Traded my 2000 Ranger for a brand new 2025 Maverick

[M1K3 FR0M D3TR01T]

TLDR: It's fine. I like it and don't regret the purchase...plus various user interface (yes I know about Forscan) and rotten egg smell rants.


I just traded in my 2000 Ranger for a 2025 Maverick XL 2.0L AWD in Space Metallic White. Out the door with a $1,000 for paying cash discount, $1000 Deal Days discount, $1000 some other discount and a little over $1,000 Ford A-Plan Discount, then added 6% MI sales tax. It was $27,614 out the door. Walked in with a Ranger and 4 hours later was home with my new Maverick.

My first vehicle was a 1991 Ford Escort for $6,700; then I bought my 2000 Ranger for $15,400. At 52 years of age this is the third vehicle I’ve ever owned...however my father was an Engineer at Ford and had a brand new test mule vehicle about every 2-3 weeks, so I've been in a lot of course in my lifetime.


I figured everything would be light-years better in this new vehicle. The AWD is fantastic in the snow. The normal mode is better in 3” of unplowed Michigan ice and snow than Slippery mode sometimes. The normal mode gets equal/better millage than “Eco” mode almost always.


Although I still like the Eco drive mode better, it resets to normal every time I start the truck. I’m sorry but I already have to click the auto start/stop off; restart the music on my brand new Samsung phone (once or twice) while it pairs itself to the truck; ok to click off the “Congratulations you put on your seatbelt” warning; click off the screen and turn it to calm mode so I don’t have to have that useless map that constantly spins around like the blades of a helicopter.

I babied this thing and was able to match/beat Eco mode while driving in Normal mode—with the auto stop/start disabled. I like the soft throttle response of Eco mode and wish it would stick on. As it is, no Eco mode for me.


The AM/FM/Sat radio interface is embarrassingly bad. It makes you select AM or FM or SAT, butthen your presets show up and they’re (nicely) mixed with all three formats. It doesn’t matter if you pick AM or FM. Why make me pick? It takes me to the same place. Then after sampling a couple presets the radio screen freaks out and goes back to the home display screen and you have to navigate all the way back.

If I’m driving and a commercial comes on, I like to click a different preset station—but by then the presets have all disappeared again, and I’m not clicking my way back while driving. That would be super dangerous. So, I’ve given up on AM/FM/SAT and am using the Adblock browser>regular YouTube>pick a band with “full album” in the video title and I’m happy…once Android audio gets done stopping/pausing locking up my phone. Not too bad. Definitely way worse than my Mom’s 2014 Flex. In fact all of the controls are worse than her Flex.


Certainly not as fast/easy/convenient as the phone>headphone out>cassette deck adapter>cassette deck>listening to music for my Cassette/CD radio on my Ranger (LOL!)…but it does sound a bit better. Even though it takes longer each and every time I start my vehicle to get it paired and playing...rather than just plugging a cable into the headphone jack on my phone (USB to 1/8" adapter).

• Why does my truck reek of sulfur/rotten eggs? I’ve been told “maybe” it’s a leaking transmission, or transmission pressurizer, or trans fluid fouling the catalytic converter, or bad battery” but that it would “go away once I get some miles on the truck”. Great. My Ranger never had a single recall in the 25 years I owned it…I’m already dreading what this issue is, and how many days of work I’ll end up missing because of it. Embarrassing and unacceptable.

• Why does the engine stick at over 5000rpm and keep rising while I’ve got the foot off the accelerator and on the brake pedal after darting from my work parking lot driveway into the left turn island on the major divided road? I’m assuming turbo lag—lag to accelerate and lag to decelerate? It also makes a loud ten-speed-bike-chain-rattle noise while this is happening. This happens no more than once per drive session, and it was probably me being too “blippy” on the accelerator in normal mode. However, I also routinely hit the accelerator and nothing happens, like the transmission is hunting for a gear. This is usually as I’m just driving in normal mode and my speed gets a little too low and I want to speed back up: nothing! So do I whomp on the accelerator and get nothing---or 5000RPM and nothing---or will it actually accelerate? It's a gamble every time.

• Why does that annoying and useless spinning map appear on my main display? I know where I live and work. I don’t need ANY map—especially one that just spins around-and-around goofily. Why does the map just spin around. No human can read that. It's literally nauseating and stuck in my peripheral vision.

• Why does the “warning” that “The Driver is wearing their seatbelt” completely cover up the “Turning on Normal mode. Would you like to stay in Eco mode?” pop up—you know, so you can’t actually click to stay in Eco mode, because by the time you click off the dumb warning that, yes, I’ve got my seatbelt on, I know that---the Eco mode option has timed out.

• Why is there a huge warning “Driver seatbelt On” that covers up the speedometer during the first few minutes of driving? I know I have my seatbelt on. Why are you “warning” me of that? Should I take it off?

• In the month I’ve owned this truck, why does the speedometer screen blink orange and say that Pre-Collision isn’t available EVERY TIME there is rain, fog, snow or just a dewy/humid morning? I’m in metro Detroit, so that’s like 20+ times in my first month of ownership. I park in a garage. Apparently, the windshield wiper doesn’t clean the area of the windshield that covers the sensor. Why not? What good is pre-collision in perfect weather vs normal/bad weather. I could just ignore it, but it is a blinking orange screen with radio muted and text messages through the Ford app all at once—multiple times per 7 miles trip to/from work. Unacceptable. Make your windshield wipers so they reach the rearview mirror area where the sensor is (at least according to some people online).

• Why does the passenger side windshield wiper not go down all the way? It looks like it MIGHT be designed that way, or it might be misaligned? I can’t decide. I can’t see the driver’s side wiper when they’re off, but I can see the passenger one. It is the only thing that looks cheap on this entire truck.

• I absolutely LOVE that there is a physical button marked “-“ that puts the big display into calm mode. I just wish I didn’t have to keep hitting it every time I start the vehicle, or put it in reverse, or just sometimes the calm mode just turns itself off and the spinning map returns.

• Why does the radio station have quadruple the information, but print it really small? “94.1 FM” listed four times on the screen, one of them scrolling so the beginning and end are cut off. “Alt” meaning alternative music (?) four times, the band and song title listed multiple times…all squished to the right edge of the screen in tiny font, multiple times.
• Just put: “94.1 FM, Alternative, Band Name, Song name” ONCE each in larger font. Do NOT have a scrolling font that cuts off the front and rear of sentences as it scrolls---the screen is HUGE—you CAN show an entire song title without cutting it off for the “cool, retro, scrolling LED pizzeria sign effect”. Like, wow dude: I’m listening to “….eD Zepplin Stairway to hea…” Dangerously distracting.

• The manual indicates via curved arrows that the steering wheel tilts. The Monroney sticker (actual name of the window sticker) says it has tilt steering. My steering wheel goes straight up/down to ceiling/floor; and forward/back towards the dash or my chest, but no real tilt. Not like any other vehicle with a tilt steering wheel I’ve ever been in—within the past 52 years. There is a slight (maybe 5%) tilt…but only if I lower the steering wheel to touch my knees. I was able to get the steering wheel to be good—and then lowered the driver’s seat to the floor. I feel like a little kid that stole grandma’s minivan, but now my shoulders don’t ache. The steering angle at the highest setting is like a 1970s bus driver wheel, to tilted and not perpendicular to the ground enough. Does my steering wheel have: height, distance AND tilt, or were the manual and window sticker lying? Maybe I’m not pulling hard enough? Maybe there is a second plastic latch for tilt that isn’t shown in the terrible manual illustration?

• The inside of the bed looks nothing like the manual. I have 12v access points (small plastic covers) but the big plastic cover is bolted in. I wonder what is behind that huge cover? It’s going to be -4F so I’m not playing around outside anytime soon.

• I like the slanted phone holder, but my phone falls backwards toward the rear of the truck when I hit ruts/potholes/etc. Also if the engine does the 5000rpm thing.

• In the glove box there was a mini-manual. A slip of paper was shrink-wrapped with it that said “Sept-11-20 25”. Is that when it was printed, or is that when my truck was made? Depressing.

Now the PROs:

• I can’t believe how well this handles in ice and snow in normal mode. I WAS in slippery mode, but stopped and bought gas and, of course forgot that it defaults back to normal mode every time. My 2000 Ranger was 2WD RWD. Never got stuck in the snow in 25 years, but I never felt great driving in the snow. This is great with the AWD.

• White Space Metallic sounded like the most boring color, but in person it’s a color-changing chameleon. People keep asking me about the color. It looks light grey most of the time, sometimes chalk white and sometimes light almost blue/white.

• My old Ranger cross-bed tool box fits great! You cannot use J-clamps on the 2025 Maverick bed rails. They are 7 shaped with the hanging down part turning the 7 into an n shape is just the plastic molding on the inside of the rails. Use a bolt with a washer on top and on bottom, going through the pre-drilled holes on the steel that are for the many clips that hold the moldings on. If you use a j clamp it will just crush the outside edge of the molding, because there is no edge of steel to grab, unlike most truck beds. Better Built 73210285 Truck Tool box. Place your box and trace with pencil where the bolt holes in it are. That will help you figure out where to drill. Line your box mounting holes up with the nearest pre-existing hole. Drill upward through the pre-existing hole in the steel, drilling upward through the plastic molding. That's your pilot hole. Widen with a bigger bit.

• The interior is VERY nice. Black with tiny blue thread stripes everywhere.

• The heater is INSANELY quick at warming up this truck. Even though it’s a 4-door super cab it feels like after maybe 2 minutes it’s great inside.

• Normal mode is surprisingly fast. I can’t imagine actually using Sport mode, LOL! I don’t take the freeway to work, so I don’t necessarily need that, but it’s nice. Eco mode is like my old 2000 Ranger with the Overdrive (OD) on. Nice and mushy and slow and safe.

• Cup holders: fit my old Ford ash-cup and held whatever drinks, cups, cans I happen to have plugged in there so far. They’re also tapered so they probably would hold a Red Bull decently.

• The 2000k hitch accepted by huge, monster hitch. I don’t tow anything, but if someone backs into my truck I’d rather they destroy their vehicle on my hitch—than damage my new baby.

• 

• I just realized the YouTube app on the big center console still works while driving---I can bypass my phone entirely. “YouTube, play Van Halen full album, maximum volume!”

This truck is literally the cheapest thing Ford makes. I remember when the Fiesta/Festiva was the cheapest thing. This is not a penalty box by any means…however, I don’t feel like the smelly engine, loud, laggy transmission, non-tilting steering wheel, non-memory driver interfaces, constantly shutting of radio interface, or spinning unreadable map display are built to last or even built well enough to be put out to the public as-is. I also feel that almost 100% of those things could be fixed via software updates.


Would I buy it again?

Actually, yes. Absolutely! It’s fine as basic (yet somehow super well-appointed) transportation. It’s fine. A normal person would see this is fine. Annoying and stinky but fine. Anything that can make me feel blasé while driving through ice storms and a mini-blizzard will earn my undying respect. This thing handles like a beast. I didn’t even realize there was an ice storm until I parked and slide out of my truck onto the ground...and that was in normal mode.


Even with its general user interface weirdness, I can see why this is an immensely popular truck.

Would I recommend this truck to others? Yes.

See you in the 2050 when I plan on buying my next vehicle...

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[Ryom]

Nice write-up, however, the only time I've ever smelled rotten eggs from a vehicle was when the battery was venting hydrogen sulfide which will lead to complete failure or fire/explosion. Definitely needs checked, as it is NOT something you want to be breathing in. I've heard a plugged cat can smell similar but I've not experienced that yet.

 

[Manollo3]

Very nice write up. Love my Space White as well. I was first hesitant as I have not seen it in person until I picked up my vehicle. But completely agree with your assessment on the different color changes.

 

[Cherokee]

Your gonna fit in nicely here.Your review, OUTSTANDING !

Don't try to replace me as the weirdest member, that’s my job, I earned it!

Welcome Brother.

The Ecoboost, In Eco mode makes the engine feel like it needs a tune up.
It successfully lowered my average mpg by 2 and I hated the mushy throttle response.

The gas pedal,
Pretend you’re barefoot and you’ve got a raw egg under your toes on the gas pedal.
If you break it your truck explodes and fries your ass !
Accelerate briskly, use as much throttle as you want. Never floor it.
The tranny is sensitive but you’ll learn how to control its shifting because of that egg.

You got quite a wide power band extending from 1800 RPM to where the torque peaks at the stoic 5250 where on every engine ever made the top Hp and TQ numbers Intersect/meet.

Feel free to play.
Once it’s broken in and your burning real gas not corn fuel you’ll understand.

It’s a Turbo thing.

I get 27 mpg in my Appalachian mountains and 31-32 mpg on the interstate. It took 10,000 miles to break in properly.
Ethanol free 93 octane rules.
I call it real gas.

I sell autographs for $10 each :’P

 

[Hunters Edge]

Hello and welcome to MTC. Congratulations on your new Maverick.

Definitely agree get it checked out. I don't have the hybrid but it shouldn't smell. Only time is possible is burning paint or coating on exhaust. Could very well be something over heating that shouldn't be getting hot. Could easily be something simple and forgot heat shields or installed improperly and didn't catch it on production or at dealership prep.

 

[Bob The Builder]

Some of those issues you describe sound concerning and prolly should be taken up with your dealer.

 

[zorki1c]

I didn’t want to read War and Peace on a Maverick forum. My attention span ain’t that long.

 

[A Sturdy Beast]

TLDR: It's fine. I like it and don't regret the purchase...plus various user interface (yes I know about Forscan) and rotten egg smell rants.

I just traded in my 2000 Ranger for a 2025 Maverick XL 2.0L AWD in Space Metallic White. Out the door with a $1,000 for paying cash discount, $1000 Deal Days discount, $1000 some other discount and a little over $1,000 Ford A-Plan Discount, then added 6% MI sales tax. It was $27,614 out the door. Walked in with a Ranger and 4 hours later was home with my new Maverick.

• Why does that annoying and useless spinning map appear on my main display? I know where I live and work. I don’t need ANY map—especially one that just spins around-and-around goofily. Why does the map just spin around. No human can read that. It's literally nauseating and stuck in my peripheral vision.
• 
  
• The 2000k hitch accepted by huge, monster hitch. I don’t tow anything, but if someone backs into my truck I’d rather they destroy their vehicle on my hitch—than damage my new baby.

• 

Nice review and I hope you enjoy your Maverick.

There is probably a setting in navigation that will keep the spinning map pointed North.

Your Maverick is unibody. The huge hitch makes it more likely to be totaled in a rear end accident.

 

[Cancunbadlands]

#perfect
Congratulations! The Maverick rocks

 

[RR - All the way]

Wondering how much fun you would have with a Lariat. Lots more things to love and/or hate!!!!!
The smell is NOT good. Get it checked out. As the old saying goes: Something is rotten in Denmark!!! OMG, please Administrator, I did not try to start a political thread just by mentioning Denmark!!!!!

 

[jorl]

glad I didn't buy a '25 XL ECO

 

[BillHanna]

Great detailed write up! My 2024 Ecoboost doesn't seem to have most of the issues you pointed out -- kinda makes me hesitant to look into a newer model. The only reason I'd think of changing is to get ACC and AWD.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

glad I didn't buy a '25 XL ECO

I have a 2025 XLT AWD with the 2.0 EB and have no rotten egg smells or any complaints about the 2.0 EB!!

 

[M1K3 FR0M D3TR01T]

Well, after 1804 miles in 6(!) months exactly today: rotten egg smell is gone (excess trans fluid burped out); mpg is 23.4mpg only city driving in normal mode with $99 start stop delete plug in from Amazon; crazy turbo lag and slight gear hunting went away too. Broke it in I guess. Smooooth.

Drives nice. I disabled the Google map app on my phone (I know where my house and work are) and the spinning map is gone. I can auto down the windows or touch lightly for a partial open-auto up doesn't seem to exist.

It's been since February since I've had an OTA software update, been waiting 3 months (also exactly to the day) for the 26c10 trailer brake update to happen supposedly at the end of this month. I don't have a trailer at the moment so I don't really care too much.

The collision system never gives any sensor error messages anymore, even in the rain...although screen turns orange amd freaks out sometimes when I drive past a car that is close to pulling out into the main road from a side street: once I'm past the car. Not often though. Minor annoyance, maybe once or twice a month. Once when just driving down a side street at 20mph with only parked cars...again, AFTER I was well past the parked car(s).

Hate the digital user interface, but that's the way of all the manufacturers. Wish it would remember drive modes on startup, but default to normal is fine. Phone pairs way quicker with no map app enabled (less than a year old Samsung).

One point: if you drive with the rear seat bench folded up and locked up it thinks someone is sitting there with no seatbelt and chimes for like 3 minutes while you drive.

Someone at work gave me a bunch of hosta plants, so I even got the bed dirty for the first time. So many places for dirt to get up into in the bed, unlike the Ranger. Hosing it out took a while.

Driving in the Michigan Ice and snow was a pleasure (AWD) versus the ok, but sketchy RWD 2000 Ranger I traded in.

The goofy shirt/jacket snagging hook on the front edge of the rear doors (different thread) has been ameliorated with a small rubber cup/washer.

Huge trailer hitch did its job of stopping people from backing into my truck in the parking lot. I've only bashed my shin on it once. It hurt.

Would I recommend to someone buying a new Ford? Yes! I really like. It's a smooth drive now (Michigan usually has the 48th-49th worst ranked roads in the US), pothole country. A pleasure to drive and park and fill up and insure.

The worst thing: 12 letters and 28 phone calls from Sirius radio the month the free trial ran out. Never used it. Didn't want it. Forgot it existed. Also getting a lot of threatening "emergency act quick" fake extended warranty junk mail for it now too. Thanks for selling my personal info Ford...to a company that doesn't list their name on their postcards (a few had fine print listing some NOT Ford insurance company).

 

[MavStangVa]

I didn’t want to read War and Peace on a Maverick forum. My attention span ain’t that long.

What? Sorry I was distracted. You were saying something, ooooo shiny object

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