2008 Ford F-150 Quality Review

The 2008 Ford F-150 offers a wide range of models and trims that present various levels of materials quality, but reviewers agree that most are comfortable and roomy enough for most jobs.

Inside the 2008 Ford F-150, Edmunds finds that "most F-150s have a standard 40/20/40-split bench seat with a column shifter" up front, which allows a seating capacity of three in regular cabs, and in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations, there's room for six passengers. Edmunds also notes "most trims offer an upgrade to captain's chairs and a console shifter." Up front, "the seats are a bit flat but comfortably firm," and there is also "ample headroom and legroom," says ConsumerGuide. For rear occupants, ConsumerGuide says that the "extended cab is okay for occasional adult use, but the crew cab is much more accommodating."

Aside from offering generous passenger space and comfort, the Ford F-150 2008 boasts tremendous storage space. Cars.com writes that the interior storage space is increased on SuperCab and SuperCrew versions, thanks to "a modular overhead rail system" that "can hold a DVD player and other components." Also on the interior of the Ford F-150, ConsumerGuide finds that "all models have extra-large map pockets in all doors, but rivals have larger, more accessible console bins." In the bed, Automobile claims "the top edges of the box are raised 2.3 inches to increase both cargo volume and visual mass." Also increasing functionality is the Ford F-150’s Cargo Management System, which Edmunds says is "a combination of bins, crossbars and adjustable cleats that allows one to secure virtually anything short of the space shuttle in the bed." Three bed lengths are offered, as are two box styles, which give the F-150 true full-size hauling capability of more than 9,000 pounds.

Materials quality varies greatly across the trim lines of the Ford F-150 2008. On the base XL, Cars.com reviewers find "hose-out rubber floormats" and a "plainer interior," but moving up the trim levels brings such materials improvements as "two-tone leather seats and leather-trimmed interior pieces" on the Lariat Limited 2008 Ford F-150. Kelley Blue Book mentions "the dash and interior design on the base models look good enough, but the addition of leather, wood, chrome and center console-mounted shifter found on the high-end models combine to raise the bar on the plush pickup concept." Even assembly quality, which has been known to lag in domestic cars, earns nods of approval in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, as ConsumerGuide writes that "assembly quality has been good" on their test Ford F-150 2008s.

On top of looking good and adding an air of luxury, solid build quality also tends to reduce interior noise, and that is definitely the case on the 2008 Ford F-150. Car and Driver claims that the 2008 Ford F-150 is "quiet at all speeds," while ConsumerGuide offers that this is "a very quiet truck," and "road and wind noise is low at highway speeds."