We’ve finally laid eyes on the brand new face of the Ford Australia delivered F-150. After spending the better part of three years living out of the previous iteration, taking it across the continent twice, through the Simpson, and up the Tip, we’ve gathered some serious dirt under the fingernails with these rigs. This isn’t a brochure review; it’s a look at how the fresh line-up stacks up for those of us who actually head bush.
The range kicks off with the XLT, which we reckon is the dark horse for the enthusiast. At $114,950, it loses the shiny bits for a tough, blacked-out grill and smoky lights. It feels like a base model inside with fabric trim, but here’s the kicker: Ford has finally prioritised the tech where it counts. The old, tiny eight-inch screen is gone, replaced by a proper 12-inch unit across the board. If we were looking for a blank canvas to lift, bar-up, and bolt on some serious touring fruit, the XLT would be our pick every day of the week.
Stepping up the spec
Moving into the Lariat at $143.950, things start to get a bit more “town and country.” It’s draped in chrome, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it certainly exudes that premium feel. Inside, you’re looking at leather, heated and cooled seats, and a clever bit of gear in the centre console. The shifter folds flat to create a desktop surface, which is a lifesaver for those of us who find ourselves answering emails from a campsite in the middle of the Flinders.
The most practical update on the F-150, however, is at the tail end. We’ve now got a fancy split tailgate on the Lariat. You can still drop the whole thing automatically at the push of a button, but that vertical split means we can get right up into the tray to grab the fridge or a recovery bag without having to reach over a massive horizontal gate. It looks a bit busy with the extra shut lines, but for sheer utility, it’s a winner.
The luxury of the Platinum
At the top of the heap sits the F-150 Platinum, coming in at $163,950. This is for the tourer who wants the lot. It gets a unique blacked-out grill and side steps that automatically drop down to greet you when the door opens. The real party piece is inside: the driver’s seat can lie almost completely flat. It’s perfect for a quick nana nap on the side of the road during those long Pacific Highway hauls, just don’t try it while you’re moving.
The seats in the Platinum also feature a full massage function that covers your back and, interestingly, your seat. It’s a bit of a strange sensation having your butt cheeks massaged while you’re steering a three-tonne rig down the M1, but on a straight run, it does help keep the fatigue at bay. Underneath all that luxury, though, it’s the same 300kW powertrain that we’ve come to trust for overtaking road trains with ease.
Lessons from the bush
One of the biggest myths we’ve heard is that these are gas guzzlers. We’ve found the opposite to be true. In stock form, that petrol V6 will return between 9 and 11 litres per 100 kilometres around town. Even when we do what we usually do, jack them up, fit big tyres, and throw a rooftop tent on, they still only climb to about 16 or 18 litres. That’s actually more efficient than many V8 diesels lugging the same weight.
What we’ve really learned, though, is the value of simplicity. By sticking with the petrol engine, we don’t have to worry about DPF failures or hunting for AdBlue in the middle of the desert. It’s a cleaner, simpler way to tour. We did manage to put a decent dent in our sills up at Cape York because we didn’t fit protective steps, but that’s a lesson in preparation, not a fault of the truck. If you’re looking for a comfortable, capable rig that can tow the big toys and handle Aussie corrugated roads, Ford has definitely hit the mark here.
