2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid smooths out

• The Ford F-150 Hybrid powertrain has been up to date for 2024
• Hybrid F-Collection fashions now not shudder and judder
• The F-150 Hybrid prices $59,345, delivers good worth for cash

Ford mounted the F-150 Hybrid. Primarily based on how properly the Hybrid now drives, hauls, and generates its method to increased mpg, it in all probability ought to have been the headline all alongside. 

The 2024 Ford F-150 lineup arrived with a refresh that may be categorised as gentle however significant. The headlines crowed in regards to the new tailgate that may have a door in it, and a few nicer inside supplies, however beneath it the true information is the Blue Oval refined the hybrid possibility.

I put the hybrid truck’s powertrain to the take a look at by shoving my dad and a few buddies right into a leather-lined Platinum hybrid mannequin and headed to Canada to go fishing. However first I ran the children throughout city to their numerous actions.

All through all of it, I discovered that America’s best-selling car now has a hybrid powertrain that’s a {smooth} operator bringing real-world gas financial savings. It’s additionally a rolling generator as well.

Ford F-150 Hybrid irons out the shivers

The hybrid model of the F-150 debuted for 2021 with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 spitting out 400 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque by itself. That was paired with a 1.5-kwh lithium-ion battery pack that juiced a 35-kw (47-hp) electrical motor sandwiched within the 10-speed automated transmission. Whole output clocked in at 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. These energy scores haven’t modified, and it’s nonetheless among the many strongest light-duty full-size pickups cash should purchase, with out trying to a Raptor or RHO badge.

Whereas the powertrain had loads of energy that got here on immediately with torque from the electrical motor filling the hole because the turbos spool, it wasn’t butter-smooth. The facility handoff from the electrical motor together with the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts have been tough sufficient to shake the driveline. 

Ford has mounted the shivers and paved over the roughness partly with a brand new powertrain software program calibration for the hybrid system. Ford additionally simplified the powertrain by eliminating the second starter that had been built-in into the accent belt drive. Ford spokesperson Daybreak McKenzie instructed Inexperienced Automobile Studies the brand new powertrain calibration enabled Ford to make the hybrid motor tackle the duty and spin up the engine by means of the transmission. The result’s {smooth} energy handoffs together with 1-2 and 2-3 shifts that have been barely discernible within the $87,625 F-150 Platinum hybrid take a look at truck, even when the transmission and powertrain have been chilly.

Sadly because of the {hardware} modifications that transcend software program McKenzie instructed GCR that 2021-2023 F-150 Hybrids gained’t get the brand new calibration. These vans are caught with the rougher energy handoffs and 1-2 and 2-3 shifts.

Ford F-150 principally hits EPA gas economic system scores

In the present day’s F-150 Hybrid checks in at 22 mpg metropolis, 24 freeway, 23 mixed. Relying on the way you drive, you may really see that sort of effectivity. Round city over the course of 76 miles of combined suburban driving the truck claimed a mean of 18.4 mpg. On the freeway with 4 adults and a mattress practically overflowing with fishing gear the truck confirmed a mean of 20.4 mpg over the course of 686 miles whereas going over 70 mph. However at 65 mph with the identical load the truck averaged 24.4 mpg. There’s loads of energy right here, and if the driving force’s capable of maintain their foot out of it, and maintain the velocity at or in regards to the velocity limits, the present EPA gas economic system scores appear inside attain. A 5.0-liter V-8 on this truck would common within the mid teenagers round city and higher teenagers on the freeway, giving the hybrid a stable 3-5 mpg enchancment.

Ram nonetheless bests Ford’s inside and trip high quality

The powertrain’s improved, however Ford’s nonetheless not going to win the inside or trip high quality contest with the Ram 1500.

Contained in the improved supplies are nonetheless a full step behind what’s present in a Ram. The leather-based isn’t as tender, the plastics aren’t as properly grained, there are fewer actual steel bits, and the plastic seize handles on the A-pillars staring you within the face aren’t leather-wrapped. However Ford’s 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster is the perfect within the phase, with huge numbers and easy-to-read knowledge for the truck’s system at a look. The 12.0-inch touchscreen’s interface can also be probably the greatest, with the flexibility to simply split-screen even with wi-fi Apple CarPlay. The menus are straightforward to navigate and it’s like utilizing an iPad.

Ford says it retuned the adaptive suspension for a extra snug trip. However the Ram’s nonetheless smoother—by loads. The Ford’s rear leaf springs are set as much as haul a ton of weight (in sure configurations the F-150 can tow as much as 13,500 kilos) to the purpose the truck sits with the entrance finish decrease than the rear when unloaded. The adaptive shocks paired with stiff leaf springs merely can’t match the trip management, or consolation, of the Ram’s rear coil springs.

BlueCruise stays in second place

Regardless of a number of enhancements which have smoothed tough edges in straight-line monitoring and dealing with of curves Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system stays solidly in second place. The system is a full league behind GM’s Tremendous Cruise system.

My buddy, a programs engineer, using behind the F-150 to Canada practically had a coronary heart assault because the Star White Metallic F-150 struggled to trace a straight line down the street. His coronary heart price solely raced quicker because the truck discovered the sides of our lane a number of instances round slight curves, and completely bailed out and handed again management of the truck to me mid-curve on I-94.

That’s earlier than addressing the wrestle the infrared digicam system needed to see my eyes with my polarized sun shades. A difficulty I haven’t skilled earlier than in different BlueCruise autos. The system struggled a lot it demanded I take management of the truck, regardless that I had a hand on the wheel already.

The Ford F-150 hybrid reveals worth is relative

The common transaction value of a pickup truck is about $66,000.

The 2024 Ford F-150 hybrid prices $59,345, which isn’t low-cost, but in addition is lower than the common value of at this time’s common pickup truck. That’s for an XLT mannequin, and the usual 2.4-kw onboard energy provide together with normal family AC shops within the mattress. 

My truck was a far cry from that. At $87,625 as examined my Platinum tester had every little thing from a shade head-up show and leather-lined inside to heated, cooled, and massaging entrance bucket seats, 22-inch wheels, and wheel properly liners. However importantly it had the higher-output 7.2-kw exterior energy system, with 4 20-amp, 120-volt AC shops within the mattress together with the 240-volt 30-amp outlet. 

Purchase the truck, get a generator. Or simply possibility the 7.2-kw system on a cheaper Lariat. Both method, it’s the F-150 Hybrid’s killer app. On the Lariat that increased output prices solely $850. I’d be the primary one to inform my spouse that’s lower than I’d purchase a very good generator for. 

With up to date software program and {hardware}, the hybrid F-150 pickup truck lastly feels ironed-out and just like the phase game-changer it was destined to be. Who wants a rolling generator that occurs to haul 4 adults and all their fishing gear? The F-150 hybrid is prepared.