Reliability 2.0 vs 2.5

[Brayden]

Hi there, 21 year old first time new car buyer here. I initially ordered a build with the Ecoboost because I was worried about reliability of the eCVT vs the Auto, as well as the long term reliability of the Hybrid systems vs the Ecoboost. Does anyone with experience of these systems have any input on the long term reliability of each engine option? I just want to be able to enjoy it for years. Not towing anything and no need for AWD so it’s strictly about long term reliability for me.

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[CoryDallas8123]

Hi there, 21 year old first time new car buyer here. I initially ordered a build with the Ecoboost because I was worried about reliability of the eCVT vs the Auto, as well as the long term reliability of the Hybrid systems vs the Ecoboost. Does anyone with experience of these systems have any input on the long term reliability of each engine option? I just want to be able to enjoy it for years. Not towing anything and no need for AWD so it’s strictly about long term reliability for me.

I personally don’t have any hesitations on the 2.5, it’s what I’ve reserved. The entire Hybrid system is 8 year/100,000 mile warranty. I’m a big “buy and hold” car buyer(2 cars in my 20 years of driving) like you and personally I’m comfortable with the 2.5.

I’ve also seen a lot of articles and people, who I assume are knowledgeable, saying the eCVT isn’t the old hybrid system of belts and pulleys but a very simple system now too.

 

[Deleted member 1370]

Hi there, 21 year old first time new car buyer here. I initially ordered a build with the Ecoboost because I was worried about reliability of the eCVT vs the Auto, as well as the long term reliability of the Hybrid systems vs the Ecoboost. Does anyone with experience of these systems have any input on the long term reliability of each engine option? I just want to be able to enjoy it for years. Not towing anything and no need for AWD so it’s strictly about long term reliability for me.

For you and your needs id say that both will be just as reliable. I personallyl chose the ecoboost as well given my hesitation on cvt's and while I hold steadfast to that opinion I also need to tow more for a move across country in a year to two years and 2k pounds wont cut it. So my needs are different. For you, I believe you would equally be okay with either as long as you dont romp on it.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

everything in the maverick is has basically a 10 year history of use. Reliability should be the last of your worries the only substantial change is from round winding in the ecvt motor system to square wiring, that’s it everything else has a solid trac record.

 

[OTACORB]

Sounds like the 2.5 Hybrid would meet your needs nicely. You really cannot go wrong with the either one. MPG of course is going to be better on the 2.5 Hybrid, but looking at the recently release MPG on the 2.0 it's pretty decent. I drive pretty conservatively 99% of the time, but every now and again I get a little frisky and I like the feeling of that power.

 

[CMFX4]

I chose the ecoboost just because I want the extra horsepower and towing, my only Ford was super reliable (granted that was a Crown Vic lol)

 

[fbov]

For you and your needs I'd say that both will be just as reliable.

I agree completely. These are mature technologies on both sides, with a couple years of Escape/Bronco Sport Badlands experience with these specific designs. I'm not seeing anything negative on Escape forums, and my hybrid's been fine.

I believe you would equally be okay with either as long as you don't romp on it.

I'd modify this to say "as long as you don't modify it." Lots of "tuners" out there and turbos can be altered for impressive HP gains, at a price. Ford's designs are hard to break, and there's not much out there by way of "hybrid tuners."

That gets down to your preferences, racer or cruiser. The hybrid's not a racer, but it's nearly as fast as the 2.0L in the top-gear passing/merging acceleration a cruiser will actually use. You know my choice.

 

[fbov]

... only substantial change is from round winding in the ecvt motor system to square wiring,

It turns out Toyota has been using square wire for years, so +1 to nothing but mature technologies here.

 

[WesM]

Its very hard to say with a new vehicle what its reliability will be. Even a system made from known components can have issues because of poor implementation. Obviously we all hope that the implementation is good on the Maverick, but really nobody knows except Ford. Even Ford might not really know for sure.

A lot of advocates for the reliability of each subsystem used in the Maverick having a long standing track record do not understand the importance of the subsystem implementation, which frequently drives the overall reliability. Having good subsystems does help though in a new product launch.

The eCVT used in the maverick is the HF45+, the escape hybrid uses the HF45. As far as I have read the only major difference between these transmissions is the use of an in house, Ford designed electric drive motor, using square windings instead of the round copper windings you normally see in electric motors. The HF45 is basically a slightly modified HF35, which has a long standing good reputation.

Its a solid system that is remarkable in its simplicity.


TLDR: we hope its good, but wont know until its had a few years on the road.

 

[JASmith]

For you and your needs id say that both will be just as reliable. I personallyl chose the ecoboost as well given my hesitation on cvt's and while I hold steadfast to that opinion I also need to tow more for a move across country in a year to two years and 2k pounds wont cut it.

Both vehicles as a whole are listed as equally unreliable per consumer reports April 2021 Automotive Special Edition release, both receiving a "worst predicated reliability" rating for both the ecoboost and 2.5H on the Ford Escape, which is relevant as the Maverick is based on the Ford Escape chassis and uses essentially the same powertrains.

Between the two, the hybrid will be the more reliable option, and note that this isn't a typical CVT like you'd see in a Nissan that had so many issues, this is an eCVT with planetary gears that shares nothing in common with a belt driven CVT other than its ability to continuously vary the transmission ratio. Its like the eCVT used in the Toyota Prius, rated the most reliable vehicle you can buy. The transmission on the ecoboost is a modified version of the new GM 9-speed developed in a joint venture with Ford. Ford promised to give GM its 10-speed RWD transmission in exchange for GM giving Ford getting GM's 9-speed FWD transmission when they both finished development. GM was super happy with the Ford developed 10-speed and gave it a thumbs up. By contrast, Ford was so displeased with the initial GM 9-speed testing that in spite of getting it for free as part of their deal, they deemed it inferior to existing Ford FWD transmissions and didn't use it. Later Ford would remove one of the gears from the GM 9-speed deeming it pointless, and making a few other modifications to it to make it fit for service. We don't know for sure if Ford was able to satisfactorily fix what they initially thought was a lackluster transmission. Here is a impartial third party mechanical review of a brand new 2020 Ford Escape which already had a small leak:


Engine wise, the 2.5H is a low stressed atkinson cycle naturally aspirated simple engine, and as such while it doesn't make a ton of power, it should last forever with minimal maintenance. The Ecoboost is a turbocharged direct injection engine, that means that carbon fouling is inevitable, and turbocharged vehicles as a rule are harder on plugs and oil.

tl;dr version: Poor reliability of the Escape and Bronco Sport and numerous recalls means that an extended warranty (perhaps third party, not necessarily from Ford) may be a good idea, but between the two powertrain wise the hybrid should be the lower maintenance more reliable option.

 

[arkanos]

The eCVT should be remarkably reliable compared to, well, any other transmission. It's a very simple design that employs electric motors, which are basically an 'exact science' at this point (well, as exact as any applied science can be). Electric motors are insanely reliable and simple themselves. I used to be responsible for the maintenance, replacement, and repair of motors at an industrial facility and it wasn't unusual to have electric motors with over 60,000 hrs of runtime before I had them reconditioned.

 

[Mainer500]

Hi there, 21 year old first time new car buyer here. I initially ordered a build with the Ecoboost because I was worried about reliability of the eCVT vs the Auto, as well as the long term reliability of the Hybrid systems vs the Ecoboost. Does anyone with experience of these systems have any input on the long term reliability of each engine option? I just want to be able to enjoy it for years. Not towing anything and no need for AWD so it’s strictly about long term reliability for me.

Yes, good choice if you don’t live in snow country like we do. I went with the XLT AWD because this is for my Wife and we get a lot of snow here in Maine, so it was a no brainer for her. But for a first time new car buyer I think you’re gonna love this truck. Good luck, let’s hope we ALL love this vehicle too

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

@INFJBax whydoes the idea that 80k preorders will likely be completed in4 months make you angry?

 

[Deleted member 1370]

Both vehicles as a whole are listed as equally unreliable per consumer reports April 2021 Automotive Special Edition release, both receiving a "worst predicated reliability" rating for both the ecoboost and 2.5H on the Ford Escape, which is relevant as the Maverick is based on the Ford Escape chassis and uses essentially the same powertrains.

Between the two, the hybrid will be the more reliable option, and note that this isn't a typical CVT like you'd see in a Nissan that had so many issues, this is an eCVT with planetary gears that shares nothing in common with a belt driven CVT other than its ability to continuously vary the transmission ratio. Its like the eCVT used in the Toyota Prius, rated the most reliable vehicle you can buy. The transmission on the ecoboost is a modified version of the new GM 9-speed developed in a joint venture with Ford. Ford promised to give GM its 10-speed RWD transmission in exchange for GM giving Ford getting GM's 9-speed FWD transmission when they both finished development. GM was super happy with the Ford developed 10-speed and gave it a thumbs up. By contrast, Ford was so displeased with the initial GM 9-speed testing that in spite of getting it for free as part of their deal, they deemed it inferior to existing Ford FWD transmissions and didn't use it. Later Ford would remove one of the gears from the GM 9-speed deeming it pointless, and making a few other modifications to it to make it fit for service. We don't know for sure if Ford was able to satisfactorily fix what they initially thought was a lackluster transmission. Here is a impartial third party mechanical review of a brand new 2020 Ford Escape which already had a small leak:


Engine wise, the 2.5H is a low stressed atkinson cycle naturally aspirated simple engine, and as such while it doesn't make a ton of power, it should last forever with minimal maintenance. The Ecoboost is a turbocharged direct injection engine, that means that carbon fouling is inevitable, and turbocharged vehicles as a rule are harder on plugs and oil.

tl;dr version: Poor reliability of the Escape and Bronco Sport and numerous recalls means that an extended warranty (perhaps third party, not necessarily from Ford) may be a good idea, but between the two powertrain wise the hybrid should be the lower maintenance more reliable option.

i see your points, and i will keep my ecoboost choice and stand by it for my needs/wants and cost for my plans and lifestyle. BUT you are right about the warranty and I do have built into my savings the money for an extended warranty for just in case scenarios. I dont romp on vehicles so I wont beat the hell out of the ecoboost. The only thing i disagree with you on is consumer reports. I never take their findings into account. They are often very biased towards certain models and makes. Im sure that there are issues with both powertrain and such like ANY manufacturer even toyota and everyone has to deal with them. I just dont take what consumer reports says as gospel. You may and can , I just personally shall not.

 

[Rkbrumbelow]

i see your points, and i will keep my ecoboost choice and stand by it for my needs/wants and cost for my plans and lifestyle. BUT you are right about the warranty and I do have built into my savings the money for an extended warranty for just in case scenarios. I dont romp on vehicles so I wont beat the hell out of the ecoboost. The only thing i disagree with you on is consumer reports. I never take their findings into account. They are often very biased towards certain models and makes. Im sure that there are issues with both powertrain and such like ANY manufacturer even toyota and everyone has to deal with them. I just dont take what consumer reports says as gospel. You may and can , I just personally shall not.

Consumer reports has an amazing ability to see into the future. It would be fun to go through say 20 years of archives and see how close they got on say cars reliability predictions as well as TCO

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