It never fails.
When I have a car I want a truck and when I have a truck I want a car.
Can you relate to this?
I just can't explain it but the ONLY solution I've found is to have both otherwise you will be at the dealer every six months or so wheeling and dealing to quench your fix.
So as you've been reading on AutoSpies.com, you know Agent 001 just traded the 2010 911S for a 2011 BMW 335d.
But what you don't know is that about 45 days ago I quietly added the all new 2011 Ford F-150 XLT Supercrew Eco-Boost 4x4, 157" long bed to the stable.
Full 2011 Ford F-150 Eco-Boost Photo Gallery
And I can tell you this without reservation.
If all American vehicles were this well thought out and performed as well, Toyota and Honda would still be a blink in the night.
And thirty years of some of the dumbest vehicles and executive ignorance wouldn't exist in the history books about corporate mistakes and how NOT to do things in business.
The 2011 Ford F-150 is a testimony and validation to the Macintosh way (thanks guy for coining the term) of taking something really good and endless perfecting it over time and delighting and enchanting the customer.
Ok, 001, this a pickup truck.
WHAT'S the big deal about it and WHY is it worthy of such praise from the Auto Spies?
You're the tastemakers in the premium car business so how could this lowly pickup be in the best vehicles on earth list?
Isn't it just another piece of American crap from Detroit?
I'm sure these are all questions running through your heads and they are ALL valid.
The American car companies have EARNED these questions, one by one, over the last thirty years by doing some of the most boneheaded moves ever.
Let me just put things in perspective of HOW dumb they've been, then I'll get on to praising the truck and be optimistic about the future of the company that took NO bailout, yet came out of the storm FIRST and strongest.
Do you realize if GM, Ford and Chrysler stopped making vehicles and only took the massive war chest of cash they had amassed up to the 60's and re-invested it in companies like Microsoft, Apple, Dell, Google, etc., they would be the richest, strongest companies on earth.
They could have let every employee go in the 60's and then sent every American a dividend check each month as a gift from the profits they would have made.
But they didn't.
They wittled through ALL the profits through a myriad of Chevette-like decisions by the executive bonehead hall of fame.
So that's my short and sweet, to the point rant.
It's off my chest, now let's get to the hope and change part and get optimistic again.
First, let me tell you I'm probably the best person to do this review not because of my super human intelligence, wickedly great taste and unequalled knowledge of autos but because I owned a 2009 F-150 (same config only a Lariat) with the 5.0 V8.
So I can tell you from a customer perspective how they really compare instead of listening to an underpaid blogger/magazine writer who doesn't own a car of their own.
The two biggest questions about this new EcoBoost F-150 are:
1. Does it have enough power compared to the V8.
2. Does the Eco-Boost give you a huge savings at the pump compared to the 8.
The answer to number one is a resounding YES. It not only has enough power but I am 100% certain if I put you in both trucks for a test drive you would tell me the Eco-Boost truck felt more powerful and better balanced than the V8.
And the verdict on number two is a flat NO.
The mileage is better...15 city/18 hwy on my tests vs. 12.5 city/15 hwy on the V8. (Didn't baby drive it or beat on it, didn't tow and used A/C regularly). Yes you could get 20+ HYPER-MILING if you wanted.
So if you're looking at this truck expecting miracles you will be VERY disappointed.
But my news is NOT bad.
Going from 12.5 to 15 city on this MONSTER of a truck and being KING OF THE ROAD with all the room, flexibility, towing capability, storage, utility and badass looks is a good and impressive improvement.
To put it in perspective for all you American haters (you know who you are), this HUGE truck gets better economy than a stinkin' Acura RDX baby bottle crossover.
You're lucky to get 17 City on an RDX but that ride REQUIRES premium fuel so if you do the math, advantage FORD!
Plus you get ALL the benefits of the full size truck, like last forever quality, next to impossible to break it strength, ease of inexpensive maintenance/repair when there rarely IS a problem.
NEITHER one of my F-150's ever had shop time except oil changes.
AND the F-150 will BLOW the lowly Acura, GMC, Toyota, Honda, crossover resale value of the map!
Never in the history of my driving experience have I lost LESS money on resale than on my 2009 F-150.
Got a great deal on it (48k list, $38k selling) and sold it for $36.5k a year later with 10k miles.
That's REALLY strong!
But none of this matters if it sucks to drive.
And what is probably the hardest thing to believe if you've never driven one is that freeway cruising in this truck at 90MPH (we do not suggest this to our readers), it's virtually as quiet and composed as a Lexus sedan.
You just can't believe what a pleasure it is to drive a long distance in.
Or even just a short hop to Starbucks.
And compared to the Silverado/Tundra you can really see and feel the premium work and thought that went into the F-150.
And I won't even brag about the SYNC technology here because if I did it gets even more embarrassing for the competition.
Ok, I'll brag a little.
With SYNC on this 2011 Ford even if you don't buy the full nav system, you get a really good and useful (although only text directional and voice) navigation solution.
Just hit one button on the steering wheel, say 'SYNC services' and it makes a call and voice prompts you through the whole thing so you don't have to remember your Acura or Lexus voice commands. It then downloads the nav instructions into your phone and the bluetooth shows it through the text display in the center stack and the voice instructions come through the sound system.
Although the nav instructions should show up in the nice video display between the speedo and tach like on the Edge/Explorer.
Hope it's just a software update down the road but not holding my breath.
That said, it's so good though I opted NOT to get the full nav screen system ($2400 option) and I suggest you save the money too. AND I prefer the backup camera in the rear view mirror anyway...really cool how it appears from nowhere as soon as you shift into reverse!
Pretty amazing when the SYNC option is only $275 bucks and it INCLUDES that and it requires NO monthly subscription.
Pretty much the best way to see HOW good this truck is and how badly it slaps the others is to watch the torture test video series on the
Ford site hereIt will send you in a tizzy when you see how they got THIS MUCH out of the 6 cylinder motor and that it trounces the V8 competition.
What would I change that I haven't otherwise stated?
1. Add Adaptive Zenon Led headlight option...regular and brights just not powerful enough in this day and age
2. A keyless go option. Crap a Prius has it for $20k.
3. Thicker BMW M-like Steering Wheel. Call it the Fat Boy option.
4. Add streaming internet radio like in BMW apps (thought I would like but I'm hooked I tell ya! Better than Sat radio). Four clicks and I was listening to Winnipeg sports talk radio catching up on the Jets buzz! Soo cool!
In closing, there is one other reason to consider buying this truck and that is on top of the pleasure you will have owning it, if you own a small business and use the truck for business it is 100% write-offable* in YEAR one under section 179 of the IRS code IF you choose the 6.5ft bed. The smaller bed qualifies for a smaller deduction but the full size one makes it a touchdown move.
HEY, there's a NOVEL concept!
Give GREAT tax incentives vs. INCREASING taxes to small business and they will bring the economy back! ;)
I also suggest if you buy this or ANY other pickup you go see our friends at
LINE-X of El Cajon and have the most amazing spray in (non-skid like cheap plastic) bedliner (guaranteed for life and comes in many different colors) AND the
gorgeous, strong, and useful bed enclosure made right here in San Diego by truck covers USA. when it's closed it keeps all your stuff secure in a vault-like enclosure and it holds up to 500lb's on top of it when it's closed! Plus as you can see it looks GREAT! (More info on
LINE-X and
TruckCoversUSA)
They were kind enough to to put them in my truck and I wouldn't get another pickup ever again without them added in at the time of purchase.
Especially, when you get 0% percent financing like I got!
A special thank you also goes out to
CustomPlates.com for our cool SPY before you BUY license plate frames. Buy one for yourself here
And finally, I want to say I am SO proud of Ford and the people behind this vehicle development because it shows me as an American when we give our best, NOBODY but NOBODY can beat us!
Enjoy the beautiful photos of the F-150 from San Diego and the surrounding areas...
*AutoSpies.com does NOT give tax advice and recommends seeing your accountant before making any business purchases to see if you qualify.
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