When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, there are a lot of brands and models to choose from. America loves a good pickup, and a number of manufacturers have top contenders in this vehicle category for that very reason. However, the people have spoken, and the Ford F-150 remains one of the most popular pickup trucks available. It recently ranked as the top-selling pickup in America for the 45th consecutive year, so there’s just no denying that Ford is getting something right with this truck. It gets a lot right, actually, like powerful and diverse engine options, giving people the choice of best-in-class towing and hauling abilities or impressive fuel economy for this vehicle type.
Then there’s the F-150’s famously smooth handling that makes traversing bumpy, uneven roads on the way to a work site or your next off-roading adventure feel a little easier. Add to that its configurability, and it’s a great truck for a range of drivers and all sorts of needs. Its trim lineup is so diverse in features and prices that it alone could practically serve every driver currently shopping for a pickup. Yup, Ford has the full-size pickup market cornered with the beloved F-150 and considering all of the great features of the 2023 Ford F-150, we don’t see them falling behind any time soon.
Performance and Engines
We know that the engine under the hood makes all the difference in your experience behind the wheel. This is especially true if you plan on putting this truck’s great towing and hauling capabilities to work. That’s why the Ford F-150 has several impressive engine offerings. You can get:
- The 3.3-liter V6 – 290 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque
- The 2.7-liter Turbo V6 – 325 horsepower, 400 lb-ft of torque
- The 5.0-liter V8 – 400 horsepower, 410 lb-ft of torque
- The 3.5L Turbo V6 – 400 horsepower, 500 lb-ft of torque
- The 3.5L Turbo V6 Hybrid – 430 horsepower, 570 lb-ft of torque
Then there’s the F-150 Lightning, which is Ford’s first all-electric pickup. The Lightning boasts a range of up to 320 miles, empowering you to go further between charges. With all of these engine options, including hybrid and electric, there are so many different performances to be had out of this truck.
The great news is that you can opt for rear or four-wheel drive on all of the gas powertrains (part of the excellent configurability of this pickup). So you can tailor your truck to match the surfaces you travel most. The Lightning comes with all-wheel drive only, so you are going to get solid traction and performance there. And don’t think that driving a pickup means facing underwhelming acceleration or steering response. Some trims of the Ford F-150 can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just over five seconds, and the steering is admirably responsive while the ride is impressively smooth.
Cargo & Capacities
Now that we’ve focused on the various engine options you have available; it’s time to look at what those engines can handle when it comes to towing and hauling. After all, this is what everybody really wants to know about a pickup––how much stuff it can carry, tow, trailer, haul, and more. The maximum towing capability––achieved with the 3.5-liter Turbo V6––is 14,000 pounds. However, if you need the most payload, then the 5.0L V8 is the way to go. This engine can handle up to 3,325 pounds of payload weight.
So feel free to tow some serious equipment, trailers, and beyond with a properly equipped F-150. This truck can definitely be your camping truck that brings the RV with you to a remote location or your serious work truck that drags hefty equipment across a work site with ease. And if you need to haul a lot in the bed, it’s ready to handle that, too.
So, what about carrying stuff inside the truck’s cabin? There are plenty of times when you might not want to throw your cargo into the open bed. One of the most thoughtful features of this pickup is the convenient storage cubbies found throughout it. So while the bed and hitch are busy bringing the big stuff, you can keep the small stuff that makes your drive pleasant inside.
Ford understands that drivers of F-150s are often contractors and business owners. That’s why they’ve made it so drivers can fold the automatic shift lever flat with the center console, resulting in a sizable and flat work surface. This lets you handle documents and paperwork right inside your truck.
Special Packages
The 2023 Ford F-150 is, at its core, a highly customizable truck, but you even have the option to design yours to fit your style with some special package options.
First off, there’s the STX Black Appearance Package. It’s going to feature 20-inch gloss black-painted aluminum wheels. That’s just the beginning of the black details. You’ll also see black bodyside decals, black tips on the dual exhaust, a molded-in-color black honeycomb-style grille with a body-color surround, and a matte black tailgate. The result is a rugged yet sophisticated looking pickup that will turn heads.
Up next is the XLT Black Appearance Package. It will share the 20-inch gloss black-painted aluminum wheels as the previous package, but then there’s a lot more to this package. You’ll enjoy six-inch black angular step bars, providing an easier way for passengers to step into the vehicle. You’ll also see black exterior badging with a black body side decal. Inside, you get black interior appliques and leather-trimmed bucket seats for an upscale look and feel to the cabin. It’s all topped off with black headlamp bezels for a stunning fascia and a grille with black accents.
The Lariat Black Appearance Package is going to start with 20-inch gloss black-painted wheels as well and has the angular steps as the XLT package, plus the special black exterior badging and body side decal. The inside enjoys unique dark appliques and a black interior finish that sets it apart from the XLT. It also gets a unique hood and a grille with black accents, plus dark-tinted tail lamps and a dual exhaust with black tips.
The last of these eye-catching packages is going to be the Platinum Black Appearance Package. In addition to much of what you find in the previous ones, like the 20-inch wheels and black exterior badging, when paired with the 3.5L EcoBoost, it gets a dual exhaust with black tips, a black tailgate applique, and a unique hood and grille.
Check Out the New 2023 F-150 Today
There’s a lot to explore and get excited about with the 2023 Ford F-150. Ford has pulled out all of the stops to make sure that there is something for everyone among its trims, engine options, and special packages. Customizing this truck from front to back, inside and out, has never been easier or more fun. You can opt for the most powerful engine to remove limitations from your towing and hauling needs, or you can get the hybrid powertrain of the Lightning and stop being 100 percent reliant on fuel.
Between four-wheel and all-wheel drive options on all trims, the F-150 is ready to travel just about anywhere while letting you remain in command. It’s a really powerful, easy-to-handle, smooth-riding truck that empowers you to tackle tough jobs and rough roads effortlessly. It’s no wonder this truck tops the charts year after year. Ford considered the real-world struggles and needs of pickup drivers and addressed them in this beloved pickup. Test drive one at your local Ford dealership today.
