Talk me into or out of the Maverick--getting cold feet

[elspumante]

So, I ordered a '24 Hybrid XLT back in August and I was very surprised to get a build date email yesterday (February 2024). But--in part because I expected more like a year's wait--I've been looking at Foresters and especially CR-V Hybrids instead these past few months.

While I've always wanted a truck (and not a huge one, which is why I was so excited about the Maverick and the hybrid), I'm getting cold feet for a couple reasons and would welcome some perspective from current Maverick owners to help me decide whether or not to go with the Maverick. I'll outline my main thoughts below:

• I'm not not sure how well the Hybrid (no AWD) will do in the snow, which we get a few times a year in my area (southern Ohio). I know it's not rear-wheel drive and we don't get a ton of really bad snow (usually!) but I do think an AWD (and especially a Subaru) would have the edge. I didn't order an EB because I wanted the fuel economy of the hybrid. How has your Maverick hybrid done in the winter? ,
• I'm not sure how practical the Maverick is for a family of three (including a toddler still in a carseat), in part because it doesn't seem like there's much cargo space (aside from the bed, which is of course exposed to the rain, and because I've seen on here that carseat space is very limited. How has the Maverick worked as a family vehicle for you?
• Finally, I'm a little concerned about the overall build quality/reliability of the Maverick. I know people tend to post more complaints than praise in general, but seems the CRV-V hybrid and Forester are more reliable and, overall, better built/more comfortable (especially the CR-V hybrid). I worry about the deep sleep issue, the recalls, etc. I've always owned Toyotas and Hondas and really appreciate a reliable vehicle I can keep for 10+ years.

Thanks for any thoughts and perspective! This forum has been very helpful.

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[caa60126]

So, I ordered a '24 Hybrid XLT back in August and I was very surprised to get a build date email yesterday (February 2024). But--in part because I expected more like a year's wait--I've been looking at Foresters and especially CR-V Hybrids instead these past few months.

While I've always wanted a truck (and not a huge one, which is why I was so excited about the Maverick and the hybrid), I'm getting cold feet for a couple reasons and would welcome some perspective from current Maverick owners to help me decide whether or not to go with the Maverick. I'll outline my main thoughts below:

• I'm not not sure how well the Hybrid (no AWD) will do in the snow, which we get a few times a year in my area (southern Ohio). I know it's not rear-wheel drive and we don't get a ton of really bad snow (usually!) but I do think an AWD (and especially a Subaru) would have the edge. I didn't order an EB because I wanted the fuel economy of the hybrid. How has your Maverick hybrid done in the winter? ,
• I'm not sure how practical the Maverick is for a family of three (including a toddler still in a carseat), in part because it doesn't seem like there's much cargo space (aside from the bed, which is of course exposed to the rain, and because I've seen on here that carseat space is very limited. How has the Maverick worked as a family vehicle for you?
• Finally, I'm a little concerned about the overall build quality/reliability of the Maverick. I know people tend to post more complaints than praise in general, but seems the CRV-V hybrid and Forester are more reliable and, overall, better built/more comfortable (especially the CR-V hybrid). I worry about the deep sleep issue, the recalls, etc. I've always owned Toyotas and Hondas and really appreciate a reliable vehicle I can keep for 10+ years.

Thanks for any thoughts and perspective! This forum has been very helpful.

Apples and oranges imo

personal decision

 

[caa60126]

Ordered in august and initially told a year to receive?

 

[wax87]

there were a lot of Northerners on this Forum from last year that were pleasantly surprised with the Hybrid performance in the snow

 

[elspumante]

Apples and oranges imo

personal decision

Fair enough.

 

[elspumante]

Ordered in august and initially told a year to receive?

Yes, dealer said a year but also "anyone's guess"

 

[elspumante]

there were a lot of Northerners on this Forum from last year that were pleasantly suppressed with the Hybrid performance in the snow

Thanks, good to know

 

[KrisYYC]

I went through a similar mental battle, and I still am somewhat. Though I ordered an EcoBoost for the AWD as I'm in Canada and the winters here can be bad. My dilemma was more about the build quality and comfort difference, however my wife has a Subaru Forester and when we test drove a Maverick is was very comparable with seat comfort and ride quality, though the Maverick was a bit noisier at highway speeds.

I was actually considering the Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-50 as well. Both of those were nice too, but about $10k more than the Maverick I ordered. It was a tough decision but in the end I went with Maverick as it's quite comfortable, the bed will be useful for us and the rear seats do fit car seat (albeit it's a bit tight). The $10k price difference was a factor too.

I'm a little concerned about long term reliability but I maintain my cars religiously and never had any major issues regardless of brand. I tend to keep vehicles for over 10 years.

 

[elspumante]

I went through a similar mental battle, and I still am somewhat. Though I ordered an EcoBoost for the AWD as I'm in Canada and the winters here can be bad. My dilemma was more about the build quality and comfort difference, however my wife has a Subaru Forester and when we test drove a Maverick is was very comparable with seat comfort and ride quality, though the Maverick was a bit noisier at highway speeds.

I was actually considering the Subaru Outback and Mazda CX-50 as well. Both of those were nice too, but about $10k more than the Maverick I ordered. It was a tough decision but in the end I went with Maverick as it's quite comfortable, the bed will be useful for us and the rear seats do fit car seat (albeit it's a bit tight). The $10k price difference was a factor too.

I'm a little concerned about long term reliability but I maintain my cars religiously and never had any major issues regardless of brand. I tend to keep vehicles for over 10 years.

Thanks--very similar thoughts to mine. I think the Outback is just too big/too expensive for me and a real step down in MPG (the Forester isn't terrible for non-hybrid).

 

[23grayXLT84]

My opinion. It's a 4 door truck BUT with a kid nothing will beat the versatility of a van or an SUV (even a 2 row) as your primary family hauler.

Given the choices you listed and if I was buying my first family vehicle it would be CRV. Maverick would be for the spouse and not used as the primary. You want space, and easy access to cargo.

This might get a lot of hate, but just my honest opinion.

 

[OleFordGuy]

IMO, look through forums for each vehicle your considering for insite and say compare the +/- of each vehicle for your intended uses now and in the future and follow your gut instinct. It's really a personnel decision. Their good little trucks but no vehicle is perfect all the time for everything. Good Luck in your decision!

 

[mav_kev]

Having traded a Subaru for a Maverick (EB AWD though), I'm pretty stoked with the change for my use. However, one thing it sorely lacks that either of the cars you mention is interior cargo capacity. Personally, even as someone without kids, this was a big trade-off for the utility and differing capabilities of a truck.

This might be the crux in your situation. Can you tote your whole family and all your stuff in the Maverick? Are you ok with some of it getting wet/damp/dusty when you need to put it in the bed? Would you get enough use out of the bed otherwise to justify the drawback of exposed cargo? Bed covers of any kind help, but are not as weatherproof as the cab.

With proper tires, the performance difference between FWD and AWD is negligible. If I were in your shoes, I'd be leaning toward a crossover, unless you already have something suitable for family hauling.

 

[elspumante]

Having traded a Subaru for a Maverick (EB AWD though), I'm pretty stoked with the change for my use. However, one thing it sorely lacks that either of the cars you mention is interior cargo capacity. Personally, even as someone without kids, this was a big trade-off for the utility and differing capabilities of a truck.

This might be the crux in your situation. Can you tote your whole family and all your stuff in the Maverick? Are you ok with some of it getting wet/damp/dusty when you need to put it in the bed? Would you get enough use out of the bed otherwise to justify the drawback of exposed cargo? Bed covers of any kind help, but are not as weatherproof as the cab.

With proper tires, the performance difference between FWD and AWD is negligible. If I were in your shoes, I'd be leaning toward a crossover, unless you already have something suitable for family hauling.

That's a good perspective.

Right now we have a 2001 Accord (only 86K miles but safety-wise and rust-wise, about time for an upgrade) and a 2020 Prius AWD, which we love but is a bit small for longer road trips. Ideal would probably be something like a Maverick + a small SUV, but we're going to keep the Prius for a long time so that's not an option.

 

[elspumante]

My opinion. It's a 4 door truck BUT with a kid nothing will beat the versatility of a van or an SUV (even a 2 row) as your primary family hauler.

Given the choices you listed and if I was buying my first family vehicle it would be CRV. Maverick would be for the spouse and not used as the primary. You want space, and easy access to cargo.

This might get a lot of hate, but just my honest opinion.

Yeah I'm leaning more in that direction, though the '24 CR-V Hybrid reliability looks much worse than previous years (at least according to Consumer Reports), so perhaps the Forester will win out.

 

[NewMavIL]

My '22 hybrid has done well in the NW IL winters. Better than previous FWD vehicles I've had. I've always been a car nut who continually shops for a better vehicle to fit my needs, and this is the 1st time I have no reason to car shop. I use the bed for both light & heavy duty uses.
My family of 5 fits well with a rear facing car seat in the middle.
Zero quality issues or dealer visits in 1st 40k miles.

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