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2009 Ford F-150 Review

 TCC Team TCC Team

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Can the best get better? It’s certainly hard to argue with success, and for the last quarter century, Ford’s big F-Series pickups have dominated the U.S. sales charts, despite a growing onslaught of domestic and import competition.

 

For 2009, Ford is making some major changes to the full-size truck, and while it isn’t quite a ground-up redesign, the update is significant enough to keep the competition worried.

 

Among the most significant updates, an improved box frame means a 10 percent increase in torsional rigidity, and that translates into both a more stable ride and increased towing and hauling capabilities. Standard Roll Stability Control minimizes rollover risks, while the new Trailer Sway Control reduces the risk of accidents while towing. An updated, foldaway bed extender makes it easier carry oversized loads. And Ford adds several additional versions of the F-Series for 2009, moving further away from the old one-size-fits-all approach to pickups.

 

Pickup buyers want a package that doesn’t compromise their needs. These days, that means a variety of cabin and bed configurations. No other automaker offers quite as many options as Ford, the 2009 F-Series available with three different cab styles, four box options and, now, seven unique trim levels,

 

Platinum adds sparkle to line-up

 

Ford already offered six different trim versions of this big truck, from the no-fuss XL to the high-featured King Ranch edition. For ’09, the line-up is joined by the top-end Platinum Series.

 

Like all F-Series models, it starts with the now-standard Ford chrome triple crossbars surrounding a newer, bolder Ford logo on the grille – on the Platinum, that’s a satin chrome grille with mesh inserts. The top-end F-150 gets 10-way leather captain’s chairs, satin ash wood interior accents, and real aluminum dash panels. The Platinum Series comes with standard 20-inch, 16-spoke aluminum wheels.

Other Choices:

General Motors introduced its new full-size trucks as 2007 models. These trucks quickly became a favorite of truck drivers on TheCarConnection.com staff and still have advantages over all other trucks in terms of powertrains (they now offer a hybrid) and style. However, Ford has edged to the front in some areas. When we reviewed the 2009 Dodge Ram, we praised its on-road handling (a benefit of a link-coil rear suspension). The F-150 comes close to matching the Dodge's on-road ride but delivers greater payload and towing capabilities plus more steering feel, something we felt the Dodge could have used more of. While introduced with much fanfare in 2007, Toyota's Tundra lags well behind the domestics in terms of ride dynamics and features. Unless you are staunchly brand loyal, there's not much reason to choose the Toyota over the Ford…or the Dodge or GM models. Interior packaging is a strength of the new F-150; the cab floors of competitive trucks are not flat (GM and Dodge) like the Ford or can't be accessed at all (Toyota). While power is up, Chevy, GMC and Dodge all offer more powerful engines…but in today's environment this may not be as important as it once was,

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See the Ford F-150 in Other Years:

2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (3 total)

  1. New 09 F150 Buyer

    By John Guralny | Posted: Oct 15th 2008, 12:33:27 PM

    I just purchased a new 2009 F150 STX S/C, I wasn't sure about purchasing a Ford product at first, and did plenty of research before I made my choice between Dodge, GM, and Toyota. This truck hands down was the best value, the best drive, had the best new features, and just all around a great looking truck. The cheapest on top of that! I'm getting 21 mpg on the highway! Very quiet ride and it goes over bumps and pot-holes like the road is as smooth as can be. I have never been more excited about a vehicle in a very long time but Ford has mastered and bested this truck segment. Trust me I drove everything out there. Not a lot of buying incentives out right now but a great lease program, only a 1% interest rate for 36 months! Power everything, cluster on the odometer tells you your mpg, when to change the oil, etc. Aux imput jack for i-pod, mpg player. Tons of storage, cab is big enough for 5 people even with the smaller Super Cab. Thank you Ford!

  2. 09 F150 Fx4, S/C

    By Leon Richard | Posted: May 6th 2009, 05:20:32 PM

    Been driving it for a week now. Love it so far. Hauls as advertised, with plenty of power and handling even with 2,400 pounds of coal in the bed. Had sprayed in bed liner done today, and am buying a few more accessories for it.
    Milage is much better than 1996 GMC Z-71, with 218,000 miles on it. Getting 15/16 in town and 20/21 highway. Acceleration is darned good... notice throttle response is a little laggy and think it's likely "fly by wire delay". Shifting is firm but not slammy and no lag once the rpms go off idle. Each shift puts you further back in the seat.
    Dumbed it up some with all the electronics... traction control defers active each start-up. Love the limited slip rear axle, haven't had a reason to lock the electronic locker. Believe it will be everything a "regular locker" is, but can turn it on and off.
    Love Sync... works great. Didn't have my bluetooth "on" on the cell phone. The Sync system won't see it to connect if it's not on, even if it's paired already. I deleted the phone from Sync, Sync from the phone, and tried to re-pair them. The phone would not "find" Sync when I told it to. It detected it, and when highlighted and entered it would "seek" it. But would not pair.
    Pulled the battery from the cell phone, "master reset"... paired up slicker'n a smelt.

  3. 2009 f150 King Ranch 4WD

    By wnctruckguy | Posted: May 8th 2009, 12:48:39 AM

    I custom-ordered a new F150 King Ranch 4WD with all the bells & whistles and have been driving it now for about a month. This is one solid, capable truck, that seems more like a limousine with a pickup bed. Ford's incentives are better than anyone else's and if you find the right dealer, you can get about $10K off of MSRP. Quite a deal on a great truck. The Sync is amazing. We called up weather radar maps in real time on the nav screen during a recent trip and found the cheapest gas prices along the highway. The leather is sumptuous and smells great. The bed is deep and holds more than any other pickup in its class. The truck looks great inside and out. Ford's design engineer's must be the best in the business. Mine came with high-performance Pirelli tires and a Sony sound system that is far more powerful than I will ever play. My mileage is about 16 or 17 highway and in the Smoky Mountains about 14 to 16, depending on grades. That's about the same as a Chevy Avalanche, which I traded in on the Ford. You can tell from the first time you shut a door on this Ford that it is quality.

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