Alright my detailed owner review so far....

[FiremarshalBill49]

Alright so I had been in the market for an affordable daily driver for a couple of years now. I recently got a new job that required me to drive 63 mile round trip daily and in stop in go traffic. Mainly 80/20 highway/city driving. I was looking for something affordable with gas mileage obviously. Now for my review I'm going based off of what I've driven my whole life... 2 mustangs haha 1999 automatic V6 and a 2016 ford mustang premium 6 Speed manual. I had been looking at Prius and corolla hybrids for months before this truck was announced. I originally wanted to buy a 1999 ford ranger as my first vehicle but ended up with a mustang so when this maverick was announced I jumped on it! Mind you years ago when they redesigned the ranger I was very interested but the price and interior made me stay away! I really like the ability to be able to do everyday truck things but also be able to drive this truck comfortably in the city here in San Diego with smaller roads, stop and go traffic and parking availability.

The Truck:
Maverick ordered: Carbonized Grey XLT Hybrid, Spray in Bed Liner and Rear sliding window as upgrades selected.
Ordered : 6/12/2021
Received : 3/9/2022
Miles for far driven : 1875

Modifications so far:
Lasfit switchback turn signals
Lasfit Rear cabin lights
Lasfit Rear back up lights
Lasfit Side Marker lights
Maverick Carbon Fiber lettering
Truxedo ProX15 soft roll up cover

Wrap and Tint coming

Design:
I'm glad ford decided to make this look like a truck and not a 'kinda' truck like the santa cruz and older cars like the baja and such.
Exterior design is great and the truck is the perfect size. The stock headlights have been amazing although I would like a fog light function in the future.

The interior is different but its still simple and it works. I know its very basic but honestly it doesn't come off as 'cheap'. I do wish I was able to opt for the grey/black interior but eh not a big deal. The audio system has worked perfectly and yes sometimes I do have to disconnect and reconnect the phone for it to sync but that's just technology imo.

Driving:
This truck is smooth no issues and exactly what I've expected. I've never driven a hybrid other then my sis Prius so this has been a learning curve. The transistions from electric to gas have been smooth other then some sputtering when the truck has barely been turned on. I have some questions I'll ask later to see if I should have it looked at or just normal for hybrids. I've been averaging around 40-43 MPG based off what the truck is reading and I mainly just drive it in normal mode. I try to coast with coast control as much as I can and usually coast around 70-75 MPH. Been averaging above 500 miles per tank. Noise in the cabin to me is acceptable coming from driving mustangs so I don't really notice anything abnormally loud how some people have complained about.

The things that make me wonder after almost 2000 miles driven:

Breaking at very slow speeds : From 0-5MPH in traffic breaking seems strange. It's almost like the electric motor wants to keep pushing the truck forward while you're applying pressure to break. Sometimes ill end up coming to a very aggressive stop because I feel like I have to really press the brake down to get pressure to stop the truck. I've also experienced the breaking engaging to strong like the truck thinks the wheels are spinning and it tries to lock up a bit to stop. Is this a ford thing or a hybrid thing? maybe ford engineers can clean this up.

Edit: When breaking I hear a whine or hum sound. Almost like when brakes give off that whine noise when the brakes are getting worn but very faint. Is this normal???

Sound system: Yeah I know the truck is a sub $23k vehicle. I think the system is adequate and the CarPlay integration is great and it has performed as expected. As mentioned above I have to unplug and plug sometimes for system to sync but its no big deal. The speakers are not great and at higher levels the sound sucks. I do have some rattling in the door panel on the passenger side door which is kind of annoying. I will be addressing this later with some sound deadening once I upgrade the speakers and add a hideaway sub.

Engine sputter/shake: Now I've only noticed a rough transition from Electric to Engine or vice versa when the vehicle has been started and engine is cold. One morning within 5 minutes of the truck being driven with the heater on I noticed very noticeable engine shake when the truck turned off the engine and the Electric engaged coming to a stop. It was very concerning to me but I guess this is normal as the truck had barely turned on and not warmed up. Any other hybrid owners experienced this?

Upon Edit: I forgot some things I wanted to address.

Edit: Auditable hum/buzz coming through the speakers or just in general noise when the truck is on inside the cabin. It's not a deal breaker but it's kind of loud? it's just like feedback through the speakers I think from the electrical systems on board. I don't know... any other hybrid owners chime in?

A Pillar blind spot - It's a pretty big blind spot if you ask me, just takes some time to get used too. I've noticed there has been some occasions where there has been a vehicle in that area when I was making a turn so just a heads up.

The cubby next to the stereo: Useless. I'm sure if this truck was designed and built in the non- covid era we would have gotten a very nice screen there that fit the whole area. With that being said, I'm okay with the stereo size as is but I wish they would have just centered it and not given you that weird cubby. I'm guessing in the future there will be an option for the upgraded stereo screen size.

No AWD option for Hybrid: I would have liked this option although I know it would be at the cost of the MPG. I'm sure for this initial launch ford really wanted to boast that MPG rating and they had to hit it with this initial launch. I'm interested to see what ford does with this truck in the future with options as far as models with 'High performance' ( rattler/raptor/tremor/ST etc.), Hydbrid AWD, and All Electric (AWD) option like the Lightning coming

Nit picks lol : window motors are freaking slow haha.
So many 'ok' buttons pressed to get going. 'Ready to drive' ok,' parking break off' ok. can some of this be modified with the fordscan? oh and kinda interesting that ford decided to not have the truck start up in eco mode automatically. Having to toggle the driving mode a couple of times to access this is annoying and then hit 'ok' again lol.

These are just little things, I guess it's 1st world problems. With all this being said I love this truck and it has 100% delivered on what I thought it would be. Waiting for the banks to open so my Dad can order his!

Is that cargo net (holding the sacks of aluminum cans) the one from the Ford Accessories page or did you buy it locally?

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[Eklipse]

Every time I see an XLT pic, I'm reminded how much more I prefer those rims to the ones that will be on my Lariat.

 

[Dad]

The red seatbelt light already stays on if you don't put your seatbelt on and I'm sure it chimes if you drive around without putting on your seatbelt. That stupid screen with the seats turning green when you put on your seatbelt ON TOP of those two things that already exist is completely unnecessary unless you have children or passengers in your backseat you want to be sure has their seatbelt on before you start driving. Should definitely be an OPTION and not just be on for everyone...

As you stated it is important that the driver is made aware someone is not seat belted in. I'm sure Ford is obligated to provide a seat belt warning and allowing the operator to disable that would possibly make Ford liable. In the scope of things, in my mind, the safety issue far outweighs the annoyance.
Food for thought - a decade ago, crew cab option was expensive and rare. Today, people are using trucks as family vehicles and anything other than the crew cab is rare or even not an option. That means many times that rear seat will be occupied.

 

[Gr3y]

Is that cargo net (holding the sacks of aluminum cans) the one from the Ford Accessories page or did you buy it locally?

Thanks for the responses and comments guys!

This is actually a cheapy amazon one, it worked fine but it barely stretched out to get the tie down points haha. This one is 4'x6', I may order the one size up 5'x7' to be able to stretch out more.

BTW, I paid around $15 for it... seems to have gone up in price lol


-Sal

 

[KenJ45]

As you stated it is important that the driver is made aware someone is not seat belted in. I'm sure Ford is obligated to provide a seat belt warning and allowing the operator to disable that would possibly make Ford liable. In the scope of things, in my mind, the safety issue far outweighs the annoyance.
Food for thought - a decade ago, crew cab option was expensive and rare. Today, people are using trucks as family vehicles and anything other than the crew cab is rare or even not an option. That means many times that rear seat will be occupied.

Again, never said to do away with it, make it an OPTION. It's important FOR SOME PEOPLE. Not for me. If someone actively goes through the settings to turn it off, especially if it gives a warning message of some sorts, that's on them. Plus, whether or not passengers in the back seat are properly wearing their seatbelt really hasn't ever been the manufacturer's responsibility, don't see why it would start being that way now... I don't really understand why people can be against things being an option. It's like do we all believe that if something is important to you it must be important to everyone? Every opinion I've given on here have been exactly that, my opinion, and I never expect them to ONLY do things the way I like it, just stating that given the option I'd do it that certain way, others are, and should be, free to do it any other way they choose...

 

[KenJ45]

Thanks for the responses and comments guys!

This is actually a cheapy amazon one, it worked fine but it barely stretched out to get the tie down points haha. This one is 4'x6', I may order the one size up 5'x7' to be able to stretch out more.

BTW, I paid around $15 for it... seems to have gone up in price lol


-Sal

It's cheaper to get the larger one now, haha. I might grab one of these, thanks!

 

[Dad]

Again, never said to do away with it, make it an OPTION. It's important FOR SOME PEOPLE. Not for me. If someone actively goes through the settings to turn it off, especially if it gives a warning message of some sorts, that's on them. Plus, whether or not passengers in the back seat are properly wearing their seatbelt really hasn't ever been the manufacturer's responsibility, don't see why it would start being that way now... I don't really understand why people can be against things being an option. It's like do we all believe that if something is important to you it must be important to everyone? Every opinion I've given on here have been exactly that, my opinion, and I never expect them to ONLY do things the way I like it, just stating that given the option I'd do it that certain way, others are, and should be, free to do it any other way they choose...

We're really discussing personal responsibility vs. government control (I believe Ford is forced to comply with certain regulations regarding what they can and cannot do with seat belts), and it is a point of controversy. We are seeing the idea of "safety" being a catalyst for the suspension of many of our freedoms, not just whether or not there should be an option for a seat belt warning. Much broader issue and you bring up sensible arguments. Thanks for the discussion. Enjoyed it. Safe travels!

 

[Gr3y]

It's cheaper to get the larger one now, haha. I might grab one of these, thanks!

Haha I just noticed there is a coupon for the bigger one! Way better deal now!

-Sal

 

[KenJ45]

We're really discussing personal responsibility vs. government control (I believe Ford is forced to comply with certain regulations regarding what they can and cannot do with seat belts), and it is a point of controversy. We are seeing the idea of "safety" being a catalyst for the suspension of many of our freedoms, not just whether or not there should be an option for a seat belt warning. Much broader issue and you bring up sensible arguments. Thanks for the discussion. Enjoyed it. Safe travels!

Was there a new government regulation passed then? Because that display hasn't been on cars until recently...

 

[truraptor]

Edit: Auditable hum/buzz coming through the speakers or just in general noise when the truck is on inside the cabin. It's not a deal breaker but it's kind of loud? it's just like feedback through the speakers I think from the electrical systems on board. I don't know... any other hybrid owners chime in?

That's probably the pedestrian warning. If the engine is off but the propulsion system is active (i.e. you see "READY" on the cluster), then that hum/buzzing sound will be on if you're in Drive/Reverse and your speed is under ~20 mph. It's a hybrid safety thing that is required by law.

 

[JASmith]

Sometimes ill end up coming to a very aggressive stop because I feel like I have to really press the brake down to get pressure to stop the truck.

Known issue affecting some Maverick hybrids. Doesn't happen on Escape Hybrids, so probably a bug they will have a TSB for soon.

I do have some rattling in the door panel on the passenger side door which is kind of annoying. I will be addressing this later with some sound deadening once I upgrade the speakers and add a hideaway sub.

Known design defect, but very easily fixed, you don't need any sound deadening. Can take care of it when swapping in better speakers.

Regarding the cubby, it seems to be a great spot for a phone mount, but there's another thread about the cubby with lots of great little ideas:

 

[WesM]

I have noticed the lurching stops at slow speeds as well. It feels like the electric motor has been programed to provide the "creep forward" effect you get from a gas engine, but the creep is far too aggressive/fast. If you try to apply brakes, the vehicle tries to regen, but quickly realizes (or the drive realizes) regen is not enough to slow the Maverick adequately and quickly engages the mechanical brakes, producing a very sudden stop.

This is probably my biggest issue with the truck and feels like a bit of a safety issue. Iv had to slam the brakes a few times in stop and go traffic, and came far closer than I like to an accident.

 

[Hoserfish]

Where did you get the carbon fiber lettering for the tailgate? When I look on Ford accessories, I don't see that option.

 

[Gr3y]

That's probably the pedestrian warning. If the engine is off but the propulsion system is active (i.e. you see "READY" on the cluster), then that hum/buzzing sound will be on if you're in Drive/Reverse and your speed is under ~20 mph. It's a hybrid safety thing that is required by law.

No it’s not that noise, I know what you're talking about. It’s a buzz like in the inside cabin as the truck is in the on position. Here is two videos, turn up the volume all the way up.

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