Wednesday Walkaround: Most capable 2009 Ford F-150

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OK, granted it is now Friday, but we could not bring you the entire story of the all-new Ford F-150 before today due to embargo restrictions. The GearDiary team of Judie Lipsett and David Goodspeed spent two days in Michigan for a first-hand, full-tilt experience with the latest version of the world’s best-selling vehicle.

Watch the video above for a complete walkaround of the new truck with Ford truck marketing director Doug Scott and look for a separate post coming soon from Judie.

For my part, I am going to dive right in.

I recently spent a week in the all-new Dodge Ram half-ton pickup and eagerly looked forward to my time with the new Ford.

Ford was so confident in their new vehicle they not only allowed us to test their product in all sorts of punishing environments but they brought out members of the competition to drive side-by-side in order to prove their point that the new Ford F-150 is the most capable, most confident, most convenient and most comfortable truck in the segment.
Period.

Did they succeed? Damned straight they did.

On-road, off-road, towing, hauling, vehicle dynamics on a slalom course – the Ford F-150 quickly shone as the hands-down leader, and did so with little clamor, total confidence and complete control.

And never once did we feel unsafe while pushing the F-150 to the limits.

The remake is not merely an injection of steroids or a summer at the gym as some of the competition might seem.

The 2009 Ford F-150 delivers what is has become well known and rewarded for: capability, confidence, convenience and comfort, and all in a package that will last longer than the length of the finance contract or warranty period.

Ford’s F-150 has been the segment leader for more than 31 years and should continue to do so as the automaker wades through times of uncertain economy and politics. As the global best-seller, F-150 is of utmost importance to the automaker, and judging by what we experienced over the past two days, everyone in Dearborn should be sleeping a little bit easier at night.

The 2009 models are arriving in showrooms now. There are some 35 different cab, trim and cargo box configurations available with three V-8 engine choices. Gone is the V-6/manual gearbox work truck edition but the new base V-8 gets the same fuel economy and better power than that outgoing six.

Here is a breakdown of pricing from Ford:

NEW 2009 FORD F-150: MOST PICKUP FOR THE MONEY

Ford is now offering even more truck for the money with the new 2009 Ford F-150 – including unsurpassed fuel economy.

DEARBORN, Mich. – After setting the standard for capability, reliability and quality for 31 years, Ford is now offering even more truck for the money with the new 2009 Ford F-150 – including unsurpassed fuel economy.

“No other truck offers more capability with better fuel economy than the 2009 Ford F-150,” said Matt O’Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer. “When the truck hits showrooms in October, truck buyers will see real value.”

The 2009 Ford F-150, now with more standard safety equipment than any other half-ton pickup, offers comparable or better pricing at all three cab configurations versus the competition. The F-150 Lariat SuperCrew, for example, starts at $35,820, more than $5,000 less than a comparably equipped 2009 Dodge Ram.

The 2009 Ford F-150 also offers more value compared with the current F-150. With the XLT SuperCrew, customers receive $1,000 more value versus the previous model with the addition of $1,600 in standard equipment for 2009.

The base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Ford’s workhorse, the XL Regular Cab, starts at $21,320; and the popular XLT SuperCab starts at $29,160.

“With the new F-150, we are offering customers more capability and choice with better-equipped trucks at a greater value than the competition,” said Mark Grueber, Ford F-150 marketing manager. “With the high-volume XLT series, we are able to offer more towing capability, hauling capacity, more standard safety features, industry-exclusive Easy Fuel™ and V-8 power at a starting price of more than a $1,000 less than a comparably equipped competitive truck.”

All 2009 Ford F-150 pickups are equipped with more standard safety features than any other half-ton truck on the market and Ford anticipates that the new F-150 will achieve NHTSA 5-star rating and IIHS “Best Pick.” Ford F-150 safety features include:

* AdvaceTrac® with RSC®
* Trailer Sway Control
* Anti Lock Breaking System
* Safety Canopy® side curtain air bags with roll-fold technology for enhanced head protection in rollovers and side impacts
* Front seat-mounted side air bags with patented K-shape design
* Personal Safety System®
* SOS post-crash alert system and new seats and restraints

The Ford F-150 also offers the industry-exclusive Easy Fuel™ capless fuel filler, V-8 power across the lineup and unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with the new SFE package.

XL
21,320-33,340
Air Conditioning, 4.6L 2V w/ 4-Spd Auto Trans (Reg Cab)

STX
24,120-31,365
4.6L 2V w/4 Spd Auto Trans (Reg Cab)

XLT
25,290-36,015
4.6L 2V w/4 Spd Auto Trans (Reg Cab)

FX4
34,605-38,315
6-Spd Auto Trans, Sirius Radio, Trailer Tow Package, 6-Way Power Driver Seat, Rear Defrost

Lariat
33,160-39,265
6-Spd Auto Trans, Sirius Radio, Trailer Tow Package, 10-Way Power Driver Seat and Passenger Seat, Heated Seats, SYNC, Power Pedals

King Ranch
39,815-43,260
6-Spd Auto Trans, Sirius Radio, Trailer Tow Package, 10-Way Power Driver Seat and Passenger Seat, Heated/Cooled Seats, SYNC, Power Pedals, Universal Garage Opener

Platinum
41,415-44,860
All New – Includes 20″ Wheels, Power Deployable Running Boards, Unique interior/exterior, Heated/Cooled Seats w/flow through console, Rain Sensing Wipers

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About the Author

David Goodspeed
David was editor of AutoworldToday at Today Newspapers in the Dallas suburbs until its closing in 2009. He was also webmaster and photographer/videographer. He got started doing photography for the newspaper while working as a firefighter/paramedic in one of his towns, and began working for the newspaper group full-time in 1992. David entered automotive journalism in 1998 and became AutoworldToday editor in 2002. On the average, he drives some 100 new vehicles each year. He enjoys the great outdoors and as an avid fly fisherman, as is his spouse Tish. He especially enjoys nature photography and is inspired by the works of Ansel Adams.

2 Comments on "Wednesday Walkaround: Most capable 2009 Ford F-150"

  1. Is this a cut-and-paste from an advertisement, or is someone on the dole?

  2. GoatZilla – I applaud your skepticism, but since I was there and also got to drive the F150 (as well as the same class Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra and Dodge Ram), I can assure you that any accolades David is heaping on the F150 are well deserved.

    It blew me away.

    Being able to compare it head to head with its competitors on a closed track to test towing, payload, and off-road performance really impressed us both.

Comments are closed.