- Saturn Vue /w Honda V6 FWD = great all around commuter and multipurpose hauler
- Honda Odyssey = After the kids got to be mobile this was a life saver in terms of all around family utility.

Currently we have the Vue and the Odyssey. The Vue is on its last legs and I have a Maverick coming.

As a pair the maverick offsets the van perfectly for our family.
- Fuel efficient enough to be my commuter
- space wise the Vue and the Mav are similar from the backseat forward. It can handle two kids and two adults well enough and is good for things under 2 hours. Van is the long trip luxury liner.
- I get truck bed utility while still being able to fit the whole fam for modest trips. After years of being creative to use my Vue SUV as a hauler I'll be very happy to have the extra utility of a bed vs covered back. However... This is acceptable because I have the Van as a choice also.

If I was forced into one car with my family needs I'd choose the vehicles in this order.
- Van (If you plan to expand the family I can't recommend it more)
- SUV - but a mid sized not Forrester and would have to have ample cargo area for larger hauls
- Mav - with only one vehicle the utility of the bed would be second to extra covered space.

Also, do you have any other cars in your fleet? How likely would the wife be to switch when needed? This can offset the downsides of the uncovered bed.

 

[sprubs]

regarding winter: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/slippery-mode-is-beneficial.40052/

 

[Snox801]

My opinion. It's a 4 door truck BUT with a kid nothing will beat the versatility of a van or an SUV (even a 2 row) as your primary family hauler.

Given the choices you listed and if I was buying my first family vehicle it would be CRV. Maverick would be for the spouse and not used as the primary. You want space, and easy access to cargo.

This might get a lot of hate, but just my honest opinion.

Nope no chance my wife grabs the “truck every time for the kids over the suv.
To each his own I guess. She loves the space in the back with the ability to put anything in the back like strollers and toys. We have two boys and she loves taking the trucks.
Not right or wrong just a different take.

 

[Snox801]

So many varied uses and personal opinions it's hard to morph my experiences to your needs. So I'll brain dump what I find relevant and you can take what you think applies.

Between my wife and I we have had 4 cars in the past 15 years and two kids now early tweens.

- VW Passat = did nothing great
- Subaru Forester = nice SUV / wagon with good AWD but nothing to get excited about in PA
- Saturn Vue /w Honda V6 FWD = great all around commuter and multipurpose hauler
- Honda Odyssey = After the kids got to be mobile this was a life saver in terms of all around family utility.

Currently we have the Vue and the Odyssey. The Vue is on its last legs and I have a Maverick coming.

As a pair the maverick offsets the van perfectly for our family.
- Fuel efficient enough to be my commuter
- space wise the Vue and the Mav are similar from the backseat forward. It can handle two kids and two adults well enough and is good for things under 2 hours. Van is the long trip luxury liner.
- I get truck bed utility while still being able to fit the whole fam for modest trips. After years of being creative to use my Vue SUV as a hauler I'll be very happy to have the extra utility of a bed vs covered back. However... This is acceptable because I have the Van as a choice also.

If I was forced into one car with my family needs I'd choose the vehicles in this order.
- Van (If you plan to expand the family I can't recommend it more)
- SUV (not all are created equal)
- Mav

Also, do you have any other cars in your fleet? How likely would the wife be to switch when needed?

Man you had me till van. Lol
At no point could I ever drive a van I tried and could not get myself to do it. I hate them unless you are talking the a-team van.

 

[TacoTanium]

So, I ordered a '24 Hybrid XLT back in August and I was very surprised to get a build date email yesterday (February 2024). But--in part because I expected more like a year's wait--I've been looking at Foresters and especially CR-V Hybrids instead these past few months.

While I've always wanted a truck (and not a huge one, which is why I was so excited about the Maverick and the hybrid), I'm getting cold feet for a couple reasons and would welcome some perspective from current Maverick owners to help me decide whether or not to go with the Maverick. I'll outline my main thoughts below:

• I'm not not sure how well the Hybrid (no AWD) will do in the snow, which we get a few times a year in my area (southern Ohio). I know it's not rear-wheel drive and we don't get a ton of really bad snow (usually!) but I do think an AWD (and especially a Subaru) would have the edge. I didn't order an EB because I wanted the fuel economy of the hybrid. How has your Maverick hybrid done in the winter? ,
• I'm not sure how practical the Maverick is for a family of three (including a toddler still in a carseat), in part because it doesn't seem like there's much cargo space (aside from the bed, which is of course exposed to the rain, and because I've seen on here that carseat space is very limited. How has the Maverick worked as a family vehicle for you?
• Finally, I'm a little concerned about the overall build quality/reliability of the Maverick. I know people tend to post more complaints than praise in general, but seems the CRV-V hybrid and Forester are more reliable and, overall, better built/more comfortable (especially the CR-V hybrid). I worry about the deep sleep issue, the recalls, etc. I've always owned Toyotas and Hondas and really appreciate a reliable vehicle I can keep for 10+ years.

Thanks for any thoughts and perspective! This forum has been very helpful.

For the snow, you don't have to worry. You mentioned a few times a year, if it's plowed regularly no problem. I drive my camry sedan in the worse icy and snow season and it was good. I'm sure the maverick hybrid will do even better for being higher off the ground. If it's not plowed regularly you will have problems in any car unless it's 14+ inch high. Before my camry, was an Integra, even lower to the ground. I had summer tires that performed better than my all seasons on the snow, lol, and that was good too. Just get a good set of a/s and drive not reckless you'll be fine: driver > suspension/car setup > tires.

For the reliability, of course the CR-V and subaru will be better, no doubt. Ford is super crap when it comes reliability, they just happen to make this maverick to fit most life styles that's why it's so popular. IMO, with ford it's a hit or miss with reliability. If you end up with a lemon, good luck on your next ford. Some ford goes up to 400k miles.

As for family use, I think it would be fine too. I buck my kids in my 2 door integra many times no problem. If I think about it, if I have a maverick as my first car and not a lemon, I would probably keep it for the rest of my life. Like I said it fits most life style.

If I were you, if you don't need the bed, get the CR-V, don't take your chance with ford reliability if you don't need to. I need a bed so I'm taking a chance with a ford this time. If I spend more than $20 on problems other than the regular maintenance in 11 years, I'm trading that pos ford in asap (because that's how much I spent on my camry in 11 years so far).

 

[WildGrok]

My two cents:
If your other cars are not pickups, get a pickup even if it is not the Maverick. Since I got mine I don't need to bother my daughter to use her old f150. By the way: I am extremely happy with my XL 2024 ECO AWD with towing. End of the two cents

 

[Jman79]

Man you had me till van. Lol
At no point could I ever drive a van I tried and could not get myself to do it. I hate them unless you are talking the a-team van.

If you can get past the stigma, it's probably the most useful vehicle around. There is a reason so many work vehicles are vans. If someone wants to insult your masculinity just slap a "if this Van's a rocking" sticker on it. Ok, I think I know another reason I love the van, fond memories . I do wish the Mavs bed was a little longer for camping trips!

 

[Snox801]

If you can get past the stigma, it's probably the most useful vehicle around. There is a reason so many work vehicles are vans. If someone wants to insult your masculinity just slap a "if this Van's a rocking" sticker on it. Ok, I think I know another reason I love the van, fond memories . I do wish the Mavs bed was a little longer for camping trips!

Oh that kinda van is perfectly fine. I was thinking Honda mini van or some abortion like that.
Carry on sir.

 

[pigsareus]

So, I ordered a '24 Hybrid XLT back in August and I was very surprised to get a build date email yesterday (February 2024). But--in part because I expected more like a year's wait--I've been looking at Foresters and especially CR-V Hybrids instead these past few months.

While I've always wanted a truck (and not a huge one, which is why I was so excited about the Maverick and the hybrid), I'm getting cold feet for a couple reasons and would welcome some perspective from current Maverick owners to help me decide whether or not to go with the Maverick. I'll outline my main thoughts below:

• I'm not not sure how well the Hybrid (no AWD) will do in the snow, which we get a few times a year in my area (southern Ohio). I know it's not rear-wheel drive and we don't get a ton of really bad snow (usually!) but I do think an AWD (and especially a Subaru) would have the edge. I didn't order an EB because I wanted the fuel economy of the hybrid. How has your Maverick hybrid done in the winter? ,
• I'm not sure how practical the Maverick is for a family of three (including a toddler still in a carseat), in part because it doesn't seem like there's much cargo space (aside from the bed, which is of course exposed to the rain, and because I've seen on here that carseat space is very limited. How has the Maverick worked as a family vehicle for you?
• Finally, I'm a little concerned about the overall build quality/reliability of the Maverick. I know people tend to post more complaints than praise in general, but seems the CRV-V hybrid and Forester are more reliable and, overall, better built/more comfortable (especially the CR-V hybrid). I worry about the deep sleep issue, the recalls, etc. I've always owned Toyotas and Hondas and really appreciate a reliable vehicle I can keep for 10+ years.

Thanks for any thoughts and perspective! This forum has been very helpful.

I'm in michigan and had 0 probs, just put it in slippery mode if it snows...you get very little snow - so it's not a big deal anyways. There's plenty of storage in the bed - you can set it up with partitions to store whatever you want back there, had mine 1 year and 0 problems, i've carted 4 other adults around in this thing and there's ample leg room and nobody complaints. I wouldn't overthink reliability issues - you're right the squeaky postings get the most attention. From other posts it does appear to be a safe vehicle you can see accident posts where pretty much everyone walks away uninjured. Hey - if you buy it and drive it and don't like it you can always just sell it and get at least back what you paid.

 

[Builder]

Only going on personal experience with Ford pickups …. Traded in my 2003 regular cab Ford Range Edge 2wd for my 2023 Lariat. 96k miles on the 20+ year old Ranger that still ran like a beast but, fought with rust. Ranger was not a top line pickup either. Take good care of your toys and you’ll be surprised how long they will last. At my age, Mav will outlive me if it too lasts 20 years.

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