It’s the Little Things

[Hoagus]

I have the Hybrid XL PovEd (Poverty Edition), and had driven an ‘02 Ranger for 20 years prior. The Ranger was XLT, but didn’t have power windows or cruise control, so I’ve been driving like a Spartan for a long time. It was a nice truck and I would have kept driving it had the absurd value that is the Mav XL not come along.

So this is an appreciation post for what the PovEd does have.

First of all, the mpg has more than doubled, and I don’t need to pay for premium fuel. That’s huge!

Then we have safety features like the emergency braking, and probably triple the amount of airbags. And likely much better collision protection through the unibody and it’s more robust crumple zones. But we don’t know exactly how good that is without crash tests.

The creature comforts, even in the PovEd, far exceed those of the Ranger. Better seats (more comfortable and better “slide ability” when getting in and out), faster, colder AC, and even the drivers window glass tint is better. The skin on my arm doesn’t “sizzle” in the sunlight like it did in the old truck. Did I mention the “Auto” setting for climate control? That’s nice and unexpected in the PovEd.

There’s a HEPA filter in the Mav, where the Ranger didn’t have a filter of any kind. That’s what 20 years of progress buys you. It’s a little thing, but a nice thing.

The Mav has a lot more get up and go due to the hp increase over the Ranger (154 -> 191) and the great torque of the electric motor. And that power is smooth with no shift points. It feels very modern (I was going to write “futuristic,” but the future is now.)

I like the shift dial better than the column shifter. My wife wouldn’t drive the Ranger due to the tough-turning ignition key and that column shifter.

I upgraded the Ranger with a touchscreen and four speakers, but the cabin noise at speed rendered much of that investment moot. The Mav is said to have a mediocre sound system (or “crap” according to some), but the lower road noise makes even that sound better. The setting to increase volume with speed is a nice touch, also unexpected in the PovEd.

The Ranger had an MSRP of $17,700, which would be $28,760 in today’s dollars, compared to $21,925 for the Mav (as optioned). But back in 2002 you could pick a truck off the lot and bargain over the price, that isn’t how it works lately.

Long story short (oops — too late), I’m very pleased with my base-model Mav, even though I didn’t need a new truck. It was simply too good of a deal to pass up.

Sponsored

 

[CoryDallas8123]

Always nice to hear the good in what seems to be the never ending stories from the vocal minority about the Mav being cheap.

I’m excited to have a vehicle with USB ports. I’m gonna be living high on the hog with the Mav!

 

[Haggs]

Great Analysis! Hope your Mav treats you well.

 

[Platinum2]

The Maverick is at its best in the lower trims, even with EB and AWD.

I have a well-optioned XL that came in under $27K. It tows 4K lbs, has 1442 lb payload, AWD, and still pulls 33 MPG on the highway on pump gas. It'll also pull a sub-6 second sprint to 60 MPH if it needs to. Amazing.

Glad you're liking yours....I'm loving mine.

 

[Scott Asheville]

I'm no Maverick fan boy by any means. But I'd have to echo the OP. I've had almost the same XLT Ranger as OP for 12 years (mine was a 2010 with power windows). I'll add two other things: better road manners and a frigging rear view camera. All the folks on this forum who never owned a previous gen Ranger will never know the feeling of entering a washboard corner with a hair too much speed and watching your life pass before your eyes as axle hop sends you sideways.

Now if only my stupid Hobbit truck would get a build date.

 

[Mitchell Lorens]

I have the Hybrid XL PovEd (Poverty Edition), and had driven an ‘02 Ranger for 20 years prior. The Ranger was XLT, but didn’t have power windows or cruise control, so I’ve been driving like a Spartan for a long time. It was a nice truck and I would have kept driving it had the absurd value that is the Mav XL not come along.

So this is an appreciation post for what the PovEd does have.

First of all, the mpg has more than doubled, and I don’t need to pay for premium fuel. That’s huge!

Then we have safety features like the emergency braking, and probably triple the amount of airbags. And likely much better collision protection through the unibody and it’s more robust crumple zones. But we don’t know exactly how good that is without crash tests.

The creature comforts, even in the PovEd, far exceed those of the Ranger. Better seats (more comfortable and better “slide ability” when getting in and out), faster, colder AC, and even the drivers window glass tint is better. The skin on my arm doesn’t “sizzle” in the sunlight like it did in the old truck. Did I mention the “Auto” setting for climate control? That’s nice and unexpected in the PovEd.

There’s a HEPA filter in the Mav, where the Ranger didn’t have a filter of any kind. That’s what 20 years of progress buys you. It’s a little thing, but a nice thing.

The Mav has a lot more get up and go due to the hp increase over the Ranger (154 -> 191) and the great torque of the electric motor. And that power is smooth with no shift points. It feels very modern (I was going to write “futuristic,” but the future is now.)

I like the shift dial better than the column shifter. My wife wouldn’t drive the Ranger due to the tough-turning ignition key and that column shifter.

I upgraded the Ranger with a touchscreen and four speakers, but the cabin noise at speed rendered much of that investment moot. The Mav is said to have a mediocre sound system (or “crap” according to some), but the lower road noise makes even that sound better. The setting to increase volume with speed is a nice touch, also unexpected in the PovEd.

The Ranger had an MSRP of $17,700, which would be $28,760 in today’s dollars, compared to $21,925 for the Mav (as optioned). But back in 2002 you could pick a truck off the lot and bargain over the price, that isn’t how it works lately.

Long story short (oops — too late), I’m very pleased with my base-model Mav, even though I didn’t need a new truck. It was simply too good of a deal to pass up.

Fantastic little review! PovEd, ok new meaning for me but I do LOVE mine and keeping fingers crossed this little gem is my last vehicle. I too could not pass it up and I'm really satisfied, I guess word is delighted. Nice review thx for posting

 

[Last Truck Ever]

2008 Ranger here, ordering a Mav in August, particularly helpful comparison review for me, thanks!!

 

[Platinum2]

2008 Ranger here, ordering a Mav in August, particularly helpful comparison review for me, thanks!!

I had a '94 Ranger XLT, not sure what trim you have. For perspective, the Maverick XL has way more standard equipment than an XLT Ranger from yesteryear. It gets better gas mileage too, in any trim. I could only evermuster about 24 MPG with my Ranger a d that was the 2.3L and 5-speed. I bought the switches to add cruise and haven't done so yet....haven't missed it enough to care.

The XL trim is pretty charming in its simplicity. Do add CP360 for power mirrors though!

My most previous ride was a Lincoln MKZ, so I know all about bells and whistles. I don't miss any of them. Not even the geated/cooled seats because the fabric seats in the Maverick are cool in the summer and warmish in the winter compared to leather. My truck also lives in the garage....so there's that.

Anyway, good luck with your order!!

 

[Last Truck Ever]

I had a '94 Ranger XLT, not sure what trim you have. For perspective, the Maverick XL has way more standard equipment than an XLT Ranger from yesteryear. It gets better gas mileage too, in any trim. I could only evermuster about 24 MPG with my Ranger a d that was the 2.3L and 5-speed. I bought the switches to add cruise and haven't done so yet....haven't missed it enough to care.

The XL trim is pretty charming in its simplicity. Do add CP360 for power mirrors though!

My most previous ride was a Lincoln MKZ, so I know all about bells and whistles. I don't miss any of them. Not even the geated/cooled seats because the fabric seats in the Maverick are cool in the summer and warmish in the winter compared to leather. My truck also lives in the garage....so there's that.

Anyway, good luck with your order!!

Thanks, hoping to order a bare bones XLT, no add ONS of any kind, if Ford doesn't price me out of them for 2023. XL is a fallback option, but I really need cruise, and not willing to do the DIY job on that.

 

[Trucklet]

It is indeed the little things.

 

[8211badger]

Nice review and congrats on your mav. I could write basically an identical review compared to my 05 Colorado which was my first vehicle. . Esp since I have an XLT it feels like a spaceship. Even compared to my 2012 Fit I came from. Just a great little truck like how they used to be.

 

[8211badger]

Thanks, hoping to order a bare bones XLT, no add ONS of any kind, if Ford doesn't price me out of them for 2023. XL is a fallback option, but I really need cruise, and not willing to do the DIY job on that.

Even if the price is raised it's still a screaming deal. If you do go XL doing the diy cc is beyond easy for anyone. I wouldn't be suprised if they add cc to the 360 for the XL in order to raise the option price for it as well.

 

[Nw_adventure]

I have the Hybrid XL PovEd (Poverty Edition), and had driven an ‘02 Ranger for 20 years prior. The Ranger was XLT, but didn’t have power windows or cruise control, so I’ve been driving like a Spartan for a long time. It was a nice truck and I would have kept driving it had the absurd value that is the Mav XL not come along.

So this is an appreciation post for what the PovEd does have.

First of all, the mpg has more than doubled, and I don’t need to pay for premium fuel. That’s huge!

Then we have safety features like the emergency braking, and probably triple the amount of airbags. And likely much better collision protection through the unibody and it’s more robust crumple zones. But we don’t know exactly how good that is without crash tests.

The creature comforts, even in the PovEd, far exceed those of the Ranger. Better seats (more comfortable and better “slide ability” when getting in and out), faster, colder AC, and even the drivers window glass tint is better. The skin on my arm doesn’t “sizzle” in the sunlight like it did in the old truck. Did I mention the “Auto” setting for climate control? That’s nice and unexpected in the PovEd.

There’s a HEPA filter in the Mav, where the Ranger didn’t have a filter of any kind. That’s what 20 years of progress buys you. It’s a little thing, but a nice thing.

The Mav has a lot more get up and go due to the hp increase over the Ranger (154 -> 191) and the great torque of the electric motor. And that power is smooth with no shift points. It feels very modern (I was going to write “futuristic,” but the future is now.)

I like the shift dial better than the column shifter. My wife wouldn’t drive the Ranger due to the tough-turning ignition key and that column shifter.

I upgraded the Ranger with a touchscreen and four speakers, but the cabin noise at speed rendered much of that investment moot. The Mav is said to have a mediocre sound system (or “crap” according to some), but the lower road noise makes even that sound better. The setting to increase volume with speed is a nice touch, also unexpected in the PovEd.

The Ranger had an MSRP of $17,700, which would be $28,760 in today’s dollars, compared to $21,925 for the Mav (as optioned). But back in 2002 you could pick a truck off the lot and bargain over the price, that isn’t how it works lately.

Long story short (oops — too late), I’m very pleased with my base-model Mav, even though I didn’t need a new truck. It was simply too good of a deal to pass up.

Great write/up- Skip those Cali gas lines - While not paying Tesla prices-

 

[lldlpkt]

I have the Hybrid XL PovEd (Poverty Edition), and had driven an ‘02 Ranger for 20 years prior. The Ranger was XLT, but didn’t have power windows or cruise control, so I’ve been driving like a Spartan for a long time. It was a nice truck and I would have kept driving it had the absurd value that is the Mav XL not come along.

So this is an appreciation post for what the PovEd does have.

First of all, the mpg has more than doubled, and I don’t need to pay for premium fuel. That’s huge!

Then we have safety features like the emergency braking, and probably triple the amount of airbags. And likely much better collision protection through the unibody and it’s more robust crumple zones. But we don’t know exactly how good that is without crash tests.

The creature comforts, even in the PovEd, far exceed those of the Ranger. Better seats (more comfortable and better “slide ability” when getting in and out), faster, colder AC, and even the drivers window glass tint is better. The skin on my arm doesn’t “sizzle” in the sunlight like it did in the old truck. Did I mention the “Auto” setting for climate control? That’s nice and unexpected in the PovEd.

There’s a HEPA filter in the Mav, where the Ranger didn’t have a filter of any kind. That’s what 20 years of progress buys you. It’s a little thing, but a nice thing.

The Mav has a lot more get up and go due to the hp increase over the Ranger (154 -> 191) and the great torque of the electric motor. And that power is smooth with no shift points. It feels very modern (I was going to write “futuristic,” but the future is now.)

I like the shift dial better than the column shifter. My wife wouldn’t drive the Ranger due to the tough-turning ignition key and that column shifter.

I upgraded the Ranger with a touchscreen and four speakers, but the cabin noise at speed rendered much of that investment moot. The Mav is said to have a mediocre sound system (or “crap” according to some), but the lower road noise makes even that sound better. The setting to increase volume with speed is a nice touch, also unexpected in the PovEd.

The Ranger had an MSRP of $17,700, which would be $28,760 in today’s dollars, compared to $21,925 for the Mav (as optioned). But back in 2002 you could pick a truck off the lot and bargain over the price, that isn’t how it works lately.

Long story short (oops — too late), I’m very pleased with my base-model Mav, even though I didn’t need a new truck. It was simply too good of a deal to pass up.

I agree with you about the complainers. First off, it is a truck. I am very pleased with the ride quality and low cabin noise. I have not owned a new vehicle of any kind for more than 20 years. I am slightly overwhelmed by the features that the Maverick has compared to features of suvs and cars that I previously owned.

Sponsored