Scotty,
I own a 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco in excellent condition with 160,000 miles on it. I ordered a Ford Maverick XL AWD 4K tow package, and it is scheduled to be built, soon. I love my Corolla, but I live in Alaska, where it's winter for 9 months out of the year, and I own a boat. I need a vehicle that has AWD, low center of gravity, gets good fuel economy to commute around the wilderness, and can tow my 2,000 lb fishing vessel that weighs close to 4,000 pounds with gear and fuel. My Corolla has been great in town, but it obviously can't tow my boat or traverse Alaska. A couple things I'm considering is that my Corolla LE Eco has a CVT and VVTi and it's getting up there in miles for that technology, and the Maverick XL AWD 4K has an 8-speed transmission and Eco Boost turbo 4 cylinder. On one hand, the Maverick has a stronger transmission [on paper], on the other hand, it has the Eco Boost engine [also with an oil actuated valve train], which wouldn't be as reliable as a Toyota engine in any way, shape, or form. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't offer a vehicle in this segment in the U.S., and I can't fly to Mexico and buy a brand new J70 to drive home in, or I wouldn't have ordered a Maverick. Is it worth it to trade in the Corolla for a Maverick? Or, wait until Toyota does offer a truck in this segment to trade in my Corolla? Or, Trade in my Corolla for a Maverick, only to trade it in for a Toyota when one becomes available in this segment?
2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco in excellent condition with 160,000 miles on it
It's slightly high millage, if serviced correctly these can last for decades.
Maverick XL AWD
Oh that's a crap car.
It's a Ford Focus based joke of a vehicle.
I need a vehicle that has AWD
So a Subaru Forester? or a RAV4 Hybrid?
Even a Toyota Corolla can be optioned with that.
low center of gravity
This is not a thing you'll find in a pickup.
gets good fuel economy to commute around
"EcoBoost 2.0L AWD Engine has an EPA 25 MPG overall rating"
As far as I know there's no AWD hybrid on the Maverick, at least it was not EPA certified.
tow my 2,000 lb fishing vessel that weighs close to 4,000 pounds with gear and fuel
The Toyota RAV4 can tow up to 3,500 pounds (depending on the variant)
obviously can't tow my boat
I do not recommend towing with a CVT, but the engine definitely has the power.
I've been towing stuff with my 1.4L sub-compact SUV without any issues.
It has a 2,200 pound braked towing capacity and it tows 1,500 lbs easily - with just 99 horses.
Maverick has a stronger transmission
It doesn't.
A properly driven and well-serviced Toyota CVT can exceed 200k miles - a GM-Ford A/T can not.
also with an oil actuated valve train
They both have hydraluic valve timing, all new cars do - but the Corolla has electrically actuated valve lift (ValveMatic).
Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't offer a vehicle in this segment in the U.S
Well yeah, but the outgoing Toyota Tacoma is only a foot longer and that's a real capable and reliable truck.
And unless you need the bed, a RAV4 has similar towing capacity but is much more reliable.
Is it worth it to trade in the Corolla for a Maverick?
It depends how much you're getting for the Corolla, it should be quite a large sum.
Or, wait until Toyota does offer a truck in this segment
Toyota does not make a "Toy Truck", they only produce serious trucks that last long and can be used for real work - the smallest in the US being the Toyota Tacoma.
Offering toy trucks not meant to be used as trucks is Honda's thing - but the tranny in the Ridgeline is horrid, perhaps it's still better than that GM-Ford pile of crap in the Maverick.
Consider a Tacoma.
Toyota when one becomes available in this segment?
Toyota will offer a Toy truck called the "Toyota Stout" a fully electric "more than an SUV with a bed" sometime in 2025 - Which is a car I personally am considering getting depending on how well it's going to turn out and prices at launch.
(Source: https://www.topspeed.com/why-toyota-stout-electric-pickup-truck-worth-waiting-for/)
And the are rumors about a "Corolla Pickup" in 2027 - but that's only a rumor...
(Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/corolla-pickup)
But the outgoing Tacoma is still the Toyota truck that makes sense.
We have discussed the Ford Maverick on this forum many times if you do a search and short answer is stay away from it.
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If you can swing it, get a used Toyota Tacoma. Honorable mention goes to a Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is much better than the Maverick.
I own a 2015 Toyota Corolla LE Eco in excellent condition with 160,000 miles on it. I ordered a Ford Maverick XL AWD 4K tow package, and it is scheduled to be built, soon. I love my Corolla, but I live in Alaska, where it's winter for 9 months out of the year, and I own a boat.
Do you have space considerations? I wouldn't trade it in. You already ordered the Maverick, I believe could could be charged a penalty for not accepting delivery, but I don't know the contract you signed.
I'm a single father, with two kids, and camping and hunting gear to consider for space. The Corolla is a great car, but just not made for Alaska. I need something that isn't going to keep me off the roads when it snows 5 inches. I ordered the Maverick, but I'm not financially obligated to accept it, as I haven't signed any contract. Although, the dealership may offer me some money to not accept it, as they can't order enough Ford Mavericks.
I would perhaps err on the side of a Honda Ridgeline. Those Mavericks are made in Mexico and they've not addressed carbon buildup. GDI without fuel injection will eventually carbon up your intake valves.
Thanks for that suggestion. Another big consideration is price. I can afford a Maverick. I cannot afford a Ridgeline. Santa Cruz is cutting it really, very close to being over my budget. I've considered the RAV4, the 4Runner, the Tacoma, The Corolla Cross. Toyota and Honda just don't make what I need in my price range. Ford and Hyundai does.
Don't get the Hyundai. The new engines are notorious for burning oil.
and can tow my 2,000 lb fishing vessel that weighs close to 4,000 pounds with gear and fuel
The maximum towing capability of the Maverick is 4,000 lbs so you are at the limit (I.e. maxed out). It’s always good to leave some headroom to prolong longevity of the vehicle’s powertrain.
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With full load, my boat tips the scales around 3,500 lbs, so there will be room, on top of the room the manufacturer leaves between the stated max and actual max.
I don't think the vehicle you are looking for exists.
Good gas mileage, ability to tow 4k, which means you need one that can do 5k at least, and can handle nasty snow. You are not going to get great gas mileage with something that can handle 5k pounds. Even if a small vehicle could tow it, the boat would toss you all over the road like a rag doll.
I would suggest keeping the corolla and buy an older, good condition Tundra, Tacoma that can handle 5k, 4Runner, Land Cruiser (often expensive) Sequoia, or LX or GX470/60 (also can be pricey).
I love my GX470 for getting me through anything, including snow and ice. It also tows great with the V8, and it is a heavy vehicle. I don't drive it as much as I have a car, but it is there when I need it. To do what I need to do, a single vehicle does not exist.
Does it have to be brand new?
