2023 Ford F-150: It should be no surprise that Ford prioritizes its F-Series pickups above other manufacturers’ entire product lines, given how many vehicles are sold. For the 2021 model year, the F-150 underwent a significant redesign, including new hybrid models with various Pro-Power generator capacities, enhanced technology, and updated style across the range. Ford kept the truck unaltered for 2022, releasing unknown Black Appearance and Bed Utility packages. The F-150 received some minor but noticeable updates for 2023, including adding a new Rattler variant with off-road suspension and graphics.
Ford sold almost 600,000 F-150s in 2021, making it the best-selling truck in the US for an extended period. While General Motors is eager to point out that the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado truck brands sell more vehicles than the F-150, none can compete with the Ford. Out of all of them, the Ram 1500 has superior interior finishes and ride quality. The three significant competitors constantly improve and update their offerings to maintain consumers’ attention in this competitive and high-stakes market. Following years of inaction, Toyota re-entered the market in 2022 with a wholly redesigned Tundra with a hybrid drivetrain.
Many other versions of the F-150 are available, such as the XL, XLT, Rattler, Heritage Edition, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models. (We discuss the F-150 Raptor that we baja-bash separately.) Customers may choose from three different body designs, including regular, Super Cab, and SuperCrew, as well as three different bed lengths ranging from 5.5 feet to eight feet. A 3.3-litre V6, a 3.5-litre V6 “Powerboost” hybrid, a turbocharged 2.7- and 3.5-litre V6, and the legendary 5.0-litre V8 are among the available powertrains. The most powerful engines are only available in the F-150 Raptor; Ford just discontinued the diesel option. Pricing is similarly complex, with basic XL models costing $35,590 (plus a $1895 delivery tax) and Limited models costing $87,450 (before extras).
Depending on the trim, the F-150 can handle various jobs and terrain. Ford provides improvements to make more pedestrian cars more adept in the mud and off-road packages (FX4, Tremor, Rattler, and the full-blown Raptor). For those who need it, an automated four-wheel drive option is also available for the current four-wheel drive system. Ford did a fantastic job providing the F-150 with a compliant suspension system that keeps everything rooted and comfortable, even if its ride quality can’t equal that of the Ram. The latest F-150’s ride quality is miles better than a few years ago, albeit there are occasional twitchy transitions and body wobble on bumpy roads.
Inside and externally, the F-150’s 2023 design has subtle, more contemporary elements. New features, including a fold-out centre console workstation with a motorized gear shift lever folding motion, a fold-flat front seat bed, and more tech than any previous F-150, are available in more technologically advanced vehicles with improved equipment. Soft leathers and options for massage and climate-controlled seats are available in upper grades. The F-150 has an 8- or 12-inch touchscreen, depending on the opportunity. Both have Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other features. Ram is also available with a 12-inch screen, although Chevy and GMC have more giant 13.4-inch screens. Fleet purchasers may add telematics services, while individual buyers can upgrade with a B&O audio system. Over-the-air upgrades are available for the Sync 4 interface, which Ford claims enables them to introduce new capabilities and improve current ones gradually.
Although pickups don’t usually come with the most significant safety features, Ford made enough improvements to the F-150 for the truck to be named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety (IIHS) in 2022. Automatic emergency braking, frontal collision warnings, evasive steering assistance, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure alerts, and pedestrian recognition are standard safety features.
Performance: Ford F-150
Regardless of engine option, the F-150 has plenty of pulling, towing, and hauling capacity. However, depending on the powerplant, the F-150 glides confidently and provides a remarkably smooth driving experience for a full-size truck. Some powertrains are still superior for work-related tasks. Furthermore, the 2017 Toyota Tundra is one of just two full-size truck manufacturers to offer a fully hybrid engine option, while Ford’s hybrid system in the F-150 is reliable and economical with gasoline.
There is a broad range of capability statistics due to the diversity of powertrain choices. When properly equipped, the F-150 with the 290 horsepower base V6 can tow up to 8,200 pounds and carry a maximum payload of 1,985. The vehicle can tow up to 10,100 pounds and carry up to 2,480 pounds thanks to its 325 horsepower dual turbo 2.7-litre V6 engine. With 400 horsepower, the 5.0-liter V8 can pull 13,000 pounds and carry 3,010 pounds in payload. Last but not least, the highest 400-hp twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 can pull up to 14,000 pounds. A 10-speed automatic gearbox is used in all gear ratios and towing improvements that make it simpler to accelerate and operate when towing a trailer.
Ford was not the only company to remove diesel vehicles from its inventory; Ram will also do so in the first half of 2023. The only two manufacturers offering a full-size four-cylinder truck are GMC and Chevy, which continue to provide a turbodiesel option. The Ram 1500 offers the smoothest ride in its class, but Ford isn’t far behind.
Fuel Efficiency: Ford F-150
The range of powertrain options means that fuel efficiency estimates are pretty variable. The hybrid powertrain, which achieves 25 mpg overall with 2WD and 23 mpg with 4WD, is the most efficient. Even the 3.3-litre V6 and turbo 3.5-litre V6 variants aren’t far behind the 2.7-litre V6, just 20 cities, 26 highways, and 22 combined. The basic F-150 with the optional 5.0-liter V8 Tremor trim is the least efficient (we assess the Raptor separately). It gets 17 mpg overall, 15 mpg in the city, and 20 mpg on the interstate.
The absence of a diesel option negatively impacts the F-150’s ratings in the fuel efficiency category. Diesel vehicles are more fuel-efficient and are available from Chevy and GMC. The 3.0-litre engine found under the hoods of the Silverado and Sierra can get up to 26 mpg combined. Ram’s diesel gets up to 24 mpg combined, which is less economical.
Driver assistance and safety:
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Ford F-150 a Top Safety Pick. “Good” ratings for all crash test categories and “Superior” ratings for preventing vehicle-to-vehicle crashes were the basis for that award. The truck’s headlights were rated as “Good,” “Acceptable,” or “Poor” based on the arrangement and trim. While the F-150 lost out to the 2022 Toyota Tundra for a Top Safety Pick +, no other full-size vehicle received recognition.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2023 F-150 a top five-star rating; the 2023 Toyota has not been tested, but the Ram and Chevrolet trucks all obtained five-star ratings.
Every F-150 from Ford comes with Co-Pilot360 2.0, a suite of driver assistance features that include forward collision alarms and blind spot monitoring.
Coziness & Space:
For the F-150, Ford provides three different cab configurations: the conventional two-door standard cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. The front seats of all F-150s are pretty roomy, with supportive, broad seats with excellent ergonomics. The finest internal room is in crew cab vehicles, particularly in the rear seat. According to Ford, the SuperCab offers 33.5 inches of back seat legroom, while the CrewCab boasts a roomy 43.6 inches. The Ram has an astounding 35.6 and 45.2 inches, while the Silverado has 35.2 and 43.4 inches, respectively.
Ford offers good interior storage with a sizable centre console compartment, roomy side pockets, and cupholders the size of Americans. Although there isn’t much cushioning or support on the back bench, the large area in specific versions makes up for it.
The Ram 1500’s interior is more luxurious and comfortable in higher trim levels. Like the F-150, the Ram 1500 Limited has beautiful leather and heated/ventilated seats. After the most recent makeover, the interiors of the two General Motors trucks are likewise considerably better, but they still fall short of the top F-150 and Ram 1500 grades. Nevertheless, Ford has perhaps lost its competitive edge due to removing the massage function from particular cars due to the microprocessor shortage.
Infotainment: Ford F-150
One of the most feature-rich and user-friendly infotainment systems available today is the Ford Sync 4. It functions perfectly on the 8- and 12-inch screens functioning model; the screen may support many functions simultaneously. Both systems include Bluetooth, HD audio, SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. The 360-degree video system, improved B&O sound, navigation, and practical amenities like remote start are all included in the top models.
With its 2019 facelift, Ram ignited the truck industry’s fight on large-screen infotainment. Its 12-inch display raised the standard and was the biggest at the time. Ram also uses the Uconnect infotainment system from parent firm Stellantis. Among full-size vehicles, it’s without a doubt the best infotainment system available, and the manufacturer has made great efforts to keep it updated.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The Ford F-150 is one of the most practical and adaptable trucks. The buyer may customize the length of the bed to a maximum of eight feet, and Ford provides several well-considered enhancements that increase the bed’s use and convenience. For brief durations, a residence may be powered by an optional hybrid engine with a generator, providing electricity for tools, equipment, and campgrounds. Steps are available for the tailgate, and Ford offers more illumination choices. Plenty of space is inside for storing little items, including a sizable glove box and centre console. There are plenty of door pockets for the back passengers, and storage is available behind the rear seat.
In particular, the cargo capacity of the 5.5-foot bed is 52.8 cubic feet, the 6.5-foot bed is 62.3, and the 8-foot bed is 77.4. Everybody measures 56 inches from the wheelhouse to 21.4 inches in height.
Design: Ford F-150
With the most recent F-150 makeover, Ford didn’t have to upset too many people. The truck has a clean, contemporary design with noticeable LED running lights and slight variations between trim levels that will only be seen by Ford enthusiasts. Top grades offer huge wheel choices and are chrome-plated. With most buttons and displays neatly angled toward the driver, the interior design is also contemporary and tidy.
Is the 2023 Ford F-150 worth it?
The F-150 can be optioned up to almost six figures and begins at over $35,000. For those who expense and write off the vehicle for work, those costs won’t matter, but for regular consumers, they’re a significant financial hit. Nevertheless, Ford’s prices aren’t much higher than the competition’s. The base price of the 2023 Ram 1500 Tradesman Quad Cab is $39,305 (including $1,895 for destination), while the base price of the Limited is almost $63,000. Both vehicles have several options that may significantly increase the cost of the car. Although the GMC Sierra starts to be less expensive, choices and engine improvements may increase the price by around $100,000.
In half-ton trucks, making apples-to-apples comparisons is difficult because of the wide range of possible cab, bed, and engine options. If we were purchasing one for our usage, like occasional hauling and minor home improvement tasks, we would choose the $63,810 Lariat SuperCrew with four-wheel drive and a 2.7-litre twin-turbo engine. Without spending too much time poring over the order book, it has a trailer hitch, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and cooled power front seats with leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and B&O audio, among many other great features.
How Much Does Ford F-150 Insurance Cost?
Compared to most of its competitors, the F-150 has lower insurance premiums. Though this averages across all 50 states, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record may anticipate paying an average yearly premium of $1,770 for a basic XL trim and around $2,200 for higher Limited and Platinum trims. In contrast, the standard Chevrolet Silverado Work Truck costs $1,812, while the Limited High Country variants cost $2400. Similarly, top-tier Limited trims of the Ram 1500 Tradesman cost anywhere from $2,075 to over $2,400.
Ford F-150 Generations
Fourteenth Generation
2021 to Present
The appearance of Ford’s fourteenth F-150 had just minor changes for the 2021 model year. Still, the powertrain range gained a twin-turbo PowerBoost V6 hybrid engine that is available and produces 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. Another advantage of the hybrid is that it has an onboard generator that can provide electricity to a job site. An optional 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility, and a gear shifter that folds flat into the console to serve as a valuable area for working on a laptop or having lunch are further improvements to the interior.
Thirteenth Generation
2015 to 2020
A brand-new military-grade, lightweight aluminium alloy body was introduced with the thirteenth iteration (most of its counterparts are made of steel). Ford increased the number of engine choices available to include a 5.0-litre V8, a standard 3.5-litre V6, an optional 2.7-litre EcoBoost with auto stop/start, and a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6.
Twelfth Generation: Ford F-150
2009 to 2014
The 2009 model year introduced the revamped F-150, which won “North American Truck of the Year.” The F-150’s larger grille returned memories of the Super Duty model range. Ford debuted the F-150 SVT Raptor in 2010 and the Platinum version in 2009, with 20-inch wheels and other opulent features. In 2011, a new 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine was introduced.
Eleventh Generation
2004 to 2008
For the 2004 model year, a new chassis, including rear shocks for better ride quality, was used to build the F-Series. For more passenger rooms, the SuperCab and the standard extended six inches beyond the previous model, with four doors on all cab types and more muscular character lines (rear doors on ordinary cabs offered access to rear storage rather than back seats). The 2002-introduced FX4 Off-Road package became a separate trim, while the FX2 Sport, a more aggressive version, became the STX. For the 2008 model year, Ford switched the Super Duty trucks to a new platform, and the F-450, which was only offered as a chassis-cab vehicle before, started to be marketed as a pickup.
Tenth Generation
1997 to 2003
For the tenth generation, Ford fully revamped the F-150 and F-250. For a full-size truck, the SuperCab included a third door—a first for the class. Along with the base 4.2-liter V6, a new 5.4-liter Triton V8 engine was also available. This generation also saw the introduction of the F-Series SuperDuty and the SVT F-150 Lightning, which had a 360 horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V6 engine. In 1999, a King Ranch version was also included. The Ford F-150 SuperCrew made its premiere.
Ninth Generation: Ford F-150
1992 to 1996
More aerodynamic elements, such as smaller headlamps and slanted side mirrors and bumpers, were seen on the ninth-generation F-Series. 1993, Ford unveiled the more aggressive SVT Lightning, and in 1994, it included driver-side airbags. An additional option was a 7.3-litre diesel engine.
Eighth Generation
1987 to 1991
For the 1987 model year, the F-Series had a complete makeover that included a redesigned interior, simpler-to-fix headlamps, a redesigned front end for better aerodynamics, rounder fenders, and standard rear antilock brakes.
Seventh Generation
1980 to 1986
For the 1980 model year, the seventh-generation F-Series made its début with significant redesigns. In 49 states, a new 3.8-liter V6 engine was added to the F-100’s basic engine lineup. Additionally, Ford unveiled a truck with a 6.9-litre V8 diesel engine. Additionally, the F-Series was crowned America’s best-selling car. For the 1984 model year, Ford discontinued the F-100.
Sixth Generation: Ford F-150
1973 to 1979
For the 1973 model year, the sixth generation F-Series made its appearance. Ford added a more considerable SuperCab option to its F-100, F-250, and F-350 in 1974 to increase sales of trucks used by customers as personal cars. Later that year, Ford added full-time four-wheel drive to the F-100 and F-250 models. For the 1975 model year, the F-150 made its premiere.
Fifth Generation
1967 to 1972
With a cab that was three inches bigger than the model it replaced, the fifth-generation F-150 made its appearance for the 1967 model year. The Base, Custom Cab, and Ranger trims were available. The F-150 got a new optional V8 engine and a redesigned grille for the 1969 model year. The trim levels were rearranged a year later, and a new Ranger XLT (Sport Custom instead of Custom Cab) was introduced at the top.
Fourth Generation
1961 to 1966
Upon launch, there were many notable modifications for the fourth-generation F-Series trucks, including a redesigned cab and front-end sheet metal. For the 1965 model year, the F-Series got dual I-beam suspension to improve the ride quality, which was more akin to a vehicle. Ford also responded to customers’ expanding usage of cars for recreational reasons by introducing a Camper package for the F-100 and F-250.
Third Generation: Ford F-150
1957 to 1960
Ford introduced the first factory-built 4X4 option for the F-100 and F-250. Ford also introduced the contemporary V8 overhead valve.
Second Generation
1953 to 1956
The F-1, F-2, and F-3 were replaced with the launch of the F-100 and F-250.
First Generation
1948 to 1952
1948 saw the introduction of the F-Series, which came in a few different cab and chassis combinations. The smallest was the half-ton F-1, while the biggest was the three-ton F-8.
Verdict
Ford’s best-selling car is the F-150, which sells much more than the competition. With its 2021 makeover, it now has technology, feature content, and style online with the leaders in the market. Its hybrid variant also boasts excellent torque and fuel economy. Its enormous range of possible trims, body styles, and powertrains—from the top-tier Limited to the fleet-focused XL—makes it a flexible beast. Ford has done enough to maintain the lead for the F-150, even if the competition has narrowed.
