It won’t look totally different than its predecessor, however the F-150 is new and improved the place it issues most.
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The Ford F-150 is the best-selling pickup in America for a motive: It simply works. Whether on the job or at play, the F-150 has lengthy been the dependable stalwart on this phase, even within the face of robust competitors just like the Ram 1500. This 12 months marks the introduction of the 14th-gen F-150, bringing with it some progressive options and new applied sciences that ought to preserve it on the head of its class for years to return.
LikeLots of work-friendly featuresExcellent cabin techPunchy turbocharged engine
Don’t LikeOccasionally tough ridePoor gasoline economyBland inside design
Important new featuresArguably the most important information this 12 months is the supply of an onboard generator, one thing that got here in useful earlier this 12 months when chunk of Texas was with out energy. My take a look at truck has a 2-kilowatt generator with two 120-volt, 20-amp retailers, which is ideal for tailgating or working smaller instruments on a job web site. A 2.4-kW generator is customary on F-150 PowerEnhance hybrid fashions, and a bigger 7.2-kW generator is elective, with 4 120-volt, 20-amp retailers, and one 240-volt, 30-amp plug. Ford says you can arrange a cell welding store with this a lot juice.More progressive methods are discovered contained in the F-150. The gear selector can fold flat into the middle console, making means for a fold-down floor that gives 15 inches of flat work house. I like the brand new Max Recline seats, too — as somebody who routinely places in 12-hour days behind the wheel, having the ability to lay down at practically 180 levels to have a fast snooze is pleasant. The reclining seats are tremendous comfy too, with the cushions rearranging themselves to make a flat floor with no dip between the seat again and backside cushions.
Lots of configurabilityThe F-150’s form and dimension does not actually change this 12 months, despite the fact that all of the sheet steel is new. Drivers will principally discover the newly designed stacked headlamps bisected by a horizontal line working throughout the fascia. Those are set off by LED fog lights and daytime working lights. Higher-level trims just like the King Ranch pictured right here get numerous exterior chrome and embrace 20-inch polished wheels and metallic trim throughout the tailgate, proudly proclaiming that you’re certainly the king of the ranch. Overall, the F-150 is a nice-looking truck, and slightly extra buttoned-up and tidy than its predecessor.You actually cannot beat the Ford F-150 so far as configurability is worried. Available with six powertrains, three cab choices and three mattress lengths, there is a wealth of customization available. And that is earlier than you dig into the six totally different trim ranges and two- and four-wheel drive choices.
The F-150 is out there with three cabs and three mattress lengths.
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Powerful engine optionsRegardless of which choices you choose, the F-150’s powertrains do not disappoint. New for this 12 months, Ford presents the PowerEnhance hybrid, which we have already examined. This time round, I’ve the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 fuel engine, however you may as well get the F-150 with a 3.3-liter V6, 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, 5.0-liter V8 and 3.0-liter diesel V6.
The gas-only 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque which is loads of energy for on a regular basis driving, and the truck has loads of gutsy midrange punch for freeway passing. The 10-speed automated transmission is a dream, with clean, imperceptible upshifts and straightforward downshifts that may bounce three or 4 gears at a time when energy is required.The PowerEnhance hybrid provides $2,500 to the F-150’s backside line, but it surely’s undoubtedly the engine I’d get, particularly when you think about it is rated to return 24 mph with four-wheel drive. The regular 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is EPA-estimated to return 20 mpg, although throughout per week of testing, I solely noticed 17.5 mpg.As for experience high quality, nicely, the F-150 drives like a truck. That is to say it may be slightly bouncy and floaty, particularly with my tester’s FX4 bundle with off-road tuned entrance shocks. It’s par for the course right here, however if you would like a nice-riding truck, the Ram 1500 with its coil-spring setup or elective air suspension is the one to purchase. Nice because the Ford is, Ram’s truck is way more comfy over the lengthy haul.The Pro Power Onboard generator is likely one of the F-150’s finest options.
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Truck stuffThe F-150’s towing and payload specs rely upon configuration. An extended-wheelbase truck with rear-wheel drive will tow greater than a shorter-wheelbase pickup with four-wheel drive. My truck with the tow bundle, quick mattress and four-wheel drive can deal with 11,000 kilos, however relying in your spec you may tow anyplace from a paltry 5,000 kilos to a whopping 14,000 kilos. However, if you are going to tow that a lot on the common, it is often higher to improve to a heavy-duty truck which can have the larger brakes and sturdier body to make towing 14,000 kilos simpler. Sure, the F-150 will do it, however you may benefit from the expertise extra in an even bigger truck.As for payload, my tester can deal with 2,100 kilos within the mattress, however once more, you may haul roughly relying on configuration, anyplace from 1,705 kilos to 3,325 kilos. As for the competitors, the Ram 1500 can tow a most of 11,650 kilos and haul 2,320 kilos within the mattress. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can tow 13,300 kilos and carry 2,280 kilos of payload. Ford upped its trailer expertise sport for 2021, as nicely. There’s a brand new reverse information with 5 cameras and slightly graphic that tells you which of them approach to flip the steering wheel, since that may typically be complicated. (Remember, backing up a trailer means turning the wheel to the left to maneuver the trailer to the best.) You also can simply use the Pro Trailer Back-Up Assist, the place you flip a dial within the course you need the trailer to go and the truck handles the guesswork for you. The Ram 1500 has an identical function.However, Chevrolet has cameras out there everywhere in the Silverado, together with one that permits drivers to kind of see by way of their trailer and know what’s behind them. There are 4 out there hitch views, six out there driving views and 5 out there parking views. If you even get this near hitting one thing within the Silverado, you may learn about it — or at the very least have the ability to see if occurring.A 12-inch infotainment display runs Ford’s Sync 4 tech.
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Tons of tech and good cabin facilitiesThe F-150 acquired a significant tech improve, together with a 12-inch show. Running Ford’s new Sync 4 infotainment system, this infotainment system is quicker and extra highly effective than the outgoing tech and drivers can use a split-screen function to regulate a number of features on the identical time. Sync has at all times been fairly straightforward to make use of, and it simply will get higher with this improve. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are right here they usually’re a breeze to arrange.My tester additionally has a 12-inch digital gauge cluster with some cool graphics and extra data than you can ever want. I select to maintain it easy with my pace entrance and heart however I might embrace drive mode graphics and navigation data, to call just a few.Most F-150 trims get Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 2.0 suite of driver’s aids customary, together with entrance and rear emergency braking, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. My tester goes huge with adaptive cruise management, lane centering and a brand new intersection help that may mitigate an imminent crash when turning left into oncoming site visitors.A fold-down desk provides you loads of room to work — or eat.
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Ford can also be moving into the hands-free driving sport with a late-availability Super Cruise-like system referred to as Active Drive Assist. On sure mapped and divided highways the F-150 will permit drivers to take their palms off the steering wheel, though a driver-facing digicam makes certain your eyes stay on the street. Expect it to return to the F-150 later this 12 months by way of an over-the-air replace.The F-150’s cabin will get a pleasant improve, although the Ram 1500 nonetheless takes the cake by way of general consolation and refinement. Loaded F-150s will be had with open-pore wooden, in addition to heated, cooled and massaging entrance seats. There are additionally loads of storage locations together with a middle console that may maintain Roadshow’s favourite snacks: a six-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper and a Costco-sized field of Cheez-Its with loads of room left over.The power-deploying working boards and handles on the A-pillars make hauling my butt up into the truck simpler, and adjustable pedals assist each quick and tall individuals discover a good driving place. Having discovered mine, nonetheless, it’s a bit troublesome to achieve the middle touchscreen with out leaning ahead fairly a bit. This is a giant truck, y’all.America’s best-selling truck retains going sturdy.
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Something for everybodyThe F-150 vary covers an enormous swath of costs. A base XL begins at $30,635 (together with $1,695 for vacation spot), however a completely loaded Limited can attain above $80,000. Personally, I’d persist with a midrange Lariat. It’s no fancy-pants mannequin, but it surely’s additionally a lot inexpensive and nonetheless nicely geared up. I’d add the additional driver’s aids however I’d most like skip the bundle wanted for the Active Drive Assist because it finally ends up including practically $7,000 to the underside line. I’d add the trailer tow bundle and the hybrid powertrain which supplies me the two.4-kW generator. And in fact, the Max Recline seats. I’m all in at $58,8155 together with $1,695 for vacation spot. Meanwhile, the King Ranch you see right here is available in round $76,000.With new options, numerous powertrains, nice tech and tons of functionality, the F-150 continues to supply tons of selection for all kinds of truck clients. All issues thought of, the F-150 is certainly positioned to maintain its best-selling truck crown for years to return.