Latest news with #FordMaverickHybrid
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Review: A Ford Maverick Hybrid is an efficient, cold-weather office for a journalist
A Ford Maverick Hybrid truck is an efficient, cold-weather office for mobile journalism. I bought this one new in 2022, but at the time didn't realize its merits as an all-season office on wheels. The hybrid drivetrain powering the built-in 110-volt power inverter and a heated seat can soldier on for hours keeping you comfortable and your stuff charged with very little use of the gasoline engine. I have worked out of many vehicles, in all kinds of weather, for over four decades. I am cheap when it comes to buying cars. To me they are appliances. It should be inexpensive to buy and efficient to operate. I like small vehicles to drive and park in tight spaces where giant vehicles can't fit. I need a truck for other business adventures, so I usually have a small car for the mileage and a small truck for occasional utility. The 2022 Maverick XLT with the 'Luxury Package,' is probably the most bougie vehicle I have ever owned, and it was the most expensive at around $27,000. I only did it because the base price was so reasonable and after 40+ years of vehicle minimalism, I figured why not. It was a big surprise to me that a few luxuries, combined with the hybrid drivetrain in the Maverick, really made a super-efficient cold weather office environment. On top of that, much of my driving is crawling around in slow traffic. Drive the Maverick hybrid efficiently using the tools Ford builds into the Maverick Hybrid and you can hit 40+ mpg (in mild weather) all day long in stop and go traffic. I work on a laptop in my car. With past vehicles, this usually means alternating between wasting gas for the heater and not killing the 12-volt battery when the car is off, charging laptops and phones while letting the cold sink into me. I need a continuous source of power for my mostly dead laptop battery. Mix together a heated seat, the 400-watt ,110-volt built-in power inverter, with the hybrid battery and you have a wonderfully comfortable place to work that rarely taps into the internal combustion engine. You can even run the infotainment unit and charge some phones at the same time. I don't use the cabin heater while working and parked as this will make the engine run more often and why heat a big space when you can just warm yourself. The Maverick will supplement the lack of gas engine waste heat with an electric cabin heater if the engine isn't warm enough yet, but it will use more gas. The electric seat will bake you (there are three settings), particularly if you are already dressed for the cold. And I find radiant heat much more comfortable versus getting blasted with hot air.. For the summer months, you can use the same procedure while using the air-conditioning, which runs off the hybrid battery and will run without the gasoline engine. However, I rarely do this because I don't really like A/C and would rather open windows and find a nice tree. The Ford hybrid system uses a highly efficient gasoline engine that by itself would be underpowered. This is supplemented by two electric motors in the transmission, one is also a generator. The high-voltage battery is charged by the gasoline engine, while you drive, and is also when you coast and during braking. Engine computers figure out what is the most efficient combination, unless you choose sport mode which will unleash power from both over economy. It can run up to a mile or so and at highway speeds on only electric for short cycles. It is this high-voltage battery that supplies power to the heated seat and powers my laptop for long periods of time without the engine running. You don't have to worry about killing the hybrid battery, or the 12-volt battery, while you're working because the gas engine will automatically restart when the high-voltage battery needs to be recharged. I was actually amazed how little the gas engine runs while running my mobile office – a couple minutes about every 30 minutes. Recently on a warmer day when I wasn't using the electric seat, I powered my laptop for over an hour while producing this video before the gas engine came on to charge the battery. I am reimbursed for mileage, but not to sit and burn gas trying to stay warm powering my stuff. Story created in 16 degree garage David Sunday Jr., was sworn in as PA attorney general with a story of his humble start, with video and photos The main photo included in this story is from a recent two-hour work session in a very cold, multi-level Harrisburg, Pa. parking garage where the truck said that it was 16 degrees (-9 Celsius) out. I was perfectly comfortable for the two hours sitting there working. The truck will cycle indefinitely until you have made your deadline and leave. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Gas-sipping hybrid vehicle is also efficient parked as a mobile office
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
4 Best 2025 Hybrid Cars for People on a Frugal Budget
Though electric vehicles are all the rage these days, they're not always the ideal choice for consumers. Not only do they require more planning and strategy — given that you need to charge them regularly, which can be challenging when embarking on long road trips — they're also typically much more expensive than traditional cars, which makes owning them quite difficult for people on a tight budget. Discover More: Read Next: 4 Low-Risk Ways To Build Your Savings in 2025 Perhaps you can have the best of both worlds: a hybrid car, which uses both electronic technology and gas. They sport far better fuel economy than traditional cars and are more eco-friendly, too. But there are so many hybrid cars on the market these days, which can make it difficult for you to determine which ones are the best for your budget. Fortunately, Mike Hanley, a senior road test editor at took the time to chat with GOBankingRates to lay out which are the best hybrid cars for people on frugal budgets. Estimated MSRP: $28,385 to $42,185 Kia has a great reputation, and this specific model has a rating of 8.5 out of 10 from Car and Driver. The new 2025 plug-in-hybrid version boasts extra power and a unique design. It is a good, well-equipped, small SUV that is best for those looking for fuel efficiency without the need for speed. Hanley — and at large — is really digging the Kia Niro Hybrid. 'Redesigned last year, the Kia Niro Hybrid won Best Car of 2023 award thanks to its compelling combination of style, efficiency, utility and value,' Hanley said. 'With EPA-estimated gas mileage as high as 53 mpg combined and added practicality, courtesy of its hatchback body style, the Niro Hybrid offers a lot of practicality at a starting price of around $28,000, including destination.' Consider This: Estimated MSRP: $27,990 to $42,190 The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid is an excellent choice if you're looking for a pickup truck that can do 'a little work when you need it to, gets good gas mileage and doesn't cost a ton,' Hanley said. Car and Driver gave it a rating of 10 out of 10 due to its 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with optional all-wheel drive which increases the max towing capacity to 4000 pounds. All 2025 Maverick models come with a larger 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Estimated MSRP: $36,045 to $42,495 Although it comes in at a higher price point than other hybrid electric vehicles, it makes up for it by improving the fuel economy of your gas budget. CR-V Hybrid takes all the perks of the standard CR-V and adds more efficiency with a well-refined hybrid powertrain. Impressive fuel economy ratings, polished hybrid powertrain and a spacious and practical cargo space make this a must-buy for the most frugal of drivers. Estimated MSRP: $29,835 to $37,560 The 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid is an excellent choice for those on a frugal budget who are looking for more wiggle room than the 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid. 'The mid-size Camry Hybrid has more space for people and cargo,' Hanley said. Often, larger vehicles aren't considered fuel-efficient cars. That's not the case with this one. 'Even though it's a bigger car, it actually gets better estimated gas mileage — as high as 52 mpg combined,' Hanley said. 'You pay a bit more for the extra room and efficiency, however, as the Camry Hybrid starts around $30,000.' The bottom line is that when looking for a new hybrid car, you may be comparing price points to traditional cars — especially if you're on a frugal budget. The nice news is that the price of 2025 hybrids, generally, isn't much more expensive than good 'ole regular cars that are fresh off the lot. 2025 is looking to be a good model year for comfortable rides and semi-electric driving. 'When you look at all new hybrid vehicles, including larger vehicles and luxury models, the average price for the class is approaching $50,000 — similar to the average price of new cars in general,' Hanley said. 'The prices of these vehicles [listed] significantly undercut this average.' Nicole Spector contributed to the reporting for this article. Editor's note: Photos are for representational purposes only and might not reflect the exact year, make or model of the vehicle(s) listed in this article. More From GOBankingRates5 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money 4 Reasons All Retirees Should Have a Safety Deposit BoxThis article originally appeared on 4 Best 2025 Hybrid Cars for People on a Frugal Budget
