Just watched the press video on it. Itās a standard hybrid so there isnāt really a meaningful range impact (itāll push mpg down a couple to load it down). The limitations are 2,000 lbs on the 2.5L hybrid and 4,000 lbs on the larger Ecoboost engine (which is the only engine available on the FX4 off-road trim which also has a couple extra inches of ground clearance).
Basically, if you just need an around town light cargo hauler, you can get the hybrid and enjoy great mpg. If you wanna actually go off-road, and need more towing capacity, you get the 250 hp Ecoboost FX4.
Where Ford is winning is by 1) offering an inexpensive compact off-road truck (the 4xe trim), which admittedly starts to encroach on the Rangerās market, and 2) by offering the CHEAPEST HYBRID vehicle in north America. So yeah, not only are you getting truck utility (and it has lots of little quality of life features), but itās also cheaper than any hybrid sedan.
Kudos to Ford again. They are starting to crush it. They just need to get these and the Bronco and F150 Lightning on their lots.
Here is a review of it:
I think this type of vehicle might be my Dacia Sandero soft spotā¦ a la James May.
I too have a Ridgeline, and it is just a great truck. I believe Honda has eliminated the bottom version or two in the last couple of model years, so the entry price has gone up. They are staking out their spot in the market.
I expect the RIdgeline to be offered in a Hybrid and/or EV model soon. The rumors and test mules have been out there for a few years, and Honda is not going to miss the boat. I donāt know what it will do to the towing numbers (1500 lbs in the bed, and 5000 lbs towing on mine), but most people, even with F150s, are not towing anything.
That F150 Lightning video said the same thing. They pretty much dismantled the argument that the F150 EV wasnāt suited to many buyers because of hauling. They made a good point that most contractors drive less than 100 miles per day and the truck is way more than adequately capable of hauling full loads those distances, and that like 90% of people that buy these things just use them to drive 8 miles to pickup groceries or to the soccer/football/baseball fields.
I didnāt really setup that video though. Apparently Marques Brownlee (best know for reviewing cell phones) claimed Ford was greatly underestimating the Lightnings range. Seems like his logic was likely flawed though.
Buying a truck is kind of like building a bigger stadium. You donāt have the truck for the daily grind you have it for what you might need. My truck is mostly around town light loads. But there are days when itās all day heavy load or Iām driving to Florida to pick up a motorcycle or towing a trailer to the beach. If my truck canāt do those things the few times I need it to or is challenge when I need it Iām not buying it.
This isnāt a truck thatās for serious contractors. Itās for every day people that need to haul soil, plants , or other light DIY home improvement materials around. Most truck owners donāt need anywhere near the capability even a base level f150 provides.
That is what I just described. There is maybe 5-10% of the time Iāve done heavy lifting with my truck - but I have a truck for those times. Iām not buying one that canāt even if it makes up a small percentage of the usage. The truck is for what I might need it for. As I said though the truck is what Iād like to see moved to EV the most.
Maybe the key is knowing what your 5% is. I have had my Ridgeline for three years, and my 5% is going to Loweās to get 25 bales of pine needles, or the garden center to get a tree. Or tailgating, because it can carry everything, has six built in speakers in the bed, and a 120v inverter to run the fan/blender/crockpot/etc. My 5% isnāt towing a boat or trailer, and I needed a ton of river rock for a project, so I had it delivered. For me, and I suspect the vast majority of truck buyers not using them for business (building trades, lawn services, etc.), a hybrid version would work great. My EV problems with a truck are related to range on the highway, not towing. I have the same problems with EV cars/SUVs. I donāt want a 7-8 hour road trip to turn into 10 hours because I have to charge twice along the way.
Kinda merged the Maverick and F150 Lightning discussions
The Maverick has a standard hybrid engine. It has no BEV option. It will get better mpg in the city but still mid 30s on the highway.
The Lightning is a battery only EV. I cannot imagine someone taking full hauls on the highway for extended distances in one, but if thatās your need, you are likely in the minority that is not well suited for the truck.
My point is most people buy a truck for what they might need it for not what they actually need it for. Even if I never did any heavy loads I have a truck so that I can if I need it. And your issue with range is the same as this. The EVs will handle the load around town fine, its what happens when its under heavy load or towing something that is an issue.
I donāt enjoy driving my truck. Iām always concerned about the transmission under heavy load. The truck sits a lot so itās always a big if on will it crank - all of those things the EV is perfect for - as long as I can use it for a big task if a situation arises.
The average person is going to take 600-1000 trips a year. You need towing and hauling capacity over 2000 pounds 60-100 times a year? Hell, I probavly use my f150 work truck fewer times than that per year and Iām a contractor.
Paying twice as much for a heavier duty truck when you could just rent one from Home Depot for like $60 for the 2-3 times a year most people might actually need extra capacity is for people that suck at math.
If people want it, fine. Itās good for the economy because f150s and up create probably 100,000 jobs or more thst pay well, but people NEEDING what those trucks offer is a myth for 90% of people.
I am just saying if I am buying a truck - especially if I am paying 35k or more, its so I can do those things when and if I need to. Having a truck that canāt do that stuff seems pretty stupid to me. I donāt consider myself as a heavy truck user but man I am glad that when I needed it I had access to it. And I am not talking about towing or carrying at capacity, I am talking about being able to carry a heavy load for an extended trip or day long work without having significant impact to range. If towing or heavy load hits my range at 50% like one story ona tesla towing a camper I read, thats an issue if I am thinking about buying it.
Man, I feel sorry for people who donāt enjoy driving their truck. I have had a blast with my TOYota Racing Development PRO Mtranny. I have nevertheless treated something I love so badly, and I smile often thinking how it loves it
