The Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling trucks on the planet, not just in the U.S. It is the most popular truck on the road, thanks in large to its reliability and advanced engineering. When consumers want to buy a new truck, many questions come to mind. We will be answering some of these questions in this guide.

Ford F-150 Frequently Asked Questions

There are many questions surrounding Ford F-150. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the F-150 along with their answers:

Is the Ford F-150 a good truck?

The answer to this question is yes. The Ford F-150 is a superb full-size pickup truck. It features a diverse lineup of powerful powertrains, such as the diesel engine, V6, and V8 options, as well as the new hybrid option. The Ford F-150 also features poised handling, and it gives a smooth ride.

This truck beats most of its competitors when it comes to towing or hauling. Some other highlights of this truck are easy-to-use tech features, spacious seats, and a well-crafted cabin. The predicted reliability rating of this vehicle is outstanding.

Should you buy the Ford F-150?

Yes, you can buy the F-150. This truck is arguably the best and most all-rounded truck in its class. Another reason why you should consider buying this truck is its price. The F-150 price compares favorably with other pickup trucks in its class. This makes it a good option for you.

What are the trim levels of the F-150?

The Ford F-150 has 6 different trim levels. They include the XL (also known as the base option), XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and the Limited trims.

What are the F-150 engine options?

The different trims of the F-150 come with different engine options. These engine options are the 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine, 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine, 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine, and 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine.

What are the F-150 cab and bed options?

The F-150 offers different cab and bed configurations. The cab styles are the Regular cab, SuperCab (extended Regular cab), and the SuperCrew (crew cab). The F-150 also comes with different bed lengths, based on the cab style. These bed lengths are the 5.5-foot Styleside, the 6.5-foot Styleside, and the 8-foot Styleside.

What is the cost of the Ford F-150?

The F-150 XL trim has a starting price of $28,940. The XLT starting price is $35,050, the Lariat starting price is $44,695, the King Ranch starting price is $56,330, the Platinum starting price is $59,110, and the Limited starting price is $70,825. The XL trim is the least expensive in the class while the most expensive is the Limited trim.

What is the cost of insuring a Ford F-150?

Factors such as the type of insurance you choose, the level of coverage you want, and your deductible will determine how much it will cost you to insure your Ford F-150. Your credit score, location, driving record, gender, and age can also impact your insurance rate.

Difference between the 2020 and the 2021 Ford F-150

The 2021 Ford F-150 has a completely new design, and it comes with lots of changes. There is a new engine addition to the powertrain lineup: a 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine that puts out 430 horsepower. Also added to the 2021 F-150 is the new SYNC 4 infotainment system that comes with an 8-inch touch screen.

The 2021 Ford F-150 will also see an 800 lbs increase in maximum towing capacity when compared with the 2020 model. The 2020 model had a max towing capacity of 13,200, but the 2021 model will have a max towing capacity of 14,000.To learn more about 2021 Ford F-150, check out our expert review here.

What Are the Major Changes in the F-150 Over the Last Few Years?

Below are the key changes in the different F-150 models in the past few years:

• 2017: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, off-road-oriented Raptor trim, and 10-speed automatic transmission was made available.
• 2018: Some performance tweaks like horsepower boosts to some of the engines and an increase in max towing capacity from 12,200 to 13,200 pounds.
• 2019: Limited trim received a 450 horsepower engine, Raptor trim got new shocks, pedestrian detection was added to the standard features list, automatic emergency braking, and forward-collision warning.
• 2020: Expanded engine became available in lower trims and 10-speed automatic transmission was fused into all engines.
• 2021: Improved capability, more standard features, and a completely new design with revamped powertrain lineup.

Ford F-150 vs. the Competition

There is always a war of numbers when a new truck debut. Fans feverishly compare torque, horsepower, hauling capacity, and more. Let’s see how well the F-150 does against the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs. Ford F-150

When it is not stacked up against the Ford F-150, the Chevrolet Silverado looks like a great full-size pickup truck. It has a spacious interior, great hauling and towing capabilities, and capable powertrains that include a turbo-four.

The F-150 does not provide a turbo-four option but it can haul and tow more than the Chevy. The Ford F-150 also has a higher predicted reliability rating, a better gas mileage, and a nicer interior than the Chevy.

Ram 1500 vs. Ford F-150

Competing for the top spot with the F-150 in the class ranking every year is the Ram 1500. The Ram 150 does not match the F-150 for hauling and towing, but it’s still powerful and capable. In terms of ride quality and interior, the Ram 150 beats the F-150.

Among the trucks in the class, only the Ram 150 surpasses the Ford F-150 in ride quality and interior. It is the leader in the class when it comes to both areas.

In higher trim levels of the Ram 150, you’ll feel like you are driving a luxury vehicle. You can read more on how the big three trucks (Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and the Chevy Silverado 1500) compare here.

Ford F-150 Performance: Unmatched Capability

In this section, we will take a brief look at the F-150 engine, gas mileage, ride and handling, off-road performance, and towing capacity.

Ford F-150 Engine

You can choose from 6 powertrain options for the Ford F-150. The options include a 290 horsepower 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine (the base engine), a 400-horsepower 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, a 325-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost V6 engine, a 430-horsepower 3.5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine, a 250-horsepower 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine, and a 400-horsepower 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine.

The 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine is fine, but the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is a better option if you usually use the F-150 for traveling to and from work daily. If you want to use the F-150 for heavier-duty towing, consider the V8 engine or diesel engine.

No matter what you intend to do with your F-150, consider the hybrid engine and the larger EcoBoost V6 engine (3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine). They are the two most spectacular powertrains; they have the best acceleration, always seem to have power in reserve when on the highway, and they jet off eagerly from a stop.

F-150 Gas Mileage

With its base engine and rear-wheel drive, the Ford F-150 gets 20 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. These ratings are good for the class of full-size pickup trucks. The ratings jump slightly to 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway with the smaller EcoBoost V6.The V8 gets 17/24 MPG city/highway.

This is a better fuel economy rating compared to most V8-powered rivals. The newly introduced hybrid powertrain has an impressive MPG rating of 24/24 MPG city/highway. You can learn more about which Ford F-150 has the highest mileage here.

F-150 Ride and Handling

Even though the F-150 is a large vehicle, it is not so difficult to drive. It gives a smooth ride, as the suspension helps to absorb road imperfections without any issue. The F-150 also gives a composed feel on winding roads, with a good steering feel and slight body lean.

F-150 Off-Road Performance

All models of the F-150 offer four-wheel drive and so, they have a decent off-road performance straight off. The F-150 also offers different trims and off-road packages. Later in this guide, we will discuss the best F-150 model for off-roading.

F-150 Towing Capacity

The F-150, when properly equipped, cannot be matched by any of its rivals in terms of hauling and towing. This vehicle can tow an incredible weight of up to 14,000 pounds and can haul up to 3,325 pounds.

Ford F-150 Interior: Roomy, Quiet, and Comfortable

In this section, we will be discussing all you need to know about the F-150 interior. Things that will be discussed include the interior quality, the number of people it can seat, the cargo space, and more.

F-150 Cargo Space

The bed options for the F-150 include the 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot beds. Also available in the F-150 are several nifty bed features like the Ford's BoxLink, stowable loading ramps, a power tailgate, etc.

How Many People Can the F-150 Seat?

SuperCab and SuperCrew models of the F-150 can seat up to six people while the Regular Cab models can seat up to three people. The F-150 front seats are supportive and convenient, and they allow plenty of visibility for drivers.

Available only on higher trims is the Ford’s Max Recline Seats. These seats can fold almost flat, making it easy for you to nap in the truck. The F-150 model with the most spacious back-seat setup is the SuperCrew model. Adults can also enjoy a comfortable ride in the SuperCab model's rear seats.

F-150 and Child Car Seats

For installing child safety seats, the F-150 models with rear seats carry two complete sets of LATCH connectors for outboard seats and an upper tether anchor for middle seats.

F-150 Interior Quality

The F-150 interior doesn’t quite match up to the standards of the Ram 1500, but it is still as good as or even better than other full-size trucks. It has an attractive design, impressive materials quality, and it stays quiet even when on highway speeds.

F-150 Infotainment, Navigation, and Bluetooth

0It is hard to find a fault with the SYNC 4 infotainment system. This system carries an intuitive interface with menu layouts that can be navigated easily.

The crisp graphics display and large buttons of this system also make it simple to use when on the move. This system also has well-organized physical controls. Standard on the infotainment system is an 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, USB ports, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Available features on the infotainment system include a 12-inch touch screen, an 8 or 18 speaker Bang & Olufsen (B&O) audio system, navigation, and wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay. Other available features include a moonroof, push-button start, power windows, and door locks, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, wireless device charging, HD Radio, and satellite radio.

F-150 Reliability

We will answer the question of whether the F-150 is reliable in this section. We will also discuss its warranty.Is the Ford F-150 Reliable?The stellar predicted reliability rating of the Ford F-150 is 4.5 out of 5.

‍Ford F-150 Warranty The Ford-150 is backed by Ford with a 3 years/36,000-mile bumper-bumper warranty & a 5 years/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Ford backs the diesel engine with a 5 years/100,000-mile warranty.

Ford F-150 Safety

In this section, we will discuss the F-150 safety. We will look at its safety features, as well as crash-test results conducted by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

‍F-150 Crash Test Results

‍In the roof strength test conducted by the IIHS, the F-150 got Good, which is the highest rating. This test is the only crashworthiness test result we have from the IIHS at the time of writing. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) safety ratings are also not available at this time.F-150 Safety FeaturesThe following advanced safety features come standard on the F-150:

• Forward collision warning
• Rearview camera
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection

Available advance safety features include:

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Evasive steering assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Intersection assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Cross-traffic alert
• The surround-view parking camera system
• Traffic sign recognition
• Active Drive Assist (a semiautonomous driving feature)
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Reverse automatic emergency braking

Where is the Ford F-150 Built?The Ford F-150 (2021 model) was built in Michigan and Missouri. To learn more about the manufacturing process and location, read our other blog post that you can find here.

What is the Right F-150 Model for Me?

The F-150 (2021 model) is available in six trims: Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch, Limited, XL, and XLT. If you want to consider a low trim, the XLT is the option you should go for. It comes with little more features than the base trim (XL) and it offers technologies the XL does not. If you have more to spend, you can consider the Lariat trim. It offers many more convenient and comforting features than the lower trims.

Powertrain Options for Ford F-150

The F-150 powertrain options are as follows:

• 3L Ti-VCT V6 engine (base engine) with 265 lb.-ft. of torque and 290 HP; starting price $28,940. It comes standard in XL, and XLT trims
• 7L EcoBoost V6 engine with 400 lb.-ft. of torque and 325 HP; starting price $30,135. It comes standard in Lariat and is available in XL and XLT trims
• 0L Ti-VCT V8 engine with 410 lb.-ft. of torque and 400 HP; starting price $30,935. It comes standard in Platinum and King Ranch and is available in XL, XLT, and Lariat trims
• 0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel with 440 lb.-ft. of torque and 250 HP; starting price $42,440. It is available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, XL, and XLT trims
• 5L EcoBoost V6 engine with 500 lb.-ft of torque and 400 HP; starting price $35,620. It comes standard in Limited and is available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, XL, and XLT trims
• 5L PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 engine with 570 lb.-ft. of torque and 430 HP; starting price $42,120. It is available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, Limited, XL, and XLT trims

All powertrain options are equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and they come standard in rear-wheel drive. They are also available in four-wheel drive.Find out which are the best tires for Ford F-150 here.

Ford F-150 Appearance Packages

The appearance packages for the different F-150 trims are given below:

• XL Chrome Appearance Package (has a starting price of $775): chrome front and rear bumpers, fog lamps, and 17-inch silver-painted aluminum wheels
• XLT Chrome Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,695): chrome tow hooks, 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels, chrome exterior door, and tailgate handles, a chrome two-bar grille, body-color bezel on side doors, chrome step bars, and a chrome exhaust tip
• XLT Sport Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,995): all-season tires, the body-color bezel on side doors, 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, body-color door and tailgate handles, a chrome exhaust tip, a black two-bar grille, and body-color front and rear bumpers
• Lariat Chrome Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,695): all-season tires, 18-inch chrome aluminum wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, a chrome two-bar grille, chrome step bars, chrome skull caps on exterior mirrors, chrome tow hooks, and chrome exterior door and tailgate handles
• Lariat Sport Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,995): all-season tires, 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, a black two-bar grille, body-color front, and rear bumpers, and accent color step bars
• STX Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,780; it is available in XL): all-season tires, 18-inch aluminum wheels, a painted black honeycomb grille, an electronic rear-window defroster, body-color front, and rear bumpers, and fog lamps.
• King Ranch Chrome Appearance Package (has a starting price of $1,995): all-season tires, adds 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels, chrome skull caps on exterior mirrors, chrome bumpers, chrome tow hooks, and chrome door handles

Ford F-150 Work Packages/Options

The work packages for the different F-150 trims are given below:

• Snow Plow Prep Package (has a starting price of $50; it is available in Lariat, XL, and XLT models with four-wheel drive and the V8 engine): This package adds a "Snow Plow" Mode Button that disenables some features to maintain the required electrical charge margins during plow operation
• Tow Technology Package (has a starting price of $880; it is available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, XL, and XLT trims): trailer reverse guidance, a surround-view parking camera system, the trailer backup assist, a smart trailer tow connector, and a trailer brake controller
• Trailer Tow Package (has a starting price of $975; available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, XL, and XLT trims): a trailer brake controller, a pro trailer backup assist, and a class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Max Trailer Tow Package (has a starting price of $1,235; available in King Ranch, Lariat, Platinum, XL, and XLT trims): a class IV trailer hitch receiver, an electronic-locking rear axle, a smart trailer tow connecter, an upgraded rear bumper, a pro trailer backup assist, and a trailer brake controller.
• Heavy-Duty Payload Package (has a starting price of $1,500; available in XL and XLT trims; it requires maximum trailer tow package and V8 engine): a 9.75-inch gearset, a locking rear axle, all-terrain tires, a 36-gallon fuel tank, upgraded springs, and 18-inch silver-painted aluminum heavy-duty wheels

Check out how much weight Ford F-150 can pull here.

Ford F-150 Trims Levels Reviews

In this section, we will be paying a closer look at the different F-150 trims. The trims we will be considering include the XL trim, XLT trim, Lariat trim, King Ranch trim, Platinum trim, and the Limited trim.

Ford F-150 XL

Ford F-150 XL has a base price of $28,940. It comes standard with a 290 HP 3.3L V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and a ten-speed automatic transmission. The XL also has standard features which include the SYNC 4 infotainment system and cloth upholstery.

The SYNC 4 infotainment system features USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and an 8-inch touch screen. Standard driver assistance also has incredible features which include pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, rearview camera, and forward-collision warning.

Some of these driver assistance features are part of Ford's Co-Pilot360 technology suite.The standard configuration for the F-150 XL trim is the Regular Cab/6.5 footbed combo. You can go for the 8-foot bed; it has an extra cost of $300.

When SuperCab models are paired with the middle bed length, they have a starting price of $33,025. If you choose to get the long bed, you’ll pay an additional $1,305.The starting price for SuperCrew models is $36,650. They come standard with the 5.5 footbeds. You can upgrade to the 6.5-foot bed for an additional $1,305.

Ford F-150 XLT

Ford F-150 XLT has a starting price of $35,050. It comes with the XL trim’s features and other features such as power windows and door locks, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

The standard and available bed/cab combos for the XLT are the same as that of the XL. The price increases are also the same. The XLT trim is the highest available trim level with the Regular Cab.

Ford F-150 Lariat

Ford F-150 Lariat has a starting price of $44,695. It comes standard with a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, leather upholstery, a 12-inch touch screen, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, BoxLink adjustable tie-down cleats, remote start, and push-button start.

The F-150 Lariat is the lowest trim that comes standard with the SuperCab. Also standard is the middle bed length. The long bed can be gotten for $1,290. The SuperCrew Lariat models have a starting price of $48,300 with the middle bed length and $48,045 with the short bed.

Ford F-150 King Ranch

Ford F-150 King Ranch has a starting price of $56,330. The King Ranch trim and other higher trims are only available in the SuperCrew cab style. 5.5 foot bed length comes standard on the King Ranch trims.

You can upgrade to the 6.5 footbeds for an additional $300.In addition to the features of the lower trims, you will also find on the King Ranch the following: heated rear seats, an in-bed power outlet, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, navigation, wireless device charging, HD Radio, an 8-speaker B&O audio system, and intersection assist.

Ford F-150 Platinum

Ford F150 Platinum has a starting price of $59,110. With an extra $300, you’ll get the 6.5-foot bed instead of the 5.5-foot bed. Standard features on the F-150 Platinum include massaging front seats, power-deployable running boards, and traffic sign recognition.

Ford F-150 Limited

Ford F-150 Limited has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $70,825. This trim comes only in the SuperCrew/5.5 foot bed configuration. F-150 Limited comes with a trailer reverse guidance, a power tailgate with a deployable step, trailer backup assist, a surround-view parking camera system, an 18-speaker B&O audio system, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and a moonroof.

What is the Right F-150 Cab Style for Me?

For buyers who just need a work truck, the Regular Cab which can seat up to three people may be the perfect option; although, most people opt for the SuperCrew or SuperCab body style that has rear seats and that can seat up to six people.

If you mostly haul kids in the back, you should consider the SuperCab. However, the SuperCrew may be a better option if you carry adults in the rear seats regularly.

To choose a cab style, the most essential factor you should consider is the number of people you carry regularly. In addition to this factor, also consider the beds and trims that are accessible with each cab.

The SuperCab is offered in the Lariat, XL, and XLT trims and it is available with the 6.5-footbed and 8-foot bed. The Regular cab is offered only in the XL and XLT trims, and it is available with either the 6.5 footbeds or the 8-foot bed.

The SuperCrew cab is offered in all the trims (King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, Lariat, XL, and XLT), and it is available with a 5.5-foot bed. This cab style is the only cab style that is accessible with the 5.5 foot bed. You can also get the SuperCrew with the 6.5-foot bed, but this combo is only available on the Limited trim.

What is the Right F-150 Bed Length for Me?

The F-150 gives you three-bed length options: 8 foot, 5.5 foot, and 6.5 foot. Some bed length is available only on certain cab style. For example, the SuperCrew cab is the only cab style that offers the 5.5-foot bed, and it is not accessible with the 8-foot bed.

On all three cab styles, you can get a 6.5-foot bed. You are better off with the 6.5-foot bed, unless maybe you need the outright best payload capacity.

The 6.5-foot bed allows you to choose the cab style you want and it is part of the configuration for unlocking the maximum towing capacity of the F-150.If you are going for a SuperCrew model, you may consider the 5.5 foot bed. The 5.5-foot bed will help trim down the truck’s length, making it a bit easier to navigate.

What is the Best F-150 Model for Towing and Hauling?

The Ford F-150 has a higher towing capacity than all of its classmates – 14,000 lbs. The payload capacity of this truck is also impressive. It has a max payload capacity of 3,325 lbs.

You should consider the SuperCab or SuperCrew model if you want the most capable version of the F-150; also select either the V8 or the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine.The max towing rating of 14,000 lbs. can be achieved with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine in both SuperCrew and SuperCab models.

With the V8 engine, you’ll achieve almost the same towing capacity (13,000 lbs.). You can also enjoy plenty of capability with the diesel (12,100 lbs.) and the hybrid (12,700 lbs.) powertrains.

The V8 engine offers the best payload capacity (up to 3,325 lbs.). The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine follows closely (up to 3,250 lbs.). Other powertrains of the F-150 are way behind the two aforementioned engines.

The diesel can haul up to 1,840 lbs. and the hybrid 2,120 lbs.Generally speaking, four-wheel-drive models hauls less than their rear-wheel-drive counterparts when equipped with the same cab, bed, and engine.

What is the Best F-150 Model for Off-Roading?

All F-150 models with four-wheel drive can off-road. Each of the trims offers a four-wheel-drive; you can also add the FX4 package on select trims for $1,005. This package has features like hill descent control, skid plates, more rugged shock absorbers, a rock crawl mode, and a locking rear differential.

The all-new F-150 Tremor provides greater off-road prowess than the regular F-150 models. Tremor models feature four-wheel drive, a front bash plate, 33-inch all-terrain tires, an upgraded suspension, hill descent control, a locking differential, and more. Upgrades such as one-pedal drive and trail turn assist can also be added to the F-150 Tremor.

Final Thoughts

The Ford F-150 remains one of the best pickup trucks out there. Its towing and hauling capabilities cannot be matched by any rival truck in its class. With several engine options, easy-to-use technology, and a beautifully designed interior, the F-150 is worth its cost. Besides, it comes at different prices, depending on the capabilities you want.

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