2025 Maverick hybrid XLT arrived - initial review / impressions (by former 2023 XLT owner)

[Dave O]

Interior Pics of my 2025 Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid

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[RDRahn]

Seems like a lot of folks are posting these and I wish I had read a few of them before ordering/receiving our new 2025. Anyway, I had a 2023 XLT Hybrid which we were mostly happy with but it had a rash of recalls and living in the Rocky Mountains, I thought going AWD made sense. We ordered up the 2025 last Fall and it showed up this weekend. Dealer gave us darn near what we paid for the 2023 on trade-in (we had low mileage and it was in excellent condition) so it seemed like a no-brainer upgrade.

Here's what I liked:

• As many have observed, the new touch-screen is really amazing. Not Tesla-sized, but well laid out and integrates seamlessly with CarPlay (only tried Apple).
• You lose physical climate control knobs, but the climate icons are always available on the touch-screen and easy to navigate.
• The electric->hybrid->charging transition is completely unnoticeable whereas I would sometimes feel a hiccup in our 2023. On that note, the power is upbeat and responsive compared to the 2023.
• We're getting snow tomorrow, so I haven't tested the AWD in snow yet, but I'm sure it'll do great (better than the '65 Mustang in the garage behind it anyway).
• Navy upholstery is quality looking and overall the fit/finish of the interior is nicer. They've had a few years to work on things and it feels like a more quality vehicle.
• Road noise dampening seems slightly better and the hands-free phone audio quality is better as a result - I called someone from the 2025 who always commented that my side of the conversation was noisy/choppy in the 2023 and they said the conversation was a lot more clear.
• My add-on accessories from the 2023 (mud flaps, BakFlip tonneau, etc) all bolted right on to the 2025.

What bugs me a bit (but not enough to return):

• I didn't understand the Co-Pilot360 didn't include ACC unless you are getting a Lariat. The Co-Pilot360 Assist includes ACC whereas the the package available on the XLT does not. We don't do a ton of freeway driving with traffic, so the ACC isn't a "must have" but given that the 2024 Mazda we bought for our daughter (for less than the new Maverick) had ACC standard, it seems like a cheap-out for Ford to not bundle it with all the Co-Pilot360 packages.
• Others have commented on the lack of the dial-gauge that used to show charging/electric/gas driving mode - there is an "EV Coach" option that you can enable on the console screen, which works pretty well, but it's not an always on (i.e. you have to select it every time).
• Still not a plug-in: friends of ours have a 2023 Escape PHEV and they get like 30+ miles of on-electric driving before the gas motor ever kicks in and they love it. I know that would jack the price a bit of the Maverick, but that might be an upgrade worth going for.
• They still have the rear speakers right near the rear-passenger's heads. Whenever we have someone in the back I have to slide the fader all the way forward to not blast their ears. I don't know why they don't put those speakers in the door.

So the pluses outweigh the minuses for me at least. It's still a super versatile, economic and comfortable vehicle. Glad to be part of "the club".

Chris

Congratulations on getting your 2025 Maverick! Now that you have it, be the first to display a Maverick Truck Club decal!

See details at Maverick Truck Club Decal (Transfer) ($6 delivered)

Congrats again on getting your Mav and thanks for considering.

 

[lajlmt]

Seems like a lot of folks are posting these and I wish I had read a few of them before ordering/receiving our new 2025. Anyway, I had a 2023 XLT Hybrid which we were mostly happy with but it had a rash of recalls and living in the Rocky Mountains, I thought going AWD made sense. We ordered up the 2025 last Fall and it showed up this weekend. Dealer gave us darn near what we paid for the 2023 on trade-in (we had low mileage and it was in excellent condition) so it seemed like a no-brainer upgrade.

Here's what I liked:

• As many have observed, the new touch-screen is really amazing. Not Tesla-sized, but well laid out and integrates seamlessly with CarPlay (only tried Apple).
• You lose physical climate control knobs, but the climate icons are always available on the touch-screen and easy to navigate.
• The electric->hybrid->charging transition is completely unnoticeable whereas I would sometimes feel a hiccup in our 2023. On that note, the power is upbeat and responsive compared to the 2023.
• We're getting snow tomorrow, so I haven't tested the AWD in snow yet, but I'm sure it'll do great (better than the '65 Mustang in the garage behind it anyway).
• Navy upholstery is quality looking and overall the fit/finish of the interior is nicer. They've had a few years to work on things and it feels like a more quality vehicle.
• Road noise dampening seems slightly better and the hands-free phone audio quality is better as a result - I called someone from the 2025 who always commented that my side of the conversation was noisy/choppy in the 2023 and they said the conversation was a lot more clear.
• My add-on accessories from the 2023 (mud flaps, BakFlip tonneau, etc) all bolted right on to the 2025.

What bugs me a bit (but not enough to return):

• I didn't understand the Co-Pilot360 didn't include ACC unless you are getting a Lariat. The Co-Pilot360 Assist includes ACC whereas the the package available on the XLT does not. We don't do a ton of freeway driving with traffic, so the ACC isn't a "must have" but given that the 2024 Mazda we bought for our daughter (for less than the new Maverick) had ACC standard, it seems like a cheap-out for Ford to not bundle it with all the Co-Pilot360 packages.
• Others have commented on the lack of the dial-gauge that used to show charging/electric/gas driving mode - there is an "EV Coach" option that you can enable on the console screen, which works pretty well, but it's not an always on (i.e. you have to select it every time).
• Still not a plug-in: friends of ours have a 2023 Escape PHEV and they get like 30+ miles of on-electric driving before the gas motor ever kicks in and they love it. I know that would jack the price a bit of the Maverick, but that might be an upgrade worth going for.
• They still have the rear speakers right near the rear-passenger's heads. Whenever we have someone in the back I have to slide the fader all the way forward to not blast their ears. I don't know why they don't put those speakers in the door.

So the pluses outweigh the minuses for me at least. It's still a super versatile, economic and comfortable vehicle. Glad to be part of "the club".

Chris

The ACC is a thorn in my XLT Lux w/360 side..

 

[lajlmt]

ACC was not available on the 2024 XLT w/Copilot 360. Though a member here detailed how to add it.

And that lack of ACC on Lux/360 was a Ford fail…

 

[Dave O]

The ACC is a thorn in my XLT Lux w/360 side..

My only issue with the ACC is the location of the radar that Ford lowered on the front end which is causing the baseplate manufactures heart burn in the development of the baseplates to flat tow - Ford got the “neutral tow” feature right but I can’t connect it to my MotorCoach without a baseplate to connect to my tow-bar very disappointing I know they will figure it out but it may take awhile so my 2025 Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid will stay unused in my driveway till then

 

[BlueOval1954]

Wait, you live in the Rocky Mountains and you didn’t get the heated seats and steering wheel??? That would’ve been my first checkbox. . Hell…. I’m in Texas and if it’s under 60 my seat and steering wheel are on. Enjoy the new truck. Looks great.

The heated seats keep the wife happy and for her, that's the best part of the MAV. The heated steering wheel is a bonus for me. If the steering wheel and the seats are warm, then we are both happy.

 

[cwstnsko]

My only issue with the ACC is the location of the radar that Ford lowered on the front end which is causing the baseplate manufactures heart burn in the development of the baseplates to flat tow - Ford got the “neutral tow” feature right but I can’t connect it to my MotorCoach without a baseplate to connect to my tow-bar very disappointing I know they will figure it out but it may take awhile so my 2025 Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid will stay unused in my driveway till then

Feedback that I’ve seen is that getting around the ACC radar in the baseplate design is not a big issue, it’s just that it pushes the cross-bar into the active shutter area. Since aerodynamics is not a huge concern for a toad, I don’t think the shutters being reduced or eliminated will be a big compromise. You might lose a mpg when driving on the freeway (not around town, or when being towed).

 

[BlueOval1954]

Interior Pics of my 2025 Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid

Looks similar to my 2023 except for the larger display. Wait, I dont have Eruption Green which is pretty nice.

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