New to Hybrid. What to expect?

[Dave O]

I had a 2023 Lariat AWD and really liked it. I gave it to my grandson. Now I have a Hybrid at the dealership almost ready for pickup. Fully loaded less moon roof.
Just a couple of questions:
Is the solid top tonneau worth the $$? Had a rollup on the last one.
What is the driving experience of a Hybrid?

JohnT

After buying and driving my Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid since taking delivery January 2025 I can’t imagine having a different vehicle especially since I purchased it to flat tow behind my RV

I installed the Retrax Manual Retractable Tonneau Cover and for what I need it’s perfect

Dave O

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[EllenL]

Mine startled me once when the engine cut out while I was waiting to turn into traffic. For an old fart, that isn't good, but I reminded myself what I was driving and now I'm used to it. I find mine has a lot of spunk if I need it to. If you want both a cover and a rack, RealTruck has sets that work together. I got a trifold hard tonneau but will eventually replace it with either a hard roll-up or one that folds against the cab. I think it takes a while for the heat to warm up the cab because the ICE doesn't run all the time and takes a while to warm up, but the seat heaters help a lot! I may have used the passenger seat on high to keep a casserole warm. . .

 

[Cherokee]

Don't know about the tonneau, but I absolutely love the buttery smooth no-shift transmission of the Hybrid drivetrain. So much so, that I'll never own another vehicle with a conventional clunky multi-gear automatic that can't decide what gear to be/stay in. And I have had no lack of power issues when it becomes necessary to pass someone on a 2-lane road, or accelerate to get on a freeway.

My eight speed in my Eco is super smooth and never hunts for the right gear.
Complete control of when and how it shifts must be a skill.
It’s all in the right foot I think.

 

[Randorita]

I got the hard tri-fold from Ford when I had mine built. It was a bit higher and delayed my build by a few days, but has been worth it. I have been driving hybrids for a number of years, and it is a bit different than ice, but you will get used to it in a few days. Just don't be disappointed in the mileage you will be getting in the first few thousand miles. I have just over 1200 miles on mine, and the mpg is up to 38 or so. It should go up further in the next 1000. My Toyota RAV4 was getting close to 40 on day 1 with winter gasoline. The Mav was around 30, so just be patient.

 

[phoneguyinpgh]

I've had my 2025 AWD Lariat Hybrid 4K for almost 2 months now (also no sun roof). I agree with the comments on the smoothness of the transmission. The ride quality is good and handles the bumps well. My milage overall is only in the lower to mid 30's due to the daily driving that I do and the twisty turny hills of SWPA (the city milage we get is never as good as the EPA estimates) But I had to take a trip yesterday that was 20min each way, and for both directions I got low 40s for my MPG and that was with the AC on. The infotainment system sounds quite good. The only minor complaints I have are; No fog lights or LEDs for turn and brake signals, the seats don't seem quite as supportive as I'd like and no knobs for the radio and HVAC functions (I'm old school & like the feel of knobs and the fact that you don't have to take your eyes of the road to find and work them). Other than that I am quite happy with my Mav.

 

[HeyBales]

After buying and driving my Maverick Lariat AWD Hybrid since taking delivery January 2025 I can’t imagine having a different vehicle especially since I purchased it to flat tow behind my RV

I installed the Retrax Manual Retractable Tonneau Cover and for what I need it’s perfect

Dave O

That is a sharp color, very nice.

Do you have the rear window covers on wrong side?
The unevenness catching my eye, but seems if reversed I see what they are doing with the slant.
Also, since in-channel - what brand are those?

 

[its_that_guy]

Never buy the tonneau off Ford, its overpriced. For example in Canada, we get:

https://bisontonneaucovers.com/prod...old-tonneau-cover?_pos=2&_sid=da13d0fbb&_ss=r

for almost half the cost

I bought from them yesterday. The instructions for instal were absolutely horrible but I like the cover. Hard trifold

 

[Six Toed Slim]

I've had mine for a month and a half and about 500mi. I love the way it rides, though the hybrid coach has turned driving it into somewhat of a game. I bought a retractable cover and though it was a PITA to install I still think it is the best option.

 

[WJOHNM]

I've had mine for a month and a half and about 500mi. I love the way it rides, though the hybrid coach has turned driving it into somewhat of a game. I bought a retractable cover and though it was a PITA to install I still think it is the best option.

I have my Lariat Hybrid about 2 months now 600 miles only getting low 30s mpg but have gotten in 40s few times they say it will get better as you go, as for power haven't floored it yet but no problem plenty fast, just watched video they raced a Lobo and XLT Hybrid 0 to 60 Hybrid lost by about a car length looked less than that to me, Lobo has 250 hp and 7sp tranny, Hybrid 191hp. I think the big Suprise and hardest thing for me is vehicle starts in Hybrid mode and will stay there if you drive normal, no engine sound and no tranny shifting, don't race up to lights if you see a red light ahead glide to it no need to race up to light than brake hard like some people do. Another thing one of the guys pointed out to me the engine Icon on cluster gets brighter when engine running its hard to see with my old eyes but gets better when you know what to look for. I drove a eco 22 FX4 for 3 years don't miss it. I have a black Lariat with all the options and black out package I get complements every day, good luck with yours.

 

[Six Toed Slim]

I think its funny that some will say that 191 hp on the hybrid isn't enough. I am thinking that my 78 caddi V8 didn't even have that much and it weighed probably twice as much. One thing I like about the hybrid is I don't feel guilty about the short trips in it. I got 35mpg just going to tennis courts that are 2mi down the road.

 

[Six Toed Slim]

A couple days ago I had to drive across the twin cities for work. 44mpg on way over, 33 on the way home. I can like that.

 

[WJOHNM]

I have my Lariat Hybrid about 2 months now 600 miles only getting low 30s mpg but have gotten in 40s few times they say it will get better as you go, as for power haven't floored it yet but no problem plenty fast, just watched video they raced a Lobo and XLT Hybrid 0 to 60 Hybrid lost by about a car length looked less than that to me, Lobo has 250 hp and 7sp tranny, Hybrid 191hp. I think the big Suprise and hardest thing for me is vehicle starts in Hybrid mode and will stay there if you drive normal, no engine sound and no tranny shifting, don't race up to lights if you see a red light ahead glide to it no need to race up to light than brake hard like some people do. Another thing one of the guys pointed out to me the engine Icon on cluster gets brighter when engine running its hard to see with my old eyes but gets better when you know what to look for. I drove a eco 22 FX4 for 3 years don't miss it. I have a black Lariat with all the options and black out package I get complements every day, good luck with yours.

1000-mile update, took a 100-mile trip yesterday 50 their and 50 back, on the parkway going with AC blasting and cruse on and off going about 65mph I got 41 mpg, on the way home no cruse 38mpg engine on 90% 10% hybrid, very local driving been getting 25/30? I thought it was supposed to be the other way around. I find the cruse a little scary only 2n time I used it, thinking it's going to drive me into the woods, and love it adjusts when a vehicle is to close in front, few times it reminded me to keep my hands on the wheel, they were close but not touching, how could it tell sensors in the steering wheel? a few times the vehicle took off going way passed the 65 setting I had it set at didn't understand that. Still love it, Hybrids and additive cruse is a learning experience for a old-timer driving 55 years.

 

[Bear]

Love my 2022 Maverick hybrid! It's been pretty hot here in MI (hotter than normal for this time of year) so I've been using the AC constantly. I drove up North and I was able to get 43 mpg with the AC on all the way, 60% highway doing 72 mph (I'm retired, I get there when I get there). And If I keep it under 55 no problem getting 47 - 50.

As for a tonneau cover I bought the Ford hard roll up just because I was able to get a good discount. It's not entirely water proof but good to keep my stuff dry. I do get water in the bed when I wash it. If I had to do it again I would get a trifold cover.

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