- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
3.5TT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
298kW, 678Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 12.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB review
The Ford F-150 XLT is the cheapest way to get into the Ranger's big and brash American cousin. But it still costs six figures, and doesn't necessarily yield a premium experience in some regards. And while its payload might be middling, there's loads of space and a big towing capacity.
- Torquey, effortless V6 provides loads of punch and is better than the Ram V8
- Impressive unladen ride quality, for a ute
- Loads of space and storage on the inside
- Halogen headlights on a $106,000 vehicle is not right
- Interior, tech and materials also belie the asking price
- Smart towing technology depends upon permanently installed cameras
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB
It might be a new entrant to the Australian market, but the Ford F-150 comes with an immense pedigree of popularity in its home market of the United States. Over 700,000 F-Series trucks were sold in America in 2023 alone, which includes the heavy-duty range like the F-250 and beyond.
But the majority of those sales are of the Ford F-150 like what we have here, and have pinned it as the best-selling vehicle in the United States for 42 years in a row.
We're a long way from the Stars and Stripes here, and the Australian market undoubtedly possesses its own tastes and challenges. The ute segment in particular is quite parochial and undoubtedly tribal.
Imported into Australia and converted locally into right-hand drive, does the Ford F-150 have what it takes to trouble the likes of Ram and Chevrolet, and even pinch a bit of business from the likes of LandCruiser, Ranger and Patrol? Let's have a closer look.
How much is a Ford F-150?
Buying a Ford F-150 is a relatively straightforward process, with buyers having to make two major decisions. Do you want base-spec XLT or fancy Lariat, and do you want to stretch out to the long-wheelbase variant for extra space in the tub?
In our case, we have chosen the cheaper of both options – XLT in the short-wheelbase guise at $106,950 plus on-road costs. Still, it's not a cheap car, with a six-figure asking price that is bumped up slightly with our inky choice of paint.
When you compare this car to a Ford Ranger, it's quite an expensive procedure. However, you are getting significantly more metal, engine and outputs in this case, so there is an argument to be had there. More on that later.
In terms of competitors, the main one would be the Ram 1500 Express, which uses the older 'DS' generation of Ram and slides in just under the six-figure mark at $98,950 plus on-road costs. The newer-design DT Ram 1500 Big Horn bumps the price up to $119,950, while the Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Premium is more of a Lariat competitor around the $130,000 price point.
Don't forget about the Toyota Tundra, looking likely to officially go on sale from 2025, with a powerful V6 hybrid and expected to have a high asking price to boot.
Anyway, back to this F-150. There are some disappointing spec-level choices on this car, considering the kind of cash Ford is looking to extract from buyers.
Firstly, there are halogen headlights. I don't know about you, but I reckon when there's a six-figure asking price, halogen shouldn't be mentioned anywhere in the spec sheet.
There are cloth seats on the inside, with 12-way power adjustment for the driver and 10-way for the passenger. There's also an 8.0-inch infotainment display, 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, electrically adjustable pedals and no heating or memory.
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The tub is ready for work with a spray-in liner, and access into the tub is made easier by a trick step that folds out of the tailgate.
Key details | 2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB |
Price | $106,950 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Agate Black |
Options | Prestige paint – $700 |
Price as tested | $107,650 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $117,406 (Sydney) |
Rivals | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Ram 1500 |
How big is a Ford F-150?
Let's compare the F-150 dimensions-wise to its namesake in the Ranger line-up. For $63,390 plus on-road costs you'll get a double-cab Ranger diesel with the 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder diesel, which measures in at 5370mm long, 1918mm wide and 1886mm tall.
So you've got about a half metre of extra length on offer in the F-150, which provides more space in the tub (241mm longer and 136mm wider). It's taller and wider overall, which (along with the extra length) yields significantly more interior space.
The towing capacity gets bumped up, but the payload of the F-150 is a laggard behind the 954kg on offer in the Ranger.
While the on-road presence certainly increases from the big dimensions, buyers will likely love the amount of space on offer inside the F-150. It's the same story as when you clamber up and into any of the big American utes, with broad seats, a wider centre console, and voluminous space in the second row making it quite suitable for work and family useage.
There's loads of room for kids and kid seats, and work colleagues will no doubt love the space on offer when joyriding or commuting around in the big F-150.
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB | |
Seats | Five |
Tub dimensions | 1705mm long 1656mm wide |
Length | 5884mm |
Width | 2030mm |
Height | 1995mm |
Wheelbase | 3694mm |
Does the Ford F-150 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Maybe it's because the rest of the car is so big, but the 8.0-inch infotainment display in this F-150 feels underbaked. Base-spec Ford Rangers get a larger and more modern portrait-style display, while this feels clearly a generation behind.
This system includes native navigation and digital radio, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
This system works in conjunction with Ford's companion app for remote services, and allows drivers to remotely start the car and control climate settings, keep an eye on the vehicle's location, and check on some of the basic health vitals like tyre pressure and fuel levels.
If you want better, you'll need to step up to the Lariat for a 12.3-inch system. But Ford doesn't miss you on the upgrade costs, I must say. The digital instrument cluster in front of the driver is 8.0 inches as well, is flanked by analogue gauges for speed and revs, and provides the usual range of information and readouts.
Is the Ford F-150 a safe car?
At the time of writing, the Ford F-150 goes without any kind of ANCAP or Euro NCAP testing. The many variants of this highly popular vehicle have been tested with positive results by the America-based NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), but this isn't a fair comparison with the work that ANCAP and Euro NCAP do in terms of testing protocols.
2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB | |
ANCAP rating | Untested |
What safety technology does the Ford F-150 have?
While it doesn't get the full complement of safety equipment that the Lariat enjoys, this XLT is reasonably well equipped. The important bases are covered, and the blind-spot monitoring system can account for a large trailer hanging off the back and give you more accurate warnings.
Blind-spot monitoring is a helpful ally when driving a big rig in traffic, but tighter parking situations will have to make do with only a reverse-view camera.
While the 360-degree camera seems to be a fair omission from this XLT model, losing front parking sensors and adaptive cruise control seems to make this expensive purchase feel a bit cheap.
The Lariat also gets evasive steering assist and intersection assistance, two things this XLT goes without.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection |
Adaptive Cruise Control | No | |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | |
Driver Attention Warning | No | |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Rear sensors only, reverse-view camera |
How much does the Ford F-150 cost to run?
Servicing is covered by a capped-price servicing program. The first four service visits are $429 each, and the fifth is priced at $365. Service intervals are spaced every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
After this point, service costs are no longer capped and will likely rise.
Insurance costs for an F-150 XLT with the short wheelbase is $2479. This comes from a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $2081 (5 years) |
Is the Ford F-150 fuel-efficient?
A smaller-capacity turbocharged petrol engine might seem to be a more efficient option over a larger atmo V8, but it is still pushing around a huge mass of steel, rubber, and oily bits at the end of the day. Compared to the main combatants, this F-150 seems to be mostly line ball when you look at the claimed consumption figures.
And in the real world – including lots of town and highway driving, followed by a stint of towing – we averaged 13.5 litres of fuel consumed per 100 kilometres. This compares mostly favourably with the 12.5L/100km combined claim by the manufacturer.
Chevrolet's claim for the Silverado 1500 is 12.2L/100km, line ball with the 12.2L/100km Ram claims for the 1500 range.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 12.5L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 13.5L/100km |
Fuel type | 95-octane premium unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 136L |
What is the Ford F-150 like to drive?
The most important thing to talk about with the F-150 is the engine. Compared to the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 in the Ram this feels much torquier, flexible and overall potent. Both have similar peak power outputs, but the increased range and availability of torque from this twin-turbocharged V6 puts it in a better place overall.
It's an engine that feels unperturbed under regular acceleration, giving smooth and easy response to throttle inputs. When the pedal gets pressed further, the engine rips through the mid-range and revs up quite angrily, putting the rear tyres under stress and giving more than enough motivation in this kind of vehicle.
It matches well to the 10-speed automatic transmission, which provides a good range of ratios for town and highway driving. And for the most part it's quite a smooth operator. But we did get the occasional shunt or sharp gear change, which is reminiscent of what we have felt in other Fords with a similar 10-speed automatic gearbox.
Another strong point of the F-150 is the ride quality. Partly, this comes from the gargantuan wheelbase. Also, this big rig doesn't need to contend with the same kind of payload something like a Ranger or HiLux needs to worry about. The end result is that the so-called 'ute jiggle' of an unsettled fretting over rough surfaces and bumps isn't so present here, it's quite composed.
Of course, the size of the vehicle does take some getting used to, especially if you're not accustomed to something of this size. Compared to a smaller ute, this F-150 steers in a more truck-like fashion: slowly, and with a wooden-feeling resistance.
But it's all part of the experience. Yank that column shifter down into D, check your mirrors, and cruise about. In that sense, the F-150 feels comfortable and well tuned. Once, of course, you've acclimatised to its girth.
With a 2.5-tonne Jayco caravan hitched onto the F-150, we found the driving experience to be mostly unchanged. Fuel consumption started trending upwards, sure. But the feeling of this 3.5-litre V6 didn't change in terms of having that lazy shove from low down to keep effortless progress happening.
And with the trailer hitched up, a stronger press on the pedal yields a reasonably composed down-shift, followed by an eager surge forward with plenty of purpose. Driving like this constantly will likely see your fuel consumption skyrocket, but at least you know that you have plentiful shove on tap for when you need it.
Key details | 2024 Ford F-150 XLT SWB |
Engine | 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol |
Power | 298kW at 6000rpm |
Torque | 678Nm at 3100rpm |
Drive type | Part-time four-wheel drive |
Transmission | 10-speed torque converter automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 121.6kW/t |
Weight | 2451kg |
Spare tyre type | Full-size |
Payload | 769kg |
Tow rating | 4500kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 14.6m |
How much weight can a Ford F-150 tow?
While the payload might seem a little paltry, a 4500kg braked towing capacity is a different kettle of fish. For those who want to tow heavy loads, the 4.5-tonne braked towing capacity is a great thing to have.
And to be clear, you don't need to be towing the full amount in order to get some benefits.
While you might have the physical capability of towing a trailer heavier than 3500kg, you need to look at things like the payload and gross combination mass – and the possibility of being overloaded – to understand the appeal here.
Firstly, the gross combination mass of 7720kg and gross vehicle mass of 3220kg means the vehicle is still able to pull the full 4.5 tonnes when fully laden.
However, don't forget that the vehicle's payload must also account for the towball mass from the trailer, so don't fall into the common trap of overloading the vehicle.
Even still, take for example a caravan that weighs 3500kg when fully laden with water and gear. Assuming the payload is accounting for a 350kg towball downforce, you've got a 419kg payload leftover. It's not huge, but it's workable provided you don't go mental with accessories.
But the real strength in this regard is the fact that you at least have a tow vehicle that won't inadvertently exceed the gross combination mass.
Should I buy a Ford F-150?
It hasn't always been the case that buyers have had the luxury of choice when looking at larger, so-called 'full-size' four-wheel-drive utes. Ram undoubtedly revolutionised this part of the world when it established a factory-backed production line of right-hand-drive conversions in Australia, instead of the smaller cottage-industry operations that have been plugging away with locally converted American vehicles for some years.
But now there is a handful of factory-backed choices that buyers can look at. The Ram 1500 Express is the only real competitor to this F-150 XLT considering the jump in the price of other models. The newer-designed 1500 Big Horn is within reach, while the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is more expensive.
However, I feel there is appeal in this big ute for people who are currently looking at something like a Nissan Patrol or low-spec Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. If you're not wedded to the idea of a wagon, it could be worth booking in a closer look (and a test drive, of course) of the Ford F-150.
The main gripe I have with the F-150 is that this XLT feels a little underbaked in terms of specification, and the jump up to a Lariat is a challenging financial decision. But whichever way you go, that torquey 3.5-litre V6 is a gutsy companion for towing and hard work.
How do I buy a Ford F-150? The next steps.
Ford offers a spread of models to suit different needs beyond the short-wheelbase XLT tested here. For those who need more load space (and a dash of extra payload), the long wheelbase might be a smart option. And if your pockets are deep enough, consider the jump up to Lariat spec.
Ford is planning on selling as many as 5000 examples of the F-150 each year, and its conversion facility can turn around about 20 finished products per day.
If you're keen, your next step would be to get on the phone to your nearest Ford dealer, and enquire on what kind of demonstrators it has handy and what kind of wait times an order can expect. You can also search the Ford website for national inventory to see what kind of vehicles are currently available. You can also find Fords for sale at Drive Cars For Sale.
As always, get behind the wheel of some competitors to see how the F-150 stacks up for you. Look at the Ram 1500, but also the Chevrolet Silverado.
If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.