Nuts and Bolts: 2015 Ford F-150
Bottom line: The 2015 F-150 extended cab (SuperCab) remains “Ford tough,” albeit 700 pounds lighter. You have to drive this one to believe it, especially when outfitted with the remarkably small and, for that reason, remarkably fuel-efficient 2.7-liter V-6.
Ride, acceleration and handling: It feels tighter, lighter and just as tough as its steel-bodied predecessor.
Head-turning quotient: It remains a square-faced conservative, which is the way most of its traditional buyers want it. The new headlamps look good.
Body style/layout: The F-150 is a front-engine, compact pickup available with three cab sizes — regular cab (124.4-inch wheelbase), extended cab (SuperCab, 145 inches) and SuperCrew (156.8 inches). There are five trim levels — XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum.
Engines/transmission: There are four available engines — two turbocharged V-6 models, a 2.7-liter V-6 driven for this column and a 3.5-liter V-6. There are two normally aspirated engines — a 3.5-liter V-6 and a 5-liter V-8. The 2.7-liter V-6 gets 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. All engines get a six-speed automatic transmission.
Capacities: Seating is for six. Maximum SuperCab payload, the weight that can be carried onboard, is 3,020 pounds. Maximum towing capacity is 12,100 pounds. Fuel capacity is 26 gallons. Regular grade works fine.
Mileage: I averaged 22 miles per gallon in highway driving.
Safety: Standard equipment includes front and rear ventilated disc brakes; four-wheel antilock brake protection; traction and stability control; post-collision safety system; rearview camera; reverse sensing system; tire monitor; air bags.
Recommended safety options: Get the full technology package.
Pricing: The base price of the Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab XLT all-wheel-drive pickup is $37,630, with a dealer’s invoice price of $34,149. Price as tested is $43,985, including $5,785 in options and a $1,195 factory-to-dealer shipment charge. Estimated dealer’s price as tested is $40,600.
— Warren Brown
