Ford Maverick hybrid pickup starts at $20,000

[JSH]

Originally Posted by JRMichler

I ordered a Maverick 9-10-2021....

It will be interesting to see what kind of mileage you can get with the Maverick considering your success with the Canyon. Any big eco mods you have at the top of your list?

[JRMichler]

It is now back to the original condition. Only twisted off two bolts and drilled out two screws in the process.

The onboard instrumentation may (I hope) make a ScanGauge unnecessary. And it's a hybrid, so a kill switch is superfluous. I expect that it will have grille shutters, so no grille block. The stock air dam will be optimized, so no need to modify that.

It looks like my options are to get good at driving it, especially how to drive it so as to make best use of the hybrid EOC capabilities. I'm hoping that pulse and glide will be simply a matter of careful use of the gas pedal. There may be room for better LRR tires, but that's unlikely to be significant. I expect to build an aero topper for the new truck.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JRMichler

I had tried to order from the local dealer, but they stalled until I went the next closest dealer 45 miles away. It might have been because I wanted the base hybrid model with only two options - a bed mat and a trailer hitch.

Nowadays that Ford on its approach to "profitability" is trimming down its range to only Mustangs, trucks, vans and SUVs, some dealers refusing to sell the base version of the Maverick doesn't sound like a smart move.

[redpoint5]

I'm still befuddled why hybrid and EV technology started with econoboxes. Tesla had the formula correct to start upscale and work backwards. The cheapest, most efficient cars are the last you want to build with hybrid and EV technology. Who the heck cares if a car goes from 40 MPG to 50, when a truck can go from 15 to 25? A body on frame already has the spare space to locate the battery, a solution to eliminate the driveshaft, and an opportunity to balance the weight bias for better handling and ride comfort. It was a no-brainer.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm still befuddled why hybrid and EV technology started with econoboxes. Tesla had the formula correct to start upscale and work backwards. The cheapest, most efficient cars are the last you want to build with hybrid and EV technology. Who the heck cares if a car goes from 40 MPG to 50, when a truck can go from 15 to 25? A body on frame already has the spare space to locate the battery, a solution to eliminate the driveshaft, and an opportunity to balance the weight bias for better handling and ride comfort. It was a no-brainer.

Another thing too is that bigger vehicles should have a better fuel economy to capacity ratio. A vehicles that can transport 2,000 lbs should get, not half, but more than half the fuel mileage a vehicle that can transport only 1,000lbs. A vehicle that can transport 10 people should be able to get more than half the fuel mileage than one that can only transport 5. But it seems that a lot of times it's the other way around. The bigger vehicle gets worse than half the fuel mileage. As if it would be better to get several of the smaller vehicles for better fuel mileage. For an example is a Prius can hold 4 or 5 people and get 50mpg then a van that can hold 12 or 15 passengers should be able to get at least 16.7mpg, and in reality should be able to get a lot better than that. But do they?

[Piotrsko]

I think you need to quantify your statement better. Most of our 15 passenger vans got decent mileage running on the highway long distance, maybe not twice what the minivans got, but everyone buried the pedal in the city. We had one 50 passenger bus that got 20-22 mpg diesel, but nobody like driving it without A/C

The minivans had to refuel in Winnemucca, the 15's would make Elko, the bus would almost make Salt Lake.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

I think you need to quantify your statement better. Most of our 15 passenger vans got decent mileage running on the highway long distance, maybe not twice what the minivans got, but everyone buried the pedal in the city. We had one 50 passenger bus that got 20-22 mpg diesel, but nobody like driving it without A/C

The minivans had to refuel in Winnemucca, the 15's would make Elko, the bus would almost make Salt Lake.

20mpg in a Bus is insane! Those aren't imperial miles are they? The best I ever got in a full sized bus was 8mpg with no A/C and mild hypermiling.

But a Sienna barely gets the same fuel mileage as two Prii, when is should get better.

[Piotrsko]

Twere an insane bus you either loved it for the performance or you hated it.... manual everything, 30 gallon fuel tank, 3speed automatic, some huge Cat motor screaming right next to the driver, and you'd better not bury the pedal on a rainy day or you went sideways. didn't need to slow down for hills. And the best part: the bus was resonating everything at precisely 55.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Twere an insane bus you either loved it for the performance or you hated it.... manual everything, 30 gallon fuel tank, 3speed automatic, some huge Cat motor screaming right next to the driver, and you'd better not bury the pedal on a rainy day or you went sideways. didn't need to slow down for hills. And the best part: the bus was resonating everything at precisely 55.

I've never driven a bus with anymore than 200hp. For a 35,000lb GVWR vehicle, that's not a lot.

[redpoint5]

My 7,200 lb Dodge/Cummins truck has the same motor used in school busses. In fact, I'd sometimes be driving around a neighborhood at a certain time in the morning and kids would run outside thinking their bus was there.

My truck, if it had good alignment, the right tires, etc, could get 20 MPG on the highway. The bench seats only have room for 3 though.