I sat in the seats, and they are comfortable. And they have adjustable lumbar support. They also look better in person than the photos show. I really like the XLT seats, but I wanted things from the Lariat, so I am okay with ActiveX.

I think because the Escape PHEV is FWD only. So it is another relevant data point.

I looked at one in person and I didn’t even think to look at where the backup cam is...that’s not great, especially since any situation I’d have the tailgate down I’m more likely to have obstructions in the rearview mirror.

Glad you spotted that. Another reason to pony up for the Lariat. Another odd way they optioned these out.

My dad had a 1970 Chevy Stepside for a long time. You know what he never had to replace, despite years of abuse, leaving it out in all weather, and lots of excess weight on the tailgate? The anchor points on the tailgate. Had to replace the floor of the bed a couple times. Also replaced a door, but that was my fault.

I really hope not, but I think you are right. I don’t see it on the climate controls. 

Did you notice any noise difference in the Lariat? Curious whether the acoustic windshield does any good.

Ask a couple dealers about ordering the Maverick. Since they aren’t getting much stock, the ones here are largely willing to go about invoice on orders just to get the volume. (Invoice is a few hundred off MSRP, depending on trim.)

Really curious if the acoustic glass in the Lariat makes a noticeable difference. I like the XLT, but the acoustic glass, ACC and dual-zone climate might be enough to make the jump to Lariat.

No, but you can (pretty much) with the XLT and Luxury Package. You can’t get both cubbies, but the Lariat Lux puts the inverter in the driver’s side cubby, too, so you lose the second cubby on the best bed option there, too.

Hey, the comments section here has told me that a lot of people have 300 mile daily commutes (each way), constantly haul long pieces of plywood, and need to be able to accelerate from a dead stop to 85 mph immediately to enter the roadways around them. They need all of this all the time.

Not the absolute hardest, but some log trucking is up there. Trying to go up and down an ill-maintained logging road that other trucks are also using can get kind of harrowing, and it takes a lot of communication and the occasional go of backing up with a trailer to get to a point that you and the other truck can both…

Exactly. It’s why I would much rather see showrooms where you can look at and test drive sample vehicles but they expect to order what you want. The second inventory looks like it will languish, they want to push that.

What really throws me off is that I am live immediately with some comments and languishing in greys for others. And I cannot see why either one happens.

so I don’t think you can effectively record a bunch of wild donuts and then a 180 degree whip into a parallel parking space.

No, dealers will make excuses for not ordering things that can be configured. Not all dealers, I’m sure, but enough to be frustrating.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-house-democrats-propose-ev-tax-credits-up-12500-2021-09-11/

“You are punishing our workers for not unionizing!”

EV charging should be MORE convenient than gas. No reason not to have chargers in virtually every parking lot, since you just need electricity. No fuel tank, no pump. I should be able to plug in everywhere I stop, rather than plan my stops around where I can plug in.

Lease the hydrogen Honda Clarity, get free fuel (at the few hydrogen stations, all of which are in California).