Thinking about ordering a new Maverick... Lots of ?'s

[Tim d]

Hi,

So, I'm supposed to meet with the local dealer Monday to order a new Maverick. They won't say anything about how long that might take, but I have the impression browsing the forum here it could be up to a year. :-( If I decide to go forward I need to decide options. Budget tops out at $35k, less is better.

I have a vehicle for Jeep Trails, I say Xterra Trails but no one knows what I mean. I don't see the Maverick as a true trail vehicle. It doesn't have the angles of approach and departure needed for the area (San Juan Mountains in SW Colorado). So, what I want is a good driving vehicle to use as a daily driver, including winter conditions and paved mountain passes in the winter. Towing capability would be a plus, and of course it needs to be a truck as I carry fuel for the mower, loads to the dump, and pick-up from various suppliers on a reasonably regular basis.

I think the Maverick looks great on paper, with the Flex Bed, and I love all the great reviews, inexpensive entry price and great fuel economy.

So, again on paper, can't even find a Maverick to look at... never seen one... I'm thinking an XLT w/AWD and that means the ecoboost engine and I would add the 4k tow package. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice, but do have these specific questions:

1. With the basic AWD would it be worth adding FX4 for the drive modes? What do the drive modes do for winter conditions?

2. Which has better ride feel on rougher roads (we have our share): AWD w/o FX4, AWD w/FX4, or I'm reading maybe Tremor with advanced AWD is the best.... but loss of fuel economy, loss of tow capacity and price might be limiting for me.

Thanks,

Jan

Very happy with our 23 ecoboost AWD,XLT,with 4k tow and lux pkg.came in just a tick over 32 grand.tows our 3100 lb boat as good as my hemi ram.did not feel any need for the fx4 pkg. Only thing we don't like is center armrest to low and to far back. And the engine sounds like a sewing machine compared to my ram with after market exhaust.

Sponsored

 

[AutobahnSHO]

If you think of the Mav as a small commuter SUV with a bed, you'll be fine as far as capability goes.

Maybe see if a Carmax anywhere near has one to go sit in it and see how big it is?

 

[Jraoffroad]

It adds a bit more than just a power seat and a few heated bits...

8 way powered drivers seat and 6 way passenger seat, 400w/110v plug in cab and bed, body colored mirror caps, Active X wrapped steering wheel, led box lighting, remote start that is WAY more reliable than FordPass, trailer hitch, and a bed liner plus all those "heated bits".

Like heated seats, a heated steering wheel that doesn't feel like cheap garbage in your hand like the stock one, heated mirrors all of these options for $2200 ain't bad at all.

I should have said the only useful items on the lux are the heated bits and a few of the other items are personal preference. The Ford 400 watt invertors are useless junk at best, the standard lux package bed light is next to worthless. Both can be had aftermarket and much better quality for $200ish if you want them. Remote start on the Key fob is $200 from ford.

Heated seats are personal preference, had them in my Jeep and have them currently in my F350. Couldn't even tell you if they work. Now if the Maverick offered cooled seats I'd be interested. Power seats just annoy me. Too easy bump out position and impossible to get back to the same spot. I hate wrapped steering wheels. My cheapest and most expensive vehicles are the only two without wrapped wheels and they feel identical despite a $250k price difference.

The only two items in that package I like are heated mirrors and the bed liner, so definitely not worth $2200 to me. I don't really care for the mirrors on the maverick and I'm hoping the aftermarket comes out with a replacement tow mirror anyway.

 

[Twisties]

Well, I was supposed to meet with the Ford dealer Monday, but he got tied up all day. So we decided to run down to Farmington, NM to look at a Ridgeline. Of course, wouldn't you know it, they have '22 Maverick XLT in some kind of orange metallic clear coat up on the featured car display ramp.

So we drove the Mav and we drove the Ridgeline. The Mav had 16k miles, co-pilot, XLT Luxury, 4k towing and FX4.

I have to say, this has been one of the best forums I've ever joined. So much meaningful help! Thank you!

So, I'm a little sad to say the Ridgeline followed us home, and this post will be goodbye, at least for now.

Part of it was price, the used Mav was as much as similarly equipped new one. Part of it was the wait to order... we preferred Cactus Gray and probably would have ordered a new '24 before spending the same on a used vehicle. But the biggest thing was that we found the Ridgeline more comfortable, with better seating and better ride quality, and much better storage options. It doesn't have the heated seats or steering wheel and it doesn't have BLIS, but in other ways it has nicer features: push button start, 3 zone climate control for example. The Mav would have been a more economical vehicle, with better fuel economy, but the Ridgeline came with 2 years free maintenance.

Anyway, again, thank you so much for all the insights!

 

[J.P.]

I should have said the only useful items on the lux are the heated bits and a few of the other items are personal preference. The Ford 400 watt invertors are useless junk at best, the standard lux package bed light is next to worthless. Both can be had aftermarket and much better quality for $200ish if you want them. Remote start on the Key fob is $200 from ford.

Heated seats are personal preference, had them in my Jeep and have them currently in my F350. Couldn't even tell you if they work. Now if the Maverick offered cooled seats I'd be interested. Power seats just annoy me. Too easy bump out position and impossible to get back to the same spot. I hate wrapped steering wheels. My cheapest and most expensive vehicles are the only two without wrapped wheels and they feel identical despite a $250k price difference.

The only two items in that package I like are heated mirrors and the bed liner, so definitely not worth $2200 to me. I don't really care for the mirrors on the maverick and I'm hoping the aftermarket comes out with a replacement tow mirror anyway.

I'm glad I'm not alone thinking that's too much for all that crap in the lux package. I miss my heated seats though and will get some aftermarket stuff. I agree the side mirrors are terrible.

 

[Ford Maverick Maniac]

Hi Jan,

I have the build you are looking for on my videos like this one from Park City. It's a Turbo AWD with 4k 360 and lux. You must get the heated seats and steering wheel for the winter, it makes a huge difference. What surprised me is even with the huge snow year last winter and even though I just had the stock Conti street tires, I never had to put chains on once.

I did not get FX4, I think the Mav looks cleaner without the stickers. Yes they can be removed but I did not want to risk a mark where the stickers were. And I wanted sport and eco modes, slippery is all you need for snow. Yes Forscan can add those modes but I did not want to affect the warranty.

Hope this helps with you decision. I have owned for over 18 months so ask any questions.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Hi Jan,

...Hope this helps with you decision. I have owned for over 18 months so ask any questions.

They bought a Ridgeline in September................

 

[Jman79]

I would worry much about drive modes. Seems as long as you have basic AWD that most can be unlocked with forscan. I have hopes to see even trail assist unlocked on basic AWD eventually. Seems a nice thing to have even if you just want to tool around your yard for a yard center run. Set it and don't worry about a heavy foot ripping up your yard.

That said, I myself won't be able to capitalize as I went FWD XL. It's primarily a commuter with some utility for weekend HD construction materials and yard waste runs on my part.

Sponsored