Execs: Distinctive powertrains, together with the hybrid and Lightning; distinctive and game-changing tech; well-balanced driving dynamics; Raptor!
Cons: Inside design is a bit ugly; the Ram rides higher
As you possibly can see from the slightly “yeah, so what?” assortment of cons above, it’s secure to say that we predict that purchasing a 2023 Ford F-150 can be an honest thought. We’d favor driving the Ram 1500 or sitting within the Chevy Silverado’s fashionable new inside, however in terms of these issues that make a truck a truck, the F-150 is kind of merely distinctive.
It actually comes down to 2 big-ticket areas: engines and know-how. First, its {smooth} and environment friendly turbocharged V6 “EcoBoost” engines present spectacular refinement and energy that makes something with a V8 really feel a bit quaint. After all, the PowerBoost Hybrid places even these to disgrace with the kind of no-compromise combo of energy and effectivity that may actually solely be beat by the also-exceptional F-150 Lightning electrical truck we evaluation individually.
Second, after we speak about “know-how” we’re not speaking concerning the normal dialogue of touchscreens and Apple CarPlay. Nope, the F-150 has game-changing tech for precise truck functions. We named its Professional Energy on-board generator choices our Know-how of the Yr for 2021, after which its Onboard Scales and Sensible Hitch hauling and towing options our Know-how of the Yr for 2022. We describe them on the above hyperlinks and beneath.
For all the things else that makes a truck a truck, together with quite a lot of off-roading choices topped off by the wild new Raptor R, the F-150 delivers. Check out the Ram and GM vehicles to make certain, however positively don’t ignore this Ford.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
Moreover massively jacked up costs, there’s one other pair of off-road-oriented F-150 fashions for 2023. First, there’s the Rattler, a bundle that provides to the bottom XL trim stage quite a lot of FX4 bundle upgrades: skid plates, all-terrain tires, off-road shocks, a locking diff and hill descent management. Exterior you possibly can inform it aside from the distinctive mixture of XL black plastic grille and bumpers paired with particular badging and the rugged wheel/tire combo. Second, there’s the Raptor R, which provides a supercharged V8 to roughly the identical Raptor chassis upgrades. You possibly can learn all about it in our Raptor R first drive evaluation. There’s additionally the F-150 Heritage Version that pays tribute to the marque’s historical past of distinctive two-tone shade schemes. They’re fairly snazzy.
What are the F-150 inside and in-car know-how like?
Ford carried out main surgical procedure on the F-150’s sprint two years in the past with a purpose to swallow what is basically a small tv in high trim ranges. The result’s an awfully monolithic heart stack that is much less visually interesting than what you’d get within the Ram 1500 and radically revised Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. That is very true when speaking concerning the higher trim ranges, however not less than these together with the Platinum (pictured high) make up for it with buttery leather-based, open-pore wooden trim and properly textured metal-look trim. That stated, even the decrease XLT trim has high-quality supplies and the novel inclusion of a trim piece embossed with a map of Detroit (pictured beneath, backside left)
As for that large 12-inch display, we will not say it provides a lot to the Sync 4 interface past merely being larger than the 8-inch commonplace unit. That is definitely nonetheless a profit (who desires a smaller display?), however in contrast to the Ram portrait-style improve and GM’s widescreen unit (plus the Lightning’s portrait-style Sync 4A display), the bigger display would not maximize its additional acreage with rearranged or extra-large icons that vastly enhance performance. It is also an extra attain than what you may discover within the Ram, no matter display measurement. However, the obtainable all-digital instrument panel is colourful and crisp, and there is no faulting the ample infotainment function content material.
We extensively reviewed the six-passenger cabin of a F-250 SuperCrew whose seating is basically shared with the ’22 F-150, together with its entrance center seat and fold-down console. 5-passenger F-150s, in the meantime, supply a middle console with a novel armrest lid that unfolds ahead to turn out to be a flat floor to put a laptop computer, paperwork or road-side picnic. To make this origami attainable, the shifter uniquely motors ahead right into a recess, although solely when parked (pictured beneath). We’re curious to understand how a lot house owners have truly utilized and appreciated this performance. Ford additionally vastly elevated the steering wheel’s tilt and telescoping journey, making for an impressively extra snug, SUV-like driving place.
How large is the F-150?
The assorted full-size vehicles are so large that variations amongst them are successfully moot. An inch or two right here and there will not make a distinction outdoors. As earlier than, you get a selection of standard, SuperCab (prolonged) and SuperCrew cabs with the latter two providing six-passenger or five-passenger seating preparations. The SuperCab continues to have clamshell doorways slightly than the front-hinged ones supplied by Ram and GM. Its again seat area continues to be on the cramped facet, however that is frequent for the section. So too is the huge quantity of rear seat area within the SuperCrew.
That is additionally nearly as good a spot as any to say the F-150’s distinctive mattress components. One is acquainted: the tailgate’s pop-out help step that makes repeatedly climbing up and down out of the mattress a game-changing quick-and-easy course of (pictured above proper). The second is a more moderen development: the ProPower On Board electrical system that enables the F-150 to perform as cellular generator and energy station. A 2.0-kilowatt system is optionally available with the two.7-, 5.0- and three.5-liter fuel engines, whereas the Energy Increase hybrid provides a selection of normal 2.4-kW or optionally available 7.2-kW outputs. The lower-powered programs have a pair of 120-volt 20-amp retailers (pictured beneath left), whereas the 7.2-kW system provides two extra 120-volt retailers plus a 240-volt 30-amp outlet (pictured beneath proper). And eventually, the third is the obtainable Onboard Scales and Sensible Hitch that make hauling and towing a lot simpler and safer.
What are the F-150 gas economic system and efficiency specs?
Settle in, of us, that is going to take some time. The F-150 is again as much as seven engine choices – the diesel engine from a number of years again should still be gone, however the Raptor R provides a supercharged V8. Oh, and we’re not even counting the Lightning, which we evaluation individually.
Each F-150 has a 10-speed computerized and most come commonplace with rear-wheel drive. The essential four-wheel-drive system has an open diff on the rear, whereas the improve one has an digital locking rear diff.
The lineup begins with a 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6 good for 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Gas economic system is a 21 mpg mixed with rear-wheel drive, and 20 mpg mixed with four-wheel-drive.
Subsequent up is the primary of two “EcoBoost” engines, which is simply fancy Ford speak for “turbocharged.” The two.7-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, whereas returning 21 or 22 mpg mixed relying on various factors. Do not be shocked in case your real-world gas economic system is far decrease than that, nevertheless.
There’s nonetheless a good-old V8 obtainable: Ford’s 5.0-liter “Coyote” good for 400 hp and 410 lb-ft. Regardless of its output and cylinder rely, it nonetheless manages between 18 and 20 mpg mixed in common fashions, or 17 mpg with the Tremor. Not dangerous.
We might nonetheless select the silky-smooth 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, although, which pumps out 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Gas economic system is between 19 and 21 mpg mixed relying on drivetrain in common fashions, or 18 with the Tremor
The Ford Raptor, in the meantime, now provides a selection in engine. The “base” selection is a upgraded model of that 3.5-liter EcoBoost good for 450 hp and 510 lb-ft. Gas economic system stands at 15 or 16 mpg mixed relying on gear. The brand new Raptor R boasts a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 from the Mustang Shelby GT500. It produces 700 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. Gas economic system is barely 12 mpg mixed, which is simply as horrible because the Ram TRX, however hey, it swills common versus premium so it’ll prevent one thing like $1,000 yearly in fuel. Worth!
After all, when you’re actually taken with saving fuel, there’s the sensational PowerBoost hybrid powertrain. Its mixture of three.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and electrical motor built-in into the transmission produces 430 hp and 570 lb-ft. It returns 25 mpg with 2WD and 23 mpg with 4WD. That distinction might not appear nice, however when speaking vehicles, small variations in MPG figures can truly equate into large financial savings. Usually, although, each model of the 2023 F-150 is impressively environment friendly for a full-size truck. Properly, besides the Raptor R.
What is the F-150 prefer to drive?
There are such a lot of variations of the F-150, particularly in regard to engine selection, that the way it drives very a lot relies upon. All share one frequent aspect: they’re shockingly {smooth}, refined and even attentive to drive. A Platinum check truck and its adaptive steering system was virtually SUV-like in the way in which it moved down the street: the steering was faster and extra responsive than earlier than, the trip smoother, and there was the overall feeling of the truck being smaller than it was. The refinement drop off to a less expensive XLT check truck wasn’t that large, both. For individuals who want a pickup that may additionally accommodate the entire household on a street journey, the F-150 is now not the compromise it as soon as was. The Ram 1500 pulls off an analogous trick, and certainly, the hole between the 2 vehicles has narrowed considerably – and has presumably disappeared.
As for these powertrains, we can’t mince phrases: The F-150 PowerBoost is essentially the most spectacular pickup for on a regular basis responsibility we have examined. Its large output, refined energy supply and superior gas economic system make it essentially the most interesting powertrain choice. It additionally hides its hybridness effectively – there is no fussy CVT, awkward brake really feel or bizarre electrical noises. It feels completely regular. It additionally makes the in any other case potent 5.0-liter V8 really feel like an outdated canine, particularly in its responsiveness round city. The 2 EcoBoost turbocharged V6’s are higher on this regard, and proceed to impress with their buttery {smooth} energy supply. The larger 3.5-liter’s substantial output is much more spectacular in mild of how comparatively gas environment friendly it stays.
Be aware that we evaluation the F-150 Lightning individually.
What different Ford F-150 opinions can I learn?
2021 Ford F-150 First Drive
We drive as many variations of the brand new F-150 as we are able to, however come away most impressed by the PowerBoost hybrid.
2021 Ford F-150 Raptor First Drive Evaluation
We dispatched engineer and off-road knowledgeable Dan Edmunds to the California desert to provide us the fullest have a look at the brand new Raptor you’ll discover.
2023 Ford Raptor R First Drive Evaluation: The ‘Large Raptor’ will get the massive V8
Detailing what including a supercharged Shelby V8 does to the Raptor (it doesn’t make it sluggish)
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor First Drive Evaluation
Particulars concerning the off-road-oriented Tremor. It is extra a slow-and-steady rock crawler than the Raptor.
Ford F-150 Lightning Evaluation
Learn our detailed evaluation of the Lightning, which is the wildly spectacular electrical F-150.
2021 Ford F-150 Platinum Driveway Check | Max recline and keep awhile
Be part of Editor Byron Hurd for a video tour of the F-150’s new inside options.
2021 Ford F-150 Suspension Deep Dive
Ford did not draw consideration to them, however there are lots of subtle-but-significant adjustments.
What’s the 2023 F-150 value?
Costs are up considerably all through the F-150 lineup, however the quantity differs by trim stage. The Lariat has gone up by almost $8,000, whereas the XLT and Platinum are solely about $1,500 extra. Most others are nearer to the upper finish of that vary. All costs beneath embrace the hefty vacation spot cost of $1,895.
All costs beneath are the most affordable value every trim stage is accessible. You could find a extra complete rundown of every trim stage, together with added commonplace options and the costs of varied cab, mattress and drivetrain mixtures right here at Autoblog.
XL: $36,490XLT: $42,655Lariat: $59,375Tremor: $63,005 (pictured beneath left)King Ranch: $64,900Platinum: $66,590Raptor: $78,670Limited: $84,910 (pictured beneath proper)Raptor R: $109,245
What are the F-150 security scores and driver help options?
The bottom XL might not come commonplace with any driver help programs, however typically, they’re extra extensively obtainable on the F-150 than on GM or Ram’s vehicles. Beginning with the XLT, the F-150 comes commonplace with ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane holding help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning and rear parking sensors. It is also eligible, relying on bundle or trim stage, for the Co-Pilot360 Help system that provides adaptive cruise management (ACC) with stop-and-go functionality, lane-centering steering help, evasive steering system and speed-sign recognition. The Blue Cruise superior handsfree driving system may be added to all however the XL and XLT. The usual rearview digicam additionally consists of Dynamic Hitch Help, which offers a sight line that will help you hitch up and not using a spotter (or punching a gap within the bumper).
In authorities crash checks, each cab type acquired an ideal 5 stars for total, frontal and facet crash safety. Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named it a High Security Choose for its efficiency in all relative crash checks and for its crash-prevention applied sciences. Its headlight scores have been rated Poor, Acceptable and Good relying on trim stage and gear.
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