Any Hybrid owners regret not opting for AWD/Ecoboost

[tom_tucker]

Just wondering if any of you hybrid owners wish you had opted for AWD with the Ecoboost ? Imagine this may be influenced on weather severity in your area. Heard mixed reviews from the owners in my area in Michigan.
Thanks

Yes, I called after 300 days when the model year rolled over to switch to AWD and they said no order changes. The good news is I can really take advantage of either platform, just in different seasons and conditions.

As a snowstorm skier, I run snow tires on any car, but the Hybrid would not still be here without them. It would be wrecked in the junk yard.

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[Mavreezy]

Hell No!

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

So of course more drive wheels means better traction. For a long long long time, cars were all RWD, and people somehow survived.

Good snow tires help a TON in northern climates when the white stuff is out.

Totally agree with you.
I grew up in the midwest with lake effect snow and driving rear wheel drive cars only. In December of 1989 I bought my second new car a Ford Taurus station wagon front wheel drive. I took the Taurus a test drive in the snow, for me it was like driving a snowmobile and that was with regular all season tires on it. I was sold on front wheel drive. I couldn't afford it that year. The following year I got a couple of snow tires mounted on rims for the winter time. I never got stuck. Ice was a different matter. I never drove on ice, if I didn't have to.
Drive safe.

GB
I also owned a Ford Taurus SHO.

 

[Montana]

If you need AWD or 4WD vehicles, there is no question. FWD just won't cut it.

Most people reporting in will never use it or can get by in FWD with snow tires if they really need to travel, and they are not trekking through anything that will get them stuck (usually they refer to snow driving as plowed roads or roads currently being traveled on during snow - i.e. not very limiting of travel).

Some of us need AWD/4WD just to get out of the driveway sometimes... Because plowing sucks and ice is common where I live. AWD makes a difference, but the Maverick ain't no Subaru with full time AWD either. Drive modes only do so much. Even on AWD, tires are a major limiting factor. I guess what I'm saying is even with the AWD Maverick, I still miss my on frame 4WD truck with plenty of clearance and tires capable of getting me through anything. But no way in hell I'd be able to have a FWD/RWD only vehicle. Even when I had the Escape Hybrid in AWD, I'd have to plow.

Regardless, it's still not real 4WD and the limiting factor is clearance. Good tires make a difference, but so do those things.

The obvious answer is biased questions get biased answers. Most FWD/RWD drivers will never need anything more.

 

[JDMaverick]

I think your question was more about AWD and the current lack of it with the hybrid. I swapped my 7 yr old Subaru for my hybrid maverick. I really believe AWD is by far safer overall and Subaru has that technology down. The thing about AWD is it is primarily always front wheels unless one of them starts to slip then it shifts the power to the opposite back wheel. Growing up in Ohio we used to have a lot of fun in the winter doing donuts in the snow. You almost can’t do that in a Subaru.

so to answer your question, I love my hybrid (although I wish it was AWD) but sacrificing that technology and going for the hybrid was the right thing for me at this time.

 

[Traegorn]

Yeah, no -- I love my Hybrid and wouldn't give up my gas mileage for anything.

But I've been driving FWD in Northern WI for a long time without ever having a problem.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Yes, I called after 300 days when the model year rolled over to switch to AWD and they said no order changes. The good news is I can really take advantage of either platform, just in different seasons and conditions.

As a snowstorm skier, I run snow tires on any car, but the Hybrid would not still be here without them. It would be wrecked in the junk yard.

I can relate. I would drive 30 miles to work one way at 4:00 in the morning. Sometimes before the plows would be out. In the winter time, I kept the snow shovel and I had an emergency duffel bag with a snowmobile suit snowmobile boots, ski mittens, ski goggles and jumper cables.

Now a days, I carry some different stuff, if I have to transverse Death Valley.
It can get toasty there.
But, it's dry heat.
Stay cool.

GB
Not barefoot that day.

 

[jorl]

love my XLT HYB but that AWD HYBRID looks nice

 

[aitch-2-oh]

No regret, AWD not needed in my patch of earth.

 

[TXINSC]

Just wondering if any of you hybrid owners wish you had opted for AWD with the Ecoboost ? Imagine this may be influenced on weather severity in your area. Heard mixed reviews from the owners in my area in Michigan.
Thanks

I only bought the Maverick because of it being a hybrid. Take the hybrid option out, then it is just another truck to me and I would get a non turbo truck. Love the fuel savings!

 

[Bruce W]

Just wondering if any of you hybrid owners wish you had opted for AWD with the Ecoboost ? Imagine this may be influenced on weather severity in your area. Heard mixed reviews from the owners in my area in Michigan.
Thanks

Nope. Live in a snowy area but get around fine in the FWD.

 

[ckodsi]

Can not be happier with 45mpg on my second Maverick hybrid . I have not found a need for AWD while living in the Baltimore/ Washington area.

 

[ripperAZ]

Just wondering if any of you hybrid owners wish you had opted for AWD with the Ecoboost ? Imagine this may be influenced on weather severity in your area. Heard mixed reviews from the owners in my area in Michigan.
Thanks

Nope, completely happy with the hybrid especially the 50+ MPG I get occasionally. Basically a city cruiser that goes on some trips in the mountains for picnics I nothing too stressful if you need to tow something big you can’t have it but otherwise enjoy the mileage and wait until they make an all-wheel-drive one Likely this year. Took the brakes, the exhaust the entire car last longer with the hybrid.

 

[Old Fart]

Nope, between Tow/haul and Slippery/ Wet Hybrid has never gotten me stuck, like the 18-23 mpg towing and 45-50 mpg sightseeing on red roads.

 

[JayBoegs]

Nope. Love love love the 42 mpg. Great in the snow for ski/snowboard trips this winter.

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