(September 15, 2023) DETROIT — Ford is freshening the F-150 lineup for the 2024 model year and planning to double output of the hybrid variant as it seeks to maintain the truck's sales dominance. The updated pickup, which goes on sale early next year, was revealed late Tuesday ahead of the 2023 Detroit auto show. It includes freshened hybrid, Tremor and Raptor variants with new design elements and improved tailgate functionality.

The 2024 F-150 will start at $38,565 including shipping. Other pricing information was unavailable, although Ford said the build and price website would go live concurrently or right after Tuesday's unveiling.  While most of the truck's body was untouched, designers updated the front with a new grille, hood and headlights. An optional Pro Access tailgate contains a side-swinging door for easier access to the bed.

"If they start as better ideas, they stay better ideas," reads the headline of a 1966 Ford print ad showcasing four inventions, including a dual-action tailgate – a forerunner of the modern-day truck tailgate that now features handles, steps and work surfaces. 

That headline also works as a rallying cry for the F-Series truck team, which for more than 75 years has delivered a lineup of tough, smart and capable trucks — the last 46 as the best-selling truck lineup in America.

The new 2024 Ford F-150 is designed to enhance the ability to tackle challenges with purposeful features and tech. It has Built Ford Tough capability to handle tough pursuits. And it has a tough new design, including the new available Pro Access Tailgate for even more access and utility.  

With increased production of PowerBoost Hybrid for 2024, trims from XL through Platinum Plus, and off-road ready models like Tremor, Raptor and Raptor R, there’s an F-150 for almost every use case.

All that choice is important because F-150 is a leader in all the following industries: construction, government, utility services, agriculture, landscaping, road and highway maintenance, emergency vehicles and mining. 

The standard 3.3-liter V-6 engine has been dropped and replaced with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost that Ford said would generate more horsepower and torque, although details were not provided. Platinum Plus replaces Limited as the top trim. Other engine options remain unchanged: a 3.5-liter EcoBoost, 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid, 3.5-liter High Output on the Raptor, a 5.0-liter V-8 and a 5.2-liter supercharged V-8 for the Raptor R.


 
Since its introduction in 2021, the platform underpinning this truck has undergone more than 3.75 million customer equivalent miles of Built Ford Tough durability testing in labs, at proving grounds and in some of the harshest real-world conditions in North America. The truck is tested to the extremes – hot and cold, gravel, off-road and for long distances, at full payload and max towing.

But being tough isn’t all about the physical characteristics. This truck is smart. It has offerings allowing it to export electric power to help keep job site tools running; aid both novice and veteran towers to line up and hitch their trailers; provide hands-free highway driving using Ford BlueCruise on end-of-day commutes after a long day of work; and provide a tailgate with optimized access.

Many of these productivity-boosting digital features are made possible because of a class-exclusive 5G LTE modem that enables faster mapping, Wi-Fi and Ford Power-Up software updates if a customer sets their automatic software updates setting to "ON." Customers can also use their SYNC 4 digital system to submit voice feedback on functionality or improvements for their F-150.

The invention of the dual access tailgate nearly six decades ago wasn't even the start of Ford's tailgate prowess. Ford has innovated the tailgate since the Model A.  In trucks, to help make the bed easier to access for customers, Ford introduced a fold-down tailgate step in 2008. Then, Ford added a handle that retracts into the tailgate for added stability. 

Most recently, customers got access to a power up/down tailgate with work surface featuring integrated rulers, a place to set a mobile device, and a pencil and cup holder. It’s practically a fold-out desk deployable at the work site.

For the 2024 model year, customers can choose to more easily access the Ford F-150 truck bed after Ford widened the step cut-out and increased bumper depth to create the best tailgate experience yet: Pro Access Tailgate. (Customers can also choose to stick with a classic tailgate.) 

Here's how it works:

The F-150 with available Pro Access Tailgate is the only pickup in its class to offer a 100-degree fully opened integrated swing gate. Opening from the driver’s side, this solution reduces walking distance to the tailgate handle, facilitates operation when towing, and even features a specially designed integrated handle for easy entry and exit of the swing door opening.

The swinging door has built-in stops thanks to the use of detents, or devices to position and hold parts in place, in the door’s internal mechanism, which help avoid banging the door into the trailer jack, offering a seamless user experience even when towing.