2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year: Ford F-150

This is it. Crunch time. The 2009 Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram are rolling onto the market like a pair of gigantic craps dice, and the companies tossing them are each betting big on this game. Unfortunately, the rules changed while these dice were in mid-air. Fuel prices skyrocketed, the economy tanked, consumer confidence evaporated, and folks who once chose half-ton pickups more for their Marlboro-Man-image-enhancing qualities than for their towing or hauling capabilities are shopping elsewhere.

Ford claims it sells more of its half-ton pickups to work and commercial customers than its competitors do, and Ford predicts this segment will grow to 45 percent of F-150 sales. Toward that end, the truck's fully boxed chassis is further fortified to provide best-in-class rigidity, payload capacity (up to 3030 pounds), and tow ratings (up to 11,300 pounds). As such, the new F-150 is well positioned to capture contractors migrating down-market out of Super-Dutys to save money and gas (did we mention that a new six-speed automatic, a lighter, more aerodynamic cab, and other tweaks boost fuel economy by 12 percent with the 5.4-liter?).
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DaHarder - 12/16/2008 2:08:12 PM

+10 Boost

I find this selection a bit strange...

Having driven both this an the 2009 Dodge Ram, it was clear that this (F15) was little more than a mild restyle of an existing platform, and the Dodge represented something entirely new.

Personally, I found the Dodge Ram refreshingly refined and well thought out, and the look is as handsome as it is distinctive.

Oh Well, To each their own - Congrats Ford!

85bmw745i - 12/16/2008 6:56:45 PM

+4 Boost

I agree. and the ford is still the slowest and doesn't ride as wel as some of the competitors. I think dodge should have won just due to the giant leap of improvement in interior quality and fit and finish alone. It also has a more advanced rear suspension and much more power and better acceleration. I think it looks alot better too.

lexusrox123 - 12/17/2008 5:59:25 PM

0 Boost

ya the dodge is way better looking ( i cant stand the ford grille) and the ram has improved alot

HSCenterconsole - 12/16/2008 2:11:27 PM

-6 Boost

Motor Trend throws Ford a bone.

hao420 - 12/17/2008 12:17:27 AM

-2 Boost

Yea,wonder how much Ford paid to bribe Motor trend...

cococo - 12/16/2008 3:32:06 PM

-7 Boost

There's a typo in the third sentence. There should be a period after "craps."

veyron1001 - 12/16/2008 4:03:23 PM

-12 Boost

Shows that everyone but Ford, GM and Chrysler are with the times.

neutral - 12/16/2008 10:45:33 PM

+3 Boost

Shows you have no idea what you're talking about.

tundrahq - 12/16/2008 6:27:46 PM

+2 Boost

The F150 is awesome and the truck market isn't going anywhere. Ford's ability to dominate the truck market will generate and huge profit and keep them alive.

veyron1001 - 12/16/2008 9:44:13 PM

-5 Boost

The only purpose I see of the Ford F 150 is that their built for people who hire mexicans infront of lowes or walmart to take them back to their business by using the bed of the truck.

neutral - 12/16/2008 10:47:10 PM

+2 Boost

Ahh, you're a racist too.

What's next, Escalade's are just for black drug dealers?

Mercedes are just for greedy Jewish people?

Shut up already.

neutral - 12/16/2008 11:20:11 PM

+1 Boost

***Escalades, not Escalade's***

Sorry for the typo

veyron1001 - 12/17/2008 1:31:50 AM

-1 Boost

Believe what you want. That was a stereotype.

Denali - 12/16/2008 8:59:42 PM

+1 Boost

SMH, 2009?, i guess the Tundra got 08,

truckman - 12/17/2008 2:34:14 AM

+3 Boost

The Ford has the best performing suspension hands down, google ford testing grounds with the F-150vs the Dodge and Chev and the tundra, All the trucks have flexy frames and were all over the road except the F-150.The Tundra was a joke, it flexed all over! Just pathetic! I like the Dodges four link, defiantly less axle hop and all but less flex and less cargo capability than the ford.It didn't handle the rough proving grounds as well as the F-150s leaf sprung suspension.The Ford is the first company to offer an off road package in a half ton, the Rapture!Head and shoulders above anything else out there!

mercuryguy - 12/17/2008 2:37:55 AM

+3 Boost

Well, last night on PBS I was listening to a business Roundtable discussion of well-respected world economists.

One economist mentioned the Global Gloom & Doom and how many companies are scaling back.

He went on to say that the one and only bright spot in the entire Global Economy is the F-150. The people seated at the table were virtually speechless. They said “ A pickup Truck? How can this be, no one wants those things now.”

The economist answered that Ford is needs to put another Factory On-Line just to keep up with the increasing demand for F-150 orders. It is a product highly sought after and is the most successful auto sales story for a model spanning many decades.

I didn't expect such a story on that Forum.

It is a very nice truck.

ste_u6 - 12/17/2008 4:53:41 AM

0 Boost

does anyone but ford ever win this?

Whelan - 12/17/2008 10:48:24 AM

+2 Boost

Try plowing or towing with a Ram and you will go through about a handful of trannies. My friend had a nice 1500 with a dump kit tow package and plow setup all factory installed. He went through 3 transmissions just doing the everyday. I'll stay away from Dodge Rams.

truckman - 12/17/2008 12:49:30 PM

+1 Boost

These are the reports that consumer reports never tell us about! Just like the Dodge mini van, has dodge fixed the lousy tranny in the mini van yet? If you ever get a truck or suv ALWAYS get the tow package even if you will never tow with it because tow packages generally come with bigger tranny coolers,heavy duty...

Whelan - 12/17/2008 1:56:47 PM

+3 Boost

It's funny most people think of Tow packages as those hide a hitches they put on their sedans. A true towing package will usually give you a larger higher flow radiator, tranny coolers, and oil coolers as well to help with the added load. Not to mention underpinnings to distribute the weight.

truckman - 12/17/2008 3:29:14 PM

+2 Boost

That was what I was going to say, I was just too lazy to write it, thanks.lol

mercuryguy - 12/17/2008 2:41:35 PM

+3 Boost

Even years ago Ford had very tough transmissions and tri-core radiators.

mercuryguy - 12/18/2008 1:12:00 AM

+2 Boost

Look, Ford has done very well producing a highly respected Truck. The F-150 has had a winning sales streak since the early 70s. people have towed boats, Campers and very heavy loads and very few people ever complain abut F-150 Quality.

Ford certainly isn't the best at building Front Drive Econoboxes, but they build a one hell of a truck! This is what they are good at, Heavy Duty overbuilt stuff designed for Severe Duty Applications.