Potential buyer...car seats, 4k towing vs. FX4, and reliability questions

[CountryCruiser]

I'm looking to potentially place an order for an AWD XLT, but am trying to decide between this and a Honda Ridgeline. I have looked around the forums but haven't found exactly the answers to these questions:
1. Can you fit three car seats in the back. Two forward facing 5-point, and a booster seat? Problem I find in a lot of vehicles is there isn't enough room to reach to buckle seat belt for the booster. Just no way to fit your hand in there to buckle, much less my 7-year old doing it herself.

2. Isn't Ford "double-dipping" when you get the 4K towing and the FX4 package? Seems like a lot of the same features without a credit if you get both.

3. Reliability for the 2.0 Ecoboost and 8-speed transmission. 2.0 seems fairly reliable overall. Sure there are always some people that have problems. What about the transmission? What else is Ford using this in? Just asking since I normally keep vehicles for about 200k miles. I tow a utility trailer and 3,500lb boat a few times a year about 40 miles round trip. Odyssey and Vue handle it fine. I just have to watch out what ramp I use being FWD.

Thanks for the help!!!!

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[Nighowl2000]

Depends on the car seat. Going to be tight. Bring the car seats with you when you go test drive. Might need a roof rack with cargo box to keep strollers dry.

You might be better with a Bronco sport especially with diaper bags and strollers (this is why I had a jeep wrangler unlimited when my kids where young)

2.0 l seams fine. Haven't towed anything heavy yet. You would be near the upper limit with the tow capacity but should be fine.

I have 3 girls so I know what your going through. Even had to get a dodge caravan for 3 years because of the car seat issues. Made up for it getting the wrangler till it started talking apart due sitting in my driveway because of covid. Now got the maverick and so far so good

 

[CountryCruiser]

Depends on the car seat. Going to be tight. Bring the car seats with you when you go test drive. Might need a roof rack with cargo box to keep strollers dry.

You might be better with a Bronco sport especially with diaper bags and strollers (this is why I had a jeep wrangler unlimited when my kids where young)

2.0 l seams fine. Haven't towed anything heavy yet. You would be near the upper limit with the tow capacity but should be fine.

I have 3 girls so I know what your going through. Even had to get a dodge caravan for 3 years because of the car seat issues. Made up for it getting the wrangler till it started talking apart due sitting in my driveway because of covid. Now got the maverick and so far so good

Thanks for the info. Luckily we are pretty much past the stroller and diaper bag stage. That is what we bought the Odyssey for. Maverick would be 75% commuter truck. Just need room to pick kids up and occasional towing. The Ody has been great. I'm just trashing the inside hauling 4x8 sheets, Quikrete, and french doors. But all of those do fit in there well. I thought the Maverick would be nice with the bed.

 

[FriscoTXJoe]

The size difference in the vehicles isn't an equal comparison. The Honda is a size bigger and much more expensive. It might be the vehicle you need for what you describe car seat wise. Not sure the Maverick will be roomy enough.

 

[Rodeoman74]

I'm looking to potentially place an order for an AWD XLT, but am trying to decide between this and a Honda Ridgeline. I have looked around the forums but haven't found exactly the answers to these questions:
1. Can you fit three car seats in the back. Two forward facing 5-point, and a booster seat? Problem I find in a lot of vehicles is there isn't enough room to reach to buckle seat belt for the booster. Just no way to fit your hand in there to buckle, much less my 7-year old doing it herself.

2. Isn't Ford "double-dipping" when you get the 4K towing and the FX4 package? Seems like a lot of the same features without a credit if you get both.

3. Reliability for the 2.0 Ecoboost and 8-speed transmission. 2.0 seems fairly reliable overall. Sure there are always some people that have problems. What about the transmission? What else is Ford using this in? Just asking since I normally keep vehicles for about 200k miles. I tow a utility trailer and 3,500lb boat a few times a year about 40 miles round trip. Odyssey and Vue handle it fine. I just have to watch out what ramp I use being FWD.

Thanks for the help!!!!

I don‘t believe anyone would be happy with 5 occupants in a Maverick. I know it is considered a 5 passenger, but I would only consider it 5 on rare occasion.

im with you on the 4K and FX4 package with double dip, I have this exact unit you have described and wondered the same. I would like to hear from others if they Think the same as you and I.

i really haven’t driven mine enough yet to be able to give a full on detail on my thoughts.

all I. An say is “wow” there cars seats . I remember the days of two in a Chevy Aveo , but three that’s a different story all together.

good luck in your vehicle search. Please let us know what you decide.

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

1. This might help Link to 3 car seats

2. yes they are double dipping in my opinion.

3. I would not be to concerned going 175k plus in this truck. I recommend a higher frequency oil change and transmission fluid change with towing. The manual recommends this but is vague on how often. Trans fluid 50k miles, oil 5-7k miles. The savings over the Ridgeline upfront will far outweigh any maintenance costs that arise.

I also recommend a spray in bed liner over the rail too where the rear window comes down to.

 

[Tbolt]

I don’t really view it as double dipping. You don’t get the trans cooler with just the FX4 package, and if you are going to be towing that much and don’t want to wreck your tranny that’s a pretty important feature. The FX4 is only $800. For that you get a nifty wheel set and tow hooks, bigger screen and the skid plates. Those features to me are well worth it.

 

[CountryCruiser]

1. This might help Link to 3 car seats

2. yes they are double dipping in my opinion.

3. I would not be to concerned going 175k plus in this truck. I recommend a higher frequency oil change and transmission fluid change with towing. The manual recommends this but is vague on how often. Trans fluid 50k miles, oil 5-7k miles. The savings over the Ridgeline upfront will far outweigh any maintenance costs that arise.

I also recommend a spray in bed liner over the rail too where the rear window comes down too.

Thanks for the link. I did see that one. I think my problem will the constant buckling/unbuckling from the booster seat. Probably just going to be too tight to fit a hand in there. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks when my local dealer is supposed to get one in.

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

Thanks for the link. I did see that one. I think my problem will the constant buckling/unbuckling from the booster seat. Probably just going to be too tight to fit a hand in there. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks when my local dealer is supposed to get one in.

Not sure if this is possible but could there be a modification to the seat belt latch so you don’t have to squeeze your hand down in there?

 

[Stevospeedo]

Thanks for the link. I did see that one. I think my problem will the constant buckling/unbuckling from the booster seat. Probably just going to be too tight to fit a hand in there. I guess I'll find out in a few weeks when my local dealer is supposed to get one in.

Not sure your level of comfort with this option but seat belt extenders are a thing. So long as the automatic tension still worked this could make it more accessible. All modern vehicles are more accessible for child seats than they used to be. Personally I think it is ridiculous that older larger children are forced into car seats legally. For that matter many elderly women should be in car seats with their brittle bones and small stature. I hate what this world has become.

 

[CountryCruiser]

Not sure if this is possible but could there be a modification to the seat belt latch so you don’t have to squeeze your hand down in there?

You can get a seat belt extender, but "supposedly" you aren't supposed to use them with child/booster seats!

 

[Rob Cactus Gray]

You can get a seat belt extender, but "supposedly" you aren't supposed to use them with child/booster seats!

Sounds like a liability issue. But what is the point for the extender than?

 

[Olldladieslovemavericksto]

Not sure if this is possible but could there be a modification to the seat belt latch so you don’t have to squeeze your hand down in there?

I don't have my Maverick yet but ford makes a seat belt extension and it makes it so you can easily reach the 3rd buckle. We have one in our other truck and it's a great thing for car seats or even if someone needs a little extra room in a seat belt.

 

[SgtLip]

You can get a seat belt extender, but "supposedly" you aren't supposed to use them with child/booster seats!

No disrespect, but what if your kid is fat?

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