2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review

wohho · 10-17-2008, 09:30 AM

2009 Ford F-150, First Drive

Ben Wojdyla/JALOPNIK
Friday, October 17, 2008

Ford has come into this new product cycle with both barrels blazing, offering up the most capability it's ever packaged into a light-duty pickup. It boasts class-leading capabilities like a maximum 11,300 lb towing capacity and a 3,030 lb maximum payload capacity, while also offering best-in-class fuel economy (tied with the Chevy Silverado XFE) of 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway when you opt for the fuel-sipping SFE model. But that's only one of seven trim levels, each configurable with three powertrains, 13 wheels (that's more than the number of models of vehicles Honda sells stateside), four different bed configurations, three different cab lengths and the choice of two- or four-wheel-drive — a far cry from Henry Ford's Model T option list of "black."

I've had a chance to drive a few iterations of the new F-150, digesting Ford's new product and seeing how it stands up to the program's goals and what I've decided is at the end of the day, a truck can be broken into a few important components; the cab, box, drive system, engine and the transmission. As the variety of options for the F-150 is so immense, it's more practical to talk about the parts leading up to the sum, rather than the myriad combinations. At least, that is unless you want this review in book form. Let's get started.

Full Review at Link

Chaz_23 · 10-17-2008, 10:26 AM

It sure ain't good-looking.

Silverado14 · 10-17-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

It sure ain't good-looking.

...You beat me to it! Sorry Ford, but that truck (especially the front end and grill) is butt ugly!!!....but nice features never the less.

RB35SLT · 10-17-2008, 10:48 AM

Not bad lookin' truck, but I like 04-08 FX4 better.

toddr19 · 10-17-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado14

...You beat me to it! Sorry Ford, but that truck (especially the front end and grill) is butt ugly!!!....but nice features never the less.

I think it's bitchin' haha

Good to see they finally got a 6 speed.

prototype66 · 10-17-2008, 10:57 AM

Fugly but capible, good combo!

HotCarNut · 10-17-2008, 10:59 AM

I think the Dodge Ram is a better package than the new F-150 in terms of innovative design (rear coils) and packaging (Ram-box storage in bed sides). The F-150 isn't attractive, doesn't handle as well, and has a lot less power from the top-line engine. However, given Chrysler's troubles the new Ram may not get much of a chance as customers shy away from Chrysler LLC products.

andretti2008 · 10-17-2008, 11:09 AM

I dont think its looks good, or the Ram. rather have a Silverado

DarkKnight67 · 10-17-2008, 11:13 AM

It may not be the best looker - but it's definitely better looking than the Turdra. THAT is butt ugly - especially with a long bed and extended cab.

JOHN1243 · 10-17-2008, 11:20 AM

But drive a Tundra and you'll see something is still missing on the F-150. The Tundra is a beast. You'd think it already had a cold air kit and flowmasters from the factory.The new Hemi Ram is close but the Tundra is the only one with the fun factor added.

I can't afford any of these and have only bought American so far but the Tundra is a ball to drive.

texassierradude · 10-17-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddr19

I think it's bitchin' haha

Good to see they finally got a 6 speed.

Wish my Sierra had the 6 speed from the Denali. The 4 speed I have has a really annoying rough 1-2 shift when cold. Members of other forums have the same issue. Dealer says no bulletins have been issued on the matter. I love my Sierra but the tranny is a major disappointment. Still, my fuel economy is 16-17 around town and 20 highway. I have come to love the AFM, I had doubts about it before purchase, but several helpful members of this forum assured me it would be okay. Still...that 4.6 3V seems interesting......

1931Chevy · 10-17-2008, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHN1243

But drive a Tundra and you'll see something is still missing on the F-150. The Tundra is a beast. You'd think it already had a cold air kit and flowmasters from the factory.The new Hemi Ram is close but the Tundra is the only one with the fun factor added.

I can't afford any of these and have only bought American so far but the Tundra is a ball to drive.

and that has not translated into sales and yes I know the economy is in the crappper but they have lost more sales than the big 3 even when Toyota its giving heavy incentives on the Turda just like the big 3, IMO you buy a truck as a work truck not because its the fastest or feels more like a car if you want that get a sports car and dont buy a truck

osv_alero · 10-17-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

It sure ain't good-looking.

Well put.

Nightshark · 10-17-2008, 12:03 PM

Wow they keep making the F150 more and more ugly. This thing looks hideous now. I have never been a Ford fan but the F-150 from two generations ago was the best looking pickup IMO. Current gen and now this new one I have not cared for at all. Much to square looking.

WishIhadatruck · 10-17-2008, 12:14 PM

I actually like the '04-'08 trucks the best. I never liked the generation that ended in '03. This new one is looking too much like a super duty, I don't really care for it but I still like it better than 2 genertaions before.

10-17-2008, 09:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
wohho 2.5L Iron Duke Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16	2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review 2009 Ford F-150, First Drive Ben Wojdyla/JALOPNIK Friday, October 17, 2008 Ford has come into this new product cycle with both barrels blazing, offering up the most capability it's ever packaged into a light-duty pickup. It boasts class-leading capabilities like a maximum 11,300 lb towing capacity and a 3,030 lb maximum payload capacity, while also offering best-in-class fuel economy (tied with the Chevy Silverado XFE) of 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway when you opt for the fuel-sipping SFE model. But that's only one of seven trim levels, each configurable with three powertrains, 13 wheels (that's more than the number of models of vehicles Honda sells stateside), four different bed configurations, three different cab lengths and the choice of two- or four-wheel-drive — a far cry from Henry Ford's Model T option list of "black." I've had a chance to drive a few iterations of the new F-150, digesting Ford's new product and seeing how it stands up to the program's goals and what I've decided is at the end of the day, a truck can be broken into a few important components; the cab, box, drive system, engine and the transmission. As the variety of options for the F-150 is so immense, it's more practical to talk about the parts leading up to the sum, rather than the myriad combinations. At least, that is unless you want this review in book form. Let's get started. Full Review at Link Last edited by ChevyRules : 10-17-2008 at 10:18 AM. Reason: Changed to Preferred Format for articles

10-17-2008, 10:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chaz_23 6.0 Liter L76 V8 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,290	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review It sure ain't good-looking.

10-17-2008, 10:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
RB35SLT 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arkansas Drives: 03 GMC Sierra ECSB 07 Chevy Impala LT Posts: 134	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review Not bad lookin' truck, but I like 04-08 FX4 better. __________________ 2003 GMC Sierra ECSB 2WD/SLT

10-17-2008, 10:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
prototype66 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lansing MI. Drives: 08 Malibu 05 Venture And restoring The Eldo! Posts: 1,890	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review Fugly but capible, good combo! __________________ http://www.prototype66logodesign.com/ chuckp@budkoutschevy.com Michigan's #1 GM Certified used car dealer !www.budkoutschevy.com Chewie! Take the Professor in back and plug him into the hyperdrive! Passed cars..72 Chevelle,71 Lemans, 72 Chevelle,71 Fury III, 78 Rabbit(Big mistake) 79,Monte Carlo, 68 Cutlass (will get her back some day!) She is in Orlando

10-17-2008, 10:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
HotCarNut 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Drives: 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-1 Southern Comfort Edition Posts: 394	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review I think the Dodge Ram is a better package than the new F-150 in terms of innovative design (rear coils) and packaging (Ram-box storage in bed sides). The F-150 isn't attractive, doesn't handle as well, and has a lot less power from the top-line engine. However, given Chrysler's troubles the new Ram may not get much of a chance as customers shy away from Chrysler LLC products.

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10-17-2008, 11:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
andretti2008 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 143	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review I dont think its looks good, or the Ram. rather have a Silverado __________________ "'I was thinking GM has a issue concerning Buick, look, Opel/Vax is established in Europe already. How can GM introduce Buick in Europe (if they wanted to)if Buick is getting Opel designs?"

10-17-2008, 11:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
DarkKnight67 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA. Drives: 2010 STS 3.6DI Posts: 230	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review It may not be the best looker - but it's definitely better looking than the Turdra. THAT is butt ugly - especially with a long bed and extended cab. __________________ DarkKnight67 2010 3.6 DI STS 2009 GMC Acadia 2008 Corvette coupe "Why do you drive a Cadillac?" someone asked me the other day. "Because you don't have the guts to!"

10-17-2008, 11:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
JOHN1243 Walking Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 12	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review But drive a Tundra and you'll see something is still missing on the F-150. The Tundra is a beast. You'd think it already had a cold air kit and flowmasters from the factory.The new Hemi Ram is close but the Tundra is the only one with the fun factor added. I can't afford any of these and have only bought American so far but the Tundra is a ball to drive. __________________ 89 Mustang LX 12.1@115.5no slicks (12.4@109 no NOS/slicks) 98 Z24 Cav. 15.9@85 (automatic!) 72 OLDS 442

10-17-2008, 12:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Nightshark 2.4 Liter SIDI ECOTEC Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NH Drives: 2004 Cadillac SRX V8 AWD; 2006 Corvette Coupe; 200 Posts: 246	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review Wow they keep making the F150 more and more ugly. This thing looks hideous now. I have never been a Ford fan but the F-150 from two generations ago was the best looking pickup IMO. Current gen and now this new one I have not cared for at all. Much to square looking. __________________ 2006 Corvette coupe - Monterey Red 2004 Cadillac SRX V8 AWD 2008 Buell XB12Scg - Translucent Red ...and others... Member # 239.. One of the originals... I finally found a cute single female...non-psyhco...with a job...Woohoo!!!!

10-17-2008, 12:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
WishIhadatruck 4.6 Liter Northstar V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Drives: '01 Grand Prix GT '96 Roadmaster Wagon Posts: 1,751	Re: 2009 Ford F-150 First Drive Review I actually like the '04-'08 trucks the best. I never liked the generation that ended in '03. This new one is looking too much like a super duty, I don't really care for it but I still like it better than 2 genertaions before. __________________ 1996 Buick Roadmaster Wagon 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

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