When the 2022 Ford Maverick was revealed earlier this week sporting a hybrid drivetrain (which Ford Authority was the first to report back in March), as its standard power source, there seemed to be one glaring omission on Ford’s part – it’s only available in a front-wheel-drive configuration. Many, including us, were curious to know why Ford didn’t bother to offer all-wheel-drive as an option on the Ford Maverick hybrid, as it is available in conjunction with the truck’s optional 2.0L EcoBoost I-4. Turns out, there’s a good reason for that perceived oversight.
The Ford Maverick hybrid utilizes a brand new electric motor – the first developed and built by Ford in-house – that is similar but different from the one used in the Ford Escape Hybrid. That means that it won’t work, off-the-shelf, with the Escape Hybrid AWD model’s e-CVT transmission without some modifications, according to MotorTrend. Thus, Ford apparently decided not to bother with adapting the e-CVT to the Ford Maverick hybrid as of now, though MT notes that Ford could very well do so in the near future.
It’s also worth noting that as Ford Authority reported earlier today, the Maverick hybrid’s twist-beam rear suspension – which utilizes the Ford Fiesta ST’s “Force Vectoring Spring” – is mounted so low that there simply isn’t enough room to accommodate an all-wheel-drive setup underneath and still retain a reasonable bed loading height.
Thus, it’ll be interesting to see if, how, and when Ford decides to manufacture an all-wheel-drive Maverick hybrid. There is certainly a business case to be made for such a configuration, and it appears that the automaker can make it happen, even if it requires a little re-engineering of the truck’s gearbox and rear suspension.
We’ll have more on the Maverick soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Maverick news and 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
Knowing Ford is using a new in house engineered electric motor on the hybrid Maverick, rather then using the Escape tested electric motor, makes me think again whether I want to buy one, and be the mule testing their new found electrical capability.
It’s a good thing Ford isnt Tesla.
Have you not seen all the Maverick mules being tested in the past year or so? You think they just threw some crap together a week before the launch, and said good luck? Again, this isnt Tesla we’re talking about.
You trust Ford with their pre product launch testing? Look at the past and current recalls and class action lawsuits ( some of them are reported in this website ) that Ford has had to issue, and are against Ford because they will not solve these issues to customers satisfaction. Ford has more then any other automotive manufacturer. The Fiesta dry clutch transmissions ( in house Ford engineered ) comes to mind.
The dry clutch transmission was engineered by Getrag. Getrag promised over and over to ‘fix’ the problems, but in the end was incapable of doing so.
Ford bought into the twin clutch system, but did not engineer the design.
Who does software? I do not know, and I think that software problems were possibly the cause of the multiple failures.
Swing and a miss. ever try pulling out of a wet boat launch w/o 4 whl drive…
It’s a great package for city folk as well as older seniors that aren’t landscaping the farm only flowers etc.
A miss? Anyone who does regular towing would likely opt for the EcoBoost and likely its available AWD. I know I would. Given that you can configure an XL with that drivetrain, it’s a no-brainer.
It’s a fxxking base model, not the only model.
With they boom in RV sales I was surprised Ford elected to not offer the capability of flat towing the Maverick behind RV’s . If I could tow this behind my motorhomes with four wheels down I’d be first in line to buy one. As it is I’ll move elsewhere for my towed vehicle.
According to this ford website, the Hybrid FWD can be four wheel down towed
FOUR-WHEEL-DOWN AVAILABILITY
2.5L I4 Hybrid Yes7,8,9
“7 Maximum speed with hybrid transmission is 70 mph. 8 Select “Neutral Tow” mode – refer
to owner’s manual transmission and towing sections to follow procedures. 9 Start the
engine and allow it to run for one (1) minute at the beginning of each day and every six (6)
hours thereafter.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/dam/aem_fleet/en_us/fleet/towing-guides/2022_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide.pdf
All wheel drive most people who get it don’t need it.
Much ado about nothing. If you want hybrid and 40MPG you won’t care about the 4 wheel drive for the three times you will use it. Real 4 wheelers are going to want the more powerful ecoboost anyway.
Why would an all wheel drive hybrid vehicle use the twist beam rear suspension? Seems something not reported properly in the article. The other models with awd have multi link rear set ups.
AWD is not currently available with the hybrid. The FWD has a twist-beam rear suspension, the AWD, which is only available with the 2.0L EcoBoost, uses a multi-link setup.
Lack of AWD is a deal breaker for me, since I live in western North Carolina. Otherwise, I love the truck.
If they offered an AWD hybrid, I would get one of these as a commuter and maybe even upgrade. The 40mpg hybrid is what makes the Maverick attractive. Makes no sense to me with the 25mpg EcoBoost engine
I think the new Ford looks fantastic. It’s finally nice to see an affordable truck, put me on the waiting list 🤭
I grew up Northern New England during the introduction of mainstream fwd cars. Most fwd vehicles do quite well in snow, it’s low road clearance that really limits them. A fwd Maverick should be almost as good in snow as an AWD given the same ride height .