Ford Maverick… is it worth it in the long run?

I’m considering trading my 2021 Toyota 4Runner for a Ford Maverick. While I love the 4Runner’s reliability, I’m frustrated with its bad fuel economy and the lack of a bed. I’m also concerned about potential future taxes or regulations that could make older, less eco-friendly vehicles more expensive to drive.

The Maverick looks like it checks a lot of boxes—better fuel economy, utility, and lower emissions. But it’s a Ford, and my past experiences with Ford haven’t been great. Is this new Maverick a different story? Would love to hear your thoughts!

The Maverick is a good little truck, but there have been some reliability issues reported. The EcoBoost engine seems to be holding up better than the hybrid so far. Check out some forums to get a better idea of what you might be getting into.

Don’t worry too much about the government taxing vehicles you already own. If anything, they might increase fuel taxes, but I doubt they’ll directly target older vehicles. As for the Maverick, it’s a solid truck, but long-term reliability is still up in the air. The powertrain isn’t new, so that’s a plus.

@Whitney
They could hike registration fees for ‘gas guzzlers’ like the 4Runner or increase fuel taxes. Depends a lot on where you live.

That said, doesn’t the Maverick have a pretty small bed? If that’s one of your main concerns, it might not be the best option.

@Kim
Yeah, I know the bed is small, but I’m coming from a 4Runner, so any bed feels like an upgrade. Before that, I had a Tacoma, and even that bed wasn’t massive compared to GM trucks I’ve owned.

@Whitney
If the dealers are still marking up Mavericks like crazy, you might want to consider alternatives like a Ranger or a Ridgeline. They might not have the same mileage, but the price difference could make up for it.

The government probably won’t tax the truck itself, but fuel taxes could make it more expensive to drive. That’s something to keep in mind.

Zander said:
The government probably won’t tax the truck itself, but fuel taxes could make it more expensive to drive. That’s something to keep in mind.

Fuel taxes could increase, but I doubt they’ll ever get high enough to make driving a gas-powered vehicle completely unaffordable. At least not while new gas cars are still being made.

I’ve put 47,500 miles on my 2022 Maverick EcoBoost, and so far, no major issues. It’s been great.

The Maverick strikes a great balance:

  • As trucks go, it’s a great car.
  • As cars go, it’s a great truck.

Lin said:
The Maverick strikes a great balance:

  • As trucks go, it’s a great car.
  • As cars go, it’s a great truck.

Totally agree! I’ve driven a lot of great cars over the years, but the Maverick feels like the best value for my money right now. Plus, it’s fun and practical.

Forums are full of people having problems with every car, even Toyotas. It’s hard to know if that’s the norm or just the vocal minority.