I’m not either but its frankly a lot more attractively styled, interesting, and fun. And I’m an Escape owner. If I had to choose again today it’d be no contest, the skunktruck seems to be going further into this area which is why its so appealing to me.

Styling preference for one. I'm not a truck guy either, so I wouldn't bother with it from that perspective.  

With the exception of the SUV package the customizations on the Slate are actually rather cheap. You can customize it a good deal and still be winning on price; the base range being over 200 miles is a decent win for them. I think there are a couple missing pieces but they do have some potential. I would be surprised if they actually meet their goals though.

After watching several first look videos of the slate truck and configurator, I am more convinced it is going to flop.   25k for inferior range, standard features, seating capacity, dealer network...etc. I just don't see it at all.  Once you start configuring it basically becomes close to 30k just to have some standard base options on virtually every other vehicle.    The "look at me" crowd will buy it initially but I think it's DOA. Especially, if the Ranchero or whatever they call it base vehicle is much better.

You can lock your stroller and/or lawn chairs in the cargo area. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/smMrxWFEg10?is=k5RmrN0OjmSRz3ZL

A bed being cheaper would certainly incentivize Ford replacing their entry level SUVs with entry level utes. I’m just not sure. The main differences between the Mav XL and the Escape Active is that the former has steelies and the 2.0L Ecoboost, while the latter has aluminum wheels and the 1.5L Ecoboost.   Only one thing is clear: Holy shit why would anyone buy the Escape over the Maverick   

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaXzLThEhi1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Could it be possible that its just cheaper to build a pickup bed vs cargo area in the Escape (less materials) and I also think the Maverick has an advantage with being less complex to build due it less features/options, but I haven't dug into that too much. 

I know that 2020 fixing the issues is common knowledge on this forum, but it sort of still doesn’t feel to totally square with the Maverick being AFAIK a higher margin vehicle. If the Maverick is both like $2k cheaper than the Escape AND a higher margin vehicle then the difference is greater than can just be explained by lower labor costs in Mexico. They sold similar amounts of non-fleet before this year.