The Ford F-150 is a vastly profitable truck. Now in its 13th era, Ford’s F-Series has been America’s best-selling pickup for over 40 years, and the outright best-selling vehicle within the US for over 30.For 2019, the F-150 stays the course, offering a number of powertrain choices, a great deal of reconfigurability and, in fact, a number of functionality for all that truck stuff.Strong turbo energyThe 2019 Ford F-150 is on the market with two- or four-wheel drive, and consumers can select from three cab configurations: Regular (single), SuperCab (prolonged) or SuperCrew (double). Customers can select from three mattress lengths, relying on cab, and there are myriad choices available throughout all trims, beginning with the $28,1585 XL all the way in which as much as the $67,135 Limited.
One of the most important attracts of the F-150 is its big range of powertrain choices. Drivers can decide from a 3.3-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8, diesel-burning 3.0-liter V6 or a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V6. Finally, there’s the engine I’ve on this truck: a turbocharged, 2.7-liter V6. This stands out as the F-150’s smallest engine when it comes to outright displacement, but it surely nonetheless packs a wholesome punch.
The 2.7-liter engine places out 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, which is greater than sufficient for this fullsize pickup. In reality, this F-150 XLT mannequin is fairly spry, with a number of mid-range torque for passing and a smooth-shifting, 10-speed computerized transmission that is keen to downshift two or three gears at a time if fast acceleration is required. On twisty backroads, the F-150 handles… like a truck, which is to say giant and in cost, however with correct steering and agency brakes.My tester has the non-compulsory FX4 off-road bundle, which incorporates an electronically locking rear differential, skid plates and upgraded entrance shocks. Because of those upgrades, the F-150’s experience is sightly softer than different XLT fashions, however people searching for a extremely {smooth} experience will wish to try the 2019 Ram 1500 with its non-compulsory self-leveling air suspension.With the two.7-liter engine, this Ford F-150 is EPA-estimated to return 19 miles per gallon metropolis, 24 mpg freeway and 21 mpg mixed. During my week with the truck, I noticed 19.3 — just a little disappointing, contemplating that is the F-150’s most effective gasoline engine. You may do some higher with the 3.0-liter diesel, which is rated at 20 mpg metropolis, 25 mpg freeway and 22 mpg mixed with four-wheel drive. Spec a two-wheel-drive, diesel-powered F-150 and people numbers enhance dramatically: 22 metropolis, 30 freeway and 25 mixed.When it involves payload and towing, it is all about your truck’s configuration — wheelbase, driveline, engine and gearing all play their function. For this specific tester, I’m about 1,700 kilos of payload and 7,600 kilos of towing capability. Option the F-150 up with a much bigger engine and totally different gearing, and you may haul as a lot as 3,000 kilos of payload and pull 13,000 kilos behind you.An built-in step makes it simple to climb within the F-150’s mattress.
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While Ford was one of many first automakers to convey driver-assistance tech like adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help to a fullsize pickup, this tech is simply out there on the Lariat trim and above. My XLT tester, then again, comes with the newly normal ahead collision warning with braking help, in addition to the non-compulsory blind-spot monitoring that may account for the size of a trailer, in addition to the trick trailer back-up help tech that makes reversing whereas towing a super-simple course of.Great cabin techFortunately, infotainment know-how is all the time in excessive provide. The firm’s Sync 3 infotainment system is housed on an 8-inch touchscreen, and contains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display screen is conscious of inputs, and has clear, crisp graphics. This has all the time been one in every of Roadshow’s favourite in-car multimedia techniques.
A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can help as much as 10 gadgets, which helps if you end up out of your cellphone’s protection space. Inside the F-150, you may discover a smattering of USB ports for each front- and rear-seat passengers, in addition to a 12-volt outlet.Sync3 is a strong infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto normal.
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While the XLT trim does not have niceties like wi-fi charging or a 360-degree digital camera, it makes up for that with an enormous inside with a number of space for storing. The heart console is deep sufficient for a laptop computer or purse, whereas smaller objects might be stored in just a little close by cubby. The doorways have giant, deep pockets, and the rear seats fold as much as higher accommodate taller objects. There’s even a bin below the rear seats for extra storage.Pricing and competitorsThe 2019 Chevrolet Silverado additionally gives a 2.7-liter, turbocharged engine, but it surely’s a four-cylinder motor, not a V6. The F-150 places out extra energy and torque than the Chevy, but nets practically the identical gasoline financial system — after I examined the two.7-liter Silverado, I noticed 19.6 mpg mixed. However, the turbocharged Silverado cannot match the F-150’s towing capacity, even when it may haul extra payload — some 2,280 kilos value.The Ford F-150 has nonetheless obtained it in any case these years.
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This four-wheel-drive F-150 XLT begins round $44,000. The 2.7-liter engine is a $995 improve, and the FX4 bundle is an extra $905 on prime of that. Add a couple of choices right here and some choices there, and abruptly this lower-spec XLT is a $55,755 truck, not together with $1,595 for vacation spot. For me, I would contemplate forgoing issues just like the moonroof or sport look bundle, and as a substitute transfer as much as a Lariat mannequin so I can get some higher driver-assistance tech.Still, regardless of which F-150 you select, you are getting America’s best-selling truck, and it is easy to see why so many individuals flock to Ford dealerships for pickup purchases. A snug experience, {smooth} transmission make this truck simple to drive, and myriad choices and configurations imply there actually is one thing for everybody.