Is your hybrid engine loud like mine?

So, I ended up buying a 2024 Maverick Hybrid yesterday. I wasn’t expecting it, but here we are. On my test drive, I noticed that when the 2.5 engine starts up, it’s pretty loud, not shaking the vehicle or anything, but you can definitely tell it’s running. It has this buzzing sound like an angry hornet, something I’ve never heard in a gas engine before.

Then, today I was in the garage and heard the cooling fan come on when the vehicle backed out. That was also pretty loud and buzzy.

This is my first hybrid, so I wanted to ask this forum: are some of the hybrid components supposed to be this loud? Does the engine make this odd sound because it uses an Atkinson cycle? Could the eCVT affect the engine noise?

If this is just normal for hybrids, that’s fine. I’ve been driving an old Jeep with a 4.0, so noise under the hood doesn’t bother me much. Just curious if other 2.5 hybrid engines sound smoother, or if I should get a tech to listen to mine.

Yeah, it’s going to make some noise. But I never thought my 2.5 was any louder than my old Prius. Regeneration when braking can also make noise, especially when going down a big hill. At the end of the day, it’s still a Ford, and it’s not going to have the soundproofing that a more expensive car might. I had an old 01 Cherokee XJ, and the Maverick accelerates way faster than that!

@Shai
To be honest, there are quiet Ford models. But the Maverick is a budget Ford. It’s meant to be affordable, so some trade-offs had to be made. I rented a Platinum Explorer once, and it was super quiet inside.

@Nico
I told a friend, we got the most expensive cheap truck we could find.

@Shai
I noticed the light grinding sound when braking. It would have bothered me, but I figured it’s probably the regen system working, turning inertia into power (which is pretty cool). Most reviews about Toyota hybrids mention that the engine can be noisy, so maybe it’s just part of the hybrid setup.

I think it’s all relative. If you had a regular gas engine running while backing up, you wouldn’t even notice the noise. It would just blend into the background.

I’ve owned several hybrids and EVs. The Maverick is definitely louder, but I got used to it after the first 1k miles. I think it’s a trade-off for better fuel efficiency and cost, and I’d make the same choice again.

@Jory
If other owners are hearing it like this regularly, it’s probably just the noisy drive mode. I’ll just turn up the radio and enjoy the miles per gallon.

I don’t have the hybrid, so I can’t say for sure if that noise is normal. But the 2.5L engine uses an Atkinson cycle, which is pretty unique. That might explain the strange sound?

@Ty
Good info, but I can see how that could create a unique sound. Like how cross-plane engines sound really different.

@Ty
Interesting. It sounds like it’s the opposite of exhaust braking, where valves open at certain times for a desired effect.

The torque loss isn’t too bad in a hybrid because the electric motor helps out with extra power.

I also find the engine pretty noisy and sluggish when it’s cold. But once it warms up, it’s much smoother and more powerful. Ironically, it takes a while for an Atkinson cycle hybrid to warm up.

Yan said:
I also find the engine pretty noisy and sluggish when it’s cold. But once it warms up, it’s much smoother and more powerful. Ironically, it takes a while for an Atkinson cycle hybrid to warm up.

I agree, it’s noisy when cold. But I don’t think my engine fan was ever loud. HVAC fans are usually noisy on high, unless you’re in a really high-end car.

Mine is making the same noise… but hey, it’s a budget truck, so you can’t expect perfection.

My '24 XL Hybrid is the same. After almost 10k miles, I’ve noticed my ears get used to the near-silence on electric. So when the gas engine kicks in, it feels louder. I had the same thing happen with my '12 Prius.

@John
I did think about the fact that after driving on electric for a while, any added noise would really stand out.

We test drove a Lightning, and it was a bit spooky how quiet it was, like gliding around in a small house.

I LOVE THE SOUND OF MY MAVERICK. Like, seriously love both extremes. When it’s driving under 20mph, it’s just a hum and people always freak out about a “truck that’s not on.” But when the engine kicks in, I love how rowdy and low it sounds.

@Merrick
Rowdy and low? We might have different ideas about that, or maybe you’ve modified your exhaust? I’d love to hear that sound for myself!

Brigham said:
@Merrick
Rowdy and low? We might have different ideas about that, or maybe you’ve modified your exhaust? I’d love to hear that sound for myself!

I’m not really into cars, but compared to driving Toyotas and my old 2004 Ranger (which is basically a Mazda), the Maverick’s engine has some roar to it!

@Merrick
Fair enough, haha!