Heat!!!
I live here in Tx myself and see my MPG go from 38-40mpg Cool months to 33-35 hot months.
So far 14,000 miles over 18 months and my average is 36.1 MPG
We have had a hard drop in bedliner in our Tundra for over 20 years, never a issue. I got the SIBL for the Maverick. but would stick with the drop in of that what came with it.
At 12000 miles I'm averaging 38.6 mpg; Daily drive for me is rural/city about 50/50.
In town I average 45+mpg . But on a 100 mile trip to Big Spring doing 80-85 mph (speed limit)
my milage drops to 28 mpg. I've tried it with and with out cruise with minimal difference.
I have run KO2's on my jeep CJ for 20 years and love them, Think that is a little overboard for the Mav. But when the time comes I'm looking at their new Tail-terrain's.
I have the xllt lux and for me I'm OK with the info center. I use android auto and just wait 30 Seconds for the main screen to show then plug my phone in. Works every time. My wife has a explorer all the bells and whistles and I see very little difference between them. May be different if you...
You will love it. at 7k miles and 8 months. with the cooler weather my MPG is going up around 40 mpg atm in a mix of rural driving. This is our second Hybrid first was a Prius, it has over 200k atm and still going strong