2009 Ford F-150, built for you

November 6, 5:39 PMAuto ExaminerRuth Manuel-Logan

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Ford F-150 XLT

Ford has certainly had their fair share of F-150 boo hoos over the last few years. Despite the trials and tribulations, the F-150 continued to kick butt in sales for seventeen years straight until this year. Since the economy is at its worst ever and folks are looking to kick it down a notch vehicle-wise, what is a big boy to do?

There is ALWAYS a segment in the consumer market who needs a big hauler and for them, frankly, a smaller vehicle just won’t do! The F-150 is back to reclaim its position as king of the pickups —redesigned, power oozing from every piston and oh so ready to go wheel-to-wheel with its competitors. The trucks flaunt a bolder, beefier new look and have been aerodynamically tweaked.

Inside, you feel as if you are at home, lounging--big, padded, supportive seating; tons of storage space, and a sensibly laid out dash. There’s room aplenty for everyone front and back (seats 5-6) and the backseat is angled which means less stress on your back. If you opt for the navigation system, I guarantee you won’t squint ONCE! The screen is eight wonderful inches of clear picture quality and you don’t need a MIT degree to figure it out! The entry models offer the 40/20/40 split bench seating with a column shifter and the deluxe trims offer the commanding captain’s chair with a console shifter. The SuperCrew cab is six-inches longer; the B-pillar is set back further for greater visibility and has over 30 storage places. The SuperCrew rear seating folds up and out of the way and the floor is fully flat, so when you are ready to buy that big screen TV, you can protect it from the elements by lugging it home in your backseat, as opposed to in the cargo bed.

Ford has come up with some functionality-plus cool features like an industry-first, retractable box side steps mounted on both sides of the truck between the cab and just in front of the rear wheels for easy front cargo reach. A tailgate step with flip-up grab bar helps you climb into the cargo bed without struggling. They’ve also included an Easy Fuel Capless Fuel System which does away with the need for a fuel filler cap. The cabin is remarkably quiet because Ford added extra noise absorption reduction insulation in the headliner and all around. Although the F-150’s interiors are creature comforty, the Platinum trim level new for 2009, makes ya wanna spend the night in it! Holy Cow! Lux appointments throughout—aluminum and word trim, extra bolstered seating—a sight for pickup sore eyes!!!

Nice addition--a box side step

So you need to get your work done! Towing is a hallmark of the F-150. There is an optional integrated trailer brake controller that synchronizes vehicle and trailer brakes for braking ease even with large loads. The cargo bed comes with an optional Cargo Management System that helps organize your payload. The F-Series also offers a range of Ford Work Solutions like a Crew Chief that allows you to locate your trucks 24/7; Cable Lock developed with Master Lock, secures your work gear in the bed, and DEWALT’s Innovative Tool Link a kind of GPS that helps you keep tabs on your tools.

This big boy is no joke!

I love pickups and NO, I am not from Texas nor do I own livestock! I’m a big city gal who just happens to like pickups! The ride in the F-Series, and I’ve driven them all, is controlled and stable. I was comfortable and a few times, I actually forgot that I was driving a pickup. Upon acceleration, I did feel the weight of the vehicle but after a while you tend to forget this. Oddly enough when cornering, there was almost no body roll, this surprised me. When driven over potholes and uneven road surfaces, the F-150 undulates a bit but it wasn’t jarring. Towing heavy loads with this baby, now here is where the truck showed off! I towed a 7,000 pound trailer and it performed like a trooper! The F-Series has the highest towing capacity at 11,300 and a best-in-class payload capability of 3,030. The F-150 three engine lineup—4.6 liter 2-valve V8, 4.6 liter 3-valve V8 and a 5.4 liter 3-valve V8. There are also seven F-Series different trim levels to choose from so there is something for practically every pickup lover--XL, STX, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and the Platinum edition. Prices start at $20,345. Does the F-150 continue to live up to the slogan ‘Built Ford Tough?’ You bet, and then some…it’s now ‘Built for You.’

--Car Chick