Ford announces new base Trim for 2026 Maverick starting at $27,145

[Oakwise]

Ford Motors is announcing a new front-wheel-drive version of the '26 Maverick XL trim with the EcoBoost turbocharged engine; previously, this trim was not available.

This lower-contented version is looking to challenge the Slate's target price in the "mid 20's" ... by dropping the starting price of the Maverick by $1,000.

New Base Trim for the 2026 Maverick

full article here: 2026 Maverick Price Cut

I think this is great news for people who want a base 4-door ICE truck. In my case, I already have a full-sized truck, so this Maverick isn't needed.

What I WANT is a small daily EV for local trips that can also carry all of my art show materials. The SLATE cargo what I intend to purchase.

 

[atx_ev]

My son's 2018 F-150 3.5 4WD now has 175k, looks and drives new. Proper maintenance is required with any mechanical device. The only issue his Ford has had is cam phaser replacement at 110k.

lol.. you are like an abused spouse and dont even recognize that this is what we are talking about with unreliable.

"I just had mine done at 99,447 miles. The total cost was $5,444.57. Parts: $1732.49 Labor: $3711.08"

 

[cadblu]

What I WANT is a small daily EV for local trips that can also carry all of my art show materials. The SLATE cargo what I intend to purchase.

Agreed, the Slate is perfect for setting up trade shows, street fairs, exhibits, conventions, etc. Anywhere you can promote your business. Either the cargo version or base pickup would work.

I’m currently working on establishing a mobile detailing business, and a Slate (wrapped with my company logo, of course) would be ideal.

 

[Proud2BUnion]

lol.. you are like an abused spouse and dont even recognize that this is what we are talking about with unreliable.

"I just had mine done at 99,447 miles. The total cost was $5,444.57. Parts: $1732.49 Labor: $3711.08"

The cost to my son was ZERO. He purchased the truck at one year old, 19k for miles. Dealer offered a free lifetime powertrain warranty. That slap to the face felt like a kiss!

 

[amazing3]

The problem with purchasing a vehicle from any legacy auto maker is “base price” is just a fantasy. Targeted base price s like a dartboard where the base price is the bullseye and the bullseye is just a microscopic dot in the middle of the board. Try going to a dealer lot and purchase a model for base price. It ie almost impossible. Addons made by the factory and the dealer boost the price from a few to several thousand dollars. You can order a model with a base price sticker but how many weeks or months will that take.
In their beginning, breakout auto, Saturn, actually sold vehicles with true base models on the lot at a no haggle price.. But they were eventually roped in by corporate to be another GM clone.
If the legacy manufacturers stop piling on options and accessories to their base price, Slate may have competition. But, the marketing and advertising departments will never allow that to happen.

 

[SichuanHot]

The problem with purchasing a vehicle from any legacy auto maker is “base price” is just a fantasy. Targeted base price s like a dartboard where the base price is the bullseye and the bullseye is just a microscopic dot in the middle of the board. Try going to a dealer lot and purchase a model for base price. It ie almost impossible. Addons made by the factory and the dealer boost the price from a few to several thousand dollars. You can order a model with a base price sticker but how many weeks or months will that take.
In their beginning, breakout auto, Saturn, actually sold vehicles with true base models on the lot at a no haggle price.. But they were eventually roped in by corporate to be another GM clone.
If the legacy manufacturers stop piling on options and accessories to their base price, Slate may have competition. But, the marketing and advertising departments will never allow that to happen.

The whole "dealership experience" is a massive pain. Pushy salespeople, pushy finance lady, unneeded extras you can't remove, etc. The only plus side is getting free coffee from their automatic coffee machines. I've had much better experiences buying used through private party.

 

[sodamo]

The whole "dealership experience" is a massive pain. Pushy salespeople, pushy finance lady, unneeded extras you can't remove, etc. The only plus side is getting free coffee from their automatic coffee machines. I've had much better experiences buying used through private party.

And even the coffee thing hasn’t kept up. My wife mostly took ours in for service, often remarked about the coffee, fresh pastries, etc. The few times I went, had to agree. Took my Tundra in a couple months ago for scheduled service. We had changed from Toyota to Honda for several years. Honda did have K cup choices, but no food. There was 1 flavor K cup and choice of 2 prewrapped snacks I’ve not heard of, let alone seen in any store. When Wife commented I at least could enjoy the coffee etc while I waited, I had to inform her those days were gone.

 

[SichuanHot]

And even the coffee thing hasn’t kept up. My wife mostly took ours in for service, often remarked about the coffee, fresh pastries, etc. The few times I went, had to agree. Took my Tundra in a couple months ago for scheduled service. We had changed from Toyota to Honda for several years. Honda did have K cup choices, but no food. There was 1 flavor K cup and choice of 2 prewrapped snacks I’ve heard of, let alone seen in any store. When Wife commented I at least could enjoy the coffee etc while I waited, I had to inform her those days were gone.

I'm surprised your local dealership offered pastries at one point. The Toyota dealership I sometimes go to only has an Illy coffee machine.

 

[Luxrage]

The problem with purchasing a vehicle from any legacy auto maker is “base price” is just a fantasy.

In helping friends buy new cars I've encountered so many addons and things that were fights or stalemates to get removed. "Complimentary VIN etching on all of the glass for $1000. No we can't remove that we already etched the glass." to the LO-Jack pre-installed whether or not you want it, to "your next set of tires is already pre-paid!" Ever since the Covid shortage it seems like they'll do anything to tack on an exta $200 or more.

I'm surprised your local dealership offered pastries at one point. The Toyota dealership I sometimes go to only has an Illy coffee machine.

The local Honda dealer has popcorn... if they decide to actually turn it on.

 

[amazing3]

And you’ll never be able to find one at that price

One! Just one. Oh, and we just sold it yesterday!

 

[ScooterAsheville]

It's fun to take shots at bad dealerships. I've done it myself. But before you do that, you ought to go read some Tesla and Rivian insider forums. Consider the cost of towing your broken Slate 200 miles. Then waiting 3 to 6 months for it to be looked at. Then another few months for parts and repair. And then the repair is botched.

The poop flows both ways. Right now, Slate walks on water. The sales experience will be perfect. You'll get your Slate in a week. It'll never break. If it does, you'll take it to a mysterious place five minutes from your house staffed by technicians highly trained in high voltage BEV repairs, and of course overflowing with spare parts.

Oh, and the Slate repair shop will have a Starbucks barista. Who will be super hot and asks you out...

 

[FC49er]

It's fun to take shots at bad dealerships. I've done it myself. But before you do that, you ought to go read some Tesla and Rivian insider forums. Consider the cost of towing your broken Slate 200 miles. Then waiting 3 to 6 months for it to be looked at. Then another few months for parts and repair. And then the repair is botched.

The poop flows both ways. Right now, Slate walks on water. The sales experience will be perfect. You'll get your Slate in a week. It'll never break. If it does, you'll take it to a mysterious place five minutes from your house staffed by technicians highly trained in high voltage BEV repairs, and of course overflowing with spare parts.

Oh, and the Slate repair shop will have a Starbucks barista. Who will be super hot and asks you out...

Oh geez

 

[Dorbiman]

@ScooterAsheville you raise some good points. I'm curious to see how they outline their warranty experience at the partnered locations. I assume it will be less than fantastic, or that they'll try to offload minor warranty items onto the buyer with Slate University. I'm so glad they're planning to give us repair information, but offloading their warranty labor would leave a bad taste in my mouth for sure (unless they pay me for labor )

 

[zipn]

FWIW in April this year we purchased a 25 maverick lariat hybrid with AWD and 4k towing. Ordered it back in November and paid 3% below invoice. Dealer was no hassle, In and out in about 2 hours total.

the truck has been great so far. We’re seeing low to mid 40s mpg around town, and the truck goes into electric only drive mode ( sometimes when going 50 mph+) and quite a bit in city and suburb driving.

we splurged for the lariat trim since it had some options I wanted, but my daughter also needed a new vehicle and picked up a 25 XLT hybrid fwd with only the extra safety Nannie’s for under 32k, making it quite the bargain.

still looking at a low cost EV to compliment the mav… maybe a Slate if the value is there, but so far th mav has well exceeded our expectations.