2007 Ford F-150 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　New standard features on the 2007 Ford F-150 include an MP3 auxiliary input jack (on all trims except the base XL) and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Plus, the front seats in all F-150s have additional lateral bolstering this year. On the options list you'll find Sirius satellite radio, a navigation system and the FX2 Sport Package, which provides monochromatic paint, special 18-inch alloy wheels and a black/red interior. Lariat buyers can opt for power-folding mirrors with an auto-dimming feature on the driver side. The Harley-Davidson Package is now available on both two- and four-wheel-drive F-150 SuperCrews, but can no longer be added to SuperCabs. On the engine side, the 4.6-liter V8 picks up 17 additional horsepower for 248 total, while the 5.4-liter V8 is now E85-capable. Ford has extended powertrain warranty coverage to five years/60,000 miles.

　　

zzdcar says

　　Although it's the easiest of the full-size trucks to drive on an everyday basis, the 2007 Ford F-150 loses some points for its mediocre acceleration and missing safety features.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2007 Ford F-150 XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$234/mo  for F-150 XL

　　F-150 XL

　　XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $18,275 MSRPXL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 8 ft. LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $18,575 MSRPXL 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $23,120 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $23,370 MSRPXL 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 8 ft. LB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $23,420 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab Styleside 8 ft. LB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $23,670 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $26,370 MSRPXL 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 8 ft. LB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $26,670 MSRPSTX 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $20,980 MSRPSTX 2dr Regular Cab Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 4A) - $22,825 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $24,925 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $25,225 MSRPSTX 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $25,825 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $25,975 MSRPSTX 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $26,575 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $27,925 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,225 MSRPSTX 4dr SuperCab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,975 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $23,280 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab Styleside 8 ft. LB (4.2L 6cyl 5M) - $23,580 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.2L 6cyl 4A) - $25,125 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $27,225 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $27,525 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab Styleside 8 ft. LB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $27,825 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,125 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,275 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 8 ft. LB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,425 MSRPXLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,875 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $29,625 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $29,925 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,225 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,525 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $30,675 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 8 ft. LB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $30,825 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $31,275 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $32,625 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $32,925 MSRPXLT 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $33,675 MSRPFX2 4dr SuperCab Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,630 MSRPFX2 4dr SuperCab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $28,930 MSRPFX2 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $31,030 MSRPFX2 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (4.6L 8cyl 4A) - $31,330 MSRPFX4 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $29,825 MSRPFX4 2dr Regular Cab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $30,575 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $31,925 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $32,225 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCab 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $32,975 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $34,325 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $34,625 MSRPFX4 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Flareside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $35,375 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $29,825 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $30,125 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $32,225 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $32,525 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $32,825 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $33,125 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $35,225 MSRPLariat 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) (Most Popular) - $35,525 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $35,425 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SuperCrew Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $35,725 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $38,425 MSRPKing Ranch 4dr SuperCrew 4WD Styleside 6.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $38,725 MSRPHarley-Davidson 4dr SuperCrew 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $36,285 MSRPHarley-Davidson 4dr SuperCrew 4WD 5.5 ft. SB (5.4L 8cyl 4A) - $39,285 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　If you want to know what the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. is, look no further than Ford's F-Series, which closes in on the million-unit mark every year. Although this line of full-size pickups includes the larger Super Duty trucks and even commercial-use chassis cabs, most consumers end up with the entry-level F-Series truck, the half-ton Ford F-150. Last redesigned for 2004, the F-150 has been tailored for today's pickup buyer who's as likely to use his truck for daily commutes and family errands as he is for serious towing and hauling tasks.

　　Drive it around with an empty bed and the 2007 Ford F-150 delivers a smooth ride, nimble handling and a quiet cab. In crew cab (SuperCrew) form, that cab can comfortably accommodate five or six people. Carrying passengers in the backseat is still a viable option if you get an extended cab (known as a SuperCab), and even regular cabs offer reverse-opening access doors for easy access to the storage area behind the seats. Interior ergonomics are excellent, and a wide selection of option packages allows buyers to personalize the look of the cabin.

　　If there's a downside to the Ford F-150, it's the truck's lackluster engine offerings. Although the top-line 5.4-liter Triton V8 stacks up to competing V8s on paper with 300 horsepower, 365 pound-feet of torque and an impressive 10,500-pound tow rating, our editors have been disappointed by its real-world performance. Whether unladen or towing a trailer, the F-150 feels noticeably slower than peers like the Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram and GM's Silverado/Sierra twins, and our testing numbers have backed that up. Curb weight is the main culprit, as the F-150 significantly outweighs every one of its competitors. Another issue is that Ford's pickup truck still uses a four-speed automatic transmission, while most other automakers have switched to five-speed automatics for improved acceleration and fuel economy.

　　This doesn't mean you won't be satisfied with a 2007 Ford F-150 purchase. For buyers who don't require the quickest full-size truck out there, the F-150 compensates with its civility: This is by far the easiest of the half-ton pickups to drive on an everyday basis, and with the wide range of body styles and equipment, you're sure to find one that meets your needs.

　　

Performance & mpg

　　There are three engine choices in the F-150 line: a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 and a 5.4-liter V8. Available only on regular cabs, the 4.2-liter V6 makes 202 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The 4.6-liter engine provides 248 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.4-liter Triton V8 produces 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. Both V8 engines are matched to four-speed automatic transmissions. The V6 gets a standard five-speed manual, with the automatic available as an option. Buyers have a choice between two- and four-wheel drive on all versions of the F-150; all 4x4 trucks offer shift-on-the-fly convenience and an electronic, push-button transfer case is available on higher-line trims. Properly equipped, an F-150 with the 5.4-liter V8 can tow up to 10,500 pounds and carry 3050-pound payloads.

　　

Safety

　　Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard across the board, and traction control is optional on 2WD V8 models. Unlike some of its competitors, the F-150 does not offer side airbags or stability control. Frontal-impact testing by the NHTSA resulted in a perfect five-star rating. In frontal-offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the F-150 earned a rating of "Good," the highest available, and a "Best Pick" designation.

　　

Driving

　　Thanks to its stiff frame, double-wishbone front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering, the 2007 Ford F-150 delivers impressive ride and handling dynamics for a full-size pickup truck. Unfortunately, the truck's excessive curb weight bogs down the 4.2-liter V6 and 4.6-liter V8 engines, so the 5.4-liter V8 is strongly recommended for most consumers. Brake pedal feel is solid, but the F-150's weight is a factor here as well, resulting in longer stopping distances compared to the competition.

　　

Interior

　　Cab accommodations are pleasant in the F-150, as all versions offers simple controls, solid materials and plenty of room to spread out. All F-150s have a standard 40/20/40-split bench seat with a column shifter, but you can upgrade to captain's chairs and a console shifter no matter which trim level you select. An optional overhead console uses interchangeable modules so owners can add whatever features they find most useful. Without this console, though, the F-150 is a little short on storage space. Hauling larger items is no problem, however, as the rear seats in extended cabs and crew cabs fold up to make way for cargo.

　　

2007 Ford F-150 models

　　A full-size pickup truck, the 2007 Ford F-150 is available in regular cab, extended cab (known as SuperCab) and crew cab (known as SuperCrew) body styles. Regular cabs come with a 6.5-foot- or 8-foot cargo bed, while SuperCabs can have either of those or a garage-friendly 5.5-footer. The F-150 SuperCrew takes either the 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. Regular and SuperCabs come with reverse-opening rear doors for easier cab access, while SuperCrews have four full-size doors. In addition, there are five different trim levels to consider (XL, STX, XLT, FX4 and Lariat), along with three major packages (FX2, King Ranch and Harley-Davidson).

　　Meant primarily for commercial use, the lightly equipped base XL comes with 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl seating, AM/FM radio and not much else. The STX is similarly equipped but adds body-colored bumpers, sportier wheels and a few additional features, such as a cloth bench seat, air-conditioning and an upgraded sound system with a CD player and an MP3 player input jack. The volume leader in the lineup is the midgrade XLT, as it offers the widest array of available options, as well as chrome exterior trim, an upgraded cloth interior, cruise control and power windows, mirrors and locks. The FX4 is geared toward off-road enthusiasts as it includes underbody skid plates, retuned springs and heavy-duty shocks, as well as 18-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. High-line F-150 Lariat models cater to buyers looking for an upscale ambiance with interior features like brushed aluminum and wood highlights, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, automatic climate control and a trip computer.

　　An option package for two-wheel-drive XLT SuperCabs and SuperCrews, the FX2 Package provides the look of the FX4 without the expensive off-road hardware, as well as a black interior with red accents. The King Ranch and Harley-Davidson Packages are available only on Lariat SuperCrews. The former adds two-tone exterior paint, exclusive tan leather upholstery and wood-grain interior accents, while the latter specifies monochromatic paint, 22-inch alloy wheels and black leather seating. Stand-alone options on the Ford F-150 include a navigation system, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a sunroof.

　　

2007 F-150 Highlights

Type: SuperCabRegular CabSuperCrewSuperCrew

　　Trim: XLTFX2LariatFX4King RanchHarley-DavidsonXLT

　　

Base MSRP	$29,625
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$249/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	9,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles