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- Highs Six available engines all paired with a 10-speed automatic, big payload and tow ratings, available bench seat.
- Lows Aluminum construction and turbocharging doesn't give it the mpg advantage you'd think it should, can get expensive.
- Verdict A workhorse from tip to tail, the F-150 doesn't disappoint whether you're in it for $30K or $70K.
Overview
Pickup trucks have morphed into luxury cruise machines, and the 2020 Ford F-150 has not fallen behind the curve. Sure, Ford will still build you a work truck with a regular cab and an 8.0-foot bed, but the most popular versions are the family-friendly four-door trucks with shorter beds. There's an extended cab, too, for the folks who blend work and play. With a wide range of engines and driveline combinations, there is an F-150 for nearly any budget. Unlike the competition that uses mostly steel in its construction, Ford fashions all of its pickup body panels out of aluminum. Ford even makes an in-house desert proto-racer called the Raptor (reviewed separately).
What's New for 2020?
A plastic surgeon would call this a maintenance year for the F-150. Not too much has changed; the biggest news is the availability of the Power Stroke turbo-diesel V-6 on the more affordable XLT trims. Lariat trucks, one level up from the XLT, now come standard with Ford's suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies that it calls Co-Pilot360. Base XL trucks can be dressed up with an STX Sport Appearance package, XLT and Lariat models now have an optional Black Appearance package, and three new colors—Iconic Silver, Rapid Red Tinted Clearcoat, and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat—are available.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
While the nostalgia of a regular-cab, two-door truck tugs at our feels, there is no denying the excellent versatility and value of a Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 with the 6.5-foot cargo box. This model starts at $51,630 and you can upgrade to an EcoBoost V-6 for $600 or the Power Stroke turbo-diesel for $3000, but we say stick with the standard 5.0-liter V-8. It makes plenty of power to be comfortable hauling any of your toys and the cabin comes fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, two-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Trailer Tow package and integrated trailer-brake controller are must-have options if you plan to haul, but they will also help with resale if you ever plan to sell.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
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 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.
Towing and Payload Capacity
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.
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, Comfort, and Cargo
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. 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.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The F-150's optional touchscreen infotainment system has handsome graphics, is a snap to learn, and is loaded with useful features.
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
