2011 Ford F-150

Review

The sturdy workhorse styling of the Ford F-150 sees a few minor upgrades and added trim levels for 2011, but the real news is under the hood with three brand-new light-duty engines designed to deliver premium performance while at the same time reducing fuel consumption. Innovative engineering and advanced design allow six cylinders to do the work of eight or more, making the 2011 Ford F-150 line a smart choice for green-minded consumers.

Specifications

Available in 3.7 liter V6, 3.5 liter V6 with EcoBoost, 5.0 liter V8 and 6.2 liter V8, the 2011 Ford F-150 engines offer something for everyone in terms of gas mileage and overall performance. Horsepower ranges from 302 to 365 for the V6 models, while the V8 engines muster 360 and 411 horsepower under the hood. The EcoBoost model features high pressure direct fuel injection, while the other engines come equipped with sequential multiport electronic fuel injectors. An electronic six-speed automatic transmission with overdrive comes standard on all 2011 Ford F-150 trucks. New for 2011 is the addition of electric power steering as a standard feature, making the F-150 the first full-size pickup truck to offer electric power steering standard.

Exterior Features

Ford has elected not to make major changes to the F-150’s exterior, so the solid, rugged appearance of the F-150 has been left basically unchanged for 2011. Minor cosmetic changes include small adjustments to the grill, the exhaust pipes and the side mirrors.

Interior Features

Ford F-150 pickup trucks are available in a variety of cab types from the three-passenger Regular Cab to the six-passenger SuperCab or SuperCrew models. The interior of the F-150 offers exceptional insulation against outside noise and weather, with an integrated safety cage to provide even more protection in the event of an accident. Six front and side-impact airbags come standard on every F-150 truck. Ford boasts that its F-150 offers the most standard safety features in its class; the integrated Personal Safety System bears out this claim with added features including the seat-belt restraint control module, crash severity sensor, seat position sensors, and integrated passenger sensors for the driver and front-seat passengers.

Performance

The real test of any work truck is how well it stands up not only to the road, but to the long haul and the heavy loads truck owners contend with every day. The powerhouse of the F-150 lineup is obviously the 6.2 liter V8 engine at 411 horsepower and 434 lb.-ft. of torque, but the new 3.5 V6 EcoBoost gives it a run for its money with a surprising 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque capability. The entire 2011 Ford F-150 line is well-equipped to handle towing and payload jobs, with varying capabilities depending on the type of cab and overall weight of the vehicle selected.

Summary

The Ford F-150 is fairly pricy; for buyers who don’t need the high-octane towing and payload capability, cheaper alternatives exist. The back seat in the SuperCab and SuperCrew may prove cramped quarters for taller adults.

The Ford F-150 has long been known as a workhorse in the full-size pickup truck world with best-in-class towing and payload capacity; with the addition of the new V6 engines to the 2011 F-150 line, Ford can now boast best-in-class fuel economy as well. The F-150 is also one of the safest trucks on the road, making it a solid choice for families in both the SuperCrew and SuperCrew six-passenger models.