Pushing the Envelope

Ford dealerships have an extensive history of selling well-made and designed cars, trucks, and SUVs. Since it virtually started the automotive industry 140 years ago with the Model T, is to be expected that Ford is at the forefront of the competition. Sure, it has faltered here and there, but overall, Ford has been a top competitor in an increasingly competitive automotive space.Nowhere is this more apparent than Ford’s revered F-150. As America’s number one truck for decades now, the F-150 has provided a stable, reliable, and powerful platform for people from all walks of life. In many ways, this truck has become the most popular pickup on the planet and for very good reason. The truck offers everything Ford advertises.If you don’t know anything about the F-150 or are just curious about what makes this truck so popular, read on to learn the secret of its magic, especially for 2018

Under the Skin

It isn’t easy to build a great truck. Since this type of vehicle often sees more abuse than its sedan and station wagon counterparts, it’s important that the truck’s chassis is built to survive. More than that, its powerplant has to be capable of hauling or towing a large amount of cargo while keeping all the occupants comfortable.At one time, designing a great truck was a matter of making sacrifices. For example, if you needed something with the best hauling and towing capabilities, you could probably skip on the comfort features. If you wanted a truck with some creature comforts or fuel efficiency, on the other hand, large engines and beefy suspension were typically off the table. These days, however, things have changed.The F-150 is the perfect example of these changing times. Its chassis has the same build quality in 2018 as it did at the start of its existence. In other words, Ford spend a lot of time and attention making sure all the various parts, joints, and welds of the vehicle last for decades. Coupled with one of its various powerplants like a 2.7 L Ecoboost V6 or 3.3 L Aspirated V6, the truck knows how to pull and carry heavy weights.At the same time, it does all this in style. The days of getting away with a couple of simple bench seats are long over. The 2018 F-150 has the same high standard of interior comfort as smaller family cars. Ford has long recognized the need to send their customers off in style which is why you will find extra perks like an upgraded audio system, 4G wireless hotspot connectivity, and an advanced infotainment system with optional navigation.

Pushing the Envelope

While the F-150 has been a popular truck for decades, the reasons for this have changed over time. At one point, Ford marketed its signature pickup as a durable, capable work vehicle. Anyone who needed something powerful enough to hold a lot of cargo or that could survive harsh driving conditions was immediately attracted to the high build quality of the F-150. Like everything else in the automotive world, however, all of this has slowly changed over time.These days, Ford is pushing the envelope with the technology and design it puts into the F-150. For fuel efficiency, for example, the company has started to change the typical assumptions people have with pickup trucks. Is it possible for a truck to get the same type of fuel economy as a smaller sedan? Starting in 2015, that answer became “yes.”The current F-150 generation, which started that year, introduced an all-new, all-aluminum chassis that dramatically decreased the weight of the overall vehicle. In automotive design, weight is the enemy of fuel economy. The heavier something is, the less efficient the engine will be. By using a lighter metal like aluminum, Ford managed to offer the same amount of durability and high performance in a chassis with less weight. This dramatically increased the overall fuel efficiency into numbers normally reserved for its car lineup.

The F-150 Is Almost a Full Truck

One thing that really stands out about the F-150 is the fact that it isn’t a light duty truck. As the youngest sibling of Ford’s truck lineup, it would make sense to think the F-150 is a lightweight. With a towing capacity of up to 13,200 pounds, this truck certainly begs to differ.One thing that keeps the truck’s performance in the half-ton category is a unique combination of a lightweight chassis and powerful motor. Given that the all-aluminum construction lightens the overall weight of the chassis, any engine Ford uses with this vehicle will naturally get a boost in performance. Coupled with the more powerful options like the 3.0 L Turbo Diesel V6, the F-150 can maximize the already powerful performance of such a motor without making sacrifices elsewhere.The customizability of the F-150 also makes this truck potentially a heavy hitter. With a combination of passenger cabins and cargo beds, customers can find the right amount of space for themselves and their cargo. When everything is maxed out, the F-150 can hold up to five passengers and 3,000 pounds all at once.

It Is User-friendly

More than anything else, one of the best qualities about the F-150 is the driving experience. Particularly for people new to driving a truck, it can be difficult to get used to the larger size of the vehicle. Challenging blind spots can also make the driving experience more dangerous to first-timers. Recognizing all this, Ford has sought to overcome these challenges with the F-150 driving experience.A plethora of advanced, intelligent safety features keep the driver aware of the surrounding traffic at all times. Certain systems like the adaptive cruise control, forward collision prevention sensors, and blind spot monitoring create a 360-degree view around the truck. The camera and parking sensors, in particular, can help the driver see vehicles that may be hidden in challenging situations such as parking lots.

Keeping the Top Spot

It is easy to see why the F-150 is such a popular truck for both new and experienced pickup drivers alike. These days, the top-performing truck offers more than customers typically expect from Ford. Sure, the build quality has always been there, but the inclusion of advanced systems, creature comforts, and better fuel economy will put this truck above the competition.If you find yourself in the market for a new truck, the F-150 should be at the top of your list. Come down to the Kings Ford dealership for a test drive so you can experience exactly what this truck has to offer you.