Ford F-150 Is America's Best Selling Vehicle For A Reason

10/23/96

The Ford F-150 pickup truck is almost more like a car than a truck, but a ride will dispel that impression immediately. The F-150 is a vehicle for the person who needs to haul things for a living, but who also needs nice wheels for the Saturday night movie.

For 1997, the truck--like some others on the market--features a larger, more aerodynamic and muscular looking front end. There's a lowered hood and larger glass area, front and rear. The cargo bed has slots and pockets for vertical and horizontal compartmentalization, with tie downs providing additional cargo-carrying capabilities.

The SuperCab version of the F-150 and 250 models has a third door for rear seat passengers. For this trick, Ford had to increase the trucks' interior room by 5 inches over 1995.

The F-150 features a powerful 205 hp V-6 engine linked to a standard five-speed manual transmission. Optional engines are a Triton V-8 4.6 liter, and a Triton 5 liter V-8 with 235 hp.

ABS comes as standard equipment, as do dual airbags. Payloads range from 5,500 lbs for the F-150 Reg. to 17,000 lbs for the F-Super duty 4X2. Fuel economy for the new F-150 is 17 city, 22 Highway.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel