Between my husband’s work as a mechanic and our loyalty to the Blue Oval, I spend quite a bit of time driving and walking around my local Ford dealer looking at models like the Ford F-150 for sale. Our 2023 F-150 doesn’t need an upgrade, but it’s always fun to browse. And while Ford’s newest full-size trucks have a lot to enjoy, there are plenty of rewards when you shop for a used F-150.
The F-150 has been a staple in the Ford lineup for decades and remains America’s best-selling workhorse. Its reputation makes it highly valuable on the used lot because drivers appreciate what the F-150 offers and stands for behind the Blue Oval on its grille. So, how do you narrow your options and find the perfect used F-150? Here’s a closer look at the F-150’s evolution since 2018 and what you can expect on the used lot.
2018 F-150: Mid-Cycle Refresh With New Driver-Assist
Ford introduced the F-150’s thirteenth generation in 2015, with the 2018 F-150 debuting a mid-cycle refresh. The refresh is significant because it gives the F-150 more sophisticated styling with a signature two-bar grille and an updated engine lineup that adds automatic stop/start technology to increase the truck’s efficiency. Additionally, the 2018 F-150 is the first year model to include driver-assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
The 2018 F-150 earned widespread honors, including an Editor’s Choice and 10Best title from Car and Driver. These honors add to its appeal, especially for drivers looking for a budget-friendly F-150 with modern features. For example, top-tier trims like the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited are remarkably well-equipped with the SYNC 3 infotainment system on an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, Bluetooth, and an optional WiFi hotspot.
Key Takeaway: Because of its age, a 2018 F-150 is more affordable and offers plenty of value, thanks to modern connectivity and driver-assistance features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Assist, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot.
2019 F-150: A Potent Powertrain Lineup
Shopping for the 2019 F-150 gives you the opportunity to enjoy six distinct types of performance. The F-150’s multi-engine lineup makes the 2019 model popular, especially after the addition of automatic stop/start in 2018. The 2019 F-150’s base powertrain is a 3.3L V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission that makes 290 horses and 265 lb-ft of torque. The F-150’s five other engines work with a ten-speed automatic transmission and offer a broad range of capabilities.
The 2.7L EcoBoost V6 produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, with the F-150’s 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 pushing that horsepower to 395 ponies. For 2019, Ford offers the F-150’s top-tier trims with a 3.0L Power Stroke, which makes 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. While the Power Stroke is impressive, the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and its high-output sibling steal the show. The standard V6 makes 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, but the high-output skyrockets to 450 hp and 510 lb-ft for Raptor-like performance.
Key Takeaway: The 2019 F-150 is the first time Ford offers the high-output 3.5L EcoBoost on a non-Raptor model, making this an excellent find for those with a need for speed and savings.
2020 F-150: Expanding the Ford Co-Pilot360 Suite
What makes the 2020 F-150 attractive on the used lot? Ford made changes to the F-150’s packaging in 2020 by expanding its technologies to include more driver-assistance features in its Co-Pilot360 safety package. The suite is now standard on the F-150 Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. More importantly, its features are comparable to what we see in the newest F-150 models.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 equips the top-tier F-150 trims with automatic high-beam headlamps and a rearview camera. It adds a virtual spotter via technologies like the Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Tow Monitoring, the Lane-Keeping System, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, which includes a Forward Collision Warning, Dynamic Brake Support, and Pedestrian Detection. Depending on the trim and package, the suite adds Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system.
Key Takeaway: The 2020 F-150’s expanded Co-Pilot360 suite is a significant selling point. It equips the truck with a spotter dedicated to enhancing your situational awareness and reducing the potential for collisions.
2021 F-150: A New Generation, a Hybrid Powertrain, and More Tech
The 2021 F-150 marks the truck’s fourteenth generation and introduces a number of notable updates, from a new hybrid powertrain to advanced technologies and class-exclusive features. Built on a high-strength steel frame, the 2021 F-150 is more aerodynamic and efficient thanks to active grille shutters, an active air dam, and an impressive engine lineup. That lineup includes an all-new hybrid heartbeat: Ford’s 3.5L PowerBoost, which extends the F-150’s versatility with features like Pro Power Onboard.
The 2021 F-150’s full hybrid V6 heartbeat gives it an edge. Delivering 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of near-instant torque, it is the most powerful in the lineup. Ford capitalizes on that output with Pro Power Onboard, which transforms the F-150 into a mobile generator, providing exportable power wherever the road or your next adventure leads. It’s an excellent option that can power everything from small tools to an electric stove at a campsite.
Beyond its new hybrid engine, the 2021 F-150 impresses with its tech-savvy design, which keeps you informed, engaged, and entertained. The truck is equipped with a standard 8-inch display, with top-tier trims upgraded to a 12-inch touchscreen with a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. The center touchscreen introduces Ford’s SYNC 4 infotainment system, making the 2021 F-150 the first truck to offer over-the-air software updates. Not surprisingly, the 2021 workhorse is also the first and only to offer Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Key Takeaway: The 2021 F-150’s hybrid heartbeat offers the best of both worlds, especially with class-exclusive trailering technologies and features like Pro Power Onboard adding to its versatility.
2022 F-150: Going Electric With the Lightning
Amid introducing the F-150’s all-new fourteenth-generation in 2021, Ford also announced its all-electric sibling. The F-150 Lightning debuted in 2022, offering drivers a choice between a standard or extended-range battery with an EPA-estimated driving range of 240 to 320 miles. As a used truck, the F-150 Lightning is widely attractive because it delivers on-demand power and plenty of capability. The 98-kWh standard range battery with dual motors produces 452 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, with the 131-kWh extended-range battery pushing that output to 580 horses. The truck’s towing capacity ranges from 7,700 pounds to 10,000 pounds, which is impressive for an electric truck.
As an electric road warrior, the 2022 F-150 Lightning offers a broader digital landscape with cutting-edge technologies. The truck exchanges its standard 8-inch touchscreen for a 12-inch touchscreen, which can be upgraded to a 15.5-inch display. The Lightning also features technologies like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, a revolutionary tool that controls the truck’s steering, throttle, and brake to simplify the process of hitching up to a trailer.
Key Takeaway: The 2022 F-150 is appealing because it’s a newer model with many technologies and features comparable to the latest from Ford’s production line. Additionally, the F-150 Lightning offers greater appeal to those looking to adopt an all-electric lifestyle without sacrificing the capability they want and expect from a full-size truck.
The Search Begins
The F-150 is an excellent investment as a new or used truck; I know from experience. The truck has a rich history in the Ford family and a proven legacy of reliability and capability. There are plenty of reasons it’s been America’s best-selling truck for over forty years.
Because of this, shopping for a used F-150 should be exciting and rewarding. As we see from exploring the F-150’s evolution from 2018 to 2022, Ford consistently updates the full-size road warrior to reflect our evolving needs as drivers and truck owners. Each year, the model offers distinct appeal, from updated driver-assistance features and more engaging powertrains to modern styling and an electric heartbeat. It’s up to you to climb in the driver’s seat to discover the perfect F-150 to complement your life.
