
Ford F-150, 2022.
What’s new
- 3.0-liter diesel engine is no longer available
- A new Black Appearance package debuts on several models
- Part of the 14th F-150 generation introduced for 2021
The pickup truck landscape has gone through a lot of changes recently. Now there are more midsize and compact “crossover” trucks than we’ve seen in decades, but full-size trucks remain the leader both in terms of sales and capabilities. Coming off a full redesign last year, the 2022 Ford F-150 is currently our favorite in the class, with more advanced technology, a long list of truck-friendly features, and a thoroughly modern interior.
Like any other full-size truck, the F-150 is offered in a variety of body styles, bed lengths and engine choices. For 2022, the 3.0-liter diesel option has been discontinued, though an upcoming full electric model, the F-150 Lightning, goes on sale in 2022. And Ford’s PowerBoost hybrid powertrain remains an effective full-size truck alternative, delivering strong performance while returning high fuel economy figures. It can even serve as a potential backup power source for your house.
As noted in our Expert Rating below, the Ford F-150 is a top pick among other trucks in the class, barely edging out the Ram 1500 and handily surpassing the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. There’s also an all-new Toyota Tundra that adds its own hybrid version for the first time this year. In any case, we suggest comparing all of these alternatives against the F-150. After a thorough test drive, we’re confident you’ll agree it’s the best truck for the job.
How does the F-150 drive?
Ford offers a wide range of engines and configurations. We tested a 4WD crew cab in the Platinum trim with the new hybrid powertrain. In Edmunds’ testing, it reached 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is significantly quicker than any similarly equipped pickup. Alas, the sensation of the gas engine kicking on and off means this powertrain lacks smoothness at low speeds that you’ll find in the 5.0-liter V8 and non-hybrid turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engines. The 10-speed automatic provides smooth and quick shifts across all powertrains.
The F-150 has direct and quick steering. That makes the truck feel smaller and more nimble in parking lots plus more stable on the freeway. The brakes are powerful and give you confidence in their stopping power, even when they’re recuperating power with the hybrid powertrain. Considering its high towing and payload capabilities, the F-150 is overall a pleasing truck to operate.
How comfortable is the F-150?
The F-150 can be a massively comfortable truck depending on the options you choose and the ones you skip. The front seats are supportive and can be equipped with heating, ventilation, three-level lumbar adjustment and even a massaging function. The available Max Recline front seats can recline to give you a nearly flat seat to rest or take a nap, but they lack the side bolstering and overall comfort of the standard seats.
While the F-150 rides pretty comfortably, the Ram’s unique coil-spring rear suspension provides a slightly better ride. Road, tire and wind noise is kept to low volumes. Most of the F-150’s available engines sound pretty cool and aren’t overly loud. The exception is the optional Power Boost hybrid, which sounds and vibrates like a portable gas generator when it’s charging the battery.
The climate control system is effective and powerful, requiring little adjustment to maintain your desired temperature.
Ford F-150 models
The 2022 Ford F-150 is offered in six primary trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. There are also the off-road-oriented Tremor and Raptor models that exist outside the traditional lineup. There are three cab styles — regular, SuperCab (extended) and SuperCrew (crew cab) — and three bed lengths depending on cab style. Along with the many trim levels and cab styles, the F-150 offers six available powertrains. All are paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission with either rear- or four-wheel drive except the Raptor, which is 4WD-only.
The engine lineup includes:
- 3.3-liter V6 (290 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque)
- Turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 (325 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- 5.0-liter V8 (400 hp, 410 lb-ft)
- Turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (400 hp, 500 lb-ft)
- Raptor-specific turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 (450 hp, 510 lb-ft)
- A hybrid powertrain (Ford’s PowerBoost) that combines the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor and a battery pack (430 hp, 570 lb-ft)
XL
Standard features on this base trim level include:
- 17-inch steel wheels
- Trailer sway control and pre-wired trailer connections
- Manual mirrors and windows (power windows are standard on the SuperCrew)
- Single-zone air conditioning
- Vinyl flooring
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
Safety equipment on the XL includes:
- Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
XLT
Adds to the XL with:
- 17-inch aluminum wheels
- Foglights
- Carpeted flooring
- Cruise control
- Power door locks and power windows
- Power-locking tailgate
- Front-seat lumbar adjustments
Safety equipment for the XLT includes:
- Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
- Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
- Lane keeping assist (steers the F-150 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Lariat
Gets you more premium features such as:
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- Class IV trailer hitch
- LED bed lighting
- Leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation
- 12-inch center touchscreen
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable pedals
- Remote start and remote tailgate release
King Ranch
Amps up the luxury with:
- LED headlights and taillights
- Integrated trailer brake controller (allows adjustment of a trailer’s brakes from the cab)
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Power tilt-and-telescoping steering column
- Heated rear seats
- Eight-speaker B&O stereo
- Wireless smartphone charging
Safety features for the King Ranch include:
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the F-150 and the car in front)
- Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
Platinum
It’s equipped similarly to the King Ranch but has 20-inch wheels and some unique cosmetic exterior changes and interior trim.
Limited
The most luxurious F-150 adds a few items worth noting, such as:
- 22-inch polished aluminum wheels
- Trailer Tow package with Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist system
- Power running boards
- Two-panel moonroof
- Power up-and-down rear tailgate with Ford’s tailgate step and work surface
- Specialized leather upholstery
- Massaging front seats
- 18-speaker B&O stereo
- Pro Power Onboard (see description below)
- 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the F-150 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Limited models also include the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 package, which includes the subscription-based BlueCruise system. BlueCruise is a hands-free cruise control system that works on certain limited-access highways throughout North America. This package is optional for many other F-150 trims.
Tremor
The off-road-oriented Tremor is only available as a crew cab with the 5.5-foot bed. It essentially starts with XLT content and adds:
- Standard 4WD
- 18-inch alloy wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires
- Selectable terrain driving modes
- Uniquely tuned off-roading suspension
- Locking rear differential
Raptor
The off-road-oriented Raptor includes a higher output for the turbocharged 3.5-liter engine, 4WD with low-range gearing and more. It combines Tremor features with Lariat content, plus:
- 17-inch alloy wheels with 35-inch all-terrain tires
- 36-gallon gas tank
- Raptor-specific off-roading suspension with adaptive Fox shock absorbers
- Raptor-specific fender flares and grille
- Six upfitter switches
As you’d probably expect from a full-size pickup, the F-150 is available with all sorts of options. Most of the lower trim levels can be fitted with options that come standard on higher trims. The most notable option is Ford’s in-bed power system called Pro Power Onboard. It is available with three power ratings: 2 kW, 2.4 kW and 7.2 kW. The 7.2-kilowatt system is only available with the 3.5-liter hybrid powertrain. The system allows you to charge and use devices from a system of household-style plugs in the bed of the truck, including power tools, tailgating accessories and even small appliances.
Raptor models can take the off-road theming even further with the Raptor 37 Performance package, which adds:
- Beadlock-capable wheels (helpful when airing down the tires for off-roading)
- 37-inch tires
- Retuned shock absorbers
- Recaro sport front seats with unique upholstery
- Special exterior graphics and interior trim
SOURCE www.edmunds. com