Payne: 5 things about the 2024 Ford F-150

Posted by Talbot Payne on September 21, 2023

Detroit — The 2024 Ford F-150 pickup is here and it is still gas-powered.

Time to adjust the reality meter. In 2015, Ford debuted the first aluminum-bodied truck, which was hailed as the tipping point for an all-aluminum pickup revolution. Didn’t happen. Its competitors today are still made of good ol’ steel. In 2022, Ford’s Lightning electric truck was hailed as a milestone in Americans’ embrace of EVs. Nope. Lightning sales have been slow as buyers balked at high sticker prices and low towing range.

The 2024 F-150 STX gives Ford's best-selling pickup a sporty appearance.The 2024 F-150 STX gives Ford's best-selling pickup a sporty appearance.

The 2024 F-150 focuses on meat and potatoes. America’s best-selling pickup for over four decades, the next-gen F-150 unveiled Tuesday night is all about the word “choice” — a contrast to government regulations forcing automaker eggs into a single, battery-powered basket by 2035. Ford hails the “power of choice” in its available powerplants, which include a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid V-6, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, 5.0-liter V-8, 5.2-liter supercharged V-8. And the Lightning EV, of course. There’s also endless configuration choices in cabs, box lengths, materials, tires, colors.

Here are five highlights from a pickup Ford is determined to keep on top in the Truck Wars and sell nearly a million units a year.

1) Pro Access Tailgate: GMC wowed the industry with its six-way MultiPro Tailgate (now available on Chevys too as the Multi-Flex) in 2019, and you know Ford was itching to respond. Say hello to the Pro Access Tailgate — a swing-gate built into the F-150’s drop-gate. Complemented by a big, central bumper step below, the new gate enables easier access into the bed. Ford claims it allows 19 inches of additional reach compared to a conventional tailgate in the down position. And engineers have designed it with indents so it can swing open by 100, 70, or 37 degrees (so as not to interfere with a trailer).

The swing-out tailgate on the F-150 Tremor, an off-road-focused version of Ford's full-size pickup.The swing-out tailgate on the F-150 Tremor, an off-road-focused version of Ford's full-size pickup.

2) Bed Storage Box: In keeping with the bed theme (which is what makes pickups different, after all), Ford offers a lockable storage box on the right interior of the bed. It’s big enough to hold accessories like tie-down straps, bungee cords, chains, jumper cables, tools, safety glasses, work gloves and so on. And if you don’t opt for Ford’s other cool bed accessory — the left-side 2.4-7.2 kW Pro Power Onboard electrical system to operate power tools/TV screens/grills — then you can get two storage boxes.

The new F-150 offers a lockable storage box to secure your gear.The new F-150 offers a lockable storage box to secure your gear.

3) Tech galore: Ford has always prided itself as a tech leader (see that Pro Power Onboard), and the ’24 model offers more toys. A head-up display is offered for the first time (just like Caddys and Bimmers) so you can keep your eye on details like navigation instructions, speed limits, drive modes and BlueCruise operation without taking our eyes off the road (or trail). Speaking of BlueCruise, Ford’s highway drive-assist feature continues to improve with automatic lane changes and in-lane repositioning that automatically shifts to the outside lane to give, say, semi-trucks room.

The XLT trim is in the heart of the F-150's sales market, popular among commercial customers.The XLT trim is in the heart of the F-150's sales market, popular among commercial customers.

4) The new luxe: F-150 XL, XLT and Lariat pickups are the heart of F-150 sales, thanks in part to generous tax breaks when bought for business use. But pickups are also the new American luxury and F-150 offers premium and performance trims stretching into the six-figures just like European luxury brands. There’s the new, luxurious, F-150 Platinum Plus trim (replacing Limited at a likely $85K-plus) available with “a new Smoked Truffle interior featuring Dark Smoked Truffle accents.” La-di-da. King Ranch interiors include updates like a “bi-metallic Sinister Bronze paired with chrome color scheme, and interior trim “micro-texture reminiscent of a bullwhip.” Step up to the $110K, 700-horsepower Raptor R and Ford options a modular front bumper and insane, dual live-valve Fox shocks. Eat your heart out, Mercedes AMG.

The F-150 Raptor offers 700 horsepower, dual live-valve shocks and a price tag north of $100K.The F-150 Raptor offers 700 horsepower, dual live-valve shocks and a price tag north of $100K.

5) Standard goodies: For all the glitz of Raptors and Platinums, the base, sub-$40K F-150 is loaded with standard equipment. Twin 12-inch instrument and infotainment screens are standard, as is a 2.7-liter, 325-horsepower, 400-torque turbo-6. All models also now come standard with an extended range fuel tank, Class IV trailer hitch, blind-spot assist and cross-traffic alert.

If you want to tow a trailer while riding in luxury, the F-150 Platinum accommodates on both counts.If you want to tow a trailer while riding in luxury, the F-150 Platinum accommodates on both counts.

Oh, yes, and the F-150 goes back to the top of the class in max towing (13,500 pounds) and payload (2,455 pounds). That’s a lot of meat and potatoes.

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him athpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne

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