CLINT SIMONE: When Ford says they're making changes to the F-150, we listen closely. The best-selling truck gets some updates for the 2024 model year. And we're here in Detroit to show you what's new. Let's take a first look and break it all down.
To me, one of the bigger pieces of news with the new F-150 is a shakeup with the powertrain lineup. The old 3.3-liter V6 is no longer the base engine. Now it's a turbocharged 2.7-liter V6. And with that, you actually get a bit more power, about 12% more horsepower, now up to 325 HP. And the torque-- you actually get about 50% more torque compared to the old 3.3. That's at 400 pound-feet now.
The interesting part there is that you still have the full F-150 lineup of engines that includes the 3.5-liter Ecoboost, the 3.5-liter Powerboost Hybrid, and the Raptor still comes with six and eight-cylinder engine options. Don't forget the 5-liter V8, too.
Something else to note is that the maximum available payload and max available towing-- those numbers go down just slightly compared to the 2023 truck. Ford is still claiming best-in-class on both of those figures. But the 36-gallon fuel tank is more regularly available throughout the lineup, which means those numbers decrease ever so slightly.
So it doesn't look totally different. But there are some details worth pointing out. Every F-150 for 2024 is now going to get standard LED lightings. Even that work truck at the base of the trim levels is going to pick that up. There's also a new DRL signature. I think it looks really nice here on this Lariat. The more off-road-oriented trucks, like the Raptors and the Tremor-- they're going to have orange accents in place of this really bright lighting.
The grilles across the lineup are transformed. This one in particular is wearing the black optics package. Ford said that is now more available across the trims as well. You're going to get this black badge and just accents-- really stands out against this red paint.
But follow me to the back of the truck because there are always things to talk about in the bed, especially with the new F-150. So in the F-150's bed, Ford has maintained some of those greatest hits features that we all love and have gotten used to. That includes the Pro Power onboard generator with three different available power output levels and, of course, the payload scales as well. There's many other smaller features.
The signature in the tail lights is also new. Somebody is going to take me out to dry for this. But I'm getting vague Nissan Titan vibes just in the tail light. Let me know if you think I'm crazy in the comments. I know you love to do that.
But let's head over to the Tremor, where I'm going to show you something new with the tailgate. I said the magic word. There's no such thing as a new truck without a new tailgate feature. And Ford is specifically proud of this. It's called Pro Access. So it still folds down like a traditional tailgate. In this case, it's also power up and down. That's exclusive to some of the trim levels. Move it up just like this.
Here's where the real magic is. If you go all the way over here, there's a subtle little arrow which has a button behind it. And when I pull that, you now have a tailgate that opens in two different directions. This works for a couple of different reasons. Somebody short, like myself, now has direct access to the bed. But it also provides easier access in general.
There is an optional step right here. They've also widened the tailgate step. So it's one, two, and you're in. It actually makes it nice and easy.
These portions of the tailgate don't open this direction. It's just this middle portion. When I step down here and shut it, as well, that gives me time to show you why this setup works so well.
Obviously, F-150 owners love to tow with their trucks. Ford thought about that. Some of those other fancy tailgates-- they can immediately run into the trailer jack because they fold down here. But if I start to open it here, there are built-in stop points. You can stop it here, here, or even all the way out, where you're still not knocking the trailer jack. But you can access the bed. There's no issue there. You can also pull out things, like a cooler. The opening is wide enough to let you do that. That is clever thinking in this never ending war of tailgate technology.
The 2024 Raptor gets some changes as well. This includes a new dual live valve shock with sensors built in to adjust the rebound in addition to the compression. Ford says that the improved FOX shocks will work better to keep the truck controlled off road and help with body roll on road. Other highlights include a new front bumper that can fit more accessories and a new color called Shelter Green, which you're looking at right now.
So here in the interior of the 2024 F-150, there's not a ton that's new and different-- some color changes, material changes, things like that. But that gives me a great chance to recap some of my favorite features.
At Edmunds, we own two different F-150 models that are part of our long-term test fleet. That's given me plenty of opportunity to play around with the features in here. One of my favorites is, of course, the workspace interior. You fold down the center console. And you basically get a table.
Now, I have to say, I've used it more for eating Taco Bell than I have its intended use of going on a laptop or taking notes on a construction site. Either way-- very handy feature.
The seat also has a max recline feature. It'll drop down to almost 180 degrees, perfect for a cat nap after that Taco Bell-- I mean, after a long day at work.
But beyond that, the 2024 F-150 does get some enhancements. The 12-inch screen is standard across the lineup now-- no more tiny 8-inch screen. Every truck is going to come with this. That also has wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. SYNC 4 is the infotainment software there.
Every F-150 is also going to get a fully digital instrument cluster now. So again, those work trucks, the ones at the base end of the trim walk, are going to get much nicer interior tech.
Now, Ford also has some new technology features worth pointing out. The first is called SVS, or Stolen Vehicle Services. This is the first Ford product to implement it. And what it does is if somebody is in your truck and wants to drive it, but that person is not you, you'll get a little notification in your mobile app that says, hey, there's something going on that you don't want to happen. And in the case that your truck is actually getting stolen, you can contact the authorities straight from your phone.
Beyond that, BlueCruise also gets some updates. This is going to feature BlueCruise 1.2. And with that, you get automatic lane changes. You just tap the little turn stalk right there. And the BlueCruise will automatically move the truck in the lane on your behalf.
It also has lane repositioning. Now, I like this feature in particular because an F-150 is a big vehicle that takes the majority of the lane. If a semi-truck or something huge pulls up next to you, BlueCruise will just scooch over a little bit, give that truck some more room. And it just makes it a little bit more easygoing. And when you're relying on the truck to do the majority of the driving, small tweaks like that make a big difference.
This is what I would call a very typical lifecycle update for the F-150. Ford has added new features and made some tweaks. But more importantly, they made the truck easier to comprehend. With all these options packages and trim levels and engines, there's less ways to configure it now. And that is a good thing for the customer.
The strange part is that I'm filming this in the past. And you are watching this in the future. And the only thing Ford has told me at this moment is that the truck now starts at $35,800, which is about a $2,000 jump up on the base end. However, the Configurator is now live on Ford's website. So you can see for yourself how much your ideal F-150 costs. Thanks for watching.
