2009 Ford F150 Test Drive

Capable, economical, refined. These were often conflicting goals for the more than 1,000 people charged with designing, engineering and developing the 2009 Ford F-150. Achieving two would be an accomplishment, but Ford nailed all three with the new 2009 F-150.

Test Drive

The F-150’s capability was easy to see while effortlessly towing a near four-ton trailer up and down a hilly road, slogging around an off-road course, dodging cones in accident-avoidance-type maneuvers with a load in the bed, and accelerating away from stoplights on public roads. Economy is simply measured: The F-150 is a lot of truck for the money with a starting price of just over $21,000 and popular trim levels available for less than $30,000. Also, with the SFE package, fuel economy reaches up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway, a number that can't be beat by F-150's competitors.


Refinement is more difficult to evaluate and describe: The object is to assess the lack of annoyances. Here’s one example of how the F-150’s refinement was revealed: While stopped at an intersection waiting for traffic to clear, I subconsciously sensed that the engine had died. As I instinctively reached to restart the truck, I glanced at the tachometer: The engine was still running but the idle speed was so much lower that the motionless F-150 felt like a hybrid that’s automatically shut off its engine. After an intensive test drive, it’s easy for me to say that the 2009 Ford F-150 is the most capable, economical and refined pickup truck ever produced.


The F-150 was dramatically redesigned and restyled inside and out for 2009. Exterior changes include a more upright and aggressive three-bar chrome grille. The nose also features two large “nostrils” beside the grille, a power domed hood and jeweled headlamps. There is a new, aero-friendly shape to the rear of the cab, while a lip on the top of the tailgate and front bumper shape also helps manage airflow, which improves fuel economy. Inside there is an all-new interior with more comfortable seats with more functions including optional heated and cooled 10-way power seats. Under-the-skin changes include a lighter but stronger frame due to the use of ultra high strength steel, a revised rear suspension that includes two-stage leaf springs that are six inches longer, and a boatload of tweaks that limits harshness and reduces noise.

Special Features

Depending on trim level and equipment, the F-150 can handle a payload of up to 3,030 pounds. Properly equipped, it also boasts up to an 11,300-pound maximum towing capacity. The F-150 is available in seven unique trim levels, three cab styles and four box options: Ford says that makes for 35 distinct variations.


When the truck is moving, the steering offers excellent feel of the road and nice precision. Pickups have significantly increased in size, and some feel even bigger than they actually are. That’s to say: Too big. In tight traffic or on winding two-lane roads, the F-150 feels nimble and controllable.


Ford said a primary goal was to increase the F-150’s capability without adding weight or reducing fuel economy or refinement. Here are a few ways—some optional—that was accomplished:


• Full-length laser welds on the frame replace traditional spot welds to increase rigidity;


• The SuperCrew is six inches longer and features a flat rear floor and one touch folding rear seats that fold up out of the way to provide best-in-class in-cab cargo capacity behind the front seats;