Big truck moves, feels like a car
All-aluminum body almost guarantees this top-selling pickup will remain No. 1
Here’s a fun fact: the Ford F-series pickup truck is the top-selling vehicle of all time.
Yes, Henry Ford moved more than 15 million Model Ts. Volkswagen doubled that number with the Beetle. But since coming on the scene in 1948, the F-series is over 33 million and counting. In 2013, Ford sold one of these every 41seconds. So to say the re-imagined13th-generation 2015 F-150 is an important vehicle for Ford is an understatement of biblical proportions. It’s also a potentially risky move, as this latest edition has an all-aluminum body and bed — something that saves up to 317 kg over the outgoing model but also has some traditional truck buyers up in arms about not wanting their macho rides fashioned from beer cans.
It’s probably safe to assume that same crowd would send a wad of derisionsoaked chewing tobacco towards the dirt when discussing the optional newfor-2015 (and puny for a pickup) 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 engine with standard auto start/stop.
With the need to move two kids into their respective university digs, I booked Ford’s latest truck and put it to work. The test vehicle is a 2015 F-150 4x4 SuperCrew (biggest cab, four doors) with a starting price of $41,549. “Starting” is the operative word in pickup land, as the available trim levels, engines, body configurations, options and packages are enough to make a Porsche salesperson’s head spin.
This specimen has $13,550 in upgrades, chief among them being the $6,000 Equipment Group 302A (XLT Series, boxlink cargo system, rear-view camera, power sliding rear window, rear defroster, reverse sensing system, remote start, SYNC with MyFord Touch, 110V/400w outlet, LED box lighting) and the $1,300 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that makes 325 hp and 375 lb-ft. of torque. It’s hooked to a six-speed auto.
While this might not be the engine of choice for hauling your cigarette boat, it certainly felt plenty strong for what I asked of it. Unladen, this F-150 moved out very smartly once past a touch of turbo lag. Positioned between the base 282-hp 3.5-litre V6 and 385-hp 5.0-litre Coyote V8 ($2,000), this small-displacement twin-turbo V6 punches above its weight and returns decent fuel economy — 13.3 L/100 km on my watch.
The 2015 F-150’s top-dog engine is now the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 that pushes 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It costs $3,000.
Dressed in Blue Flame paint and sporting the $750 FX4 Offroad Package with skid plates and $500 XLT Sport Package (275/65R18 OWL allterrain tires on 18-inch six-spoke al- loys), this is a pretty . . . er, ruggedly handsome rig. Time to load it up and beat on it like a rented mule.
The $400 tailgate step is a must. In case you hadn’t noticed, pickup trunks are massive things these days, and without this step, getting into the bed is an Olympic feat. The $300 retractable box side steps are darned useful, too. I couldn’t imagine ordering this truck without the $550 spray-in bed liner either.
The SuperCrew’s back seat lower cushions easily flip up, turning the rear of the cabin into a capacious cargo area with a flat floor.
The F-150 made quick work of our two apartment moves and kept us as happy as could be expected, considering the circumstances.
The base fabric seats proved comfortable and supportive. The ride is controlled and generally compliant, and with this new stiffer chassis fewer shivers run through the structure when hitting the rough stuff. For such a big vehicle it handles with near car-like agility. Highway cruising is smooth and serene and on the few twisty roads I negotiated the truck was — dare I say — almost fun.
The dash is functional with well laid-out controls, clear gauges and plus-size knobs and buttons. This in- terior benefited from navigation ($800) and a twin panel moonroof ($1,750). It’s a sharp design but falls behind Ram and GM when it comes to quality of plastics and fit and finish. The steering wheel buttons felt particularly cheap.
However, the pickup crowd is fiercely loyal, sticking to their chosen camps with unwavering tenacity. Which pretty much guarantees the F-series’ continued run atop the sales charts. Freelance writer Peter Bleakney is a regular contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. To reach him, write to wheels@thestar.ca and put his name in the subject line.