The pickup truck segment is filled with great vehicles that leave buyers spoiled for choice. This class of car is extremely popular among the masses, which is why most major manufacturers have one or more of these in their lineups. From Chevrolet to Toyota and from Ram to Isuzu, there is no shortage of companies scrambling to produce the best pickup truck.
The one that sits atop the mountain is the Ford F-150. It has been the undisputed king of the division for decades and is the quintessential poster vehicle of the segment. Indeed, everyone has taken their shot at the mighty vehicle, but all of them have come up short; such is its dominance over the pickup truck market. Here are 10 reasons why the iconic Ford F-150 pickup truck rules the roost with an iron fist.
10 The Ford F-150 Comes With Illustrious History And Pedigree
The Ford F-150 is not some new kid on the block who made an immediate impact and shook the pickup truck segment to its core. It is one of the most storied and illustrious vehicles in pickup truck history. Having been part of a family of trucks that were born in the aftermath of the Second World War, Ford introduced the F-150 in 1975 to begin one of the greatest automotive success stories of all time.
The F-150 was originally introduced as a stopgap between the F-100 and the F-200 models and as a means of circumventing emission control restrictions. The model occupied a sweet spot that resulted in sales numbers skyrocketing, with Ford eventually diverting all their attention towards their new creation and giving it all kinds of cool features. From being the first-ever pickup truck to house a V8 with fuel injection to having an overhead-camshaft engine before anyone else in its segment, it was and is the benchmark.
9 The Ford F-150 Has Incredible Towing Capacity
At its very core, a pickup truck is built to haul extremely heavy things effortlessly and without breaking a sweat. The Ford F-150 has evolved to the point where it can do virtually anything. However, it has not forgotten its roots, and even today, it is among the very best in the business when it comes to getting things towed.
The F-150 comes with a rigid frame and military-grade alloy body, making it a strong hauler. At its best, its maximum towing capacity starts at a phenomenal 14,000 lbs. Ford claims it is the best number in its class, and taking a look at what the competition can muster, they are not kidding. This towing capacity figure will take a Herculean effort to beat, and we expect it to come from the next generation of the model.
8 The Ford F-150 Is One Of The Most Powerful Trucks In The Market
The Ford F-150 comes with bags of poise, precision, and perseverance, making it the pickup truck of choice for many. It is the answer for any kind of pickup truck demand buyers may have, including raw grunt. Indeed, it is one of the most powerful pickup trucks in the market at this moment, even if one excludes the mighty Raptor model.
The F-150 comes with Ford's remarkable EcoBoost V6 engines and even the much-loved V8s. The 2.7-liter EcoBoost puts out 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5-liter variant produces 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter V8, on the other hand, thumps out a robust 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque and has the added advantage of being the buying public's favorite power unit. All these numbers are among the best figures in the pickup truck segment.
7 The Ford F-150 Has A Devoted Fan Base Built From Brand Loyalty
As mentioned earlier, the Ford F-150 is a model that comes with a rich history. That translated to enormous success, which is something the vehicle has enjoyed for decades. One can take a look back at the first generations of the F-150 and see plenty of buyers opt for Ford's offering over rival pickup trucks, and then get smitten by it to the point where they stress on it being the best for their children.
As such, while the F-150 went through generational changes, it had new buyers in the form of its previous owners' progeny. This resulted in a devoted fan base who considered the F-150 to be the best and only pickup truck on the face of the planet. Indeed, it is not surprising to see it top the charts as the best-selling model in the United States by a country mile and a half, having done so for years.
6 The Ford F-150 Has Great Customization Options
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Pickup trucks are among the last vehicles one would expect to come with unlimited customization options and unique setups. If one is being honest, it is not entirely necessary for manufacturers to offer buyers the chance to go wild on their pickup truck. However, Ford is not a company that falls under this line of thinking, and that is clear in their desire to give each Ford F-150 the chance to be unique.
Not only does the F-150 come with plenty of engine options, but it also comes with plenty of enhancement, feature, accessory, and paint options. Ford essentially allows buyers to create their own custom F-150 by putting their imaginations to the wildest tests. While most F-150s on the road are standard models, the ones that make heads turn probably underwent this fantastic customization treatment.
5 The Ford F-150 Is Packed With Features And Technology
It is not hyperbole to state that the Ford F-150 is as comfortable as some entry-level luxury SUVs and sedans. Ford raised the game so much with the latest generation of the F-150 that rival manufacturers were forced to step up or step aside. The truck is loaded to the hilt with features and technology, which makes it a vehicle that mixes tradition and modernity to perfection.
The F-150 comes with advanced driver assistance systems, massaging and climate-controlled seats, an 8-inch touchscreen (and optional 12-inch touchscreen) that come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a plethora of safety tech that makes it one of the safest pickup trucks ever built. It is truly a technology exhibition and one the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, RAM 1500, and Toyota Tundra have major trouble keeping up with.
4 The Ford F-150 Is Incredibly Fuel-Efficient
Pickup trucks were notorious for being gas-guzzling monsters back in the day. Over time, manufacturers have strived to make them conjure up better fuel bills by downsizing engines and taking other such measures. Ford has certainly gone the extra mile in making sure the Ford F-150 is a fuel-efficient vehicle, as evidenced by its fantastic mileage numbers.
The 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 variant of the F-150 has the best combined fuel economy rating for gas-powered full-size pickup trucks. Its hybrid powertrain allows it to attain a staggering EPA-estimated 25 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway on 4x2 models. The 4x4 version of the V6-powered pickup truck has an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined mileage rating.
3 The Ford F-150 Offers A Hybrid Variant
The aforementioned Ford F-150 that comes with the 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 engine is a unique model in the lineup. It is the only hybrid variant of the pickup truck, and one that offers something different to the segment. While most buyers are still warming up to the idea of a hybrid pickup truck, they will do well to know that it is every bit as capable as its more traditional siblings and adds some much-needed excitement to EVs.
The PowerBoost V6 engine is no slouch compared to the EcoBoost and V8 engines. Combined with the electrical setup and the 10-speed transmission, it thumps out a very impressive 477 horsepower. Throw in the fact that it absolutely smokes its counterparts in the fuel economy department, and there is reason to believe that there are few electric pickups we would buy over the F-150.
2 The Ford F-150 Raptor Is The Best Performance Truck In The Market
The Ford F-150 is a lot of adjectives. Dependable, powerful, illustrious, and versatile, it is truly the epitome of pickup truck perfection. One could make a case for it to hold the 'cool' adjective as well, and while it is worthy of the moniker, its final evolution is way more deserving of it.
Enter the Ford F-150 Raptor, a performance version of the F-150 that has all its rivals on notice. It is tuned for a sporty setup and comes with tons of power. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost High-Output V6 belts out 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, but it feels like way more from behind the wheel. There is no other rival pickup truck that can offer the performance and hauling capacity the Raptor does, making it the undisputed king of its class. It is hard to imagine that the Raptor outperforms sports cars from a generation or two ago, but that is the world we live in right now.
1 The Ford F-150 Is More Than A Pickup Truck
It is common knowledge that the Ford F-150 sells in ridiculous numbers. Indeed, Ford sells more F-150s in a single year than some manufacturers' annual sales numbers. Most people who buy one end up using it for hauling duty and other such tasks, but it would be criminal to limit it to just those jobs.
The F-150 used to be a rather one-dimensional machine that was stupendous at being a great vehicle for the heavy-lifting business. However, in the present day, it is a complete all-rounder that can do virtually anything, From being an extremely reliable daily driver to possessing some off-roading chops, it is truly one of the most functional trucks ever built. That has earned it way more respect and recognition in the automotive world. Not that it needed any.