Off-Roading With the 2024 Ford Maverick FX4 Is a Good Start
Off-roading packages are tempting, but are they worth it? I took the Ford Maverick FX4 for a spin in the muddy woods and think it’s a good start for capability upgrades. However, the 2024 Ford Maverick FX4 is a bit limited.
Is the 2024 Ford Maverick FX4 good for off-roading?
The 2024 Ford Maverick FX4 is just fine for off-roading. It can definitely push through sticky situations and handle inclement weather situations. But if you’re planning to traverse deeper mud and ruts or do a little climbing, spring for the Maverick Tremor.
With the FX4 package for $800, you need to add AWD for $2,200. So, the total upgrade cost is $3,000. You also need the 4K Tow Package for $745, bringing the price up to $3,745.
The FX4 package includes 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, an off-road menu in the digital gauge cluster, performance suspension upgrades, tow hooks, skid plates, hill descent control, a trailer hitch receiver with a four-pin connector, an upgraded engine fan, and a higher capacity radiator.
Additional driving modes include normal, mud/ruts, slippery, sand, and tow/haul. Mud/ruts best fit my needs in the woods.
My favorite upgrades include the tow hooks and skid plates. I’ve been in off-roading situations where tow hooks have been extremely beneficial and it seems like the Maverick FX4 could get bogged down if you push it.
Also, the skid plates offer beneficial protection. The Maverick FX4 has a ground clearance of 8.6 inches which is a nice start, but it’s shorter than the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk which has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. The Tremor boosts the ground clearance up to 9.4 inches.
I did hear the bottom of the Maverick scrape over rocks and a few other obstacles, so I was happy about knowing I wasn’t breaking anything.
Also, the upgraded engine fan and higher capacity radiator are beneficial for keeping the Maverick FX4 cool. While parking to take a break or for photos, the engine sounded like it was struggling.
It emitted a loud wheeze and a high-pitched whine. It made me wonder if a Regular Maverick with AWD struggles in the wilderness due to overheating.
The mud/ruts mode had noticeable performance changes. The suspension felt stiffer and the power delivery seemed more even across each wheel. But it also made the truck feel heavier and kept me driving slower than I wanted to.
Normal mode was the most fun on dirt and gravel roads. I didn’t find any beaches or desserts for the sand mode or wet areas for the slippery mode.
I wanted a 360-degree camera but it wasn’t needed. The Maverick has a 20-foot turning radius and compact size, making it incredibly easy to turn around on tight trails. On a few climbs, knowing my pitch and roll would have provided more confidence.
Overall, the Maverick FX4 package is a great start for light off-roading challenges. It can be helpful in muddy areas and inclement weather situations. But for more difficult off-roading challenges, you will want the Tremor.
