From Edge to Maverick?

[NeoPhoenix83]

Hello all, I'm new here and found answers on social media to be rather uninformed, so I'm hoping you can help!

I've been obsessed with the new small trucks since their inception. Always loved the Ridgeline, thought the Santa Cruz was cool and was elated when the Maverick came out.

In 2022 I had an older Ranger (90's body style, not the new one) at the end of its life and had to move on. I tried hard to get a Mav, but they were impossible to find. I settled for a used Edge with the factory towing package.

I treat the Edge like a small truck. It does amazingly well, but doesn't have the payload capacity of a truck, and it's short wheelbase can make for a bumpy ride while towing. I'm starting to see issues with the suspension, and several other maintenance items are now coming due. It is however, the most comfortable vehicle I've ever owned.

The Edge is not holding its value well (especially after production ended) and as with many cars in 2022, I paid a little too much for it. Between some rebates, a dealer offer and a bit of saved cash, I have an opportunity to step away from the Edge without rolling over negative equity or performing any of the maintenance/repairs it needs. I'm obsessed with the 2025 exclusive green on the Maverick, so that's pushing my timing too.

I'm looking at new 2025's, but no matter how I crunch numbers, a Lariat trim is likely out of my price range. I'm probably looking at and XLT with the 4k towing package. This would have the 2.0L and AWD as well.

I live in snowy SW Michigan, regularly pull around a 2,000 lb camper, put about 15-16,000 miles per year on the truck, so need really good gas mileage (the Edge flirts with 30 mpg hwy) to make the commute affordable. I don't care about the back seat (just two of us, and we have a Kia K4 sedan with plenty of space if the need arises.)

So my questions (thank you for reading this far!) are:

1) Will I miss my Edge? I've certainly never had anything this "luxurious" before, even though it doesn't fully match my needs. Anyone else moved from one to the Mav?

2) Are the cloth seats nice? Overall do you find them comfortable and workable? Or is anyone really regretting it?

3) The perception online of the Mav is "too small" and "cramped" and a lot of folks seem to think it's too close in size to the Escape. In my brief test drive, I didn't feel that way, but am I overlooking something?

Note: I'm open to considering other choices, but full sized trucks (and the new Ranger) are not an option, they are overkill for my purposes and too expensive to buy and fuel. I also need to tow reliably on road trips, so buying an old farm truck to tow/haul is also not a solid option for me. I need a single vehicle that can tow, haul and commute.

Any help/advice is appreciated ! Picks of what I have and what I'm thinking about below:

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[Hot Runr Guy]

I've got one of each, the '24 Edge is my wife's, the '24 Maverick is mine. I enjoy driving the Edge, it's a little shorter (easier parking), and with the back seat folded down, can haul quite a bit.

I feel that the Edge has a slightly higher seating position, a little more elbow room. Keep them both, and sell the Kia,,,,,,,,

HRG

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

I've got one of each, the '24 Edge is my wife's, the '24 Maverick is mine. I enjoy driving the Edge, it's a little shorter (easier parking), and with the back seat folded down, can haul quite a bit.

I feel that the Edge has a slightly higher seating position, a little more elbow room. Keep them both, and sell the Kia,,,,,,,,

HRG

Lol, not a Kia fan? That one has to stay as it's not mine to sell. My better half refuses to daily drive a truck or SUV, and puts about 25,000 miles/year on the car for work, so needs far better gas mileage.

 

[Tbone289]

The Maverick isn't as luxurious as the Edge, but it is plenty comfortable for me. I've driven my XLT 16 hours in one day and was still comfortable at the end of the trip.

I have no idea where people get the idea that the Maverick is cramped. It feels as roomy as the Ranger to me. Comparing it to the size of the Escape makes sense; after all they're built on the same platform.

One thing you should know is that for 2026 the Lariat trim will be considerably cheaper. Of course, that won't help you in your desire to have Eruption Green.

 

[ScottyC]

1) No

2) There was one guy here constantly complaining about the seats - however, he got real nasty and was banned...lol

3) No, buy the Maverick and enjoy.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

2) There was one guy here constantly complaining about the seats - however, he got real nasty and was banned...lol

Was there anything specific or credible worth taking a second look at? I did quickly figure out how to lower the seat when I test drove one, as I've seen that folks aren't always sure how to do that and complain about headroom until they do.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

Comparing it to the size of the Escape makes sense; after all they're built on the same platform.

One thing you should know is that for 2026 the Lariat trim will be considerably cheaper. Of course, that won't help you in your desire to have Eruption Green.

On the first point: I test drove a Mav and Escape back to back (The 2025 Mavs have a few good rebates, but this dealer is stacking deals on the Escape to try and get rid of them). Neither my salesman or myself are small people. In the Maverick, it felt like we seated appropriately apart. In the Escape, it felt far different, and I struggled not to touch his arm while driving. They may be on the same platform, but I wouldn't know if I wasn't told.

On the second: Interesting. I will have to research that, just in case. The issue that I have, is the 2025 XLT with 4K towing and the lux package has an MSRP just under $37k. With the Ford rebate and trade in bonus, I'm looking at a price around $35,250. I'm not sure if/what of those things would apply to the 2026, but at least on the 2025 Mav, I need about $4k I don't have to get there. I'll have to investigate where that puts a 2026 (I do like the orange and light blue).

 

[ScottyC]

Was there anything specific or credible worth taking a second look at? I did quickly figure out how to lower the seat when I test drove one, as I've seen that folks aren't always sure how to do that and complain about headroom until they do.

Nope

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

I will also add this:

Certainly my other option is to replace the Edge with a newer model. 2023 and 2024 models can be obtained pretty easily at this point. I don't like the base engine in the Santa Cruz, and the turbo engine puts it in a different stratosphere price wise. The Ridgeline is also a hair too bad with gas, and again too expensive.

My Pro/Con thinking between the two:

Edge pro: Can be obtained cheaper. The vehicle I'm used to, and I can likely get great features. Less urgency, as I'm not targeting a model year/deal combo.
Edge con: end of the production run means hard depreciation. I often exceed the Edge's payload capacity (650 lbs, oof!), and technically "misuse" it.

Maverick pro: Would be used as intended, is rated slightly higher in highway mpg. Is a better tow vehicle.
Maverick con: Less "luxury", more expensive.

 

[Blue_Max]

I'll have to investigate where that puts a 2026 (I do like the orange and light blue).

I'm pretty sure the light blue is an extra-cost color.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

1) Yes, you will miss the luxury, if you're getting the XLT
2) You always can upgrade to Katzkin custom leather covers
3) Yes, it's close to the side of the Escape and the Bronco Sport, same platform, it is small

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

2) You always can upgrade to Katzkin custom leather covers

On this point: Is the actual seat the same between the Lariat and the XLT, just with a different cover? Or is in an actual different seat?

 

[Tbone289]

On the first point: I test drove a Mav and Escape back to back (The 2025 Mavs have a few good rebates, but this dealer is stacking deals on the Escape to try and get rid of them). Neither my salesman or myself are small people. In the Maverick, it felt like we seated appropriately apart. In the Escape, it felt far different, and I struggled not to touch his arm while driving. They may be on the same platform, but I wouldn't know if I wasn't told.

Makes sense. The overall chassis between the Escape, Bronco Sport and Maverick are the same as already mentioned, but the interiors have enough differences to matter. The main point is that I don't find the Maverick interior cramped at all, but I'm an average-sized guy.

Most of the complaints of comfort I've read here on the forums were from XL owners. I believe the XLT and Lariat have the same seats with different seat covers/material, but I don't know if that's been 100% proven. My base XLT is comfortable to me, but the "luxury" package and Lariat trim have power seats with lumbar adjustment that can only make them better, or at least that's how the options were packaged 2022-2024.

 

[NeoPhoenix83]

Most of the complaints of comfort I've read here on the forums were from XL owners. I believe the XLT and Lariat have the same seats with different seat covers/material, but I don't know if that's been 100% proven. My base XLT is comfortable to me, but the "luxury" package and Lariat trim have power seats with lumbar adjustment that can only make them better, or at least that's how the options were packaged 2022-2024.

Ahhh, so that's the difference, the power seats/lumbar support. That clears ALOT up regarding the complaints. I have a bad back, and heated seats are pretty much required at this point, so I've only sat in an XLT with the luxury package.

It would seem reasonable to assume then, that the XLT's I've considered essentially have the same seat as the Lariat, but with a different cover on it.

 

[keriortega]

I didn’t own an Edge but drove a rental for several months. Now own a ‘25 Maverick Lariat (Ecoboost). It is equally as comfortable as the Edge and gets better mileage. I only have ~3500 miles on it, but average 33mpg. I don’t feel the Maverick is cramped at all. Very comfortable…
Good luck!

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