Our Opinion - 2023 Ford F-150 Review The first pickup truck that comes to mind is the Ford F-150. The best-selling car of all time has been updated for the modern world with a body made of aluminum, turbocharged engines, a hybrid drivetrain, an all-electric model (which will be reviewed separately), and all of Ford’s latest technology. If you want a work truck, the base XL has everything you need and nothing you don’t. However, as you move up the trim ladder, you’ll find more and more features you might want, along with higher prices. The sporty Tremor model is made for people who like to explore the woods. At the same time, the luxurious Platinum and Limited trims offer amenities that are similar to those in a Lincoln. Even though it doesn’t handle or ride as well as a Chevy Silverado or a Ram 1500, the Ford F-150 is still a competitive vehicle that can change in many ways. In other words, it has done well enough to make customers loyal, which has helped it stay at the top of the sales charts. What's New? Ford has added the Rattler version of the F-150, made for off-roading, to the lineup for 2023. The Rattler is based on the XL FX4, but it has different 18-inch wheels, a dual-exhaust system, hill-descent control, a locking rear differential, an off-road suspension system, and rattlesnake-inspired emblems all over. The F-150 Rattler is a less expensive option for people who want more off-road capability but don’t want to spend as much on the more expensive Tremor or Raptor models. Pros and Cons Pros: Several powerful engines Pleasing features inside Excellent ratings for hauling and carrying Technology that’s easy to use Cons: Fancier than the Ram 1500. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The 2023 F-150 comes with a 400-hp 5.0-liter V-8, a 400-hp twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, a 400-hp twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6, and a 250-hp 3.0-liter diesel V-6. The F-150 has a 10-speed automatic transmission that works with any engine. The F-150 also comes with a hybrid powertrain, making it the first car of its kind. Ford says that the new 400-hp hybrid drivetrain, which is made up of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, a 35-kW electric motor, and a 10-speed automatic transmission, will have a range of up to 700 miles per tank of gas and will be able to run an onboard generator to keep the lights on at construction sites or when the power goes out. With any of the F-150’s available powertrains, buyers can select either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive for their vehicles. On our test track, a hybrid Lariat with four-wheel drive and four-wheel drive hit 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. During our test drive, the ride was smooth, and the handling was good. High-end models, like the King Ranch, have variable-assist steering technology that sharpens reflexes at low speeds to make the car feel more agile. The Tremor version is the most capable off-road due to its 33-inch all-terrain tires, improved suspension, locking rear differential, and four-wheel drive transfer case from the potent F-150 Raptor. The Tremor went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which was just 0.1 second faster than the Raptor, which had more power. Safety Ford has many driver-assistance features, but only a few come standard. Users get more options as they move up the F-150 trim levels, such as a rear-facing camera to watch a trailer while driving. Among the most critical safety features are the following: Pedestrian identification is a standard for automatic emergency brakes. Some lane-departure warnings and components help you stay in your lane. Adaptive cruise control is something that can be used. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Ford F-150’s cabin features are almost as lovely as those in the Ram 1500, especially in the more expensive King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models. The cabin is made from high-quality materials and has a lot of places to put things. Ford has introduced several new convenience features to make it simpler for people to utilize the F-150 as a mobile office. For example, the center console and shift lever of a 10-speed automatic can be folded flat to make a large, flat surface. You can also get front seats for the F-150 that fold down similarly. The four-door crew cab body type is the biggest and best for families because it has a lot of passenger space. The back end of the bed of the F-150 An optional onboard generator can provide up to 7.2 kW of power to meet electrical needs at tailgate parties or on a construction site. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG According to the EPA, the F-150’s turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 will get up to 20 miles per gallon inside the city and 26 miles per gallon outside of it. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine with two turbochargers can get 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the road. The hybrid model is expected to get up to 25 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Tremor model with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter engine got 19 mpg on our highway route at 75 mph. Once we’ve driven the F-150 hybrid, we’ll be able to figure out its real-world mpg. Infotainment and Connectivity In addition to the standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen, there is a much bigger 12.0-inch screen that runs an improved version of Ford’s Sync 4 software. This is the same as the optional 12.0-inch vertical display on the Ram 1500. The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra also offer 13.4-inch screens, which are more extensive. Optional features include a Wi-Fi hotspot, GPS, SiriusXM radio, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto are pre-installed in all vehicles. Improvements to the Sync 4 software include onboard telematics for fleet customers to help track vehicle location and use, over-the-air upgrades for upcoming software releases, traffic and weather updates through the optional navigation system, and more. Towing and Payload Capacity Models with the 400-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine can pull up to 14,000 pounds. On the other hand, the standard 3.3-liter V-6 engine can only pull up to 8,200 pounds. The renowned 5.0-liter V-8 may pull only 13,000 pounds, the diesel V-6 can remove 12,100 pounds, and the hybrid variant can hurt 12,700 pounds. 2018 F-150 stays competitive with big rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500 because it can tow and carry a lot. Price and How to Choose There are different body styles and bed lengths for the F-150. Even though the XLT model is better than the basic XL work truck, the Lariat model is more convenient. It gives you the most for your money, but it costs almost $10,000 more than the XLT, which may keep some people from buying it.
