The F-150 is already an iconic and historic part of the Ford brand, with very few faults. But, when history is at stake, manufacturers like Ford would never settle. After all, it is the desire for constant improvement that birthed fourteen F-150 generations and enabled the Dearborn-based automaker to play at the highest level for as long as it has been.
UPDATED NOVEMBER 2022: This list has been updated to include the latest information about the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid.
Ford's lofty ambitions and stricter emissions standards mean the latest F-150 lineup is now sold with a hybrid powertrain for the first time ever. Like its non-hybrid stablemate, the F-150 Hybrid is everything you expect a Ford F-150 to be: a capable, durable, and highly-developed full-size pickup truck. But there's more to this efficient vehicle. Read on to learn 10 things you need to know before you buy the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid.
10 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has An Efficient Powertrain
Ford's new hybrid powertrain comprises a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, a 1.5-kWh battery pack, and an electric motor producing 430 total horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque.
The hybrid powertrain allows the F-150 to deliver very decent fuel economy around town and on the highway. It gets about 25 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway for the 2-wheel drive versions. Models with all-wheel drive return 23 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
9 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Offers Impressive Acceleration
With a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds, the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid is blazing-fast for a non-performance full-size pickup truck.
For comparison, Ford's estimated 0-60 mph time for the performance-focused 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R is 4.5 seconds, while the Ram 1500 TRX rockets to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, making it the fastest gas-powered production truck currently on the market.
8 Available On A Wide Range of F-150 Models
Although the hybrid engine comes standard in the F-150 Limited trim, you can add it to the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, or Platinum grade at an additional charge.
Those wanting to benefit from the fuel savings the hybrid drivetrain offers will have to fork out $4,495 extra to replace the standard powertrain.
7 Driving On A Bumpy Road Can Be Far From Relaxing On The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid
Based on Ford's ever-reliable T platform, the F-150 Hybrid proves to have a planted, solid feel to it. This is helped by the steering, which feels light and reasonably precise, as well as the cushioned seats and effective sound-deadening materials that contribute to a quiet onboard experience.
However, having double-wishbone front suspension and a leaf spring rear setup means the F-150 isn't exactly driven easily over bumps. As a result, the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid bounces around more than, say, a RAM 1500 Hybrid when driven on bumpy roads at slower speeds. Thankfully, the ride quality tends to improve as you go faster.
6 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has Stellar Towing Capacity
With the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid, hauling your load from one area of the town to another is as easy as it can get. Like any F-150, the hybrid model is reliable and rugged, providing users with impressive loading and towing capacities.
The truck could carry a payload of 2,120 pounds and pull up to 12,700 pounds of stuff. That's more than enough towing power than most gearheads require, or would ever need.
5 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has A Beautifully Finished Interior
On top of its confident performance, the 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid has a nicely-finished interior with loads of features, as the powertrain is available in upper F-150 trims, which come well-stocked with modern luxuries.
These range from leather upholstery to a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, as well as heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, a moonroof, and power-deployable running boards.
4 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has Generous Standard Features
As the 3.5L V6 hybrid powertrain comes standard under the hood of the 2023 F-150 Limited grade, it brings a wide range of amenities to make the experience that little bit better.
These include leather seating surfaces, a dual-panel moonroof, massaging front seats, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, an in-bed power outlet, and power-deployable running boards, and a deployable tailgate step.
3 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has Feature-Packed Infotainment System
The 2023 F-150 comes well-equipped with numerous information and entertainment services, with information from the audio unit, navigation system, smartphone (wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and other functions presented on an intuitive 12-inch touchscreen.
In addition, the vehicle offers wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, HD radio, satellite radio, as well as an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo.
2 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has Tough Styling
The F-150 Hybrid will feature the same aggressive styling as its non-hybrid stablemates, which makes it perfect for the roughest sections of road and other demanding applications.
As standard, this vehicle wears 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, power running boards, LED headlights and taillights, LED bed lighting, and similar.
1 The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Has Broad Spectrum Of Driver-Assistive Technologies
The 2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid comes standard with a wide range of safety features that reduce the chances and severity of accidents. These include adaptive cruise control, intersection assist, traffic sign recognition, trailer reverse guidance, trailer backup assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitoring and reverse automatic emergency braking, and more.
Having said that, the entry-level Ford F-150 XL trim is sparsely equipped in this regard, as it only offers forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rearview camera.
Sources: Ford, RAM