I work as a sales rep for a wine and spirits distributor, driving around town to 8-12 different locations daily—mostly a mix of highway and city driving. I typically carry a few cases of samples and occasionally run deliveries. On rare occasions, I may need to haul 10-20 cases of wine or liquor. I average about 400 miles per week.
Currently, we have company-provided hybrid sedans, but the rumor is they’ll be discontinued next year. That means I’ll need my own vehicle, so I’m exploring options. The Maverick caught my eye because it seems to check a lot of boxes.
Here’s what I need:
• Good gas mileage
• Covered cargo space (preferably)
• Comfortable for long hours of driving
• Reliable
• Reasonable maintenance costs
• Room for at least two people and a large dog
Nice-to-haves:
• Fun to drive—not sluggish on on-ramps
• Can haul a kayak, offset smoker, or bicycle
• Room for four people
• AWD/4WD for winter conditions
Right now, I’m thinking about a 2025 Lariat Hybrid AWD with the 4K tow package. If you own a Maverick:
Do you think it would be a good fit for my needs?
Is the interior quality as bad as some say, even in the Lariat?
How’s the acceleration on the hybrid? Does it ever feel sluggish?
I have an XLT hybrid and love it. It’s got plenty of power, and I get around 42 MPG in mixed driving. The bed is super useful, and I have a hard tri-fold tonneau cover that keeps everything mostly dry.
If you’re carrying mostly wine and liquor, an SUV like the Escape Hybrid might offer better all-weather protection for your cargo. Otherwise, you could keep 3-6 cases in the back seat.
AWD hybrid should fit your needs perfectly. It’s not a sports car, but the hybrid has decent acceleration.
The interior build quality is fine at first, but it’s a Ford—so expect rattles and shakes down the line. That said, it checks off nearly everything on your list.
I work in the same industry—small distillery sales rep—and I own a hybrid Maverick. Best decision ever. I get 40 MPG on the highway and up to 48 MPG in mixed driving, even in the mountains.
I keep my tasting bag, spec sheets, and promo items in the back seat. The bed works great for cases. I use 2x4 dividers and ratchet straps to keep things secure. I also haul event gear like tents and tables with no issues.
The hybrid doesn’t feel sluggish at all, even on uphill on-ramps. I rarely have to use more than 50% of the power.
Bottom line: This truck was made for people like us. Get your financing set up and don’t look back!
Short version: If you like it on paper, you’ll love it in person.
The main concern is comfort. The seats are fine but not luxury-level. I do long hauls occasionally, and it’s been okay for me.
As for AWD: If you don’t drive in serious snow, you may not need it. The FWD hybrid has great traction. I’ve taken it on fire roads and snowy streets, and it’s been fine.
The hybrid’s acceleration is good—it’s not sporty, but it doesn’t feel slow. If you use Sport mode, it wakes up quite a bit.
I drive to three plants weekly and do a lot of short city driving. I have a hybrid Lariat, and I love it. Came from a Mini Cooper and didn’t want to jump to a $75K truck that gets 22 MPG. The Maverick was the perfect compromise.
The hybrid has had some reliability concerns—mostly early recalls and software bugs. Some owners avoid the recall fixes because they seem to create more problems.
I went with the EcoBoost for peace of mind. It’s been rock solid and still gets 34 MPG on the highway.
If you’re regularly hauling wine and liquor, consider a vehicle with enclosed storage instead of a truck. A covered bed works, but it won’t be climate-controlled. Might not matter for short trips, though.