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Adjusting from an F-150....

JimParker256

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Well, I started out to post my experience transitioning from a C-2500 HD to the Maverick, then to an F-150, and back to the Maverick. But I got sidetracked about Hybrid vs EcoBoost... So now back to the OP's question.

The 2500 HD diesel was a behemoth that was hard to park in "normal" parking lots. It was so long and wide that parking garages were an exercise in frustration... The ride was... Well it rode like a big truck - meaning every expansion seam on the highway felt like a railroad crossing - until you loaded it with over a ton of "stuff" and it smoothed out like your buddy's minivan... I loved the capability of that truck, but as a daily driver, it was not at all fun. And getting in and out was tough - even with the custom steps we added.

I bought a 23 Maverick Hybrid, and really like it. I can park it in my garage (not possible with the C-2500 or the F-150). I can open the door, and just step into the cab without feeling like I'm climbing up into it. The ride, handling, and maneuverability feel just like you're driving an SUV. I can take four more full-grown adults with me to go out to eat, or to a play, and everyone is reasonably comfortable. (Interior dimensions are remarkably close to my wife's Chevy Impala.) I can drop the tailgate and load full sheets of plywood. Bonus points for the fact that it's lower than either the F-150 or C-2500, so it's much easier to load and unload.

A little over a year into ownership, I had an issue that turned out to be a failed wiring harness (warranty replacement). The only problem was that the harness was on back order, and took a while to come in (5 months, almost to the day). Fortunately, my dealership (Covert Ford in Austin, TX) graciously gave me a loaner to use until the parts came in - a brand new F-150 STX. I was very grateful to get a loaner truck, because I needed a truck's capability many, many times over that 5-month period. But going back into a "behemoth" truck was quite a shock... I swear every year, full-size trucks just get bigger and bigger, to the point that the F-150 felt absolutely HUGE to me. (My son got in the back seat, and said "Holy cow, you could house a small family back here!") My wife absolutely hated it, and basically refused to ride in it unless I forced the issue. It was a pain to park (F-150's have larger turning radius than Chevy 1500s). It was almost too high to get into without a step, but there was no step. On one hot, humid day, my hand was slightly wet, and I lost my grip on the grab handle, which almost caused a fall onto a rock planter. And going back to 17 mpg was a rude awakening. That truck had a 700 mile range on a full tank, but the cost to fill it was more than my annual fuel bill for the Maverick. (OK - slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) Oh, by the way - when I had to pick up some plywood in the F-150, I realized that I had to leave the tailgate down just like I had to do on the Maverick.

Finally, the parts came in, and I got my Maverick back... The first time I parked in a parking lot, I got out, then had to get back in and move it up a bit further, because I had parked it like I would the F-150 - and left almost 3 feet of empty space in front of me. After 5 months driving the F-150 land yacht, I feel like I'm driving a sports car again. Parking lots no longer feel like "danger zones." It seems so much easier to get in and out of the Maverick! And I'm no longer carrying a small stepladder in the back seat so I can reach stuff that slid forward in the truck bed - I can just reach over the side of the bed standing flat-footed. And last, but not least, I'm loving seeing 44-50 mpg on the "this trip" screen again, figuring my cost per mile is about 1/3 what it was in the F-150.

For me, the Maverick is the perfect truck - capable of doing everything I need it to do, without making every drive feel like an ordeal.
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jro25

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Before I ordered my 23 Hybrid, I test drove a 22 EcoBoost and a 22 Hybrid. The EB was an abolute hoot to drive, a peppy as all get out. Honestly, it felt like it had more "guts" than the Mercedes SLK I used to own... I really enjoyed driving it, but I also realized that I didn't "need" the extra power for the way I planned to use my Maverick. I also realized that I would probably wind up getting more speeding tickets with that EB, because it was just so FUN to push it...

The 22 Hybrid certainly didn't feel like the EB - none of that "kick in the butt" type of acceleration - and I did notice that the acceleration does taper off a bit at higher speeds. But having said that, I find my 23 Hybrid routinely just walks away from cars stopped next to me at stoplights - only to see those drivers speed up like crazy to pass me again (even if it means going well over the speed limit to do so), and then slow back down to the speed limit afterward. I just laugh off their insecurities as I watch the mpg readout go higher and higher... I didn't by the Maverick to do street racing.

I will say that if hauling a trailer was something I needed to do regularly (or even sporadically), the EB would be the much better choice, although I would pay a price at the pump. But I no longer have a trailer (or any real reason to tow one), so the Hybrid is just fine for me. And I really enjoy routinely seeing 44-52 mpg on my drives around town, though highway miles drop my total average to more like 38 mpg over a full tank.

More importantly, in almost 12,000 miles of driving (70% city 30% highway) I have never once felt like the Hybrid did not have sufficient power to merge into traffic properly - and I live in the Austin area, where our one N-S interstate is ridiculously crowded with folks who all think the 60 mph signs actually mean 80 mph... All in all, I'm glad I went with the Hybrid, but I cannot fault anyone who falls in love with the EcoBoost's "kick"... Either way, I think the Maverick is a great little truck.
You live in a city, so that makes good sense. About 5% of my driving would be city, hence my choice. I also calculated it out and it would take me roughly 30,000 miles to recoup the costs of the hybrid/and combo on an XLT in saved fuel.
 

dadd75

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I went from a 2018 2.7 Ecoboost XLT Sport CrewCab to my 2022 Lariat Hybrid and I love it! The parkability and gas mileage make all the difference. I'm 6'4" and my Maverick fits me fine. There are times with people in the back seat things get tight for me having to move my drivers seat up some, but that's rare that we have people in the back. One person in the back sits behind my wife, she's short :) so there's no issue there for me having to move my seat up.
And the Mav gets up and goes! Nothing sluggish about it!
 

JimParker256

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You live in a city, so that makes good sense. About 5% of my driving would be city, hence my choice. I also calculated it out and it would take me roughly 30,000 miles to recoup the costs of the hybrid/and combo on an XLT in saved fuel.
You nailed it. Before we moved here, I lived on a small ranch out in the middle of nowhere. It was 45 minutes each way to our local Walmart or Costco. That's when we owned the C-2500HD, often pulled a heavy trailer with our 6500 lb tractor on it, etc.

But when we retired and moved into the city (Austin area) to be near our grandkids, the HD truck made zero sense, whereas the Maverick Hybrid makes tons of sense. Tools to fit the job, as they say.
 

jro25

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You nailed it. Before we moved here, I lived on a small ranch out in the middle of nowhere. It was 45 minutes each way to our local Walmart or Costco. That's when we owned the C-2500HD, often pulled a heavy trailer with our 6500 lb tractor on it, etc.

But when we retired and moved into the city (Austin area) to be near our grandkids, the HD truck made zero sense, whereas the Maverick Hybrid makes tons of sense. Tools to fit the job, as they say.
Exactly, and in that case your choice make sense. Many people on here that isn't the case though!
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