Current Nissan Frontier Owner, Future Maverick Owner (?)

[JohnnyG]

Hello everyone.

From a review of other threads I see I am not the only Frontier owner looking for something different in a new truck. While I have appreciated my two Frontiers (current one I bought new in 2012) I think it is time to downsize.

I may do some seasonal roads and two-tracks but I am not an off-roader. However, I would like to continue my seasonal road and two-track travels and am wondering if the Maverick can do so. I have seen a number of posts that discuss generally what the Maverick can and can't do off road, and I am looking at a 25 Lariat (love the new green paint option) with FX4 option but I see that is not on the build site. The 24 build site allows the addition of the FX4 package though.

Anyone have some guidance on what may have changed? How critical have you found the FX4 package to be on your off-the-beaten-path adventures if you have them?

Thank you.

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[mav_kev]

Yeah, unfortunately they eliminated the FX4 package from Lariat trim levels; theory is they're trying to push people who want that combo into a Tremor.

Personally, I like having the 17" wheels in the FX4 package with a thicker sidewall tire for comfort, especially off-road. The suspension is different, it has light-duty skid plates instead of felt panels, tow hooks, and some other things that make it nice for soft-roading. None of those things are critical, but I guess it depends on how far off-track you want to get.

If you like all the amenities and want 4k tow or AWD hybrid, Lariat is it - then just swap out tires and add some skid plates to make it a bit more capable. Otherwise, if you don't care about towing or hybrid and want to prioritize amenities and off-roadiness, go Tremor - you can even get it in green!

 

[JohnnyG]

Yeah, unfortunately they eliminated the FX4 package from Lariat trim levels; theory is they're trying to push people who want that combo into a Tremor.

Personally, I like having the 17" wheels in the FX4 package with a thicker sidewall tire for comfort, especially off-road. The suspension is different, it has light-duty skid plates instead of felt panels, tow hooks, and some other things that make it nice for soft-roading. None of those things are critical, but I guess it depends on how far off-track you want to get.

If you like all the amenities and want 4k tow or AWD hybrid, Lariat is it - then just swap out tires and add some skid plates to make it a bit more capable. Otherwise, if you don't care about towing or hybrid and want to prioritize amenities and off-roadiness, go Tremor - you can even get it in green!

Thank you. I may opt for the XLT which still allow the FX4 option; I'd rather not go the Tremor route. Not towing anything but I understand you lose some of the mpg you'd have had.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Hello everyone.

From a review of other threads I see I am not the only Frontier owner looking for something different in a new truck. While I have appreciated my two Frontiers (current one I bought new in 2012) I think it is time to downsize.

I may do some seasonal roads and two-tracks but I am not an off-roader. However, I would like to continue my seasonal road and two-track travels and am wondering if the Maverick can do so. I have seen a number of posts that discuss generally what the Maverick can and can't do off road, and I am looking at a 25 Lariat (love the new green paint option) with FX4 option but I see that is not on the build site. The 24 build site allows the addition of the FX4 package though.

Anyone have some guidance on what may have changed? How critical have you found the FX4 package to be on your off-the-beaten-path adventures if you have them?

Thank you.

The 2025 build site = scroll down to bottom on build site it's in Future vehicle category as the last category.

 

[JohnnyG]

The 2025 build site = scroll down to bottom on build site it's in Future vehicle category as the last category.

Not seeing it. Do you have a screen shot and are you saying the FX4 is an option for the 25 Lariat?

 

[Hunters Edge]

Thank you. I may opt for the XLT which still allow the FX4 option; I'd rather not go the Tremor route. Not towing anything but I understand you lose some of the mpg you'd have had.

You would also lose the high capacity radiator and the extra cooling fan with the tremor. There are trade offs on everything or pros and cons. I would still opt for the 4k tow for many reasons, even if I didn't have plans on using it. Things could easily change and needing it, resale value, and getting the optional gear ratio IMO.

The XLT offers cloth seats and I don't plan to ever buy or use vinyl, synthetic leather again in my lifetime. Of course if someone has to have a push button start and B&O speakers and synthetic leather seats than the Lariat may be your choice.

I believe the ground clearance on the AWD Ford Maverick is actually the same or very close. The Frontier is 8.6 2wd and 8.9 4wd. Even though the Maverick offers easier ingress and egress because it's unitized body vs body on frame which also gives it a better ride. Of course I like the ride on the Frontier except the body roll effect and I like the insulation on the Frontier.

The Maverick is going to give you more head and leg room and it's noticeable in the back seat. I find the backseat in the Frontier uncomfortable and I have a very hard time exiting.

You mentioned wondering about the AWD system. Below I will add a link that's I feel is worth watching especially at 3:46 and after it describes how going slow and tight turns how the AWD assists. I found it similar to tractors where I brake one side or the other to make a tight turning radius. Keep in mind with 4x4 on dry pavement it's off otherwise you can damage internal parts. The AWD basically runs in FWD but when it noticed wheel spin it engages and it can direct 100 percent to the rear wheels ( per the video). Great for Michigan lake effect snow showers or periodically drifting snow on the roads. I like the sharp turns back in the woods getting firewood.

I would highly advise looking at the options you get with the FX4 package. I thought it was necessary and a great deal. I didn't want Perilli's Scorpion AT tires, so I opted for p235 which in 2024 came with different rims ( which I liked better) and falkon Wildpeaks it also raised my ground clearance up a 1/4 of an inch. Spend some time looking at all options at your disposal and the price for those upgrades. Anyway best of luck on your Maverick.

 

[matt44west]

Hey, there—I have the 2023 FX4 and love it. I've got Falken Wildpeaks on it and up'ed one tire size to 235/65/17. I've had it in beach dunes, mountain roads, deep in the SoCal deserts like Anza Borrego and have been thoroughly impressed. You can check out my profile and see some videos I've posted. It's actually really great for fun adventures in National Forests etc. I took it all over two track roads in Boise NF and have done so here in SoCal as well. Planning a Death Valley trip in December.

I haven't priced out the Tremor v. FX4 this year and haven't done a comparison, but this truck is at least as capable as my Subaru CT (IMO) and has much better payload which is great for camping gear etc. We actually did the back road to Mt. Lemon in AZ right behind a Frontier of a year similar to yours (not sure exactly). Did great with some careful driving. I've also driven two Tacomas recently (2015 and 2018, if I remember right) and the Maverick is ten times more comfortable (I'm 6'2"). YES, those are way more capable offroad, but the Mav gets WAY better gas mileage. It's not a perfect vehicle, of course, but we've liked it so far and have not shied at all from remote roads and trails...Just need to know when it's not a good idea to continue

I hate some of the tech (like TPMS sensor is throwing error right now) and how it asks you to press 'OK' on the steering wheel for seatbelts on and the gas gauge being low. I wish I could disable 'driver notification' warnings, but I hate that stuff in ALL vehicles. I wish you could select what notifications you wanted (like a phone or app). I can test the tire pressure myself, but now I have to make a trip to the dealer to fix some tech that—IMO—isn't even needed. Just look at your freaking tires or test 'em with a cheap gauge!

Sand and Mud/Ruts drive modes have made a discernible difference in some of the places I've taken it...like dunes and muddy NF roads. I always carry two or three mountain bikes and sometimes a rooftop tent on a bed rack. I consistently get bt 22-30 mpg and do a lot of city driving. I get 28 mpg driving from San Diego to Tucson with bikes on the tailgate and drive 80 mph the whole way haha.

I think it's pretty good, man...Especially at the final price I paid. Maybe that helps...Not sure how much the prices have risen for this year.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I went from an 06 Nissan Frontier XE ExtendedCab 2wd, 5sp, 2.5 4cyl... So yeah a very basic truck.

I replaced it with an 04 Ford Maverick Lariat EB, AWD, 4K, BAP. I would have liked to have gone FX4, but there was one primary driver:

I was going Lariat to gain the sliding window. You can see in the photo that I will sometimes traveled with a cap on my Frontier (and intend to get one for the Maverick too), so a sliding window allowed ventilation and AC from the cab into the cap during hot days. Was not willing to comprimise on the Sliding Window when buying the Maverick, so that meant the mandatory upgrade to the Lariat (yes, I would have gone XLT if I could have still purchased the $155 manual sliding window, but I'll admit, I do love the power sliding window of the Lariat!!).

I know that was long, but going Lariat mandated the Buster Brown Bowling Shoe Interior with that sea of blue vinyl... FX4 did't allow an upgrade to BAP to get rid of that stock interior.. So, it was a flip, FX4 or BAP.

Picture is for comparison. I stored my Frontier at a place in the Arizona desert for a few months last winter prior to selling it... The Maverick had to give it a jump start.

I've felt the truck is reasonably equipped and capable with AWD/4K alone... I've regularly traveled down very remote, very rough roads in Mexico and never felt like I needed anything more capable (though I will do a tire upgrade to 245/60 R18 when these stock Michelin's wear down a bit more). With ForScan, I was able to enable the Mud/Ruts and Sand drive modes of the FX4 as well. I also have a 1" f , 3/4" r leveling kit to install, but I've hesitated due to CV issues I hear about.

One limitation in 2025 is you can only get the FX4 w/ the XLT trim.... Not the Lariat. The XLT has better colors in the interior (grabber blue door handles aside..) so no BAP availability with FX4 is probably no big deal.

 

[710-oil-614]

The FX4 package is not going to give you something you need based on the driving situation you've described. You should be able to hit the seasonal and two track roads with any of the AWD Mavericks.

 

[JohnnyG]

The FX4 package is not going to give you something you need based on the driving situation you've described. You should be able to hit the seasonal and two track roads with any of the AWD Mavericks.

I think I can have AWD and FX4. Did I miss something?

Do you have Tremor and have you had it off road?

 

[710-oil-614]

I think I can have AWD and FX4. Did I miss something?

Do you have Tremor and have you had it off road?

You can have AWD, AWD + FX4, AWD + FX4 + 4K, Tremor.

Yep, Tremor is very capable off road but I found it to only be able to maximize capabilities using the trail control and drive modes. If I attempted to lock into 4WD (center lock), lock the RDU (rear axle), disable traction control - I could not make it up the 21 degree incline in my yard that my Bronco walked up in 4L with the rear locker set. Using a drive mode and trail control it struggled but eventually did make it up to the top. The Wildpeaks were not aired down at all and the grass was really dry so traction was a bit of an issue for it but it struggled without a low gearing, they all will if you're trying to "rock crawl" like I was simulating.

EDIT 2: We have property 4,705 feet up on the ridge of Rich Mountain in Western, NC. The last 5 of the last 7 miles into the property are county maintained washboard roads and the final 2 miles are privately maintained gravel roads with inclines up to 14 degrees. The Tremor absolutely shined here. Best vehicle I've had for ride quality AND capability. Oddly enough my Tesla Model 3 and its' AWD system was the most sure footed and capable but you broke your back riding on those even slowly.



That being said I loved my Tremor and it was probably the most capable soft roader out there. Love the 4WD lock and rear locker. Tremor is totally worth it if you have your truck off road.

But any AWD maverick will get you where you want to go for the situation you've described.

EDIT: And I say loved, because I sold my Tremor for a profit after 13k miles. I never meant to buy it but thought it was really neat when Ford denied me my Maverick Hybrid so I thought why not. I had recently sold my Bronco Sasquatch and wanted another off road capable vehicle.

Now I'm in line for an AWD Hybrid with 4K tow. In time I will add a Flat Out suspension kit to it and go back from the 19" wheels to 17" wheels and some A/T tires.

 

[PNWMaverick]

My brother downsized from a large 4x4 to a '23 FX4 and has found it to be plenty capable. It handles fairly rutted out and muddy terrain just fine. It drives completely different than my hybrid, more like a small truck versus a car with a bed. He also tripled his fuel economy from his previous truck.

I think that if you needed more than what it can do you would know it. Part of my downsizing choice was realizing that I didn't use 4x4 or the capacity of the larger truck, anymore. Since getting my Maverick I have yet to run into an instance where I needed a larger truck. I haul all sorts of things in the bed of this little thing.

 

[JohnnyG]

My brother downsized from a large 4x4 to a '23 FX4 and has found it to be plenty capable. It handles fairly rutted out and muddy terrain just fine. It drives completely different than my hybrid, more like a small truck versus a car with a bed. He also tripled his fuel economy from his previous truck.

I think that if you needed more than what it can do you would know it. Part of my downsizing choice was realizing that I didn't use 4x4 or the capacity of the larger truck, anymore. Since getting my Maverick I have yet to run into an instance where I needed a larger truck. I haul all sorts of things in the bed of this little thing.

Your downsizing reasons sound like mine. I haul yard stuff and furniture in my truck but can do that in a Maverick. I don't really need everything the Frontier has. If I can swing a great bargain for an outgoing '24--or if there are some awesome incentives for a 25--then I'd grab one, but then it's the mileage or something else.

Test driving a Lariat today so my wife and I can get a good feel for one.

 

[MCKMichaels]

Honestly I would go with whichever you can find in the price range you are looking for. When I got my loaded XLT a few months ago there were no Tremors under 42k in my state and the off-road package was also hard to find. I drove all and the off-road and Tremor were very close in feel. Now we have Tremors sitting on lots for 34 ish and I totally would grab one.

 

[jmatchco]

We had an '05 Frontier, King Cab, V6 (NISMO) for 18 years, and bought a '24 Ecoboost AWD, XLT, FX4. I added the machined-face gray wheels ($795) because I disliked the black FX4s, and they came with slightly upsized Falken Wildpeaks, which are really worth it. The Frontier was a great truck with a good-sized bed, but mileage really sucked.
Comparing the trucks, the Maverick is lower, quicker, more comfortable, much more efficient (24-25 mpg vs 16-17), and doesn't spin its wheels and tail on every startup. The Frontier's 4wd was much more robust, but the Mav's AWD works better in snow and ice. I like the new Frontiers, too, but wanted to downsize a bit, get a bigger cab, and better mileage. So far, quite happy with the change.

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