2009 Ford F-150 Lockhart TX

November 18, 2009   By Brian Alexander, Content Editor



2009 Ford F-150
DriverSide Overview
Light duty truck sales might be down for the year, but the Ford F-150 remains poised to be the best selling vehicle in the US yet again this year. Thanks to aggressive incentives, the truck market is experiencing sales roughly on par with those of one year ago. While gas prices remain tolerable for the moment, the lessons of a price spike have been learned and, as a result, Ford is refocusing its F-Series trucks for its core customers – the people who use them out of necessity. The result is an F-150 with more available storage than before, new and innovative cargo management options, a refined interior and powerful software and navigation options that prove useful to both everyday drivers and contractors alike. Naturally, efficiency has come to the forefront of design and Ford has managed not only to strip weight from the F-150, but has also added a six-speed transmission and optional SuperCrew SFE model that can achieve up to 21 mpg highway. Couple that with a comfortable, modern cabin that can be decked out with anything from barebones cloth to plush leather with wood trim, heated and cooled seats and premium sound, and you understand why the F-150 has done so well for so long.








What's to Like
Labeling the F-150 as “highly customizable” would be a gross understatement – the combination of 35 different cabs, beds and trim lines means there’s an F-150 for everyone. Space management has been meticulously thought out and is arguably superior to the competition. Cross-country trailer haulers will appreciate the 5.4-liter engine’s class-leading towing capacity of 11,300 lbs, as well as its optional integrated trailer brake controller.

What's Not to Like
The rough ride of the FX4 creates a dilemma for those who want a daily driver with off-road capabilities. The brake pedal has a good amount of travel in it and isn’t as confidence inspiring as one might hope for in such a large, heavy vehicle. Some interior plastics, such as the gearshift housing, feel low budget in the high-end Lariat and Platinum models.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Around town, the F-150 is surprisingly nimble, with properly weighted steering that’s neither numb nor too heavy resulting in good, consistent feel. Punch the throttle and you’ll get an earful of the big V-8’s bellowing vocals, but back off it uses its inside voice, as if to avoid interrupting the quiet cabin. Wind noise has been reduced nine percent and road noise is down five percent, furthering the in-cabin comforts. Acceleration is brisk thanks to the closely-stacked ratios of the new six-speed transmission, though the four-speed in the base model still feels as if it’s being asked to stretch its legs a bit too much. When equipped with four-wheel drive, the F-150 is an off-road menace – traction control...

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