Returning my Maverick tomorrow

[Scott Asheville]

It was tiring to drive. The steering is heavy. It feels like there was no power steering and/or it's severely out of alignment. A lot of reviews say it drives more like a car than a truck. Not this one. My expectations weren't high going in knowing that it is an inexpensive vehicle.

Bummer you didn't like the vehicle, but I get it. I had instant buyer's remorse driving my ecoboost away from the dealership - I was coming from a smaller truck with a manual transmission. I hated the zillion speed automatic hunting gears. I hated the huge turning radius (compared to my old truck) that made city driving hard.

Ignore the guys posting "you should have test driven it". A lot of times you don't get that opportunity. Most of the people on this forum never had a chance to test drive their Mavericks. Constantly disappoints me how petty and childish the more rabid Maverick fanboys can be on this forum.

My Maverick slowly grew on me. I still think it's a grossly bloated pig, and not even close to being a "small truck". But "small" and "carlike" and "trucklike" are all in the eyes of the beholder. A lot of reviewers were comparing the Maverick to larger standard trucks, and compared to them it's dramatically more nimble. But it's not a canyon carver.

I suspect, if you don't mind the styling, that you might be way happier in a Santa Cruz. Most reviewers pointed it out as the more carlike and sporty vehicle compared to the Maverick. It's worlds better than the Maverick in many ways, inferior in a few. I personally like the SC a lot, and I'll consider trading my Maverick for one based on which does the better 2025 refresh.

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[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Trucky It seems a little harsher than my F150 although taller tires, more weight, front buckets like a Barca lounger may affect that feel. . The hybrid tire I believe has less tread depth and are a bit harder compound. If I'm wrong someone will be right along. The ride reflects that. Zero complaints from me though.

Have never owned a Honda or Toyata. My dad would have beat my ass and throw me out of the house....

The Maverick is my first "truck" (although buying two F150's for my husband doesn't count since I rarely drove/drive them.) I find the Maverick's road manners to be comfortable and easy to manage, none of what the OP is complaining about. Trucky would have been driving my daughter's 2009 Jeep Wrangler X, manual transmission. Really fun to drive but it would likewise beat you up.

While I did place an order for a '24 Maverick EB-AWD, I decided to buy the '24 Ranger instead. The Maverick was nice to start out with after years of driving Honda cars, but now I want that full truck experience. I will however, remain a faithful MTC member. (The ordering process for the Ranger isn't any less painful than the whole "hurry up and wait" process of Maverick ownership.)

Was your dad a diehard Ford guy, or American car guy in general?

 

[olderbudwiser]

The Maverick is my first "truck" (although buying two F150's for my husband doesn't count since I rarely drove/drive them.) I find the Maverick's road manners to be comfortable and easy to manage, none of what the OP is complaining about. Trucky would have been driving my daughter's 2009 Jeep Wrangler X, manual transmission. Really fun to drive but it would likewise beat you up.

While I did place an order for a '24 Maverick EB-AWD, I decided to buy the '24 Ranger instead. The Maverick was nice to start out with after years of driving Honda cars, but now I want that full truck experience. I will however, remain a faithful MTC member. (The ordering process for the Ranger isn't any less painful than the whole "hurry up and wait" process of Maverick ownership.)

Was your dad a diehard Ford guy, or American car guy in general?

No my Dad fought in WW2, Pacific. I won't repeat his words the admin would toss me.

Would like to hear about the 2024 ranger when you get it.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

No my Dad fought in WW2, Pacific. I won't repeat his words the admin would toss me.

Would like to hear about the 2024 ranger when you get it.

My dad likewise fought in WW2, European conflict.

 

[Maverick2023]

Can you be more specific about the hwy experience?
If it was too firm and bouncy, the dealer didn't set the tires pressure to spec.

It was a test drive experience so yeah he had to return the maverick

 

[olderbudwiser]

My dad likewise fought in WW2, European conflict.

My uncles, his brothers were in Europe one in tanks the other an Army Ranger. Both ended up in Germany.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

My uncles, his brothers were in Europe one in tanks the other an Army Ranger. Both ended up in Germany.

My dad was in the Bulge...was shot in the head (one of those miracle injuries where the bullet hit and penetrated his helmet, hit him in the ear but traveled up and around his skull and exited the other side) and was found unconscious by the German Army, who shockingly nursed him back to health and eventually returned him back to his platoon. If it weren't for the Germans, I wouldn't be here.

 

[Old_Norm]

My uncles, his brothers were in Europe one in tanks the other an Army Ranger. Both ended up in Germany.

My GGGGGfather was in the American Revolution, grandfather was in WWI, dad was in WWII and I was in Vietnam. Best thing to come out of all that for me was the GI Bill. Oh yeah, and defeating our enemies...except Vietnam. How did we get on this subject???

 

[LSchicago]

Bummer you didn't like the vehicle, but I get it. I had instant buyer's remorse driving my ecoboost away from the dealership - I was coming from a smaller truck with a manual transmission. I hated the zillion speed automatic hunting gears. I hated the huge turning radius (compared to my old truck) that made city driving hard.

Ignore the guys posting "you should have test driven it". A lot of times you don't get that opportunity. Most of the people on this forum never had a chance to test drive their Mavericks. Constantly disappoints me how petty and childish the more rabid Maverick fanboys can be on this forum.

My Maverick slowly grew on me. I still think it's a grossly bloated pig, and not even close to being a "small truck". But "small" and "carlike" and "trucklike" are all in the eyes of the beholder. A lot of reviewers were comparing the Maverick to larger standard trucks, and compared to them it's dramatically more nimble. But it's not a canyon carver.

I suspect, if you don't mind the styling, that you might be way happier in a Santa Cruz. Most reviewers pointed it out as the more carlike and sporty vehicle compared to the Maverick. It's worlds better than the Maverick in many ways, inferior in a few. I personally like the SC a lot, and I'll consider trading my Maverick for one based on which does the better 2025 refresh.

I waited to see a 22 in person and hoped for a test drive before ordering. Then the Hybrid ordering cut off. Ordered my 2023 without ever seeing one still.

 

[TheShark]

Bummer you didn't like the vehicle, but I get it. I had instant buyer's remorse driving my ecoboost away from the dealership - I was coming from a smaller truck with a manual transmission. I hated the zillion speed automatic hunting gears. I hated the huge turning radius (compared to my old truck) that made city driving hard.

Ignore the guys posting "you should have test driven it". A lot of times you don't get that opportunity. Most of the people on this forum never had a chance to test drive their Mavericks. Constantly disappoints me how petty and childish the more rabid Maverick fanboys can be on this forum.

My Maverick slowly grew on me. I still think it's a grossly bloated pig, and not even close to being a "small truck". But "small" and "carlike" and "trucklike" are all in the eyes of the beholder. A lot of reviewers were comparing the Maverick to larger standard trucks, and compared to them it's dramatically more nimble. But it's not a canyon carver.

I suspect, if you don't mind the styling, that you might be way happier in a Santa Cruz. Most reviewers pointed it out as the more carlike and sporty vehicle compared to the Maverick. It's worlds better than the Maverick in many ways, inferior in a few. I personally like the SC a lot, and I'll consider trading my Maverick for one based on which does the better 2025 refresh.

I actually had a SC, the quality of the interior was heaps better but it was a very sterile vehicle. It really was like a Tucson with the hatch cut off, didn't feel like a truck at all. Had it 3 months and traded it for my '23 FX4, best move I made. Test drive the SC because it's turning radius is just as huge and because of the design the visibility is poor. I like the Mav way better and the wife likes it better so that's always a plus.

 

[TheShark]

My dad was in the Bulge...was shot in the head (one of those miracle injuries where the bullet hit and penetrated his helmet, hit him in the ear but traveled up and around his skull and exited the other side) and was found unconscious by the German Army, who shockingly nursed him back to health and eventually returned him back to his platoon. If it weren't for the Germans, I wouldn't be here.

My dad was at the bulge as well, he was in Patton's 3dr army. He also came up Omaha Beach, thankfully not in the first waves because I probably wouldn't be writing this if he did.

 

[olderbudwiser]

My dad was in the Bulge...was shot in the head (one of those miracle injuries where the bullet hit and penetrated his helmet, hit him in the ear but traveled up and around his skull and exited the other side) and was found unconscious by the German Army, who shockingly nursed him back to health and eventually returned him back to his platoon. If it weren't for the Germans, I wouldn't be here.

Nice story, happy ending

 

[olderbudwiser]

My GGGGGfather was in the American Revolution, grandfather was in WWI, dad was in WWII and I was in Vietnam. Best thing to come out of all that for me was the GI Bill. Oh yeah, and defeating our enemies...except Vietnam. How did we get on this subject???

Patriotism is never out of place. Thank you for your service.

 

[Aherpa]

I ordered my Maverick XL Hybrid in September 2022 and picked it today. I am returning it tomorrow. The truck drove fine in the city, but 20 minutes on the highway was enough. I don't think the Maverick hybrids are highway vehicles. My father's 1972 bare-bones F100 drove better. I've never been more disappointed in my life.

It's too bad you don't like it. Have you done any troubleshooting? With only your brief description of the issue, I am assuming your don't like the ride at highway speeds. Have you checked the tire pressure? Some dealers pump tires up to 45 PSI and at those pressures, any vehicle rides terrible. I have to check my pressure after every service.
Hope you can find something that suits you.
My own experience with the hybrid is that it's great in town and on the highway. It gets up to speed quickly (if I need to, it gets to 90 MPH by the end of the on-ramp), it rides nice and is quieter than my 2012 F150 Lariat.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Off topic but I get sick of people bitching how bloated and too big the Maverick is. I'm thinking they must be comparing a regular cab classic Ranger with the 4 door Maverick. So, I decided to check out Edmunds and do some comparisons in size with my old Ranger FX/4 with my new Maverick.

Maverick FX/4------------------- Ranger FX/4

Length: 199.7" ----------------------- 202"
Wheelbase: 121.1"---------- ---------- 125.7"
Height: 68.7"---------------------------- 66.3"
Width w/o mirrors 72.6" ---------------- 69.4"
Turning Circle. 40" -------------------- 42.7'

Numbers do not lie. My Maverick is 2.9 inches shorter than my old Ranger and has a 4.6 inches shorter wheelbase. Turns tighter by 2 feet. My Maverick is 2.4 inches taller and 3.2 inches wider. That translates to more shoulder room and roominess in the cab compared to the cramped Ranger. Maybe the Santa Cruz is smaller all the way around, I do not know about that but bring your anti theft clubs wherever you go with it. Gonna need them.

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