2022 Ford F-150 Best Buy Review

IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:

The F-150 offers an unparalleled roster of powertrains, trim levels, and available features, along with thoughtful technology/convenience innovations that enhance real-world functionality for both work and play.

BUT…

Top-end Limited model can surpass $80K mark with options.

WORTH NOTING:

In addition to a full lineup of conventional F-150 pickup trucks, Ford also offers the high-performance off-road Raptor and new-for-2022 Raptor R models, as well as the new-for-2022 pure-electric Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.

WHAT IS IT?

The F-150 is Ford’s full-size, half-ton pickup, which has long been the best-selling vehicle in the United States. The F-150’s redesign for 2021 brought it a host of all-new features, including its first-ever gas/electric hybrid model, dubbed PowerBoost. A broad lineup of powertrains is available, as well as regular-cab, SuperCab (extended), and SuperCrew (crew-cab) body styles and three pickup-bed lengths, depending on cab style. Jobsite-focused available features include the Interior Work Surface flip-out center console, Tailgate Work Surface (carpentry aids such as integrated rulers and clamp pockets built into the inner tailgate), and Zone Lighting (which enables you to control individual exterior lights on the truck to allow working after dark). Available technology features include a 12-inch digital gauge cluster, 360-degree surround-view monitor, BlueCruise hands-free driving-assist system, Active Park Assist 2.0 self-parking system, and Pro Power Onboard integrated electric-power generator.

WHAT’S NEW?

The F-150 loses its available Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 engine, but gains a Black Appearance Package and a Bed Utility Package for several models in the line. Late in the 2021 model year, the F-150 added a Continuously Controlled Damping adaptive suspension, an Onboard Scales feature that can measure and display the approximate weight of the truck’s payload, and a Smart Hitch feature that calculates tongue weight and can provide guide on proper hitch loading/weight distribution.

FUEL ECONOMY

Full EPA fuel-economy ratings are too numerous to list here, but they range from 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway with the turbo 3.5-liter V6 and the off-road-focused Tremor 4WD package to 25 city/26 highway with the PowerBoost hybrid powertrain and rear-wheel drive. In Consumer Guide® testing, a 4×4 XLT crew cab with the hybrid powertrain averaged 18.9 mpg in a cold-weather test that consisted of 70-percent city driving.

VALUE IN CLASS

The F-150 is a design and technology tour-de-force that’s offered in smorgasbord of configurations that should enable shoppers to choose the level of power, features, cabin trimmings, and towing/hauling/off-roading capabilities that best suits them. In addition to its best-of-the-bunch fuel economy, the PowerBoost hybrid boasts the most horsepower and torque of the regular F-150 powertrain lineup.

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