2009 Ford F-150

During judging, editors praised the 2009 F-150's low noise levels and interior materials quality. Handy features like the Tailgate Step, Box Side Step, a stowable bed-extender, and rear seats that fold up with one hand to reveal a broad, flat load floor helped tally a strong superiority score.

To achieve high payload and towing numbers, Ford retained traditional leaf-springs on the rear axle but made them longer to smooth the ride and wider with new mounting hardware to improve lateral rigidity and roll control. The chassis engineers tuned the steering for pleasing heft and remarkable accuracy that had many judges lauding the 2009 Ford F-150 for feeling smaller and nimbler than the competition.

Fundamentally, the 2009 F-150 is a fine truck. There is an endless array of configurations available, and there should be a model that suits any potential half-ton truck buyer.

Sure, the 2009 Ford F-150 is more refined than the 2008, but the 2008 was already pretty quiet. The only real advantage I see for the 2009 F-150 owner is a six-speed automatic transmission.

Dynamically, the F-150 was easy enough to manage.

Acceleration wasn't stellar, but the 2009 F-150 cruised with much greater ease on the highway than the four-speed-automatic F-150 I drove last fall.

I found the ride harsh, especially over train tracks, just as one would expect with an empty truck bed.

The 2009 Ford F-150 takes its styling cues from the F-series Super Duty pickup, adhering to what Ford designers call a "Modern Tough" design aesthetic.

Sitting side-by-side with the outgoing 2008 F-series, the new 2009 Ford F150 indeed looks much bigger, tougher, and more substantial, and it will certainly appeal to those who purchase trucks as a reflection of their perceived masculinity or lack thereof. The Crew Cab model is a whopping six inches longer than before, with all of the additional length incorporated between the A- and B-pillars, in the front doors. Ride height is up about an inch, too, in response to dealers, who are asked by many consumers to install lift kits in the current truck. The increased height, length, and squared-off body combine to make the 2009 F150 appear even bigger and more imposing.

The towing capacity of 11,300 pounds and 3,020 payload has this 1/2-ton knocking on the 3/4-ton market's door. Towing with the 2009 F150 trailer control system and integrated trailer brake controller is easy and makes you appreciate the new six-speed transmission for smooth controlled acceleration.

This Ford F-150 was also designed to do more and work smarter than previous 1/2-tons. The towing capacity is top in its class, and with optional trailer-brake controllers, three different engine options, and a multitude of storage and seating options, this is a well-rounded 1/2-ton in a time when truck buyers are looking for more than just a cab with a box behind it.

The 2009 F-150 is a satisfying upgrade over the previous generation, especially in the interior where most of your time is spent. And with increased capability that encroaches on the F-250 Super Duty territory, Ford is essentially offering two 3/4-ton trucks-one for those who want the better ride of IFS and one for those who need the increased brawniness of a solid axle.

Most exciting to the Four Wheeler crew is the new FX4 package that is not just a trim level, but a real off-road package, complete with an electronically activated rear locker that can even be used in 4-Hi up to 20 mph. The 2009 F-150 FX4 model also boasts a best-in-class crawl ratio of 41:1 and unlike the competition, the FX4's air dam doesn't compromise approach angle. Ford engineers also worked hard to make a more flexible suspension that sees an 8-percent improvement in the RTI. Other equipment that you get when checking the 2009 F-150 FX4 box are real skidplates that tie in to the frame, a unique transmission shift strategy in 4-Lo, special shocks, and available LT275/70R17 Goodyear A/Ts with a much more aggressive tread than Ford usually offers.

Every new Ford F-150 rides on a stronger ladder frame that uses more high-strength steel and more hydroformed sections than the previous F-150.

For 2009, the F-Series has gone to an all V-8 engine lineup. You'll probably find the engines familiar: the two-valve 4.6-liter, the three-valve 4.6-liter, and the three-valve 5.4-liter. Horsepower ratings for the engines build from 248 to 292 to 320.

Ford now offers a SFE (Superior Fuel Efficiency) option on XL and XLT models. The SFE is a two-wheel-drive Super Crew that achieves 15/21 city/highway mpg.

It doesn't take long to appreciate the freshened exterior of the '09 F-150, as the front end, tailgate, and larger cab add to the Ford's bold appearance. Moving in a new direction for '09, the front end features an in-your-face chrome grille with horizontal bars displaying the Ford Blue Oval and vertical bars backed up to rectangular mesh inserts. A new hood design for '09 with a center emboss on the hood's raised plateau creates an intimidating leading edge. Moving to the rear, a pair of bed molded taillights blend in nicely with the rear bed corners reducing any aero drag. The telescoping side mirrors help create a greater peripheral rearview while towing.

Ford improved an already capable and solid platform, upgraded the interior to an even higher luxury, and breathed new life into its drivetrain with two extra gears but after 1,500 miles of testing, the F-150 fell short in the same area it has been struggling in for 5 years, power.

"The new F-150's leading five-star crash ratings and 'Top Safety Pick' award further demonstrate Ford's commitment to safety as we have more top government ratings than any other brand," said Susan Cischke, Ford's group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "The new 2009 F-150 also offers more advanced safety features as standard equipment than any other half-ton truck, part of our aggressive roll-out of safety for millions of customers."

"The all-new 2009 Ford F-150's leading crash-safety ratings add to its capability, fuel economy and technological leadership," said Steve Kozak, Ford's chief engineer for safety systems. "We achieved top safety ratings and unsurpassed fuel economy at the same time by using high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel in key areas of the new F-150's structure."

The new 2009 Ford F-150 has improved its fuel economy by an average of 8% across its entire lineup, while the fuel-conscious SFE package helps the full-size pickup deliver fuel economy of 15 city/21 highway. Ford's high-volume 5.4L V-8 gets 12% better fuel economy than the previous generation engine.

The 2009 F150 delivers a towing capability of 11,300 lbs and hauling capacity of 3030 lbs. These capabilities are targeted at the growing segment of "core truckers," which has grown from 30% to 40% of the light-duty full-size pickup market.

The new F-150 pickups have an average fuel-economy improvement of 8%, with some gains as high as 12 percent for certain models equipped with the high-volume 3-valve, 5.4L V-8 engine. Towing capacity stands at a class-leading 11300 lb, and hauling capacity sits at an impressive 3030 lb. The new F-150s also feature more standard safety equipment than any other half-ton pickup and remains the best-selling vehicle on the market. In price comparisons, a 2009 Dodge Ram costs $5000 more than a similarly equipped F-150 Lariat Super Crew, which starts at $35,820. In addition to being competitively-priced, the F-150 offers consumers the most cab styles, box options, and trim levels, which all starts at $21,320 for the XL Regular Cab.