Ford F-150 even greater in ’18
Nation’s top-selling vehicle proves why that is
The 2018 Ford F-150 is preparing for an assault from its fiercest rivals, the soon-to-be-redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. And it’s ready.
Somewhat out of cycle from its competitors, the F-150 was last fully redesigned for 2015, when it got an aluminum body and steel frame and became one of the most civilized and high-tech trucks around.
It also got some unique features, such as adaptive cruise control and a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, that other trucks lack. Will the F-150 instantly be outdated as soon as there’s a new Silverado and Ram? Doubtful, given its updates for 2018.
For 2018, the F-150 gets more power, more torque, more gears and more mpg to better compete with a crop of new trucks on its way — trucks that have undoubtedly benchmarked the impressive
F-150. Despite not accelerating as fast as the 6.2-liter-powered Chevrolet or GMC trucks in our previous testing, the F-150 still takes the crown for drivability.
I drove a 2018 F-150 Platinum, the second-most-expensive trim level, with the updated 5-liter V-8 and its new 10speed automatic transmission. Half-ton truck shoppers are no doubt familiar with sticker shock, so we’ll just mention our test truck’s $63,800 price tag and move right along.
The 5-liter V-8 isn’t the flashiest engine in the F-150 lineup: The 2.7-liter and
3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V-6s get that nod. In previous years, the V-8 felt more like a courtesy engine for diehard V-8 truck buyers. It was matched in our acceleration and towing tests by the less-expensive turbo 2.7-liter, and it was easily outperformed by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine.
For 2018, the 5-liter gains a new fuelinjection system with both port and direct fuel injection for 10 more horsepower to 395 and 13 more pounds-feet of torque.
That extra power and torque, teamed with the 10-speed’s added gears, make the 2018 5-liter a more compelling engine option (though the turbocharged
2.7-liter V-6 is the jack of all trades.) The secret to the V-8’s improvements is primarily the new transmission, which uncorks more of the engine’s potential. The previous F-150 5-liter came with only six gears, which didn’t do the high-revving V-8 any favors.
The result is less falloff in engine speed between gears, plus continuous, smooth pulling power. Programming is exceptionally intuitive, and the transmission downshifts promptly and can jump half its gears if needed.
F-150 buyers also get improved fueleconomy ratings, up an EPA-estimated
1 mile per gallon in all categories. Maximum towing for 2018 increases to 13,200 pounds when equipped with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Maximum payload honors go to the 5-liter
V-8 at a rated 3,270 pounds.
The F-150’s crashworthiness ratings are top of the class. It scored the highest rating in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, but it lacks Top Safety Pick status because of poor headlight performance. The 2018 F-150 hadn’t been tested by the National High- way Traffic Safety Administration as of publication.
The F-150 is the only half-ton with optional forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Others have collision warning but won’t automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision; that could easily change with the next-generation Silverado and Ram, however. For 2018, there aren’t many improvements to the cabin, technology or even ride and handling. The F-150 Platinum remains a luxury truck in the sense that it’s super nice to drive and has interior quality, features and technology that stand out in the segment. Yet interior quality is on par with an entry-level BMW sedan.
More than $60,000 is certainly a lot of money to spend on a vehicle often seen as a utilitarian workhorse, but the
F-150 Platinum has an interior, feature set and drivability satisfying enough that I didn’t scoff at the price after spending a couple of hundred miles behind the wheel. And for its price, the
F-150 offers features the other half tons don’t — for now, anyway.