2020 Ford F-150
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Improving the Breed
The current generation F-150 features practical technology and utility features throughout and a high-strength military-grade aluminum body that is unprecedented in such a mass-market vehicle. Whether you need a heavy-duty truck that can move mountains or you need a spacious five-seater to carry the crew, the 2020 F-150 offers the best of everything.
Performance
The Ford F-150 offers the naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6 engine with twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) which produces 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This engine returns 21 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive, and 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.*
For more power, an available 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost® V6 continues to offer the power of a larger-displacement engine in a more sensible package. The 3.5-liter EcoBoost® now produces 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque—increases of 10 hp and 50 lb-ft over the previous version. All F-150 powertrains are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive models with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® and 10-speed automatic get 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway), while four-wheel drive models get 20 mpg combined (17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway).*
Ford also continues to offer a smaller, 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost® V6. This engine produces an impressive 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque, and it gets 22 mpg combined (19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive and 20 mpg combined (18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.*
If you're a fan of the unstoppable power of a turbo-diesel engine, the available 3.0-liter Power Stroke® V6 offers 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque for remarkable towing power. That torque is available low in the rev range, meaning you get tons of grunt, even from a stop. You'll also enjoy up to 30 mpg on the highway, so long trips won't break the bank when you're towing your toys to a weekend getaway.*
Full-size truck buyers still demand V8 engines, though, and Ford doesn’t disappoint. The F-150’s 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8 produces 385 hp and 387 lb-ft. It gets 18 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway) with rear-wheel drive, and 17 mpg combined (15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway) with four-wheel drive.*
Features
The 2020 Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck available with three cab configurations and three bed lengths, with seating for up to five. There’s a two-door Regular Cab, Super Cab with rear-hinged half doors, and the Super Crew with four full-size doors. It’s available in six trim levels, priced starting from $28,495.**
Standard equipment on the base F-150 XL includes a 2.3-inch Productivity Screen (available 8-inch screen), automatic headlights, Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler, 17-inch wheels, and other features. The XLT model includes those features and adds cruise control, power door locks, SYNC® with AppLink, chrome exterior trim, fog lights, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, and more.
The F-150 Lariat incorporates the applicable standard features from those models and adds steering wheel controls, ambient lighting, push-button start, power-adjustable pedals with memory, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and cooled front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, SiriusXM® satellite radio, SYNC® 3, leather seats, auto-dimming heated exterior mirrors, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
The King Ranch adds more useful features, including a 110-volt/400-watt power inverter, flow-through center console with floor shifter, flat load floor (on Super Crew models), power tilt and telescoping heated steering wheel, leather seats, quad-beam LED headlights and taillights, remote tailgate release, and model-specific trim.
The Platinum model takes the F-150 further into luxury territory with features like automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, satin finish chrome exterior trim, power running boards, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.
The Limited is the top F-150 trim level, with virtually every feature available on other models as standard equipment. It also gets niceties like a twin-panel moonroof (on Super Crew models), massaging front seats, and upgraded interior trim.
Design
The F-150 looks tough, but designers also created something more stylish than the stereotypical boxy truck. The F-150 continues with a high-strength military-grade aluminum body, which Ford says saves up to 700 pounds compared to a conventional steel body.
The interior styling reflects the chunky look of the exterior, and controls are ideally placed for easy operation. The F-150 is available with Ford’s latest SYNC® 3 infotainment system, which includes straightforward voice control and smartphone integration. In the top-level Limited trim, the F-150 even offers features one would normally expect on a luxury car, like heated massaging leather seats and wood trim.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2020 Ford F-150 includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, curve control, trailer sway control, and a full complement of airbags. Optional features include blind spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, park assist, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, and a 360-degree camera system.
Verdict
The Ford F-150 is already America’s best-selling vehicle, and the upgraded 2020 model looks set to retain that title for another year.
Be sure to contact us online or visit # at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.
* EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy or other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.
** Starting MSRP excludes destination/delivery charge, taxes, title and registration.
Image: Ford