I may be an impartial automotive journalist and an all-around lover of all things automotive, but I also grew up in a Ford family, in the shadow of Ford World Headquarters and Ford’s Michigan Truck Plant.  For this reason it was a difficult thing for me to admit, a couple of years ago, that the new Chevy Silverado was a much nicer light-duty truck than the Ford F-150.  Admit it I did, however; one must call ‘em as one sees ‘em, after all.
Journalistic objectivity aside, however, it pleases the Ford guy in me to report that the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 addresses its predecessor’s shortcomings and can once again be considered the top of the heap.  It’s not just a matter of bragging rights; the revitalized F-150 is good news for Ford fans and truck people alike.  This pickup has more power, better fuel efficiency, and higher capacities than before.


It looks good, too.  Redesigning pickup trucks is a hard business, requiring balance between strength and style, and the new F-150 is a good example of a successful update.  As is Ford’s habit, the F-150’s styling has been toughened up for this incarnation, taking equal inspiration from the larger, burlier Super Duty series of Ford pickups and from the sleek, generously chrome-trimmed lines of the cars.  The new styling contains a host of cool new innovations, including available retractable side steps that ease loading, a folding bed extender and powered running boards.  The clever tailgate step that debuted on the Super Duty pickups a year ago is now available on the F-150 as well.
The F-150 is a truck first and foremost, and it comes prepared to work.  A choice of four bed and three cab styles, as well as seven distinct equipment levels, makes it possible to virtually customize a truck to your particular need, whether you’re a contractor or a casual tower.  The new Platinum series replaces the Limited at the top of the lineup, and also takes the place of the Lincoln Mark LT luxury pickup as well.   It’s set apart by a unique grille and 16-spoke, twenty-inch alloy wheels.
Ford has improved the truck’s interior utility as well.  The four-door SuperCrew’s cab is six inches longer, to improve interior room.  The SuperCrew’s rear seat is articulated and folds easily out of the way, opening up 57.6 cubic feet of space inside the truck.  A flat load floor means that the F-150 can carry a variety of items inside, a bonus when dealing with household furnishings that might be too fragile to ride in the bed.  Ford says the cab is over 47 inches tall, making the F-150 large enough to slide a large flat-screen television inside.
In addition to carrying electronics, the new interior’s a good place for people as well.  As with most full-size pickups, the seats are wide and comfortable, and there’s plenty of elbow room.  Ford’s done great things in the pursuit of on-pavement comfort, and the F-150’s cab is as quiet as it is spacious.  The large console is big enough to hold file folders or two laptop computers.  There are two 12-volt outlets, as well as a USB plug and auxiliary jack for MP3 players to connect to the sound system.  A useful innovation introduced on previous Ford trucks is the available backup assist camera whose display is integrated into the rearview mirror, putting the image right where the driver will be looking anyway.  Ford also offers its SYNC infotainment system, a voice-activated navigation system, Sirius satellite radio and a 700-watt Sony sound system.
The Platinum series is packed with more goodies than many drivers will be able to identify in a week of searching, including all of the electronics mentioned above.  The interior is also dressed up with a leather interior with “tuxedo stitching,” special logos, Lacrosse Ash wood and brushed aluminum trim on the dash, and ten-way powered captain’s chairs.
The F-150 is available with a choice of two 4.6 liter or a 5.4 liter V8 engine.  There’s no V6 in the lineup; that’s because the entry-level 4.6 liter V8 matches the outgoing V6’s fuel economy while beating its horsepower rating.  My big Platinum test truck was equipped with the 5.4 V8, of course.  This three-valve V8 puts out 320 horsepower, and is tuned to run on gasoline or E85 ethanol blends.  Open-valve injection improves the 5.4’s responsiveness when towing by increasing the flow of fuel into the combustion chamber when it’s needed most.  After driving the new F-150 for a week, I was not so much in love with the throttle/transmission relationship, which is distant at best.  They’d really rather not speak to one another, which makes the F150 feel drastically underpowered.  Properly equipped, the new F150 will tow over 11,000 pounds–and this is considered a “light-duty” truck!
Ford has done a very good job with the new F-150’s suspension.  It starts with a new full boxed frame, upon which the lightened chassis hangs.  Stiffer and stronger, the new frame helps to boost the F-150’s towing and payload.  The F150 uses a coil-on-shock front suspension with double wishbones, and a solid rear axle.  Ford’s AdvanceTrac stability control with Roll Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control are standard equipment on the new F-150.  A trailer brake controller, borrowed from the Super Duty, is also available.
It’s a capable truck, and with the vast array of options, there’s sure to be an F-150 to meet the needs of just about any truck buyer.  The large number of trim levels on the F-150 can be confusing.  In short form, here they are: the XL is a no-nonsense, hose-out pickup; the STX is a “sport” model; the FX4 is the off-roader; the XLT badge distinguishes the midrange trucks; Lariat and King Ranch are well-equiped workhorses; and the Platinum is the top of the line.  Guess which one Ford gave us to drive?  The F-150 Platinum we sampled had a list of standard equipment longer than that of the average Lexus and a starting price of $43,885.  After the addition of the optional cargo box step, bed extender, navigation system, cargo management rails and other options, the total was $49,100.

Specifications:  All specs are for the 2009 Ford F150 Platinum.
Length:  243.7 in.
Width:  78.9 in.
Height:     76.4 in.
Wheelbase:  157.0 in.
Curb weight:   5683 lb.
Payload: 1340 lb.
Towing capacity:  11,100 lb.
Base price:  $43,885
Price as tested:  $49,100
Engine:   5.4 liter SOHC V8
Drivetrain:  six-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 320 @ 5000
Torque:  390 @ 3500