The F-150 is the bread and butter vehicle of Ford Motor Company – and for 2019 its been updated with new features.
An Automotive Love Affair
By Vince Bodiford
2019 Ford F-150 – the backbone of Ford’s product lineup
Overview:
When you think about pickup trucks –one brand that immediately comes to mind is the Ford F-150. Full size pickup buyers today have four choices of American-made pickups – those are the Ford F-150, The Ram pickup, the Chevrolet Silverado and the Toyota Tundra.
The F-150 is the grand-daddy of them all, with Ford literally inventing the pickup truck as a body variant of its earliest vehicles (Ford’s very first truck was built in 1917 and it was based on the Model T and named the Ford Model TT. Chevrolet followed in 1918 with their first pickup truck, the Model 490).
This current model of F-150 traces its roots back to the 2004 introduction of “P-221” – the all-new F-150 at that time, and has been updated and improved since. Like that model, this new F-150 offers up an entirely new driving experience in a full-size pickup. The steering is crisp and direct, the ride is plush yet controlled, the braking is strong and assured, and the cabin is very quiet.
Loaded with gear and passengers or empty, on the pavement or off-road, this pickup performs with a balance that lends itself nicely for how most of us use our pickups in real life. It’s this versatility, and some innovative new features that make the F-150 one of the most popular pickups of all time.
Engine performance has always been a great reason to drive the F-150, and the newest version of this light-duty pickup sets the bar even higher with a new ultra-powerful engine. If you decide to invest in this pickup truck, you’ll have access to a world-class 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine that offers 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Even drivers that can never have enough power are sure to be impressed by this new engine option.
There are several engine choices – including four variants of the V6, a powerful 5.0 liter V8, and a 3.0 liter Powerstroke turbo diesel (which powered our test vehicle).
Along with offering powerful engine choices, the 2019 Ford F-150 also features several new technology features that you’ll appreciate while out on a long or short drive. Whether you prefer utility or entertainment, the technology in this truck is impressive and useful.
To make towing easy and effective, this pickup truck comes standard with an integrated trailer brake controller, and there is also a standard 360-degree camera system that features a dynamic hitch assist. For drivers that value connectivity, there are several F-150 features that can’t be missed. The available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot can support up to 10 internet capable devices, and the B&O PLA stereo system offers great sound quality. This truck is also available with Android Aut and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration.
Traditionally when we think of pickup truck features, comfort usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind – but with modern pickups today that has all changed and improved, including on the F-150. On long drives, you’ll appreciate the front seats of this truck, which are covered in supple leather upholstery and are available with heating, ventilation and massaging capability. We also found the back seats to be very comfortable with plenty of legroom.
The cabin of this truck also offers a variety of world-class style features, including wood trim with an ash swirl and aluminum covered bezels. When you go for a ride in this light-duty pickup, you’ll have a comfortable experience.
Overall, I love pickup trucks. Nothing says “America” like a full size truck. The Ford F-150 delivers on the pickup promise of “do anything” ability. This is a great truck.
Some technical data and info supplied by Ford Motor Company, Ford Direct and a dealer. For more information, see your local Ford dealer or visit Ford.com.