The F-150 has gone through quite an evolution since it first hit the market in 1975. Once a no-frills workhorse known for its reliability and performance, the pickup has definitely matured throughout the decades. Comfort and convenience features have steadily found their way into the truck, creating a new breed of pickup that can border on outright luxury, depending on the trim. There’s also been a significant uptick in the number of off-road options on offer, including the desert racing beast that is the F-150 Raptor and the F-150 Tremor, a more practical off-road option that was recently revived for the 2021 model year. Then there’s the rise of the all-electric and hybrid models.
Even just a decade ago, it might have been hard to imagine a battery-powered––or even battery-assisted––pickup truck making inroads in such a competitive segment, but new hybrid-powered F-150s and full EVs like the F-150 Lightning are making a compelling case for going electric. With so many updates, it can be a lot to keep up with, but we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover a little more about the 2024 Ford F-150’s recent upgrades, performance, and trim options, and see why the brand’s flagship pickup has been America’s best-selling vehicle for over 45 years.
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Ford is making some significant changes under the hood for 2024, updating the F-150's roster of engines to better reflect the changing market. The pickup’s old naturally aspirated V6 base engine is nowhere to be found for the new model year, but drivers still have plenty of choices. The F-150's new base engine is the twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that was previously available as an optional upgrade, ensuring that even the most affordable F-150 trim still has plenty of power to work with. The new base engine gives drivers an ample 325 hp, which is a significant upgrade from the outgoing version’s 290 horses.
The base engine should provide more than enough power for all but the most heavy-duty towing and hauling applications, but if you’re putting a premium on the ponies, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 might be worth a closer look. Producing 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost is an alluring option for any driver who prioritizes power. This engine is the go-to choice for any driver who sees a lot of towing and hauling in the future, with a 13,500 lb towing capacity that the rest of the segment struggles to match.
A no-holds-barred high-output version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost can be found on the 2024 F-150's off-road supertruck alter ego. The F-150 Raptor manages to squeeze 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque out of the motor for phenomenal performance. When nothing less than V8 power will do, there’s always the 5.0-liter Coyote. Boasting 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, the 5.0-liter V8 comes standard on the Lariat and Tremor trims. For even more punch, the mighty Raptor R boasts a supercharged 5.2L V8 with an incredible 700 hp.
The most innovative engine on offer for 2024 has to be the PowerBoost, a 3.5-liter, twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor to create a hybrid powertrain that carries a number of advantages over its purely gas-fed rivals. With 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, the hybrid setup easily eclipses all other F-150 engine offerings, except for the off-road supertruck that is the F-150 Raptor. In addition to its impressive output, the PowerBoost is the most efficient engine of the bunch, but that’s still not the coolest thing about this new hybrid setup.
That honor would have to go to the Pro Power Onboard system, a built-in 2.4 kW generator that can provide enough power to run power tools, appliances, and plenty of other equipment that can make your workday––or weekend adventure––just a little more enjoyable. A handy interface allows drivers to keep track of the available power, and those seeking a little more juice can upgrade to a brawnier 7.2 kW setup that more than doubles the system’s capacity. While the more powerful outputs are reserved for the PowerBoost hybrid, the gas-powered F-150 models can be had with a slightly more modest 2.0 kW version of the system.
The hybrid powertrain is nothing new––Ford has been offering the PowerBoost system since the advent of the fourteenth-generation F-150 back in 2021––but it is becoming more of a focus at Ford HQ. The PowerBoost engine currently comprises 10 percent of F-150 sales, but Ford hopes to double that number in the near future and has made sizeable investments to that end. The move is a forward-thinking one from Ford, allowing the brand to capitalize on the enthusiasm around hybrid powertrains without massively changing the F-150's potent formula for success.
Customization has long been key to the F-150’s success. With so many different trims on offer, it’s easy to build the pickup of your dreams without breaking the bank or shelling out for a bunch of features you’ll never use. From the entry-level XL to the range-topping Platinum, the F-150 is the true chameleon of the pickup world, transforming from an affordable jobsite MVP to an opulent luxury vehicle based on customer demands. Ford is offering seven distinct trims for 2024––nine if you count the Raptor and Raptor R––so let's go through each one and see how they compare in terms of amenities, features, and price.
We’ll start with the XL, which represents the entry-level model for 2024. Starting at $36,570, the XL is the ideal fleet vehicle, giving business owners a reliable, powerful pickup that can withstand the rigors of the working world.[a] However, the trim still comes with an impressive slate of technology, including a standard 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display and Automatic Emergency Braking. Just as surprisingly, Ford has dropped a 5.0-liter V8 in the XL as the standard motor if you choose the regular cab configuration, giving this trim all the power it needs to put in a hard day’s work.
The STX gives the F-150 a sporty makeover with a revised grille, body-color bumpers, 20-inch wheels, and more. Or maybe you prefer the F-150 in its most well-rounded guise, the XLT. Building on all the amenities of the XL without drastically inflating the price, the XLT is most notable for the fact that it’s the first trim where the PowerBoost hybrid engine becomes available.
The Tremor is the 2024 F-150's lighter-duty off-road offering––at least when compared to the street-legal trophy truck that is the Raptor. The F-150’s more modest off-road trim still comes standard with all the equipment you need to find success on challenging terrain, from 33-inch tires and a modular bumper to advanced features like Trail Control with Trail 1-Pedal Drive and Trail Turn Assist.
The Lariat represents the first of the F-150's luxury trims and is packed with a host of opulent upgrades ranging from leather seating and 20-inch wheels to a 90-day trial of Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology. The Lariat comes standard with the 5.0-liter V8, but drivers can upgrade to the ultra-efficient hybrid engine. Named after the massive Texas ranch of the same name, the King Ranch trim blends performance and luxury in a way that would make the 825,000-acre spread proud, coming standard with heated and cooled front seats and the iconic King Ranch logo integrated into the cabin’s premium Del Rio leather.
Finally, there’s the ultra-luxe Platinum trim. This one blurs the line between hard-working pickups and luxury vehicles. Equipped similar to the King Ranch, the Platinum adds some lavish details like high-end accents, a 14-speaker B&O sound system, and a moody, blacked-out aesthetic that makes it the most striking of the bunch. Drivers looking for ultimate luxury can add the Platinum Plus package, which brings unique interior and exterior badging, quilted leather seats, and the PowerBoost hybrid engine.
The workhorse nature of the pickup segment can lead to some interesting design challenges for automakers. While some brands roll out the same truck year after year, the F-150 didn’t become America’s best-selling pickup for over 40 years by resting on its laurels. Ford has gone to great lengths to integrate the latest and greatest in pickup tech into its flagship model, addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the segment and even solving a few problems that might escape the notice of the average driver.
The 2024 F-150’s new Pro Access Tailgate is the perfect example. Any driver who has ever tried to tow a trailer with a fixed-tongue jack knows how much of a hassle it can be to access the tailgate when the trailer is attached. This is because the fixed-tongue jack––typically found on boat trailers and the like––can prevent the tailgate from swinging open, limiting access to the pickup’s bed and causing no shortage of headaches.
Ford has engineered around this issue with the new Pro Access Tailgate, which fits the tailgate with a 37-inch door that swings open to improve access to the bed. This swinging door design not only makes room for fixed-tongue jacks and large trailer hitches, but it also allows drivers to sidle up to the bed without having to lean over the tailgate. The Pro Access Tailgate has built-in check stops at 37, 70, and 100 degrees, so it’ll never swing open at an inopportune time. The new tailgate is standard on the Platinum and King Ranch and an optional add-on for the Tremor.
The Pro Access Tailgate is the latest in a long line of Ford innovations aimed at upping the F-150's utility. With a maximum towing capacity of 13,500 lbs, the 2024 F-150 is not afraid to put in a little work, but power isn’t always the most important factor when it comes to heavy-duty towing and hauling tasks. As any driver who has ever struggled to make a trailer connection knows, towing isn’t always as easy as it might seem. Ford has addressed this issue by rolling out a full slate of towing and hauling-related tech, including the pickup’s optional Onboard Scales, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Together, these systems go a long way in taking some of the stress out of the towing and hauling process, allowing drivers to spend less time fussing with trailers and hitches and more time enjoying their boats, campers, or recreational equipment.
The Pro Access Tailgate isn’t the only upgrade coming to the F-150 for 2024. The pickup’s mid-cycle refresh also includes a standard 12-inch infotainment display, an available heads-up display, and a light makeover to the exterior with Ford fitting the F-150 with an updated grille, lights, and wheel designs. The changes might not be monumental, but even the smallest tweaks can go a long way in modernizing a model. Ford has also graced the pickup with one of the industry's most exciting––and well-reviewed––hands-free driving systems with the addition of Blue Cruise 1.2. The hands-free driving system earned a stellar 84 rating from Consumer Reports, putting it a full nine points above the second-place finisher from GM.
The team at Jim Ellis Ford is dedicated to helping connect customers throughout the Atlanta region with the car, truck, or SUV of their dreams. Here at our dealership, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to buying a new vehicle. Every buyer is different, with unique needs, desires, and budgets, so why do business with a dealership that doesn’t recognize that? We pride ourselves on forming a personal connection with each driver who walks through our doors: an approach that’s guided by something we call the Jim Ellis Promise.
Our eight-point promise starts by welcoming each visitor with a warm greeting, establishing a bond, and treating every customer like family so they feel at home with each visit. We pledge to always listen to and understand the needs of our customers, be gracious, respect their time, and respond to their needs without delay. The Jim Ellis Promise is just one way we strive to set ourselves apart from the competition. We also carry one of the widest selections of quality new and pre-owned vehicles in the area, ranging from Ford to Honda, GMC, Jeep, and even luxury brands like BMW and Cadillac. There’s always something new to discover at Jim Ellis Ford, so stop by today and experience the 2024 Ford F-150 for yourself!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
