With a little over one month with the new Maverick, I thought it was time to give an update. It is not a lot of time, but we tend to use our vehicles the same month after month, so hopefully a first month looks similar enough to the tenth month to provide a forecast.
First, here are some statistics to set the context for the update.
- I have been the only driver.
- I filled the fuel tank before it reached 1/4 to hedge against rising fuel prices in the area.
- The trucklet has a little under 400 miles on it in the ~1.5 months since we got it. (Yeah, we haven’t driven very much)
- We keep it in the garage.
Fuel Economy
One of the most outstanding features of the Maverick is its fuel economy. We have a Lariat 2WD Hybrid First Edition model. It has all the bells and whistles, but none is more impressive than the fuel mileage. The EPA estimates are 42 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway with a combined estimate of 37 MPG overall. We added 8.05 gallons of fuel to the tank when the odometer was at 303.7 miles. The cost was $4.39 per gallon at the time, so our total out of pocket cost for filling the tank was about $35 USD. When I ran the calculations, this comes out to about 37.73 MPG, which is right on target with the EPA estimates. At the time I topped off the tank, we were on target to reach a little over 500 miles for the first tank. This is consistent with what others on YouTube and the Internet have reported.
None of these miles included highway driving officially, but in Central Texas, everything is so spread out and speeds in non-highway roads are high enough that for all intents and purposes, it could be said that we have driven in situations that are comparable to highway driving. And my recollection is that many of the cross-town trips that I have taken in the first 1+ months were indeed on roads with average speeds above 50 MPH.
However, I will say that I also noticed when I took shorter trips the average MPG ranged from 40-50 MPG on a routine basis. And these are the sorts of trips that are more common for our family, so it is great to see that there is some room for improvement.
Ride and Comfort
The Maverick is quite roomy and comfortable to drive, especially the Lariat package. It can get a bit sticky with the ActiveX “leather” when it gets very hot outside, but since we initiate most of our driving out of the garage, this hasn’t been too much of an issue. Needless to say, it will be a while before we have to consider the defrost and heated seats/ steering wheel options around here.
The suspension is okay. Not the most comfortable I have ever driven, but also not like riding a go kart down an unpaved road. Occasionally, on bigger (I didn’t say big) bumps and potholes, it can be a bit jarring. But I still feel okay with it. I suppose that my perspective is enhanced by the expectations that I had when I purchased the Mav. It is a truck(let). Fun to drive, gets ridiculous mileage, useful and dependable (so far). Those were my expectations. I didn’t come into this expecting it to feel like a Cadillac, and so when it didn’t, I was not disappointed.
One thing that I am keeping my eye on is the A/C. It gets hot in Texas and we are just in preheat mode right now. I imagine that once we hit the peak in July and August, that the Maverick will have its work cut out. But this is true of many cars – none of our vehicles have ever been able to keep it nice and chilled in the cabin after they sat in the sun. This is where I thank the heavens for the remote start feature. I can’t get it to freezer temperatures, but I feel a bit better knowing that I can cool it down to sub-lava levels before I attempt to sit down. Also, since it is a hybrid, I know that letting the Mav idle for a little while with the A/C running will not be too painful to burn some fuel.
Hybrid Features
This is the first hybrid we have owned and the first one I have driven. So, I wasn’t sure what to expect or how to drive it. I found a video from TestDriven TV on YouTube that helped me understand how things worked. I have linked it below in case it helps you out, too.
It worked pretty much as Sam Haymart explained on the video. The one thing that bugged me a bit, and still does, is that occasionally, as I apply the brake in the last few moments, it feels like the brakes “jump” or stumble. It doesn’t happen all the time, but I noticed on Maverick Truck Club that I am not the only one who has felt this sensation. The tricky part is that as I apply the brakes smoothly coming to a full stop – when this happens – the Maverick will not stop completely and I need to push down firmly (harder) to get it to a full stop. So, my suggestion is to use your defensive driving skills and leave some space between yourself and the car in front of you. You never know when that thing is going to happen and you’ll be pushing the brake down to get the truck to stop.
I reported it to Ford, and I believe others have, too. The guy I spoke with at Ford tech support said that he had not heard of that happening (something that did not ease my mind, by the way). But I agreed to keep an eye on it and take it to the dealer if I noticed that it was continuing or getting worse. It has happened maybe once or twice after that. I will continue to monitor it – and keep safe distances from others just in case – but maybe it is part of the breaking in process. Seems strange since I have never had this in other new cars I have driven, but I will keep an open mind since this is first year of production and first hybrid. Design changes and hybrinicity (is that a word) of this trucklet might account for the weird behavior – it adds character – or so I try to tell myself. 😉
Trim and Finish
I ordered the Lariat because I wanted to get the most comfortable trim level possible. I had no delusions that a Lariat on this vehicle would be as comfortable as a luxury vehicle, so we are talking – again – about relative comfort compared to the XL trim of this model. It is still a relatively inexpensive model and the least expensive new truck on the market as of 2022 (the year of the great inflation). So, it was no surprise that a lot of what YouTubers and others have been reporting about the trim finishes on the interior is absolutely true.
The hard surfaces are hard – try not to bump yourselves on them. And the padded surfaces are soft enough, like two-ply layer of cotton over cardboard or wood. I’m fine with all the finishes, though, because I knew what to expect. And the way that I baby the truck, I am hoping that the finishes will stay clean and relatively new for a long time.
I am a bit paranoid about the exterior, though. Some people have reported that this truck has a very thin layer of paint on it – a cost-cutting measure. I’ve ordered some touch up paint, just in case. But I do see what they are talking about. I’ve noticed a couple of scratches already and this truck is not out in the wild all that much. I imagine that a casual rub of a plastic garbage bin or thump by a passer by with a hard object might be all it takes to bang up the finish.
We have severe watering restrictions where I live. This means that we cannot wash our vehicles at home. And I am way too paranoid to take the truck through a car wash, no matter how gentle they claim to be. I’m mostly concerned about the First Edition graphics package. I’ve seen some pictures on the Internet about them coming off (and the four-wheel drive graphic too). So, here’s what I do.
I went on Amazon and ordered the Torque Detail Ceramic Waterless Wash and Quick Detailer (not an affiliate link). I spritz some of it with the wide spray on the truck and then I wipe it down (only one direction) with Chemical Guys Professional Grade Microfiber Towels (not an affiliate link). I apply this over the graphics (decals), painted surfaces and plastic – it works pretty much on all of it. I try not to get it on the glass because – even though it says it can be applied on pretty much all the finishes – I prefer to clean my glass with water & mild soap (like Dawn or Joy dishwashing soap). With this routine, my truck is as shiny and new as the day I brought it home.
I should also confess that I did purchase the extra protection package that the dealer sold me. They applied some product over top the finish and decals right after I took possession in May. But that stuff didn’t really change the appearance of the finishes, and the protection that it provides is about as good as what I have applied with Torque. It is only guaranteed to help tough stuff (like asphalt and bugs) come out more easily.
Wrapping It Up
I’ll wrap this update up by saying that I have been really happy with the 2022 Ford Maverick so far. I will write about all the options I selected and some of the things that I have done / added to the truck since I received it another time. Don’t forget to comment if you would like to share your tips and experiences or have any suggestions that could help me and others.