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I like big trucks and I cannot lie.
Ford F-Series are America's best-selling trucks for 46 years straight, according to JD Power. And based on my recent test drive review of the 2023 version, no one should anticipate it losing that crown anytime soon.
In fact, as I was driving the test drive truck back to the dealership to return it, I pulled next to a Porsche Taycan Turbo at a stoplight–a vehicle that carries a sticker price more than double that of the F-150. As I admired its fine lines and styling, I realized that if I were given the choice between the supercar or the truck, I'd pick the F-150 without hesitation.
U.S. News and World Report ranked the 2023 F-150 No. 1 among full-sized trucks writing, "Whether you're looking for a workhorse, an upscale everyday family vehicle or an off-road adventurer. This truck can basically do it all."
I spent five days driving the test model, a 4x4 XLT Supercrew with an off-road package. It's basically a mid-range model with a sticker price of slightly over $65,000. And even though my tastes usually lean more towards luxury leather interiors and fancier trim, I was completely comfortable driving this version.
Each day I drove the F-150 included snow or rain. In fact, at one point I was in Tremonton driving through heavy snow with lightning and high winds. It was bad enough the traffic flow on I-15 slowed to about 40 for several miles. Although I passed a couple of accidents and slide-offs, I was completely confident in the traction and handling of the F-150.
Here are some other features that make me absolutely adore the new F-150s:
Fantastic seats
I test drove a 2021 F-150 after Ford did a complete makeover. Two years later my wife is still raving about how much she enjoyed the seats and I totally agree. In redesigning the new F-150, Ford studied how people used their pickups in real-world settings. They noted that many people who use their trucks for work also use them for naps during downtime.
Vehicle naps are not unusual for me and I've even spent quite a few overnights in cars, trucks or SUVs. I'm confident if I had to spend the night in the cab of one of the newer F-150s, it would be a slightly less miserable experience than is typically the case.
On higher-end models, you can even opt for Ford's max-recline seats. Here's a link to a YouTube video that explains why they are unique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1_sqlQqk7g
An electrical option
While Ford this year introduced an electric version of the F-150 called the Lightning, that's not what I am referring to here. I'm referencing Ford's Pro Power Onboard feature that allows owners to use an F-150 like a mobile generator. You can get a regular electrical outlet on the dash or in the bed of the truck.
Whether you want to run a circular saw on your farm or a CPAP machine on a camping trip, it's a unique feature that can make life easier.
My sister lives in an area of Texas where her neighborhood was without power for several days after a bad storm a couple of years ago. She said neighbors with F-150s were able to keep their refrigerators cold and their lights on when everyone else was scrambling for other solutions.
Safety and convenience features galore
The safety features on new rides are incredible. If your vehicle is a few years old and you haven't experienced what's available, you really owe it to yourself to take a few test drives to see what you are missing.
Safety features available on the F-150 include blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
My favorite safety feature is the 360-degree camera package. The all-sides view makes it easier to confidently squeeze into tight parking spaces or to hook up a trailer. When paired with the extra-large display screen it's like you're looking at a laptop built into the dash.
Another interesting feature is the shift lever that folds flat so you can open the console into an expansive, flat work area.
Economy, fuel consumption and power
According to information from Ford, a base model F-150 starts at $33,695. For the XLT model, the base starts at $41,800. And if you want the Limited version, you'll pay a minimum of $84,910.
When it comes to value, Edmunds.com reports, "This is a solidly built and well-appointed truck that provides luxury touches at the upper trim levels. On top of the F-150's stout standard offerings that line up confidently against competitors, its true value rests in its wide range of configurations and options that allow buyers to tailor their truck to their needs."
The EPA estimates the F-150 with the turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 should get up to 20 mpg in town and 26 mpg on the highway. The model I tested got right at 20 mpg with a mix of highway and around-town driving.
Obviously, the towing and payload capacity varies depending on the configuration one chooses with options ranging from the V-6 to a couple of V-8s, a diesel and even a hybrid. Whatever you select, Car and Driver writes, "These towing and payload capacities keep the new F-150 in the hunt with key rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500."
Final thoughts
I'm not in the market for a new truck right now. If I were, I can honestly say the F-150 would be at the top of my list (it is No. 1 on my wish list).
When I returned the test drive truck to the dealer, a man and his wife walked over to me as soon as I stepped out. He asked if I owned the truck and how I liked it. I explained I was doing a review for KSL.com. I told him I loved the truck and if he was thinking about buying a pickup, he really needed to check out the F-150. When I left about 15 minutes later, the couple was standing next to the truck with a sales representative and they appeared to be getting ready for their own test drive.
