Huh, I had to use my factory spare a couple of weeks ago(picked up a screw in the tire) and my spare was definitely not a doughnut. It came on a silver steel rim and was just slightly smaller than the factory tire.
As someone who has the awd and has driven with the awd power screen on, the awd is not driven just by wheel spin or drive mode. I noticed that my maverick will have power to the rear quite often unless cruising at a constant speed like on the highway. Highway driving is mostly front wheel...
You can still get the awd display in a standard XLT awd and you still get the “fancy” drive modes. The exception is the screen is smaller and instead of sand and mud/ruts you get eco and sport. So you still get slippery.