WASHINGTON — In the first half of this year, Ford sold roughly 357,000 F-150 pickups. It’s the most popular vehicle sold in the U.S. But Ford did something new when they redesigned the truck. They put it on a diet and made smaller engines for options.
But how do you take weight from such a rugged truck? You use aluminum where you can and shave lots of weight but add ability to carry more cargo weight because you’re taking out of the truck.
I spent a week with the $43,085 F-150 XLT Supercab, the middle cab size, with the rear doors that require the front doors open to use. The XLT is the second of five trim levels and it comes standard with a 3.5L V6 or spend $795 for a smaller 2.7L EcoBoost engine.
I would spend the money as the EcoBoost is a twin turbo V6 with plenty of power, no real need for a V8 with this engine. The prices for trucks have grown rapidly in the four years since I bought one with a good deal more equipment and luxury for just a bit more than this truck.
Behind the wheel is where you can feel the weight loss. It seems like a lighter truck and the smaller EcoBoost feels like there is plenty of power even with the bed full of mulch. The F-150 is fast when not hauling big loads in the bed. I’m sure the smaller cab had something to do with that. Out of the trucks I’ve driven this one feels the lightest and most nimble.
The ride has improved vastly from previous F-150’s and there is just a bit of that empty bed feeling over bigger bumps. With a little weight in the bed the same bumps disappeared. Fuel economy is better than before; 18 mpg city and 23 mpg on the highway and combined 20 mpg. I managed 18.9 mpg in 195 miles but I did some hauling work over that week.
The interior has seen improvements also. Even in the lower XLT trim level the materials are upgraded and feel less work-truck-like than before. The cloth seats are comfortable and seem durable and the trim and other materials are a step up.
Everything seems too easy to use and gauges are easy to see and the knobs and buttons are large. I do wish the basic screen was a little larger than four inches. But there was good storage up front. In the back, the seating bench lifts up for more storage. The supercab doesn’t have as much space in the back so don’t expect a bunch of legroom. It’s still usable and there is plenty of width across to three people for shorter trips. I do wish Ford would put regular doors for the rear. Its old school having to open the front door to open the back and the front door never seems to close all the way unless you close it firmly. If you only occasionally use the back seats it makes sense to go with this cab size.
The new 2015 Ford F-150 innovates with its use of lighter materials and smaller yet powerful V6 engines to save you some money at the gas pump. With five trim levels, three cab and bed lengths, a choice of rear or four-wheel drive and a price starting around $26,000, there is a Ford truck for just about anyone looking for America’s most popular vehicle.
Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
