2020 Ford F-150 Review
Before an all-new Ford F-150 is introduced, Ford has a few more features up its sleeve for the 2020 model of its incredible pickup truck.
2020 Ford F-150 – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford F-150 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2020 Ford F-150?
The perennial all-star pickup truck is back for 2020 with some upgrades and the same consistent pillars of success that it’s had for decades. There’s a configuration for every buyer as well as a bevy of engines and trim packages that should help the F-150 continue its long run of dominance. There might be a new generation coming, but after driving this one, it’s hard to imagine it getting much better.
With the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 waiting in the wings, the 2020 Ford F-150 isn’t getting any major upgrades. The economical diesel is now available across every trim but the base level. New paint colors and appearance packages are also available. CoPilot360 is also now available at the Lariat level. 4G LTE Wifi is standard across the range.
The Breakdown
Diesel motor now available on XLT
3 New colors look great
Standard WiFi is awesome
Ride comfort isn’t best in class
Not as fuel-efficient as rivals
Few upgrades over 2019
Can’t wait for the next generation
2020 F-150 Specs
- 290 horsepower from base engine
- 265 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 3270 lb payload capacity
- 4G LTE WiFi standard across the range
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Wholly pedestrian warranty
- Maximum towing rating of 13,200 pounds
2020 Ford F-150 Powertrain
Besides the somewhat ho-hum base engine, each powerplant is capable of impressing. No other engine drops below 400 ft-lb of torque. Among the options are a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 325 horsepower, a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that makes 375 horsepower or 450 depending on the tune, the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 with 400 horsepower, and finally the 250 horsepower V6 diesel that makes 440 ft-lbs of torque.
That torque is the highlight of any drive in the 2020 Ford F-150 and it makes accelerating sincerely engaging. Of course, the 10-speed automatic is an outstanding pairing that makes for a smooth and refined experience when it comes to the drivetrain. Slowing down is easy and confidence-inspiring thanks to big ventilated brakes that perform admirably. Steering is not as nimble or quick as rivals from Dodge or Toyota, but overall it’s easy to place and certainly not a weak point overall.
If there’s anything about the drive in the F-150 that we don’t love it’s the somewhat rough ride. Even over smooth pavement, the F-150 just isn’t very well settled. We suspect that once weighed down with payload or a trailer it might be better, but most drivers won’t drive that way most of the time so it’s worth noting.
Towing & Payload
With a maximum payload capacity of 3,270 pounds, the 2020 Ford F-150 is an incredibly capable truck before we even get into the towing numbers. This pickup truck can tow 13,200 pounds when properly equipped. That’s enough to tow three fully grown Rhinos. That kind of performance is simply unheard of for a truck this size.
2020 Ford F-150 Fuel Economy & MPG
At a maximum fuel economy of 24 mpg combined, the diesel F-150 still doesn’t beat its competition. Still, at its most optimal configuration, it is EPA rated to get 30 mpg. Other engines aren’t as efficient, but that’s the price for performance in this segment. Nevertheless, we expect most Ford fans won’t be put off since every engine manages to remain fairly competitive.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
As mentioned above, the F-150 wasn’t particularly comfortable when it comes to the way it handled the road itself. But once on the highway or sitting in traffic, it comes into its own. The seating for the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims are sincerely luxurious. For those that spend the extra cash, the inside of the F-150 can be fitted with massaging front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a remote start as well as a remote tailgate release. The mirrors are big and easy to use. The HVAC system is accurate and quick to work, but it’s a bit louder than we’d like. Wind and road noise though is kept to a minimum inside the cabin.
Entertainment & Technology
The Sync3 system is still outstanding and incredibly fast when connecting to your smartphone and the added Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is a welcome improvement. For that reason, we’d suggest avoiding the XL trim if at all possible. The 110-volt charging port is also a great feature that adds real utility. Some trims will get a second 110 port in the rear. Little touches like the trailer package make it just that much better for doing the job.
Safety Features
While we’d love to see more features as standard, Ford does offer a full suite of excellent optional safety extras like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automated forward braking, and a great trailer assist system. It’s also a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.
2020 Ford F-150 Trims & Pricing
XL – $30,000
The F-150 made its name by being a reliable and capable pickup truck regardless of the trim level and the XL continues that tradition. Standard on every XL owners will find manual windows and mirrors, vinyl flooring, four speakers, trailer sway control, and a pre-wired trailer connection. The stock engine is a 290 horsepower V6 connected to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
XLT – $36,450
Every truck above the XL including the XLT gets a much more economical and smooth 10-speed automatic. The diesel becomes available at the XLT level and standard features like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, alloy wheels, and front-seat lumbar adjustments are included.
Lariat – $45,000
The Lariat edition is the first F-150 with sincerely luxurious features. Power adjustable pedals, heated and ventilated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, and has the trailer tow package available.
King Ranch – $54,640
For those that want serious luxury, the King Ranch might as well be the base level. It comes with interior features like a premium 10-speaker Bang & Olufson sound system, automatic rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and automatic high beams. Multiple safety features are included like blind-spot monitoring, automated forward collision braking, and lane-keep assist.
Platinum – $57,200
The 5.0-liter Coyote motor is standard on the Platinum edition as are LED Headlights, 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats, multi-surface traction control modes, and adaptive cruise control.
Limited – $69,390
The Limited F-150 gets the EcoBoost V6 with 470lb-ft of torque standard. It also gets 22-inch wheels, LED side-mirror spotlights, a reverse sensing system, a trailer tow monitoring system, and unique multi-contour seats.
Warranties
As the class leader in many categories, Ford is saving some cash by offering nothing more than average warranty coverage in the way of a 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. No complimentary maintenance is included.
What we think
2020 Ford F-150 – media.ford.com | Shop 2020 Ford-150 on Carsforsale.com
The 2020 Ford F-150 continues its long history of leading its class with excellent features, exceptional configurability, and some classy new exterior colors. Considering that the new generation is coming soon there will likely be some great deals on this great pickup truck.
