Ford F-150 the Favourite vehicle of America’s Military
The Ford F-150 has again been named most popular vehicle among America’s active and retired military service members, according to an analysis of former and active-duty military personnel using United Services Automobile Association’s car buying service.
This honour reflects 41 years of Ford’s uncompromising commitment to quality, durability and resilience with F-Series as America’s best-selling truck and 36 years as America’s best-selling vehicle.
According to Jimmy Spears, auto analyst for USAA, a financial services group, Ford F-150 was the No. 1 purchase choice across all branches of the U.S. military last year. “We are proud and humbled that those who protect and defend our country choose Ford F-Series,” said Todd Eckert, Ford truck group marketing manager. “F-150’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminium-alloy body is designed to serve customers who are used to performing in the harshest of environments and who rely on the capability, durability, and functionality delivered consistently by Built Ford Tough.”
This is the latest accolade for the new 2018 F-150 line-up, which earned 2018 Truck of Texas and 2018 Motor Trend Truck of the Year recognitions, along with the 2018 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award for the fourth year in a row.
New features and improvements put F-150 over the top
The 2018 F-150 features a number of design updates and technology enhancements across its powertrain, driver-assist and connectivity offerings, making it tougher, smarter and more capable than ever.
Major exterior freshening across the line-up includes new grilles, bumpers, headlights, tail lamps, tailgate outers, wheels and more. Interior updates on XLT Sport, XLT Special Edition, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited trucks include colour and material changes for seats, instrument panel and console trim. An all-new B&O PLAY™ audio system by HARMAN is also available.
With an EPA-estimated rating of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined, the second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost-equipped F-150 delivers best-in-class fuel economy. Powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, F-150 offers best-in-class towing capacity of 13,200 pounds.
F-150 shines with clever design, all-new 3.3-liter engine, towing capability
Design elements such as rear-hinged doors on the SuperCab truck that ease access to the rear passenger compartment, an available twin-panel power moonroof, and new technology features like Apple CarPlay and SYNC 3 got high marks from Motor Trend editors.
“Ford deserves a lot of credit for how the extended cab is designed,” said one judge. “Unlike its rivals with B-pillars and normal opening doors, the nearly 180-degree-opening rear doors and flat load floor allow owners to maximize utility in the back, and make it easier for passengers to get in and out.”
Praise for the F-150 XL with all-new 3.3-liter V6 engine touched on how easily the truck can tow trailers weighing 7,700 pounds – the maximum rating for the base engine.
“The 3.3-liter has zero trouble towing a 5,000-pound trailer,” said one judge. “Tow/Haul mode keeps the gears low and the engine roaring, with no shift shock. This powertrain is more than adequate to get F-150 down the road quickly.”
In terms of the overall line-up, Motor Trend editors were impressed with the ease and accuracy of features such as Pro Trailer Backup Assist and a multi-angle 360-degree camera system, as well as F-150’s competent powertrains. One judge, an admitted towing novice, said the truck’s towing capabilities are simply “fantastic.”
High series trucks, all-new EcoBoost
Motor Trend editors were as impressed with the power and handling of the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 in F-150 Lariat as they were with the truck’s ride and level of luxury appointments. The chassis smooths out large road undulations with ease, and steering is “shockingly precise,” they reported.
“Wow, I thought this was the V8 when I first hopped in,” said one. “Power delivery is excellent, with no perceivable lag. This 2.7-liter turbo is all the engine most folks will ever need.”
Judges also tested the F-150 Platinum with 5.0-liter V8 that features significant upgrades, including advanced dual port and direct-injection technology and spray-on bore liner technology for reduced weight and best-in-class payload capacity of 3,270 pounds. The enhanced engine is paired to a segment-first 10-speed Ford SelectShift™ automatic transmission with four selectable drive modes – normal, tow/haul, snow/wet and sport. The new 10-speed automatic is shared with the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines as well.
One Motor Trend editor said the 5.0-liter V8 is a sweetheart of an engine, with tons of power. “It cruises oh so well, and tows like a champ,” he reported. “It didn’t seem to struggle at all with a 9,000-pound trailer attached. This truck is happy to be put to work.”
F-150 Raptor is a class of one
With 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, F-150 Raptor impressed judges with the quick and responsive kick from its twin-turbocharged, high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, enhanced by its segment-exclusive Ford SelectShift 10-speed automatic and industry-leading six-mode Terrain Management System™. Raptor’s high-strength, military-grade, aluminium-alloy body saves 500 pounds over the previous model, which pays off in a stronger, more agile truck.
“As great as this thing is off-road, it’s shocking how good it is on pavement,” said one judge. “It’s more than happy to carve corners with precise steering, good brakes, great power and a suspension that hunkers down and leans into corners.”
F-150 Raptor’s competition-proven chassis sets the performance bar with its second-generation BFGoodrich KO2 tires designed exclusively for the truck’s extended off-road capabilities. In addition, FOX shocks, jointly engineered by Ford Performance and FOX, feature three-inch-diameter shock canisters and nine-stage bypass damping to optimize suspension control and provide massive suspension travel that includes 13 inches at the front and 13.9 inches at the rear.
