No other full-size pickup can match the variety put forth by the revised 2024 Ford F-150. Besides the usual array of trim levels that range from working vehicle to plush luxury truck, the F-150 offers hybrid and all-electric powertrains (the latter is the Lightning, which we review separately) and four off-roading variants. That includes the XLT’s FX4 package, the rock-crawling Tremor, the desert-storming Raptor and desert-destroying Raptor R that now produces 720 horsepower and features Dual-Valve Fox shocks.
There are noteworthy updates for the 2024 Ford F-150, although the underlying truck and most mechanical elements remain unchanged. Front-end styling is new, although as before, the look differs with each trim level (the Platinum is shown below). The 2024 Tremor is the most obviously revised, though, with its “Coast-to-Coast” grille split by a distinctive yellow bar that bifurcates the grille and lighting clusters, plus a new modular grille (shared with the Raptors) that lets owners more easily customize their rigs without knocking out parking sensors and cameras. Amongst those customization options is a 12,000-pound WARN winch kit defended by a brush guard. The Tremor also now comes standard with the 5.0-liter V8, while the previously standard 3.5-liter turbo V6 becomes an option.
Not surprisingly in the year 2024, technology plays a big role in the updates made to every F-150. Every trim level now comes standard with a 12-inch touchscreen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster – both were previously optional or included on upper trims – and a head-up display is available for the first time. New electronic architecture allows for 5G connectivity, which is a boon for in-car WiFi as well as accepting over-the-air updates. Finally, BlueCruise is updated (officially BlueCruise 1.2) to perform driver-initiated lane changes and to adjust in-lane vehicle positioning based on factors such as large trucks in adjacent lanes. One wrinkle: BlueCruise hardware is now standard, but owners must subscribe on an annual or monthly basis to use it.
The other big news for 2024 is a brand-new take on old-fashioned truck technology. The Pro Access Tailgate motors up and down, and has a middle section that swings open to 37, 70 or 100 degrees (the tightest angle is for when you’re hitched up) to allow for a shorter reach into the bed. An enlarged bumper step joins with an available drop-down step to allow for an easier climb into the bed (the old assist step will be discontinued mid-year once production begins on the Pro Access). Of the various newfangled tailgate designs, this one strikes us as the one with the widest appeal.
And you know what? That’s a pretty good way to summarize the entire 2024 Ford F-150 lineup. A Ram 1500 might be a little more comfortable and the GMC Sierra’s top-shelf interior might be prettier, but it’s tough to beat the total package that Ford offers.
Besides what we described above, you can take a deep dive into what’s new about the 2024 F-150 here in our preview.
The silky-smooth 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 pumps out 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy stands at 17/25/20 mpg with 2WD, and with 4WD, matches the V8 at 16/24/19.
The sensational PowerBoost hybrid is improved for 2024 with smoother transitions between gas and electric power, according to Ford. Its combination of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and electric motor integrated into the transmission produces 430 hp and 570 lb-ft. It returns 22/24/25 mpg with 4WD, which is now standard with the hybrid. That difference may not seem great, but when talking trucks, small differences in mpg figures can actually equate to big savings.
And now the Raptors. The “base” choice is an upgraded version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 good for 450 hp and 510 lb-ft. Fuel economy stands at 14/18/16 mpg.
The Raptor R’s 5.2-liter supercharged V8 was upgraded for 2024 to produce 720 hp and 640 lb-ft of torque. It returns the same fuel economy as the hybrid. Just kidding, it’s atrocious at 10/15/12 mpg.
At the time of this writing, we have only driven the 2024 F-150 on road with its PowerBoost hybrid powertrain. Ford says it smoothed the transitions between gas and electric power sources for 2024, and we can confirm they succeeded, because you’d be hard-pressed to detect anything unusual about the way it accelerates. It remains our pick of the litter. For most truck buyers, its massive output, refined power delivery and superior fuel economy greatly outweigh the potential drawback of what is effectively base-engine payload. It also now costs the same as the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, which remains the strongest of the gas-only choices (Raptor aside). Sure, “turbo V6” doesn’t carry the red, white and blue glory of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8, but its greater torque and buttery-smooth power delivery are enough that we could live with the “stigma.” Besides, the Ram 1500 no longer offers a V8 at all.
Speaking of the Ram, the F-150 still can’t match its coil-spring rear suspension, but it sure comes close. In our drive of the new F-150 Platinum, we were truly impressed by how comfortably it rode on the choppy highway pavement around Palm Springs – this despite the sort of gigantic wheels that can make body-on-frame vehicles, like the Toyota Tundra, ride like a jittery mess. In terms of steering and handling, the F-150 can feel more like a crossover SUV at times than a gigantic pickup, although the second you try to park or negotiate a tighter road, the illusion disappears.
As for the off-road models, the FX4 package (pictured at the top on an XLT in red) felt little different than other versions in our brief drive on road despite its off-road-tuned front shocks, monotube rear shocks, locking rear diffs and skid plates. The Tremor is big-time step above that, and should be considered the rock-crawler of the group (the Raptor’s independent rear suspension and bigger tires reduce wheel articulation). It ably mountain-goated through the sort of rock-strewn mountain trail a typical owner might tackle, often at a rapid pace you might normally reserve for a nimbler, smaller midsize truck. It also now comes standard with the Coyote V8 should that red, white and blue argument above ring hollow.
As for the Raptor, well, we can’t quite talk about that yet.
Details about the electric F-150 Lightning, which review separately since there's so much to cover.
The Tremor looks different now and there are some different features, but the experience off-road remains comparable.
Ford didn't draw attention to them, but there were many subtle-but-significant changes made to the existing generation back in '21.
Tremor and Raptor R
One of the updates for 2024 is making a suite of driver-assist features standard on every F-150 no matter the trim. You’ll get features like Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping system and blind-spot warning with cross-traffic alert. Plus, you’ll be able to option additional features like an updated BlueCruise 1.2 system, a 360-degree camera, exit warning, trailer assist features and more. Speaking of BlueCruise, the highway hands-free driving system is now a subscription service. Most trucks come with the necessary hardware and a 90-day free trial, but thereafter, owners can pay for an annual subscription or go month-to-month (you can sign up just before a road trip, for example, then cancel afterward).
In government crash tests, every cab style of the 2024 model received a perfect five stars for overall, frontal and side crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not fully tested the 2024 at the time of this writing, indicating only that the truck got the best-possible “Good” rating in three crash tests.
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