Ford offers four different F-150 engine options, none of which are slow. The lineup gets a 7 here thanks to impressive acceleration and towing ability. Raptors and Tremors would net another point for off-road ability if rated separately.
Most are. Ford only offers rear-wheel-drive versions of its lower-trim versions. Lariat and higher models with four-wheel drive have an automatic mode suitable for use on dry pavement; others are part-time.
The Tremor is a good package for those looking for impressive off-road ability without stepping up to the Raptor. They ride on fairly big 33-inch tires and have special shocks, skid plates, and other items useful for four-wheeling.
Raptors are another beast entirely with their widened axles, rock-gobbling ground clearance, special Fox racing-style dampers, and numerous drive modes. They’ll chew up and spit out any trail they can fit on.
How fast is the Ford F-150?
The base twin-turbo 2.7-liter V-6’s 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque is more than enough for most drivers, and it has the added benefit of only needing regular fuel.
The step-up 5.0-liter V-8 is the traditionalists’ choice. It’s rated at 400 hp and 410 lb-ft, and it delivers that muscle with a lovely burble. It’s not as torquey right off the line as the 400-hp/500 lb-ft twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6, though. (Look for 450 hp in the Raptor.)
That engine also lends itself to the hybrid setup, which adds an electric motor and a battery pack. It’s only slightly quicker than the standard non-hybrid 3.5, but it’s more fuel-efficient and it can operate as a generator.
Then there’s the Raptor R, which has a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 good for 720 hp and 640 lb-ft. It’s massive and heavy, and yet also incredibly fast.
Every F-150 uses a 10-speed automatic transmission that generally does a good job but can occasionally stumble through gear changes at lower speeds. Slow down for a red light and then tap on the gas if the light turns green and you haven’t come to a stop, and the gearbox can seem confused.
Ford also offers an all-electric version called the F-150 Lightning, but it’s different enough that we cover it separately.
The F-150 is a fantastic tow rig even in its most basic form, though novices as well those with towing experience can benefit from its myriad aids designed to help hook up, tow, and back up trailers. The lineup is rated to lug as much as 13,500 pounds in top trim, though there’s a fairly wide range of abilities across this lineup. Consider your towing needs carefully before jumping into the 3.5-liter V-6 if you only need to lug a couple of jet skis, for instance.
Underneath, you’ll find a simple double-wishbone independent front suspension and a solid rear axle with leaf springs. The F-150 does without the coil springs or air springs seen in Ram and Toyota rivals, and, accordingly, it simply doesn’t ride as well. The exception is the Raptor, which has rear coil springs and more tire sidewall; it rides better but offers less grip on pavement. The payoff is an ability to handle incredible off-road punishment, even at high speeds.
