Terrible gas mileage!

[Mavster Mechanic]

Fuel economy does not increase over time. The engine doesn't 'loosen up'.

But the driver does.

And the learnable settings get refined.

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[TedTX]

Just hit 20K in my 2022 Mav. and avg around 50mpg in mild weather. My 2013 Prius no longer better than Mav.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I am two months into owning and daily driving a 2025 Hybrid AWD. All of the reviews, window sticker, and published data indicated that I would be getting 37 mpg combined city/highway. Well, that is my daily routine - about 50% city and 50%highway based on total miles driven. The city may not be bumper to bumper like New York traffic, but there are plenty of stop signs and lights with average speeds around 35 mph.

I am only seeing 32 mpg on my short and long term trip computers readings.

I do not use the Economy mode because the vehicle is pretty slow already. And I am not pounding the pedal constantly to race it around. Pretty normal stuff and not loading the bed or towing (yet).

I have about 1,200 miles on it so far. Thought it might get better over time, but has not. Also, I notice that the 2.5 liter gas engine is on far more than I would have expected. Stays off on very slow starts up to about 10 mph, then the ICE kicks in.

What is going on here? Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions? Can Ford make any changes to improves this?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Neil

Tire pressure has a larger effect than most people think. Soft tires are like driving through mud full time.

Going from 5 under (30 psi) to 5 above (40 psi) nets 5 MPG more.

 

[ltelmo]

Just a couple thoughts, Th hybrid does benefit from a smoother throttle input, You learn to not rev the engine and modulate so the electric side boosts the pull, Its not so much just running with the engine all the time, Its about accelerating without excessive throttle input. You might also want to check your tire pressures, IF they are low it creates more drag. It's just a soft learning curve to adjust to, You flog it will be low if you manage it will climb. Your terrain will also affect things such as long climbs but you also get the long regen coming down. This will also break in a bit and loosen up as you get more miles on it. The cold temps really suck on hybrids, My 45 mpg average is cratering down to 32 or so. High speed Interstates also drop where you are running on ICE full-time duh as 70 plus mph

 

[atomguy245]

Granted I have FWD, but I am getting regular 46mpg tanks. I accelerate normally, lift off on the pedal to engage EV mode, then keep a light touch on the pedal as long as possible without losing speed. I probably do 70/30 city/highway, but even on longer highway drives I get over 40mpg.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

We recently hit 15,000 miles since March! Getting into EV mode is like gently threading the needle but its very short lived since its only a 1.1 kWh battery. The most we've gotten up to is 39.1 MPG and we are driving in Normal mode and do use seat and wheel heat more than HVAC. I'd love specifics for getting to more....heck above 45 MPG would be amazing so if you have some very specific tips please do share. Thanks!!!

First and foremost get your engine OFF for as many minutes per drive as possible.

Above 55 MPH don't worry about it. Engine will run most of the time for all of us.

Around town and Stop n Go take your foot off the go pedal and coast. Usually, if engine is warmed up, gas will shut off within 2 seconds of taking your foot off the pedal. Coast to every stop sign and stop light. Use EV power to "creep" around parking lots and in bumper to bumper traffic.

Keep Air Conditioning (including defog) off as much as possible. Use vent heat only when absolutely necessary.

Use plain vent from outside air and seat and wheel heaters as much as you want.

On a one hour city drive my engine is off 50 minutes. That's like 17% duty cycle and MPG in City = 52 to 58 MPG daily keeping up with traffic on all roads with speed limits of 25 to 45 MPH.

 

[MarkLally]

Winter is a bad time to start driving a hybrid maverick. Cold weather takes a big toll on mileage.
By the time next spring gets here, your engine should be broken in and you will probable see a huge increase in gas mileage at that point.

 

[ianjay]

My fuel economy (24 Hybrid) stays quite steady until I lend it to my daughter for a week. It then takes about one week of driving (sometimes two) to get it back.

 

[Deleted member 45110]

Granted I have FWD, but I am getting regular 46mpg tanks. I accelerate normally, lift off on the pedal to engage EV mode, then keep a light touch on the pedal as long as possible without losing speed. I probably do 70/30 city/highway, but even on longer highway drives I get over 40mpg.

This here
Drive it like your foot hurts IF you apply your foot on the gas pedal.

I get the reason.

BUT WOW im not changing my driving to do that!

AND I CAN IMAGINE manufacturers creating
a vehicle that wont let the driver apply their foot to the pedal.
Once rolling, You get 30% juice and thats it.
Hope for down hill slopes and wind at your back.

The mpg race is fun ain't it ?!

 

[MakinDoForNow]

HYBRID = Yet another just a thought. If ice comes on Or is on during acceleration go ahead and use up to 40-45% power getting to speed quicker then let off go pedal and drop to electric to maintain speed. (Minimize time ice is on and not running just to provide 20-30% power if HVB is over the 40% ice off SOC.). Should work well as long as ice remains at it's slow or fast optimum rpm. Maximize ice off time. Also coasting in N can add more mpg really quickly. (Depends on slope).

 

[CarefreeAZ]

Three year numbers here:

Year 3 of Ownership:
Actual: 165.62gal used/8000miles/48.3mpg

3 Years Overall:
Actual: 540.27gal/26000mi/48.12mpg
Trip computer: 50.3mpg.

 

[Kenv24]

Fuel economy does not increase over time. The engine doesn't 'loosen up'.

Exactly!! For that comment about "give it some time"....nope. I was getting 42-44 combined/daily work trip the first week out of the gate with my '24 Hybrid and still do. The engine doesn't "break in and get better mileage. Old wives tale told by your grandpa's neighbor.

 

[Finnster]

Personally, I don't think it is fair to compare the 2025 4KTOW Hybrids to MY21-24 Hybrids. I never expected to challenge the front drive Mavericks getting near 50MPG.
That being said, I noticed improved gas mileage and increased electric run cycles once the truck got to about 2,500 miles.
I'm now noticing the negative effect of lower temperatures as it is getting colder here in WI.

Edit 11-22-25:
Oops, After watching PBS Motorweek this am. I realized that the recent jump I had realized in MPG was not caused by vehicle break-in, but instead it was likely caused by my switching to 2012-2016 Escape wheels with well-worn tires on them!
The short Motorweek segment on tire rolling resistance said that testing of new tires vs identical, but worn tires, showed that the new tires had a 9% rolling resistance increase over the worn tires!

 

[MaverickDragon]

The mpg race is fun ain't it ?!

It can be, but not always depending on the mindset, but it is always rewarding as you lose less cash at the gas station...

 

[EffNo50]

I am two months into owning and daily driving a 2025 Hybrid AWD. All of the reviews, window sticker, and published data indicated that I would be getting 37 mpg combined city/highway. Well, that is my daily routine - about 50% city and 50%highway based on total miles driven. The city may not be bumper to bumper like New York traffic, but there are plenty of stop signs and lights with average speeds around 35 mph.

I am only seeing 32 mpg on my short and long term trip computers readings.

I do not use the Economy mode because the vehicle is pretty slow already. And I am not pounding the pedal constantly to race it around. Pretty normal stuff and not loading the bed or towing (yet).

I have about 1,200 miles on it so far. Thought it might get better over time, but has not. Also, I notice that the 2.5 liter gas engine is on far more than I would have expected. Stays off on very slow starts up to about 10 mph, then the ICE kicks in.

What is going on here? Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions? Can Ford make any changes to improves this?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Neil

OP is in also California, Winter fuel blend has negative effects on MPG...almost as much as the drop in temperatures. My mileage is low often due to my short, almost 2 miles, commute to work.

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