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- Highs Excellent engine selection, class-leading capability, innovative high-tech features.
- Lows Turbo engines fail to elevate fuel economy, 10-speed automatic can be slow to shift, that’s about it.
- Verdict The F-150 is the most complete and compelling full-size pickup to be found.
Overview
The F-150 pickup truck has been Ford's top-selling model for decades. The handsome hauler can be outfitted for every job and every personality, with three cab and bed styles and numerous appearance packages. Its modern aluminum-body construction helps save weight, which improves performance and fuel economy, and a slew of advanced engines and high-tech driver assists are on board. Looking for something more capable off-road? Check out the Ford F-150 Raptor (reviewed separately).
What's New for 2019?
A diesel engine is now an option on Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum models. The Navy Pier interior color scheme changes to Camel Back two-tone. FordPass Connect is now standard for the F-150 XLT, while the CD player is deleted. The XLT Sport Appearance Package gets new five-inch angular step bars, and new exterior colors include Agate Black, Abyss Gray, and Silver Spruce.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We think the mid-level Lariat SuperCrew with the larger cargo bed represents the best combination of versatility and value. A 325-hp twin-turbo V-6 is the standard engine; upgrading to the more powerful 375-hp version costs an extra $1600. That engine is responsive and quick, and it pumps out 470 lb-ft of torque. Adding all-wheel drive isn't necessary for everyone, but the option is a must for harsh winters. Every Lariat has standard features such as a power-adjustable driver's seat, a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and heated and cooled front seats.
Engine, Transmission, Towing, and Performance
Likes: Wide range of engine choices including a diesel, optional turbo V-6 is fast.
Dislikes: 10-speed automatic slow to react under hard acceleration.
The F-150 has an excellent selection of sophisticated engines including a 3.0-liter diesel that is good for 440 lb-ft of torque. Most engines pair with Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission. The strongest engine isn't a red-blooded V-8 but a powerful twin-turbo V-6 that is capable of towing a class-leading 13,200 pounds. An F-150 without the Trailer Tow package can tug up to 7000 pounds with either the V-8 or the top-tier V-6. The King Ranch model we tested with the 375-hp V-6 finished among the best in all categories against the competition's largest V-8 engines. The V-8 F-150 was slower to 60 mph at 6.3 seconds, but its 50-to-70-mph time was nearly identical to that of the V-6. The V-6 model's 10-speed automatic was slow to react under hard acceleration, but otherwise operated without issue. The F-150 doesn't reach the level of comfort of the Ram 1500's available air-spring suspension offers. The ride is composed on smoother surfaces but not over harsh bumps, where jittering can be felt in the rear.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The F-150 offers a pair of twin-turbo V-6 engines in the quest for V-8 power coupled with better-than-V-8 fuel economy. The 375-hp V-6 model achieved 19 mpg in our real-world highway fuel-economy test, 4 mpg below its official EPA estimate.
Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo
Likes: Roomy back seat, optional heated and cooled massaging front seats, optional Wi-Fi connectivity.
Dislikes: Slow-to-respond infotainment system.
Yesterday's luxury sedan is today's full-size pickup, and the F-150 has the space and equipment to prove it. It seduces with options that range from massaging seats to a panoramic sunroof. The F-150's optional touchscreen infotainment system has handsome graphics, is a snap to learn, and is loaded with useful features. All that holds it back is its lazy reaction to user inputs. There's plenty of storage space in the F-150—it is a pickup, after all.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
The F-150 pickup can be equipped with almost every advanced safety system that is available on passenger cars, plus a clever driver aid that makes the confusing work of backing up a trailer as easy as twisting a knob. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated the F-150 as one of the safest pickups on the market with its 2017 Top Safety Pick rating. Key safety features include:
- Available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology
- Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The F-150 has competitive limited and powertrain warranties that are only bettered by the Nissan Titan (five years or 100,000 miles). Unlike the Toyota Tundra and the GM pickups, Ford doesn't offer complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
