Is the updated 2024 Ford F-150 enough to keep it at the top of the food chain?

The Ford F-150 is one of the most famous models to ever come out of the Blue Oval, and one of the most famous models in the world. Small trucks. Ford has now taken the wraps off the new 2024 F-150, introducing a refreshed and updated version of the truck. However, increased competition is one thing stronghold Must deal with, and Toyota In particular, they are targeting the American automaker’s crown and its pickup trucks.

The question then is: Can the 2024 F-150 keep Ford in the lead? There’s a lot riding on this latest F-150, and the success of Ford’s pickup lineup in the near future may depend on it. Things in the pickup truck segment are already heating up.

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Ford has updated the F-150 for 2024

Features of the 2024 Ford F-150

• The new Platinum Plus model replaces the Limited model as the top model in its class
• The naturally aspirated V6 was replaced with an EcoBoost V6 as the standard engine
• Ford has added its new Pro Access Tailgate to the F-150
• The XL remains the base version of the F-150

At a quick glance, it’s hard to see what Ford has already updated for the 2024 F-150. But look closely and changes will start to appear. Ford has thoroughly updated the styling on the front and rear of the pickup truck, as well as adding a new Pro Access Tailgate to the rear of the F-150. The front has a very familiar face, but there are a lot of changes. The headlights have received a redesign, with new LED strips forming a C-shape on the corners of the F-150’s nose.

The chin has also been reworked, with Ford squaring off the front profile to create a firmer, more aggressive stance and roll. The bumper on the F-150 is also new, while there are C elements on it too with some rectangles added for good measure. Ford certainly hasn’t been idle in redesigning the new pickup truck. Different trim levels have specific designs, but Ford has made them all blend neatly into the headlights, with what it calls a “coast-to-coast” design. Integration of the fascia into the pickup truck’s body is now seamless.

Perhaps the biggest addition to the new F-150 is the Pro Access tailgate. This tailgate is a direct response to new tailgate tricks from competitors Ram, Chevrolet and GMC. The tailgate features an exterior swing-out door in the middle of a traditional drop-down gate, and can open in 37-degree, 70-degree and 100-degree increments. The owner then has easier access to items in the truck bed. An increase of 37 degrees allows the tailgate to be opened with a trailer attached.

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Ford has introduced a new Platinum Plus model for the F-150

The XL remains the base version of the F-150, but for 2024, Ford has introduced a new Platinum Plus model that serves as the most premium version of the pickup truck. It replaces the Limited model as the flagship model in the range, and Ford has also dropped something else. Gone is the base 3.3-liter V6 engine. It was replaced by the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, which is now the F-150’s standard engine. With 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque.

For the rest of the powertrain options, Ford kept the 5.0-liter V8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, and the existing hybrid powertrain from the previous model F-150. The 2024 F-150 Raptor R still has a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 under the hood, but Ford has teased a power increase to more than 700 horsepower for the full-size performance pickup. The Blue Oval has yet to release details about the new Raptor R, but says they will be coming at a later date. Ford’s commitment to the big V8 Raptor R is welcome in an increasingly electrified automotive world.

Ford has added more technology to the F-150, too, with a new optional head-up display for the pickup truck, available for the first time. All F-150 trim levels are fully digital, with a standard 12-inch operating display and a center touchscreen available for each model. LED headlights are standard, as are 10 driver-assistance systems in the minivan’s standard-issue software suite. Ford’s Sync4 is the operating system inside the minivan, and there’s also Ford Stolen Vehicle Services, a new theft-prevention system, available within the Ford app.

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Ford faces increasing competition from its rivals

2024 Toyota Tacoma engine specifications

Ford has been at the top of the pickup truck list for some time, but things are heating up with more and more competitors. Perhaps Ford’s biggest competitor is the 2024 Tacoma, which was revealed earlier in 2023 after months of rumors and speculation. The Tacoma may be a smaller midsize truck, but it’s Toyota’s best-selling pickup, and it dominates the space. The 2024 Tacoma offers inline and hybrid powertrain options for the model with up to 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque proven. It’s the range of models on offer that makes it so impressive, from the base SR model to the new Trailhunter model. The hugely popular TRD Pro version also returns.

Ford needs to watch its back, because the 2024 Tacoma could significantly undercut its larger rival. The 2024 F-150 starts at $38,565 for the base XL model without options, which represents a $2,090 increase over the 2023 model. However, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR starts at just $28,000 by comparison, and you’ll have to go TRD Off-Road Trim Level Before we get to the trim level that matches the F-150’s base price. The Blue Oval is sure to look over its shoulder when the new Tacoma enters the fray.

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Ford leads the electric pickup truck segment

When it comes to electric pickup trucks, Ford may still be ahead. The F-150 Lightning is the first all-electric member of the F-150 family, and the Professional model starts at $49,995 with a 320-mile range and 7,700-pound towing capacity. Toyota has yet to enter the electric pickup battle, with rumors of a Tacoma EV at some point. Ford’s biggest competitors in the electric pickup segment are the Rivian R1T and Chevrolet Silverado EV. But the price of Rivian reaches $73,000, while the Silverado has not yet arrived at dealerships. Ford is clearly rising to the challenge posed by its biggest competitor.

Sources: Ford, Rivian, Toyota