2015 Ford F-150 XLT

MANAGERS NOTES - 4X4, CUSTOM VISION RIMS, GOODRICH BAJA TIRES, 5.0L V8, 11100 LB TOW CAPACITY, BACK-UP CAMERA, SPRAY-IN BEDLINER, BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY, RUNNING BOARDS, REAR PARKING SENSORS ** AS PRICED COMES WITH 3 MONTH UNLIMITED MILE SERVICE CONTRACT ** Vehicle overview In the face of brand-new full-size pickup models from its major competitors, Ford figured it needed to do some truly radical rethinking for its 13th generation of America's best-selling line of full-size trucks. And, from early indications, it looks like the company has managed to do just that with the 2015 Ford F-150. You won't know how radical the new F-150 is just by looking at it. In a nod to the conservative tastes of many pickup buyers, Ford kept the styling changes fairly subtle. The restyled grille and distinctively shaped headlights are the most obvious visual clues that you're looking at an all-new truck. Instead, the really big changes are largely hidden from view. Ford engineers have made extensive use of lightweight aluminum in everything from the hood and body panels to the pickup bed to help shave off as much as 700 pounds of weight in the process. Lest you think aluminum is synonymous with flimsy beer cans, Ford says that the military-grade alloys used on the F-150 come in a wide variety of different thicknesses, many of which can be tougher than steel at a fraction of the weight. Underpinning it all is a full ladder-reinforced frame that uses significantly more high-strength steel than the outgoing model. Advantages to shedding weight are multifold. For a given GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), a lighter truck can handle more payload. The same relationship applies to GCWR (gross combined weight rating) and towing capacity. Ford has also packed the latest F-150 with even more advanced technology. There are video cameras galore, including a trailer hitch assist version that features a dynamic guide line to make lining up the hitch ball and trailer coupling a quick one-person job, as well as an available top-down 360-degree camera view system to help with navigating parking lots and job sites. With the seemingly endless number of permutations, there's probably a 2015 F-150 model to suit every person who has ever even thought of buying a pickup. Performance & mpg The 2015 Ford F-150's base engine is a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. The next step up is the new turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 that produces a healthy 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. Those needing more muscle for heavier payloads or towing can opt for the 5.0-liter V8 engine that's rated at 385 hp and 387 lb-ft or a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out an impressive 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Dropping so much weight with its new aluminum body was supposed to help vault the new-generation 2015 F-150 to the top of the heap in terms of fuel economy. It has, although in some F-150 configurations, the efficiency boost is comparatively modest. With so many trim levels and engines to choose from, there are several EPA estimates for the 2015 Ford F-150. Starting with the standard 3.5-liter V6, two-wheel-drive versions of the 2015 F-150 are EPA rated at a combined 20 mpg (18 city/25 highway); the same engine with four-wheel drive drops to a combined 19 mpg. These are basically the same ratings that you get from Chevy and Ram. During Edmunds testing, a 4WD SuperCab F-150 with the 2.7-liter engine went from zero to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, while a 4WD SuperCrew with the same engine did the sprint to 60 in just 6.4 seconds. Both are impressive times for the segment. Get the 5.0-liter V8 and a 2015 F-150 with 2WD has a combined rating of 18 mpg; adding 4WD to models with the V8 drops the combined rating to 17 mpg. Finally, the 3.5-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 earns a combined 20 mpg (17/24) with 2WD and a combined 19 mpg in 4WD form. All four engines come mated to a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with both