Ford F-150 2023

Ford Philippines launched the 14th generation of the F-150 in the country on November 26, 2021. It was made available with only one variant in the form of the 4x4 Lariat. Instead of being powered by a gasoline engine, it is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo diesel motor which Ford calls the PowerStroke. It produces 249hp and 596 Nm of torque. The diesel engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. 

Sharing the same platform with its stablemate the Ford Expedition, the F-150 is familiar to those who are acquainted with a full-size SUV. On the F-150, however, you do get a different suspension set in the form of leaf springs at the back and double wishbones in the front. Even with this setup, the F-150 remains a comfortable pickup to drive for long stints. Though comfortable, the F-150 is still a capable hauler with its towing capacity of over 3,000 kilograms and its maximum payload capacity of nearly 1,200 kilograms. The bed also allows for a maximum volume of 1,500 liters worth of space. You also get ventilated disc brakes in the front and in the rear. The wheels measure in at 20 inches in diameter for all variants in the Philippines while the ground clearance is rated at 239 mm off the ground for the Platinum and 216 mm for the Lariat 4x2. 

There is one engine and transmission available for the Ford F-150 in the Philippines, and that is the 3.0-liter Powerstroke V6 diesel engine that produces 249 horsepower and 597Nm of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard. It is only available as a 4x4 model.

The F-150 is in a class of its own in terms of driving, mainly because it is so large. The nearly 6-meter long pickup requires a lot more space to maneuver and park. With its long wheelbase and its heavy chassis, cornering performance and handling follow suit, resulting in a drive that is heavier than most of the pickup trucks in the Philippines. Power, however, is more than enough to haul this truck down the highway. Even with its heavyweight, the power and torque produced by the twin-turbo V6 are enough to outrun most normal cars. The transmission shifts smoothly but is geared more towards strength than sporty driving. Even as a pickup, however, the ride remains plush and comfortable even over the worst of bumps and potholes on the road. There is also a great deal of sound deadening which means that NVH insulation is top-notch. 

For the Philippine-spec F-150s, Ford has equipped its flagship pickup with as many amenities as possible. Starting off with the infotainment system, which also serves as the display to your 360-degree camera system, which allows for easy maneuvering of such a large vehicle. You also get parking sensors found all around the vehicle, which aid the driver in parking something so gigantic. Apart from the cameras and sensors, the 8-inch infotainment system also comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, as well as a Bang and Olufsen sound system that outputs clear sound with defined highs, mids, and lows. The gauge cluster is also fully-featured. With two cylindrical gauges on the left and right flanking a large display in the center which can display a multitude of functions and data. To help the driver and front passenger stay comfortable on long rides, Ford has equipped the F-150 Platinum with heated and cooled massage seats, which can be accessed through the infotainment system. Getting in the truck is also not a problem thanks to its deployable step boards which tucks in nicely under the doors when not in use. Apart from that the tailgate also has a remote opening feature which allows you to access the bed of the pickup with the push of a button. 

Apart from amenities, Ford has also equipped the F-150 with loads of driving assists such as adaptive cruise control which brings with it automatic emergency braking and a forward collision warning. You also get an active park assist, which lets the F-150 park itself and to save fuel you get an auto start-stop feature. Other features include hill start assist, curve control, trailer sway control, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and also a remote keyless system with remote start functionality. 

The outside of the F-150 is imposing and it uses LEDs for both the front and the rear. The grille of the Lariat has a body-colored finish, while the Platinum gets a silver satin finish. On its side, you get 20-inch wheels that are polished for the Platinum and dark alloy for the Lariat. Two distinct designs, but they are both 20-inches in diameter. Electronic or motorized step boards are also present for easy ingress and egress and they deploy whenever a door on either side is opened. The side profile is just as imposing as the front, allowing for amazing levels of presence given the vehicle's size. At the back of the F-150, you will find a soft open tailgate that can be put down by either pressing the electronic release at the rear or on the key fob. On the tailgate itself, you get a stepper with a grab handle for easy access to the large bed that is about 1,500 liters in volume, and it comes lined from the factory with Ford's drop-in liner standard for all variants. 

The F-150's interior is clad in leather. Similar to its SUV counterpart, you get strong and robust lines on the dashboard, door cards, and various panels. You also get subtle accent stitching, at least on the Platinum trim, and the front seats have a massage function on top of a heating a ventilation system. The infotainment comes in at 8-inches in size and is placed above the automatic climate controls with dual-zone functionality. Apart from that, materials are premium yet still retain elements of durability, and to add some flair, wood inserts are placed on the door cards and throughout the interior. Seating capacity for the F-150 is good enough for up to 5 individuals. Legroom is like that of its SUV brother, spacious and generous. The shoulder room is also quite outstanding for all occupants, and there are 110-volt power outlets for the front and rear passengers, as well as 12-volt sockets for both parts of the cabin. You also get rear climate control vents along with a slew of cup holders and substantial cubby holes in all parts of the car.