Answering The 10 Most-Asked Ford F-150 Questions on Google
The ten most-asked questions on Google have some interesting answers, but the questions themselves shed some light on what people what to know about the F-150.
Intro
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck in America, and it has been for decades. To say it is popular would be a massive understatement. Because of its popularity people have questions about it. And when you have questions about something, where do you go? Google. That is exactly what we did. We entered “Is the Ford F-150” and “What is a Ford F-150” into the Google search bar and let the predictive search take over from there and complete the questions. That allowed us to see what the most popular questions about the F-150 are as well as the answers. We gathered the ten most popular questions and the popular answers to those questions. We are also including our own comments about each. To find out what people want to know about the F-150 keep reading.
1. Is the Ford F-150 a Good Truck?
This is the most common question asked about the Ford F-150. Simple and to the point. Is the F-150 a good truck? Ford sells over three quarters of a million of them every year. The F-Series has been the best-selling truck in America for almost a half century. How can this many people be wrong? Of course, the F-150 is a good truck. Some years have been better than others but for the most part, and Ford has had some miserable quality control over the last few years. But, in our humble opinion which is shared by millions of other truck owners, the F-150 is the best half-ton truck you can buy. The answers on Google back this up.
2. Is the Ford F-150 Reliable?
The Google answers to this question are mixed. The thing with the F-150 is that they have been built for so many years, and have had so many different engine options in them during that time, that you would expect answers to vary. Millions and millions of them have been sold, and yes some have had issues. But overall the F-150 is a reliable and solid truck, especially if maintained above Ford's recommendations. Frequent oil changes and flushing other fluids early -- differentials, coolant, transmission, etc -- are much cheaper than replacing expensive parts. If you are in the market for a new truck, we would not hesitate for a minute to recommend a new F-150, or a well-cared-for used example.
3. Is the Ford F-150 Lightning All Electric?
The latest generation F-150 Lightning was released about two years ago. And this Lightning is all electric. It is the first fully electric Ford truck in the history of the company. So, if the question is about the most recent model the answer is yes.
However, the Lightning nameplate meant something different 30 years ago when Ford unveiled the name Lighting as a performance truck for the streets. The first generation Lightning ran from 1993 to 1995 was fitted with a 240 horsepower V8. The second generation Lightning came out in 1999 with a supercharged 5.4L V8 making 360 horsepower. Power was upped to 380 for the final model years from 2001 to 2004.
4. Is the Ford F-150 Hybrid Any Good?
In 2021 Ford gave us the PowerBoost hybrid engine in the F-150 for the first time. You can read more about it here in our recent review. The system starts with a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 (aka the 3.5L EcoBoost) and adds an electric motor into the transmission's bellhousing in the place of a torque converter. With 30 horsepower extra and 70 ft.-lbs. of additional torque compared to the 3.5L EcoBoost, the PowerBoost makes 430 hp and 570 ft.-lbs of torque. In our recent tests, we experienced 23.7 mpg during a highway trip, and 20 mpg combined, over the course of 180+ miles.
Given that the PowerBoost is relatively new, it makes sense that a lot of people have questions about it. And like most questions regarding truck engines, the answers you find on Google are mixed. Some early customers have experienced numerous problems related to the transmission while others are running problem free. It is perhaps too soon to make a definitive decision, but Ford has continued to refined and simplify the technology over the last few model years.
As a no-cost upgrade over the EcoBoost with added power and efficiency, the EcoBoost also boasts up to 11,200 lbs. of towing capacity and as well as a standard on-board generator Ford calls Pro Power On Board. 2.4 kW systems, standard on lower trims, can power a campsite at full capacity for 85 hours on one tank of gas. The 7.2 kW Pro Power On Board -- standard on the upper trims, optional on the lower times -- can operate a job site with heavy machinery like welders at full capacity for 32 hours.
5. Is the Ford F-150 5.0 a Good Engine?
Here we have another engine question. But this one surprises us a bit more than the hybrid engine question. Mainly because who doesn’t think the Coyote 5.0L V8 isn’t good? Does it have some issues, sure. But the days of naturally aspirated V8 engines are numbered. This engine sounds great, makes decent power and is about the most tried-and-true design out there. We love the 5.0L, it's often recommended by Ford technicians, and most Google answers agree with us.
6. Is the Ford F-150 Hybrid Eligible for Tax Credit?
First people wanted to know if the hybrid engine was reliable. Satisfied with that they then wanted to know if it was eligible for a tax credit. We always recommend that you consult a tax professional for questions like this. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy the PowerBoost Hybrid is not currently eligible for a tax credit. This is most likely because its battery is too small to qualify. If you are looking for new vehicles that may qualify in 2024, only the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid is eligible for the PHEV Credit and the Lightning for the EV Credit.
7. Is the Ford F-150 Diesel a Good Engine?
In 2024 there is no F-150 diesel engine option. The 3.0L PowerStroke V6 was the last diesel engine option in the F-150 and that was dropped in 2021. The 3.0L was a decent engine. However, it was dropped due to slow sales. The EcoBoost engines offered equal or more power with improved economy. If you are looking at an F-150 with the 3.0L diesel, it should serve you well.
8. What is a Ford F-150 Tremor?
The consensus answer you will get to this question is that the Tremor fills the gap between an F-150 with the FX4 off-road package and the F-150 Raptor. The Tremor comes standard with the 5.0L V8 engine, 33-inch tires, an off-road tuned suspension, and a Rock Crawl mode. It also packs some special design touches inside and out. It is a very capable truck and the base model will save you about $15,000 compared to a Raptor.
9. What is a Ford F-150 Raptor?
And speaking of the Raptor, a lot of people asked what the F-150 Raptor is. The coolest truck ever would be a good way to describe it. But if you don't know, it's effectively a street-legal trophy truck, designed for high-speed driving in the desert during events like the Baja 1000. It first debuted 15 years ago and is both wider and taller than the standard truck. And there is almost nothing else like it that comes readymade from the factor.
Here in 2024, we're currently in the Raptor's third-generation, which was recently refreshed as part of the F-150 lineup's 2024 mid-cycle facelift. There are currently three Raptor variants.
- The base Raptor boasts 35-inch tires, a 450 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost engine, active valve exhaust, and long-travel Fox 3.1 Live Valve shocks.
- The Raptor 37 adds 37-inch tires, brand new dual valve Fox 3.1 shocks, sport bucket seats, and a standard modular bumper.
- And lastly, the Rapto R, which we reviewed HERE, is a Raptor 37 with a 720 horsepower 5.2L supercharged V8. It is the wildest performance truck on the planet.
10. What is a Ford F-150 STX?
The answer to this question changes based on the time period you are looking at. Previously, STX, which stands for Sport Truck, was an appearance package that could be added to lower trim XL F-150s. A little extra flare and aggression for folks who weren't breaking the bank. However, starting in 2024, STX has become a separate trim level slotted between the XL and XLT. Available with either a 325 horsepower twin-turbo 2.7L V6 or a 400 horsepower 5.0L V8, STX is still mostly an appearance package. It comes with 20-inch dark gray wheels, a black and gray grille, LED fog lamps, and body-color bumpers. However, the STX FX4 option essentially gives you a cheaper Tremor, adding an e-locker, skid plates, off-road shocks, and off-road tires.
Images: Ford