Ford Maverick Mini-Truck

The linked JD Power rating counts defects during the first 90 days of ownership, and that encompasses everything big and small from engines catching on fire to Apple Carplay not connecting properly. Unfortunately there is no real industry metric for long-term reliability for major items. Even the JD Power dependability rating goes back only 3 years (i.e. current rating is for 2017 trucks). The 2017 Frontier takes top spot there, followed by the 2017 Ridgeline, then the 2017 Tacoma: https://www.jdpower.com/cars/ratings/dependability/2020/midsize-pickup

 

You yourself established people have no problem upgrading to larger vehicles. Now there isn't a fuel mileage or price penalty to do so.

It will be interesting to see, though. This will be the first time small cars have been under the microscope to see if people buy them purely for their form factor and nothing else. Only other thing they might still have is back seat space.

But let's not kid ourselves that people buy Corollas cause they're fun to drive.

 

Overall, I like the Maverick. Doesn't mean that I plan on buying one and going overlanding across the arctic tundra with it. But I do think it will be a hit. With that functionality, price point and design it will get a lot of attention and probably do well.

We have to keep in mind, two things:

1) Ford is getting out of the sedan business. So essentially they will be an SUV / truck company.

2) The Maverick is an offering geared at first time, non-traditional truck drivers. I think it will do well.

At that price point, and with that gas mileage, I may be tempted to pick one up just to have as a drive around town, run errands truck. I wouldn't take it off road. Probably okay going to an easy trail head but nothing more. But a nice project / grocery / home store kind of truck.

Good for Ford ... I get that it is not an offering for everyone, but if you look at Ford's plan coming to shape -- from the big trucks, SUVs, to the ranger, to the bronco and more, they have a pretty reasonable strategy and some decently designed offerings.

I only wish them well !

 

Oh, I am not dissatisfied, I was just pointing out that it would be nice if Toyota could match or heaven forbid exceed the capabilities of a hybrid mini truck built on a compact SUV frame. Some of the Tacomas have under 1K payload sometimes less than a Subaru..lol. I don't reside in any form of buyers remorse, and I most certainly trade when I need more capability or my needs change. I have my eye on the next gen Tundra if the payload and towing numbers are as earth shattering and game changing as they are beginning to hype.

It just funny that a truck (if you wanna call it that) like this Ford can carry more mulch home from home depot than a Tacoma. (by the numbers) not that anyone really goes by the numbers, lift, larger tires, some bumpers and a few goodies and your overweight. Pretty much most non stock Tacomas are overweight so we know it can handle it.

I just never have understood why the american Tacoma can't get the capability (payload) of the world Hilux....I mean geez, we are the heaviest nation in the world...beef it up already, we might wanna carry people and a cooler in the truck sometime...lol

 

Toyota will get close to the economy numbers in the next get Tacoma. (Turbo 4 cylinder and Hybrid) but I don't think you will see the economy of the Maverick, hopefully at least the capability numbers exceed it, as well as exceeding its real completion (Ranger/Frontier, Colorado etc). It will be interesting to see what Subaru comes up with to counter it, as Subaru has joined the Toyota motor group, I would imagine that they will let the Subaru brand go after this small unibody truck like category if it catches on. I don't see Toyota diverting into this category any time soon. Maybe after all the other trucks are hybrid/electric.

 

Theft prevention? I have seen some spendy bikes.

 

No no, you're getting it all wrong, you need to find fault with every detail and knock anything that isn't from the church of Toyota.

 

I'm with you here. A case of Toyota kinda resting on its laurels and reputation. Innovate or die, as the saying goes. Toyota used to make exciting cars and trucks (Supra, trucks, AE86 Corollas, Celica, Xb) but now they've kinda gone "safe". In regards to payloads, it must have to do with testing standards, as even most half tons are pretty anemic in the payload department. Bring on the Hi-Lux, please!

 

I guarantee it will have rear disk brakes out of spite.

 

That's not me.

I have a Tacoma and no plans on getting rid of that, for sure. But the more I read about this the more I want to see it. Here is the thinking. I use the Tacoma on the weekends for projects and off roading (about 10% of the time). I wish I did less projects and more off roading but I am getting there!

My other car is a BMW X1 which I love. I got the hatch so I have room. Great little car. Love it. But ... if I had the Maverick in the driveway ... I would probably drive it more than the BMW. Why not? I get a little bit more room and get the utility of the bed over the hatch back of the BMW. And I get something that drives better on NY roads (which are terrible!) and gets better gas mileage ... And I am not out a lot of money, either.

Hmm ... I am talking myself into this truck as I type!

And no ... not giving up the Tacoma. It stays !

 

Of all the “oooooh” comments in this thread yours is the only comment I’ve seen that points out the tiny 4 1/2 foot bed. I guess if a 5 foot bed is ok a 4 1/2 foot bed is ok? What’s next, a 3 foot bed?
I need an actual truck, that’s why I have an access cab with a 6 ft bed. With my bed extender it’s closer to 8ft with tailgate down.

 

Yes, you do need an actual truck. I do as well, which is why I have a Tacoma.

But remember, you are not the market for this truck. The market is that person who had a sedan and / or a small SUV and wants a little more utility. For the vast majority of those drivers a 4 1/2 foot bed is plenty.

The question is would a Subaru Crosstrek owner trade their vehicle for the Maverick? Ford must have some data that says they might.

This reminds me of when Toyota created that boxy Scion. They thought it was hip and cool and that it would appeal to young, first time car buyers. The data came in and it was all old people who just wanted an inexpensive, rooms car that was small, with Toyota reliability.

Hey, maybe they will come out with a Maverick Matlock version?

I kid. I kid.

 

Good points. My point is this is a Tacoma forum, but with all the “oooohs” and “ahhhhs” in this thread if they’re good with a 4 1/2 ft bed they never needed an actual truck lol.

 

Two quick things. I think while this is a Tacoma forum, we all appreciate trucks in general. I know I do and the whole segment is heating up and getting interesting. The other point, is that I thin Ford is right. A lot of the people here probably don't need a Tacoma ... OMG ... he said it ... maybe the Maverick is for them! Ha !

 

Might go full electric BEV

https://electrek.co/2021/06/08/ford-hints-cheaper-smaller-electric-pickup-truck-based-new-maverick/

 

The first Scion Xb was a sleeper hit with young hip urbanites because it didn't try hard to appeal to young, hip urbanites. You can't manufacture "cool" or style. Toyota went off the rails when they created the Scion brand (and the second, bloated Xb, and the XC, etc) instead of creating cars like the BR-Z that actually are cool, and calling them a Toyota.

 

I'd concur, but looking back over the decades, a trend emerges that JD Power ratings are actually pretty close to how the car will perform over time (Think Lexus LS400) The 2011 3.5 liter EcoBoosts, while not as dependable as a NA engine, regularly go 400,000 kms.

 

What even is a truck, really? Seeing a lot of no true Scottsman comments in this thread.

Is a 1990 2wd Toyota P/U or Isuzu Pup any more or less of a truck than an AWD Maverick?

What makes body-on-frame construction so magical?

 

Time could've been better spent on a retro-concept, actual Maverick based on a mustang, instead of that pile of wasted R&D...

 

I disagree (to an extent). You can manufacture cool and style, but it’s expensive and demands manufacturing flexibility. Toyota is frugal and rigid - a bad combo for being “cool.”

They only created the Scion brand because they specifically wanted a separate marketing strategy aimed at entry-level hipsters. It wasn’t off the rails - it worked. The tC and xB were initial hits because that was the plan. They just didn’t keep them “fresh” and the redesigns lost them their mojo instead of celebrating that uniqueness. They had a great idea, but their rigidity killed it.

That’s also a big reason why so many other model refreshes are taking so long - Toyota is painstakingly careful about “the details” (except rear diff gaskets) that they can’t just innovate quickly enough.