The 1,300-Mile Test: 2015 Ford F-150 First Review

By Allyson Harwood on October 13, 2014 4:00 PM

For about the last year or so, the biggest headlines about the 2015 Ford F-150 have focused on the material that the truck's body is made of. However, on our recent road trip from San Antonio, Texas, to Southern California, we saw that there is a lot more to Ford's new pickup. While the switch from a steel body to aluminum is a big deal, in many ways it's no big deal--this is still a truck that does everything you want a truck to do, it does it very well and in a lot of ways, the new F-150 is best in its class.

What's New?

As every new truck comes out, staying at the top of the heap gets tougher. In the case of the 2015 F-150, Ford had several challenges. Ford had to ensure its truck would stay just as capable as it was in the past, if not more so, that it would do this with impressive fuel economy and that the truck would also have the modern luxury and connectivity features that truck buyers have come to expect. Everything is new from the ground up, starting with a tough frame that uses more high-strength steel than in the past while saving weight. Of the four engines, two are new and the two returning engines have been improved. The body is made of aluminum, including the hood, doors and bed. The end result is best-in-class towing capacity (12,200 pounds), best-in-class payload capacity (up to 3,300 pounds) and when the EPA's numbers are announced, fuel economy that should be at or near the top of its class. Some of the fuel economy improvement is due to the weight savings in the body, an improvement of as much as 700 pounds, a difference that helps on its own, but secondly makes it possible to use a smaller engine to power a relatively big truck.

The F-150 has new styling that aligns it more closely to the heavy-duty Super Duty trucks, and the interior has been dramatically improved to add more features and make the cabin more comfortable. New items include a 360-degree camera, two different 110-volt/400-watt outlets and heated front and rear seats. There is new lighting for the truck bed, a power release tailgate, the next generation of a tailgate step that is stored in the top of the tailgate and LED spotlights that make it easier to see on either side of the truck when unloading gear at night.

Also: The Class of 2015 -- New Vehicles Ready to Roll

http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the...t-drive-the-1300_mile-test/2000011277/#survey