Ford F-150 — Choices are plentiful

By David Finkelstein

For 2018, Ford Motor Company is making available its full-size F-150 pickup trucks in a number of trim levels in order to reach a broader customer base. The product mix includes XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited and their very capable Raptor. The Raptor half-ton-rated truck has a revised robust design with bolder styling and with the use of its high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body and cargo storage box.


The F-150 now features include Auto Start-Stop fuel savings enhancement for all engines plus an all-new 3.3-liter V6 that includes both port and direct-fuel injection technology. Later this model year and once it's certified by the EPA, Ford will also have a flex-fuel capable version of this engine as well.



With a variety of engine choices, the 2018 F-150 is even more fuel-efficient when you choose the “second-generation” 2.7-liter EcoBoost powerplant. It now has an EPA estimated “best in class” rating of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined. After countless development "man hours", this newer generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost has advanced yet seamless dual port and direct-injection technologies. Additionally, an electronic governed six-speed automatic transmission with selectable drive modes will help bolster this Ford F-150.

With driver input, the select modes will include: normal driving, tow/haul and sport modes. The higher output F-150 engines come with an electronically controlled 10-speed automatic transmission. It too has the selectable drive mode features in addition to snow/wet drive mode and eco-select settings.

The 10-speed automatic is standard with the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost, 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 engines. The enhanced 5.0-liter V8 powerplant brings significant upgrades to the truck's blueprint including advanced new engine breakthroughs in fuel delivery and lower tailpipe emissions.

 Depending on the engine choice and if your focused on a RWD or four-wheel drive set up, the EPA numbers range from 15-mph city to 26-mpg highway. Depending on the precise engine selected, the horsepower output ranges from 290-450. Depending on how the truck is equipped, the vehicle's maximum tow capacity is 13,200 pounds.

With the full-size market so incredibly competitive, Ford also decided to include some exterior freshening refinements across the lineup. This includes an all new front grille, new bumpers, upgraded lighting, a revised tailgate outer design, plus changes with the trucks wheels. Cargo box sizes offered are 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot and an 8-foot.

Interior revisions can be seen on the XLT Sport, XLT Special Edition, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. There are additional available color choices, seating materials and the instrument panel assembly along with the center console housing.



Their King Ranch, Platinum and Limited versions also get new leather color changes for 2018. Leather-trimmed bucket seats with a flow-through center console is also now available on their base Lariat. Depending on the body configuration, this truck can seat 2, 3, 5 or 6 occupants.

An all-new premium audio system engineered by Harman is available. Ford's latest version of their SYNC Connect is optional on XLT and Lariat, and standard on King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. This mobile telematics technology includes (but not limited to) a Wi-Fi hotspot for connecting up to 10 devices, a bright back-lit touch screen, upgradable input, map guidance freshening and other supplemental programmable enhancements.

Also offered is a refined yet transparent adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, designed to automatically apply the brakes to help avoid an accident. A Technology Package is now available from the factory if you choose an F-150 with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine.

All versions also come standard with a 23-gallon fuel tank, four cargo box tie-downs, configurable daytime running lamps, power windows and door locks (XL and above), quick-release tailgate with lock, split folding front seats, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control, Dual-stage driver and right front-passenger airbags, Safety Canopy System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor, four-wheel vented disc with anti-lock brake system, tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare) plus automatic trailer sway control.

The 2018 Ford F-150 can be ordered in a regular cab configuration, SuperCab and a SuperCrew version. The pricing structure starts at $28,675 for the XL Regular Cab model, up to $61,815 for the Limited SuperCrew model.