I have seen a lot of enthusiasm on a few subreddits (mainly the EV one) for the Ford Maverick.
It’s a hybrid truck that gets great mpg in the city (40mpg).
While that’s impressive, I don’t quite understand who the Maverick is for?
The entry-level truck has front-wheel drive, with virtually identical horsepower, torque, and worse towing capacity than a Volkswagen Golf. Given its weight, its power-to-weight ratio is actually a lot worse than a 1.5-liter Volkswagen Golf.
Clearly, it’s a truck for people that don’t go off-road or need to tow. There is a vehicle for these people, it’s called…the car.
Doesn’t that beg the question: do you need a truck? Wouldn’t you actually be better served with a car and a trailer for the 2-3 times a year you need it?
40mpg city is great, but why wouldn’t that same person be better served with a Golf and a trailer?
If you want a truck but don’t want to go off-road or tow anything substantial yet want good fuel economy, doesn’t that beg the question: do you actually want a truck?
Oddly shaped bicycles, 3D printers, and a handful of other things I regularly transport are surprisingly annoying to squeeze into anything with a roof. A VW Golf with a bed is exactly what I’ve been looking for.
Yeah, I think it’s people who are in denial about how little they actually need their massive truck, but who would lose a significant portion of their identity/personality without it.
It’s not even like the Maverick is trying to replace the F-150. Both models can exist on the market because they’re targeting different customers. My stepdad hauls a big camper and shale, so he needs his F-350. I just need something AWD that I can put a dirt bike in.
It is functionally a sedan without a trunk lid. You seem to be focusing too much on the fact it’s called a truck without actually identifying what that functionally means.
It’s a sedan with a bed, which is what 95% of truck owners actually need. I personally don’t know a single truck owner that uses their truck to haul heavy loads or pull a trailer or off-road. It’s just to haul mulch, bikes, groceries, and commute.
Trailers are a pain. I can back a trailer just fine, but they still suck. You have to store it, pay for registration, or go out of your way to rent one. With a Maverick, you can pick up a fridge on your way home without hassle.
Clearly, this vehicle isn’t for you, and that’s fine. As a contractor who also needs a secondary family vehicle, this is literally perfect for me. It’s like a Swiss Army knife: power tools in the bucket seat compartments, materials in the bed, and great mpg.
The base XL trim is cheaper than a Toyota Camry and more fuel efficient. Kind of makes buying a car obsolete unless you’re looking into performance cars.
I’m with you. It seems like it would only serve a small niche population that can justify owning a truck but can’t own a trailer. People buy cars based on emotions, though. Let’s face it, you aren’t putting much in a 4.5’ bed.
The Maverick can tow a trailer, too. It’s rated for 2,000lbs, and it can haul drywall and plywood. What is something the average homeowner can expect to haul that the Maverick can’t handle?