When the fourteenth-generation Ford F-150 debuted for the 2021 model year, it upped the ante for the full-size truck segment, sending competitors scrambling to keep up. With a revolutionary PowerBoost full-hybrid powertrain, a massive 12-inch infotainment screen, and BlueCruise hands-free driving, there was nothing else like it on the road. Now, the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have been updated, and Toyota has launched a new Tundra, chipping away at Ford’s lead. What is the Blue Oval to do? They’re releasing the massively updated 2024 Ford F-150, filled with helpful new features and even more advanced technology. With these updates, the F-150 seems sure to maintain its position as the best-selling vehicle in America.
Standard 2.7L EcoBoost Engine
The powertrain lineup hasn’t seen many updates for 2024, but there have been a few small changes. The biggest difference is that Ford has said goodbye to the old 3.3L V6 engine, making the popular 2.7L EcoBoost the new base engine. However, we expect no one will be missing the old engine since the 2.7L EcoBoost provides an extra 35 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. Plus, unlike GM’s base 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder, the EcoBoost is a durable V6.
Ford has also reduced the base price of the 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, making it cost the same as the 3.5L EcoBoost. However, there is a catch here. While the 2023 F-150 offered the PowerBoost as an option on every trim except for the Tremor and Raptor, the streamlined lineup of the 2024 F-150 means that you can no longer add the hybrid powertrain to the XL or STX trims. Further, fans of the classic two-door regular cab will discover that this is now only an option for the base XL trim and can only be paired with the 5.0L V8.
More Standard Technology
Ford kicked off a technology arms race with the fourteenth-generation F-150, and GM and Toyota have jumped in feet first, offering massive 13.4-inch and 14-inch touchscreen infotainment displhttps://carbuyerlabs.com/a-battle-of-the-full-size-hybrid-trucks-the-2023-ford-f-1ays in their newest trucks. The 2024 F-150 still “only” has a 12-inch screen, but now that 12-inch screen is standard across every trim while the competition is still selling their base trims with significantly smaller 8-inch displays. Plus, Ford ditched the base analog instrument cluster with its tiny four-inch productivity display in favor of making its full-color digital driver display a standard feature across the lineup. A class-exclusive 5G LTE modem means a more reliable Wi-Fi hotspot and faster Ford Power-Up over-the-air updates.
BlueCruise has become a popular feature, allowing drivers to travel hands-free on over 130,000 miles of pre-mapped highways across North America. Now, Ford has made this feature considerably more accessible. Instead of being a several thousand dollar option, BlueCruise can now be activated on an annual or monthly basis, so you only need to pay for it when you want it. The system has also been upgraded to BlueCruise 1.2, which adds hands-free lane changes and In-Line Repositioning to provide greater distance from large trucks.
A Multifunction Tailgate
Multifunction tailgates have become all the rage in the pickup truck market, but Ford has lagged behind since introducing its fold-down tailgate step back in 2006. However, Ford has now added the new Pro Access Tailgate. This option adds a class-exclusive 100-degree swing-out door in the center of the tailgate, making it easier to reach into the bed and access cargo, even if you have a trailer attached. A built-in stop can limit the opening angle to 37 degrees or 70 degrees to keep the door from hitting any obstructions, such as a trailer jack.
Ford has also enhanced the bed of the 2024 F-150 with a new integrated rear bumper step, making it easier to climb into the bed, and has added a standard bed storage box behind the rear wheel wells. If your truck does not have Pro Power Onboard, then it will have two bed storage boxes to stash additional gear. If you opt for Pro Power Onboard, a new digital interface makes it easier to use this handy feature through the standard 12-inch touchscreen or the FordPass app.
Long Live the King!
The 2024 model year may be just a refresh of the fourteenth-generation F-150 and not a whole new model, but the updates have secured this truck’s spot at the top of the market. The new features and technology make the F-150 an even better workhorse and traveling companion, and we haven’t even mentioned the updated styling that is sure to turn heads. The Tremor and Raptor trims have also received improvements to their off-road performance, with new bumpers, shocks, and more, making them even more capable on the trail. If you’re searching for a new truck for 2024, it is difficult to do better than the best-selling Ford F-150.
