Playing devil's advocate here, Comparing the Slate Truck vs Ford Maverick

[sodamo]

I already have a Tundra hybrid. Maverick is of zero interest to me, but this Slate is overwhelmingly so. Never had a compelling interest in EV before. It will do almost everything I need. Likely keep my Tundra at least a while, but maybe not. I do look forward to DYI customization And will likely keep it until one of us dies.

i have to wonder if some of this Maverick comparison is just some sort of self rationalization. If Maverick were an EV then maybe they have a point.

 

[bartflossom]

Small trucks in the 80's had two main buyers. Young people, me, just starting out wanting something cheap and customizable, and older adults, also me, looking for something to run to Home Depot with and haul some mulch or plywood. I have a Maverick Hybrid and it's awesome, but I've always wanted to relive my 84 Mazda SE-5 days and will sell it and get a Slate.

 

[Adam W]

People on this forum will try to say “the slate isn’t competing with the maverick” but the fact of the matter is, customers look for value. And pound for pound the maverick wins by a landslide

You may be confusing "features" for "value." Value is going to be different for everyone. I will never need to haul a little league team 500 miles on dirt roads with a trailer. The Maverick may offer that as a feature, but I would value that capability at exactly zero dollars. The things I do value that are swaying me towards the Slate? The simplicity of an EV drivetrain. What we should be comparing is the Lightning, Silverado EV, Scout, or Rivian R1T. Of course, the video would have to be "which is better, 3 Slates or 1 Rivian?"

 

[BeachHead]

For me, even if the maverick was cheaper than the slate, I'm not interested in it at all. It simply doesn't offer the feature set that makes me interested in what slate is advertising: EV only, with a range that works for me, at a price point that minimizes my loss if I don't find the EV platform and it's current compromises worth dealing with. I don't need it to tow or haul anything over 1000lbs (got a real truck for that). I don't need it to travel cross country (I have other cars for that). The one feature I desire that the maverick has that the slate doesn't come standard with, a back seat, can be added with little fuss. (but who knows at what cost).

I have a reservation for a slate. But I'm not necessarily going to exercise it when it becomes available, as who knows what the actual "out the door" pricing will be, in the configuration I want, when my turn comes up. But, even if I were to pass on the slate, I'm not going to run down to the local ford dealer and move into a maverick. It just has no appeal to me. I'm sure there are some out there who find the maverick and slate cross compare to each other, and that is fine. But not everyone who's closely watching how the slate develops will.

 

[Fattdogs]

I own a Ford Maverick... And it's been in the shop a cumulative of 4 weeks in the 2 years and 25k miles I owned it, ranging from benign recalls, broken seat belt buckles, hood latch broke, both CV Axels needing replaced, head unit replaced... I'm at my wits end with the truck.

I'd gladly take a Slate over my maverick because the Slate is simply simpler, it should be a lot more reliable, and it's back to the basics where essentially anything that goes wrong I can work on it myself. I'll probably get a different ICE vehicle alongside the slate, but that can be a beater prius.

 

[cvollers]

Another car “expert” that thinks the Slate is a family vehicle that is missing features (only two doors, no second row of seats). The Slate is not a family vehicle unless your family consists of two people. Go Cargo Kit and think about how much room your dog(s) is going to have in the back.

 

[cvollers]

I own a Ford Maverick... And it's been in the shop a cumulative of 4 weeks in the 2 years and 25k miles I owned it, ranging from benign recalls, broken seat belt buckles, hood latch broke, both CV Axels needing replaced, head unit replaced... I'm at my wits end with the truck.

I'd gladly take a Slate over my maverick because the Slate is simply simpler, it should be a lot more reliable, and it's back to the basics where essentially anything that goes wrong I can work on it myself. I'll probably get a different ICE vehicle alongside the slate, but that can be a beater prius.

Like I said on another thread, a lot of these reviewers just want another Maverick not made by Ford. Maybe I’ll get a custom nameplate that says “NOT A FORD”.

 

[cvollers]

Like I said on another thread, a lot of these reviewers just want another Maverick not made by Ford. Maybe I’ll get a custom nameplate that says “NOT A FORD”.

Or “ICEMAN” because, you know, not Maverick.

 

[Letas]

Like I said on another thread, a lot of these reviewers just want another Maverick not made by Ford. Maybe I’ll get a custom nameplate that says “NOT A FORD”.

I think its a fair question on the value proposition. What can a Maverick do that a Slate can't, and what can a Slate do that a Maverick can't?

The only argument I see is that Slate is an EV....

 

[Fattdogs]

Like I said on another thread, a lot of these reviewers just want another Maverick not made by Ford. Maybe I’ll get a custom nameplate that says “NOT A FORD”.

The day I preordered my Maverick was the day I said I'd trade it in a heartbeat for a Toyota pickup that gets 40mpg+... But somehow still nothing

 

[Fattdogs]

I think its a fair question on the value proposition. What can a Maverick do that a Slate can't, and what can a Slate do that a Maverick can't?

The only argument I see is that Slate is an EV....

But also it's a simple EV, that's not locking features behind apps and paywalls. And not overly engineered to fail after one plastic piece (hopefully). If I can do any repairs myself, it's already a buy in my book, being able to charge for free at work and home/solar is just added benefit

 

[Saint Alban]

But also it's a simple EV, that's not locking features behind apps and paywalls. And not overly engineered to fail after one plastic piece (hopefully). If I can do any repairs myself, it's already a buy in my book, being able to charge for free at work and home/solar is just added benefit

No confirmation on that all paywall yet lol

 

[Whitesands]

I don't like comparing a truck with a tow package to one without tow. That tow rating on the Slate might not be final and could change when they test it before release.

 

[SichuanHot]

Ford having made the Maverick is the exact reason why I'm not considering the Maverick. I don't trust Ford for anything when they can't even get their main sports car, the Mustang, right.

A few years ago before I bought my Civic Si 10th gen, I was cross shopping a Mustang S550 Ecoboost and GT, but the immediate flaws in the MT82 manual transmission were evident and further corroboration from forum users confirmed my suspicions of a cable driven transmission with terrible shift fork designs.

I'm glad rationality won that car purchase as I sold my Civic for nearly the same price I bought it, leading me down the revive and restore old BMWs from the brink of death route.

 

[YDR37]

We just purchased a 25 maverick lariat hybrid AWD. It’s an awesome vehicle. Seeing low 40s mpg around town and 30s on the highway. Loaded with tech. Comfortable, quiet but has a lot of utility… 1500 lb payload and 4k towing.

Maverick prices have risen recently due to tariff issues (the Maverick is made in Mexico). I just priced a 2025 Maverick like yours (Lariat trim, Hybrid AWD, 4K tow package) at Ford's "Build & Price" site. Results:

$38,440 Base MSRP (assuming no dealer markup)
$745 for 4K Tow package (no other options)
$1,695 Destination charges
$695 Acquisition fee

Total = $41,575 MSRP and fees

I'm sure it's a great little truck, but seems like a Slate has room to undercut it on price, even in the (likely) event that the federal EV tax credit goes away.

The cheapest Maverick I can build now is $30,535 MSRP with fees. That's for an XL with FWD and no towing package or other options. I wouldn't be surprised if a Slate, even with some options and no tax credit, turns out to be priced competitively.