2023 Ford F-150 Regular Cab

　　

Ford F-150 Video Shorts

by zzdcar Test Team

　　

2023 Ford F-150 Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck that can be configured in a multitude of ways, from a basic work truck to a luxurious toy hauler to an extreme off-road machine. The F-150 is a supremely versatile pickup, which is why it's our favorite light-duty truck available today.

　　Having undergone a redesign in 2021, the core Ford F-150 lineup sees minimal changes for 2023. The truck continues to offer a wide range of drivetrain options, high towing and payload capabilities, and a comfortable modern interior. One of the F-150's newest, most advanced drivetrains is Ford's PowerBoost hybrid setup, which produces a reasonable amount of power and still gets relatively good fuel economy. On top of that, the system can serve as a backup generator for your house, similar to the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.

　　The biggest news for 2023 is inarguably the new Raptor R. It takes the inherent off-road chops of the Raptor but ditches the turbocharged V6 in favor of the Shelby GT500's monstrously powerful supercharged V8. The blown eight-cylinder produces 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque — enough to give the F-150 the juice it needs to compete with the Ram 1500 TRX.

　　While the Raptor R sits at the top of the F-150's off-road hierarchy, a new Rattler package adds capability at the bottom of the lineup. Available for the base XL trim, the Rattler brings the contents of the FX4 off-road package plus a set of knobby all-terrain tires. For a full breakdown on the 2023 Ford F-150, check out our test team's Expert Rating below.

　　

What's it like to live with?

We added a Ford F-150 with the hybrid V6 engine to our long-term road test fleet. The F-150 continues to do traditional truck things well, but we want to play around with Pro Power Onboard and get a better sense of the hybrid fuel economy over a year of driving and 20,000 miles. It's a 2021 model, but our coverage applies to the 2023 F-150 as well. Check out our experiences with living with F-150 here.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the F-150 drive? Ford offers a wide range of engines and configurations. We tested a 4WD crew cab in the Platinum trim with the new hybrid powertrain. In zzdcar' testing, it reached 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, which is significantly quicker than any similarly equipped pickup. Alas, the sensation of the gas engine kicking on and off means this powertrain lacks smoothness at low speeds that you'll find in the 5.0-liter V8 and non-hybrid turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engines. The 10-speed automatic provides smooth and quick shifts across all powertrains.

　　The F-150 has direct and quick steering. That makes the truck feel smaller and more nimble in parking lots plus more stable on the freeway. The brakes are powerful and give you confidence in their stopping power, even when they're recuperating power with the hybrid powertrain. Considering its high towing and payload capabilities, the F-150 is overall a pleasing truck to operate.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the F-150? The F-150 can be a massively comfortable truck depending on the options you choose and the ones you skip. The front seats are supportive and can be equipped with heating, ventilation, three-level lumbar adjustment and even a massaging function. The available Max Recline front seats can recline to give you a nearly flat seat to rest or take a nap, but they lack the side bolstering and overall comfort of the standard seats.

　　While the F-150 rides pretty comfortably, the Ram's unique coil-spring rear suspension provides a slightly better ride. Road, tire and wind noise is kept to low volumes. Most of the F-150's available engines sound pretty cool and aren't overly loud. The exception is the optional PowerBoost hybrid, which sounds and vibrates like a portable gas generator when it's charging the battery.

　　The climate control system is effective and powerful, requiring little adjustment to maintain your desired temperature.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below