FORD F-150 POWER STROKE DIESEL

TThis is the only diesel in our test group (Ram also offers a diesel in its 1500), and it answers the cries from Ford loyalists for diesel in a half-ton pickup.

Designated a 2018 model, this truck began shipping to dealers in June. The 3.0-liter V-6 diesel in the F-150 puts out 250 hp and 440 footpounds of torque. Our tester had an 11,400-pound towing capacity.

In tow/haul, we barely knew there was a boat/trailer on our tail. The Super Crew pickup achieved an average mpg of 11.3 while trailering with the tranny in tow/haul mode. Compare that to a 22.7 mpg average in eco mode while not towing.

With 10 transmission gears, the Power Stroke diesel stays in its peak efficiency and power zone at any speed. The engine was also quiet. Gone are the days of clackety-clack diesels, though there’s still enough rattle and whine to impress your buddies.

Our test truck was so packed with technology — from the FX Off-Road fourwheel-drive package, active park assist and power deployable running boards to the power tailgate, lane-departure warning and heated steering wheel — that we can’t cover it all.

One of the most remarkable is the Pro Trailer Backup Assist that automatically steers your rig in reverse. It takes over steering so you don’t need to touch the wheel while backing up.

Another cool feature is BLIS (blind spot information system) with trailer tow monitoring. When properly set up, it uses sensors in the truck’s taillights to warn you if a vehicle is beside your trailer. A light in the side-view mirror and a chime alerts you to the other vehicle’s presence. The truck automatically senses when the trailer is hooked up.

Our tester came festooned with cameras — including a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the truck and its surroundings — but the most helpful was the backup camera that put the tow ball right under the coupler every time.