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So this week I will be rolling on 10,000 miles on my 2023 hybrid XL. I ordered it with only ford 360 and trailer hitch. Outside of that, bone base model. Here is what I like and dont. This will be wordy. But detailed. This will be a full opinion.
Hates
- Maverick will only default to normal driving mode. This is laughable this day of age. Memory is cheap. But I got over it. I actually get better mpg on normal than eco. Odd, but works out that it defaults to
Normal mode.
- Door cubbies are made with such a specific item and shape in mind that its almost useless. The basic deep door cubbies are more usefull than these. My drinks fall out often if they are not the right shape. Other items do not sit well either.
- The fake shift is cheesy. Transmissions goal is to have such smooth shifts that you don't feel it. Then the CVT goal is to make it feel like your shifting? Makes no sense. But for the most part, I dont notice the cheesy fake shifting anymore.
- Sound system is pretty bad. But now I have adapted. Its good enough. Granted, I went from a vehicle that had a fantastic system, to this below average system.
- Seats are a little on the narrow side. Im a smaller guy, and the seats are little narrow even for me. In my opinion, seats feel as narrow as my year 2000 miata. They may not be, but they feel like they are.
- The stock continental tires might be the worst tires I have ever experienced. Smooth. Quiet on the road. But I have to drive an occasional gravel or dirt road with slight incline, tires struggle to grip. Also I loose grip often on a wet road. The tires are also very cheap looking. Not a big deal. I will replace them after 20k. These tires were not meant to be anything special. Cheap vehicle after all.
- Windshield fluid gets low quickly. Not for sure if its due to how it sprays or the container holds to little. The spray though is fantastic.
- The temperature display on the display screen is often not visible. I have to turn temp knob for it to show what temp its set to. Most of the time this issue is at start up. Only shows the temp setting 50% of the time without me turning the temp knob.
- The mpg rating is not correct. Seems to be off usually 2-3 miles. But I think this is a problem for every vehicle. I have tested several times at the same pump.
- Oil changes are pricey. $122 at my dealer. Needless to say, once I finish my free oil changes, I will be doing it myself. Looks like I was save $50 by doing so. That using oem only.
- Towing, I wish was 500 lbs more. 2,000 is good enough for me. But for the campers I want, 500 lbs would open up a lot of options. But 2,000 lbs will be enough. Actually saves me money by not being able to tow 2,500.
- No awd option for hybrid. Not a big deal. Realistically I dont need it. I may have not even got it due to mpg being more important to me. But sometimes I want it only because I want it. Not because I need it. A slightly better set of tires will fix the issues I am having. At then end of the day, tires are king.
Loves
- Stock headlights are fantastic. Good brightness. Shocking good.
- MPG is great. Getting 37 usually. Dash usually reads 40 avg. I would say I am doing 50% highway, 50% city.
- Drives smooth.
- I love how the vehicle looks both interior and exterior. (XL has black interior).
- Drive knob. For me, I didn't like this at 1st. I now love it.
- Windshield sprayer is great. Covers all of it.
- Paint is holding up well. I spend 50% of the time driving highway. Knock on wood, but no chips. But they will come. Some paints are softer than others. This one seems to be doing well.
- Braking is good. A little on the grabby side at times. Especially at low speeds. Talking like 5 mph most. Bumper to bumper traffic. But very pleased with it.
- Bed size is perfect for a suburban dweller. I have moved a refrigerator, set of outdoor chairs, 10 bags of gravel. Just enough room. And just short enough that parking is no different that a crossover.
- Plastic interior. This gets a lot of hate. But I wanted a small work truck. I wanted it cheap too. Was not looking for luxury out of a truck. The plastic is very easy to clean. Its more rugged than a bunch of soft touch covers. I dig it.
- No adaptive cruise control on mine. I absolutely hate adaptive cruise control. Yes most cars you can turn it off. But often you have to turn it off everytime. Very happy that I could get blind spot monitoring without receiving adaptive cruise control. Not for sure if this is the case for all trims, but it is for the 2023 XL.
Conclusion
We live in an age that a brand new vehicle for mid 20s is a uncommon sight. I wrote several dislikes, but none of them are deal breakers. At the end of the day, its an economical/affordable vehicle. I just wanted to be honest with my dislikes. They do exist. And might be an issue for someone. Its a valued packed vehicle considering it has a small bed, 4 doors, and good mpg if you get the hybrid. Those features at the price is substantial. In my opinion, this directly competes with vehicles such as the civic for the price and value. I have had the chance to own several vehicles. Every car has pro and cons. Nothing is perfect. I am a car guy and I am not biased to any brand. I have owned most brands such as; Honda, Toyota, Mazda, VW, Chevy, Jeep, Hyundai, and now Ford. Out of all the models I have owned, this is my favorite vehicle for day to day driving. By far. It may not be suited for all, but for my life, this is as practical as it gets.
Thanks for reading.
Hates
- Maverick will only default to normal driving mode. This is laughable this day of age. Memory is cheap. But I got over it. I actually get better mpg on normal than eco. Odd, but works out that it defaults to
Normal mode.
- Door cubbies are made with such a specific item and shape in mind that its almost useless. The basic deep door cubbies are more usefull than these. My drinks fall out often if they are not the right shape. Other items do not sit well either.
- The fake shift is cheesy. Transmissions goal is to have such smooth shifts that you don't feel it. Then the CVT goal is to make it feel like your shifting? Makes no sense. But for the most part, I dont notice the cheesy fake shifting anymore.
- Sound system is pretty bad. But now I have adapted. Its good enough. Granted, I went from a vehicle that had a fantastic system, to this below average system.
- Seats are a little on the narrow side. Im a smaller guy, and the seats are little narrow even for me. In my opinion, seats feel as narrow as my year 2000 miata. They may not be, but they feel like they are.
- The stock continental tires might be the worst tires I have ever experienced. Smooth. Quiet on the road. But I have to drive an occasional gravel or dirt road with slight incline, tires struggle to grip. Also I loose grip often on a wet road. The tires are also very cheap looking. Not a big deal. I will replace them after 20k. These tires were not meant to be anything special. Cheap vehicle after all.
- Windshield fluid gets low quickly. Not for sure if its due to how it sprays or the container holds to little. The spray though is fantastic.
- The temperature display on the display screen is often not visible. I have to turn temp knob for it to show what temp its set to. Most of the time this issue is at start up. Only shows the temp setting 50% of the time without me turning the temp knob.
- The mpg rating is not correct. Seems to be off usually 2-3 miles. But I think this is a problem for every vehicle. I have tested several times at the same pump.
- Oil changes are pricey. $122 at my dealer. Needless to say, once I finish my free oil changes, I will be doing it myself. Looks like I was save $50 by doing so. That using oem only.
- Towing, I wish was 500 lbs more. 2,000 is good enough for me. But for the campers I want, 500 lbs would open up a lot of options. But 2,000 lbs will be enough. Actually saves me money by not being able to tow 2,500.
- No awd option for hybrid. Not a big deal. Realistically I dont need it. I may have not even got it due to mpg being more important to me. But sometimes I want it only because I want it. Not because I need it. A slightly better set of tires will fix the issues I am having. At then end of the day, tires are king.
Loves
- Stock headlights are fantastic. Good brightness. Shocking good.
- MPG is great. Getting 37 usually. Dash usually reads 40 avg. I would say I am doing 50% highway, 50% city.
- Drives smooth.
- I love how the vehicle looks both interior and exterior. (XL has black interior).
- Drive knob. For me, I didn't like this at 1st. I now love it.
- Windshield sprayer is great. Covers all of it.
- Paint is holding up well. I spend 50% of the time driving highway. Knock on wood, but no chips. But they will come. Some paints are softer than others. This one seems to be doing well.
- Braking is good. A little on the grabby side at times. Especially at low speeds. Talking like 5 mph most. Bumper to bumper traffic. But very pleased with it.
- Bed size is perfect for a suburban dweller. I have moved a refrigerator, set of outdoor chairs, 10 bags of gravel. Just enough room. And just short enough that parking is no different that a crossover.
- Plastic interior. This gets a lot of hate. But I wanted a small work truck. I wanted it cheap too. Was not looking for luxury out of a truck. The plastic is very easy to clean. Its more rugged than a bunch of soft touch covers. I dig it.
- No adaptive cruise control on mine. I absolutely hate adaptive cruise control. Yes most cars you can turn it off. But often you have to turn it off everytime. Very happy that I could get blind spot monitoring without receiving adaptive cruise control. Not for sure if this is the case for all trims, but it is for the 2023 XL.
Conclusion
We live in an age that a brand new vehicle for mid 20s is a uncommon sight. I wrote several dislikes, but none of them are deal breakers. At the end of the day, its an economical/affordable vehicle. I just wanted to be honest with my dislikes. They do exist. And might be an issue for someone. Its a valued packed vehicle considering it has a small bed, 4 doors, and good mpg if you get the hybrid. Those features at the price is substantial. In my opinion, this directly competes with vehicles such as the civic for the price and value. I have had the chance to own several vehicles. Every car has pro and cons. Nothing is perfect. I am a car guy and I am not biased to any brand. I have owned most brands such as; Honda, Toyota, Mazda, VW, Chevy, Jeep, Hyundai, and now Ford. Out of all the models I have owned, this is my favorite vehicle for day to day driving. By far. It may not be suited for all, but for my life, this is as practical as it gets.
Thanks for reading.
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