Hybrid AWD Rumors.....TRUE!?

[EONR24]

Don't assume.

Ford already has the same eCVT AWD drivetrain on the C2 platform in the Escape and the max tow rating is 1,500lbs.

It will be 2,000lbs for the AWD Hybrid Maverick.

For this reason and other reasons, I am 95% sure that ford will not offer an AWD hybrid or a Plug in hybrid on the 2025. The 2025 is a "facelift refresh" meaning that only aesthetics and minor things will be changed or upgraded. The engine and transmission options will be untouched. No 2.3l ecoboost, its going to be the same 2.0l ecoboost and the same hybrid 2.5l with the same drivetrains and transmissions..

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[sanpablo]

Hey everyone. Just came across the The Fast Lane Truck guys... (TFLTruck) posting of the 2025 ST? Uncovered Spy photos of the Maverick of which they made a video. I started to watch it and got to minute 6 where they say something interesting... that they have inside information about the fact there WILL be an AWD Hybrid version of the Maverick soon.

Here is the video link if it works...starts at just past 6:00 (like 6:10).

These guys are reputable people and not some random youtube/15min of fame person making BS claims. So I have a good feeling that if they are saying they have information, that its solid and most likely true.

Anywho, just wanted to give you all some heads up as I know a bunch of people on here mentioned if there was an AWD Hybrid they would drop their current Mav for it...and that may be coming true.

Just my opinion but I don't think a plug in or AWD hybrid Mav would arrive until a model refresh, maybe 2027? Ford usually does model refresh on most of their vehicles every 5 or 7 years. Of course market conditions and competition is always a factor.
The fact that Ford still can't keep up with hybrid demand makes me believe this for now. I think 2025 production will continue to improve along with higher prices :-(

 

[Montana]

I think gearing would come into play more than the transmission would in this scenario for the swap to work. Assuming the extra cooling for the trans is already added. If they can figure out how to get the gearing in a tow capable range when paired with the eCVT, the rest is suspension which they already have so it would be a direct swap. Add the trailer sway/brake control etc etc... I could see 4k capabilities in that. I'd like to see how the 2.5 would perform with that task. It does well at 2k, we know that much.

Do I think it will happen with this refresh? No. But FORD has done engine swaps before. 2000's F250s saw a bigger change in those regards than they did cosmetically.

 

[710-oil-614]

For this reason and other reasons, I am 95% sure that ford will not offer an AWD hybrid or a Plug in hybrid on the 2025. The 2025 is a "facelift refresh" meaning that only aesthetics and minor things will be changed or upgraded. The engine and transmission options will be untouched. No 2.3l ecoboost, its going to be the same 2.0l ecoboost and the same hybrid 2.5l with the same drivetrains and transmissions..

With that butt ugly "refresh" they better offer an AWD hybrid if they feel like selling them at the same rate they currently are!!

I don't believe Ford will ever increase towing on the Maverick hybrids, AWD or not, because that isn't the purpose of the Maverick. They'll push folks into the Ranger for additional towing capacity.

Hell, not even the Ranger has a PowerBoost option at this point of the game and there is no way Ford is going to drop that on the Maverick before Ranger.

The Maverick is stuck with the venerable hybrid system as is for now.

 

[Gonzo chris]

For this reason and other reasons, I am 95% sure that ford will not offer an AWD hybrid or a Plug in hybrid on the 2025. The 2025 is a "facelift refresh" meaning that only aesthetics and minor things will be changed or upgraded. The engine and transmission options will be untouched. No 2.3l ecoboost, its going to be the same 2.0l ecoboost and the same hybrid 2.5l with the same drivetrains and transmissions..

Probably, especially considering it seems they're having an issue making enough to meet demand although that's getting a little better now and they seem to be having issues fixing the problems the existing drivetrains have..... Would be nice though if they could make an AWD hybrid and with enough production instead of having it be like $4,000 more than a base eb have it be more like 3000 tops

 

[Ozarkbeard]

Weird front end design and the loss of physical HVAC controls will still deter me from any potential interest I have in AWD Hybrid....

These two exact changes are what made me throw out my plans to replace my current '23 XL with a '25 XL.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

...my confidence in the hybrid platform (with Ford) has been shaken after reading about the issues and recalls on this forum...

I would imagine that for every Hybrid-related issue people have posted about on this forum, there are hundreds of Hybrid owners whose trucks have been trouble free - like mine, with 13K miles on it. Zero problems so far, except for annoying rattles. The only recalls that have applied to mine are software updates; my truck has had none of the actual problems these recalls are supposed to address. Additionally, I got all the updates done, with no problems afterward.

 

[710-oil-614]

Probably, especially considering it seems they're having an issue making enough to meet the man although that's getting a little better now and they seem to be having issues fixing the problems the existing drivetrains have..... Would be nice though if they could make an AWD hybrid and with enough production instead of having it be like $4,000 more than a base eb have it be more like 3000 tops

Cheapest Escape AWD Hybrid is more than $37k. Same platform, same drivetrain....don't expect a Maverick AWD Hybrid for less than $34k.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

I own a '95 Volvo 850. 168hp (rated at factory) and it is rated to tow 3,300 lbs.

Of course you have to have brakes for that but just thought it interesting.

Have you towed 3300 with it ascending to 8kft? Is it naturally aspired or forced induction? If it's naturally aspired at elevation you do not have 168hp, but much less.. if it's forced induction the horsepower doesn't trail off as much at elevation.

I could write a book about my experiences towing 2100 lbs at 8k ft w/ 156hp from my naturally aspired Frontier. <spoiler alert> it was not enjoyable. I can't even imagine towing anything up to it's rated capacity of 3500lbs. Having been there, done that, a 4K Tow option with a hybrid awd without significant boost to petrol motor ouput is an abosolute non-starter.

 

[Gonzo chris]

Cheapest Escape AWD Hybrid is more than $37k. Same platform, same drivetrain....don't expect a Maverick AWD Hybrid for less than $34k.

I guess depending on how it's equipped I wouldn't expect it to be cheaper than that. I mean half of the ones I look at now are that much now with FWD and a 4X4 for a rear suspension

 

[inline_five]

[

Have you towed 3300 with it ascending to 8kft? Is it naturally aspired or forced induction? If it's naturally aspired at elevation you do not have 168hp, but much less.. if it's forced induction the horsepower doesn't trail off as much at elevation.

I could write a book about my experiences towing 2100 lbs at 8k ft w/ 156hp from my naturally aspired Frontier. <spoiler alert> it was not enjoyable. I can't even imagine towing anything up to it's rated capacity of 3500lbs. Having been there, done that, a 4K Tow option with a hybrid awd without significant boost to petrol motor ouput is an abosolute non-starter.

No, I haven't towed with it at 8,000 ft.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Ummm why? It does for the FWD EcoBoost... FWD 2k lbs... AWD w/ the tow package is 4klbs...
So, I don't think that's the determining factor.. the factor is the 2.5l is only good for 161hp when you have no charge in the battery for the electric motor... which would happen very often if towing near 4k lbs. The other issue is the 4K adds some aditional cooling to the 8spd... Would that be a possibility for the eCVT... Probably not. So I agree... Probably no 4K to option for the Hybrid AWD.

Most of your assumptions are not true in reality though.

The hybrid design makes less heat so less cooling is required. The battery is hardly ever used while towing. The battery is primarily used for accelerating and decelerating and is not used for steady-state towing.

120 horsepower is/was plenty to tow 5,000 pounds with budget trucks of two, three decades ago and is plenty today.

High horsepower is to go fast. And to accelerate fast. Heavy hauling slow and steady is not a strain for a hybrid today. Grip- wheel slip is if you are on unpaved surfaces.

Do I think Ford will ADVERTISE the AWD hybrid as 4k? No. Would I tow 4k with it? All day long I would. Uphill. On a 100 degree day.

 

[The Real Maverick]

The system isn't "in AWD all the time"; it's able to clutch in and out as necessary. The Escape Hybrid has no significant mileage penalty (and manages to fit a driveshaft past the heat exchanger).

That's unlikely how a Maverick AWD hybrid would work.

No clutch. No driveshaft to the rear.
You put a separate electric motor on the rear. Power on demand. Power by wire only. Yes, electric only to the rear. But like EVERYONE says, you only need the rear sporadically. You don't power the rear continuously... even in mud and snow.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I assume the eCVT needed for AWD is going to be much more powerful overall that towing 2000-4000lb isn't going to be the issue. It's the cost vs. sales forecast. If they make the AWD, how many people will buy it at the price they'd have to sell it at to make it worth while. And also, that's assuming that people buying an AWD hybrid accept the drop in MPG compared to just going with the ecoboost.

No. See above post(s).

 

[The Real Maverick]

For this reason and other reasons, I am 95% sure that ford will not offer an AWD hybrid or a Plug in hybrid on the 2025. The 2025 is a "facelift refresh" meaning that only aesthetics and minor things will be changed or upgraded. The engine and transmission options will be untouched. No 2.3l ecoboost, its going to be the same 2.0l ecoboost and the same hybrid 2.5l with the same drivetrains and transmissions..

Almost certainly so.
I think AWD will come.... later though.

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