AWD Opinions

[JsnMrd]

For those who took delivery of the EcoBoost, specifically an AWD, what's your opinion on how it performs?

I have a hybrid Mav ordered back in july but thinking about going for the EcoBoost with AWD. I found a couple of dealer stocks around my area that are selling for MSRP. I'm on a crossroad whether to stay loyal to the hybrid calling as it will be much needed for my daily commute but the opportunity of having the engine already available is seducing me.

I live in LA where hybrid would trump over the Ecoboost but I do drive up to mountains on a few occasions each year and I'm thinking I need a more capable Maverick. As we have learned, even with the Ecoboost, you still get a significant better mileage on a truck that is pretty much unheard of. With more power and the awd, In my opinion, it's a fair compromise.

Any thoughts from my fellow hybrid ticket holders?

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[LC48]

You really can't go wrong either way, this is the great deal with Maverick; if mpg trumps all the hybrid package is going to be a great performer, if mpg ranks a little lower for you the ecoboost is a solid performer, and still gets good mileage.

My commutes (DFW) are 85+% highway @ 500 - 700 mile per week, so ecoboost awd was an easy call for me. Average mpg stays above 28 on the commutes, and the occasional open throttle runs are a blast. Handling is pretty fun too for a stock (& cheap) ride.

Choices are good, damn good

 

[JsnMrd]

You really can't go wrong either way, this is the great deal with Maverick; if mpg trumps all the hybrid package is going to be a great performer, if mpg ranks a little lower for you the ecoboost is a solid performer, and still gets good mileage.

My commutes (DFW) are 85+% highway @ 500 - 700 mile per week, so ecoboost awd was an easy call for me. Average mpg stays above 28 on the commutes, and the occasional open throttle runs are a blast. Handling is pretty fun too for a stock (& cheap) ride.

Choices are good, damn good

Thanks! I do drive more freeway than streets on my commute.

So aside from buying a stock Maverick, if I want an Ecoboost, I could still order it correct?

I wish I could afford one ecoboost and one hybrid haha.

 

[brnpttmn]

Thanks! I do drive more freeway than streets on my commute.

So aside from buying a stock Maverick, if I want an Ecoboost, I could still order it correct?

I wish I could afford one ecoboost and one hybrid haha.

Remember that just because you're on a freeway doesn't mean you're getting "highway" mileage. The hwy mileage is calculated for a "warmed up" engine with "free flowing" traffic for a mix of rural roads and interstates. Even in those specific conditions you're going to get 14% better economy with the hybrid compared to the EB AWD, and I'd assume that in southern cal it's pretty hard to find free flowing highways for commuting.

Anyway, here's a breakdown of the efficiency/cost differences between the EB AWD and hybrid using California prices:

City %	Hwy %	EB AWD	Hybrid	% diff	MPG diff	$/yr (@15K $5)	$/yr (@10K $4.50)	5 yr est (mid)
100​	0​	22​	42​	91%​	20​	$ 1,623.38	$ 974.03	$ 6,493.51
90​	10​	22.7​	41.1​	81%​	18.4​	$ 1,479.15	$ 887.49	$ 5,916.59
80​	20​	23.4​	40.2​	72%​	16.8​	$ 1,339.46	$ 803.67	$ 5,357.83
70​	30​	24.1​	39.3​	63%​	15.2​	$ 1,203.64	$ 722.18	$ 4,814.54
60​	40​	24.8​	38.4​	55%​	13.6​	$ 1,071.07	$ 642.64	$ 4,284.27
55​	45​	25.2​	37.95​	51%​	12.8​	$ 1,005.82	$ 603.49	$ 4,023.29
50​	50​	25.5​	37.5​	47%​	12​	$ 941.18	$ 564.71	$ 3,764.71
40​	60​	26.2​	36.6​	40%​	10.4​	$ 813.42	$ 488.05	$ 3,253.66
30​	70​	26.9​	35.7​	33%​	8.8​	$ 687.26	$ 412.36	$ 2,749.06
20​	80​	27.6​	34.8​	26%​	7.2​	$ 562.22	$ 337.33	$ 2,248.88
10​	90​	28.3​	33.9​	20%​	5.6​	$ 437.79	$ 262.67	$ 1,751.15
0​	100​	29​	33​	14%​	4​	$ 313.48	$ 188.09	$ 1,253.92

 

[Platinum2]

You hybrid folks are funny. There's more to a vehicle than MPG's, carbon foot prints and all that other stuff you California people lose sleep over. Look, if those things matter most, then you have to wait for your hybrid. It's s that simple. Don't compromise.

However, if you feel you need a more capable vehicle then you have to go with the EB, because it is. Again, its that simple.

I sense you want your vehicle sooner rather than later and are willing to make tradeoffs to do so. That almost always ends in dissapointment.

 

[stoptothink]

You hybrid folks are funny. There's more to a vehicle than MPG's, carbon foot prints and all that other stuff you California people lose sleep over. Look, if those things matter most, then you have to wait for your hybrid. It's s that simple. Don't compromise.

However, if you feel you need a more capable vehicle then you have to go with the EB, because it is. Again, its that simple.

I sense you want your vehicle sooner rather than later and are willing to make tradeoffs to do so. That almost always ends in dissapointment.

It goes both ways, you have to consider what "more capability" means. The difference in power likely makes zero functional difference in capability, other than giving you a bigger smile if you mash the go pedal. AWD may make some difference in off-roading (if you actually do it), but Maverick AWD FX4 is still very limited in that context. In the snow, a decent set of snow tires makes the FWD hybrid far more capable than the AWD ecoboost with all-seasons.

The cost differential is essentially a rounding error for me, but I had to ask myself how often I would be in a situation where the extra capability of AWD and some more power would be a benefit; it's pretty much never for me. In the case of all else pretty much being equal, I'll throw the savings in some wealth-building assets. It may not be a case of "all else being equal" for you.

 

[Atisko]

Remember that just because you're on a freeway doesn't mean you're getting "highway" mileage. The hwy mileage is calculated for a "warmed up" engine with "free flowing" traffic for a mix of rural roads and interstates. Even in those specific conditions you're going to get 14% better economy with the hybrid compared to the EB AWD, and I'd assume that in southern cal it's pretty hard to find free flowing highways for commuting.

Anyway, here's a breakdown of the efficiency/cost differences between the EB AWD and hybrid using California prices:

City %	Hwy %	EB AWD	Hybrid	% diff	MPG diff	$/yr (@15K $5)	$/yr (@10K $4.50)	5 yr est (mid)
100​	0​	22​	42​	91%​	20​	$ 1,623.38	$ 974.03	$ 6,493.51
90​	10​	22.7​	41.1​	81%​	18.4​	$ 1,479.15	$ 887.49	$ 5,916.59
80​	20​	23.4​	40.2​	72%​	16.8​	$ 1,339.46	$ 803.67	$ 5,357.83
70​	30​	24.1​	39.3​	63%​	15.2​	$ 1,203.64	$ 722.18	$ 4,814.54
60​	40​	24.8​	38.4​	55%​	13.6​	$ 1,071.07	$ 642.64	$ 4,284.27
55​	45​	25.2​	37.95​	51%​	12.8​	$ 1,005.82	$ 603.49	$ 4,023.29
50​	50​	25.5​	37.5​	47%​	12​	$ 941.18	$ 564.71	$ 3,764.71
40​	60​	26.2​	36.6​	40%​	10.4​	$ 813.42	$ 488.05	$ 3,253.66
30​	70​	26.9​	35.7​	33%​	8.8​	$ 687.26	$ 412.36	$ 2,749.06
20​	80​	27.6​	34.8​	26%​	7.2​	$ 562.22	$ 337.33	$ 2,248.88
10​	90​	28.3​	33.9​	20%​	5.6​	$ 437.79	$ 262.67	$ 1,751.15
0​	100​	29​	33​	14%​	4​	$ 313.48	$ 188.09	$ 1,253.92

Excellent chart! Could you do one that shows it at $3.20 a gallon driving 15k&18k,Thx northeast prices

 

[Platinum2]

It goes both ways, you have to consider what "more capability" means. The difference in power likely makes zero functional difference in capability, other than giving you a bigger smile if you mash the go pedal. AWD may make some difference in off-roading (if you actually do it), but Maverick AWD FX4 is still very limited in that context. In the snow, a decent set of snow tires makes the FWD hybrid far more capable than the AWD ecoboost with all-seasons.

The cost differential is essentially a rounding error for me, but I had to ask myself how often I would be in a situation where the extra capability of AWD and some more power would be a benefit; it's pretty much never for me. In the case of all else pretty much being equal, I'll throw the savings in some wealth-building assets. It may not be a case of "all else being equal" for you.

That's cool, I get it. But, my response was to the OP (not that you can't chime in, btw) who appears to perhaps be considering making some considerable compromises to get his truck sooner rather than later. IMO, that's usually a setup for disappointment.

 

[brnpttmn]

Excellent chart! Could you do one that shows it at $3.20 a gallon driving 15k&18k,Thx northeast prices

Here ya go...

City %	Hwy %	EB AWD	Hybrid	% diff	MPG diff	$/yr (@18K $3.20)	$/yr (@15K $3.20)	5 yr est
100​	0​	22​	42​	91%​	20​	$ 1,246.75	$ 1,038.96	$ 5,714.29
90​	10​	22.7​	41.1​	81%​	18.4​	$ 1,135.99	$ 946.65	$ 5,206.60
80​	20​	23.4​	40.2​	72%​	16.8​	$ 1,028.70	$ 857.25	$ 4,714.89
70​	30​	24.1​	39.3​	63%​	15.2​	$ 924.39	$ 770.33	$ 4,236.80
60​	40​	24.8​	38.4​	55%​	13.6​	$ 822.58	$ 685.48	$ 3,770.16
55​	45​	25.2​	37.95​	51%​	12.8​	$ 772.47	$ 643.73	$ 3,540.50
50​	50​	25.5​	37.5​	47%​	12​	$ 722.82	$ 602.35	$ 3,312.94
40​	60​	26.2​	36.6​	40%​	10.4​	$ 624.70	$ 520.59	$ 2,863.22
30​	70​	26.9​	35.7​	33%​	8.8​	$ 527.82	$ 439.85	$ 2,419.17
20​	80​	27.6​	34.8​	26%​	7.2​	$ 431.78	$ 359.82	$ 1,979.01
10​	90​	28.3​	33.9​	20%​	5.6​	$ 336.22	$ 280.18	$ 1,541.01
0​	100​	29​	33​	14%​	4​	$ 240.75	$ 200.63	$ 1,103.45

Note that the 5 year estimate is just the mid point of the two annual estimates multiplied by 5.

 

[stoptothink]

That's cool, I get it. But, my response was to the OP (not that you can't chime in, btw) who appears to perhaps be considering making some considerable compromises to get his truck sooner rather than later. IMO, that's usually a setup for disappointment.

"You hybrid folks are funny" is an odd response, considering the compromising (in OP's case) seems to be in going with the AWD to get their truck sooner.

 

[Platinum2]

"You hybrid folks are funny" is an odd response, considering the compromising (in OP's case) would be going with the AWD.

Apparently not. He indicated he may appreciate the added capability for his mountain journeys. Did you not read his post? Curious.

 

[brnpttmn]

Apparently not. He indicated he may appreciate the added capability for his mountain journeys. Did you not read his post? Curious.

I don't see anything "silly" about his considerations (and I'm not sure what other hybrid owners have to do with the post).

He's being pretty logical. Wants to maximize efficiency/cost and capability. It's up to the OP to determine whether the marginal added utility a few times a year is worth potentially $1500-2,000/yr in added costs.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

For those who took delivery of the EcoBoost, specifically an AWD, what's your opinion on how it performs?

I have a hybrid Mav ordered back in july but thinking about going for the EcoBoost with AWD. I found a couple of dealer stocks around my area that are selling for MSRP. I'm on a crossroad whether to stay loyal to the hybrid calling as it will be much needed for my daily commute but the opportunity of having the engine already available is seducing me.

I live in LA where hybrid would trump over the Ecoboost but I do drive up to mountains on a few occasions each year and I'm thinking I need a more capable Maverick. As we have learned, even with the Ecoboost, you still get a significant better mileage on a truck that is pretty much unheard of. With more power and the awd, In my opinion, it's a fair compromise.

Any thoughts from my fellow hybrid ticket holders?

I have the Eco AWD. It's obvious one is driving a 4 cyl motor having to turn all the associated equipment that is the vehicle. You will not win any drag races. But driving like a normal human it gets up and goes just like any other car. After a bit of ownership one will never know the difference of what another vehicle would feel like.
With that, I bought mine off the lot vs the hybrid I initially was ordering due to dealership games and not having anything else to drive for however long the wait would be. IF a hybrid was also on the lot that would have been what fits my needs.
In that thought YOU need to sit down and truly look at what the majority of your needs will be. Mostly daily driving in CA traffic? Hybrid all the way. For the occasional mountain visit a Hybrid , with snow tires in winter, will be just fine and not warrant the Eco AWD especially when offset by what they Hybrid will benefit you the other 90% of your ownership.

 

[TSAINTS1115]

Apparently not. He indicated he may appreciate the added capability for his mountain journeys. Did you not read his post? Curious.

The one thing he said was "drive TO the mountains" . I'm taking that as on paved or semi-paved roads of some sort and the Hybrid will be fine for that. Driving into the wilderness to avoid the apocolypse, ok , maybe the Eco AWD is needed.

 

[stoptothink]

The one thing he said was "drive TO the mountains" . I'm taking that as on paved or semi-paved roads of some sort and the Hybrid will be fine for that. Driving into the wilderness to avoid the apocolypse, ok , maybe the Eco AWD is needed.

AWD has become an amazing marketing tool. Most of us who actually live in the mountains, with snow half the year, don't drive AWD/4WD vehicles. There is no doubt that having 4 drive wheels is of benefit for off-roading and drag racing from a full stop, but its utility is very marginal in every other context. Up to you to decide whether the added cost and possible maintenance is worth it. In OP's case, sounds like it probably isn't, but I'm not OP.

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