The F-150 is perennially popular. If Ford stopped selling everything it makes besides the F-150, it would still be a Fortune 500 company. With a strong connection to buyers and how they use their pickup trucks, Ford has made updates and enhancements over numerous F-150 generations, culminating in a model that easily takes a position on my list of the 10 best used cars in Canada.
Is the Ford F-150 a good truck?
Yes, it’s a great choice new or used. The Ford F-150 offers great value among pre-owned trucks because of its excellent durability, fuel-efficient engine lineup, and array of tech and connectivity features that help owners to stay productive and in touch on the move. The use of lightweight aluminum bodies (as of model year 2015) and a range of EcoBoost engines (which launched in 2011) help keep fuel costs highly respectable, too.
The Lariat trim grade represents somewhat of a sweet spot in the F-150 lineup. It boasts many nice-to-haves, like heated and cooled leather seats, and it’s priced more reasonably than some of the more luxury-oriented versions like the Limited, King Ranch or Platinum, each of which represents a luxury trim grade designed to give drivers a taste of top-of-the-line motoring.
For model year 2018, Ford added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology and a pre-collision assist feature with pedestrian detection, along with a technology package for models with the 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine.
An impressive trophy rack includes recent recognition from J.D. Power and Associates as the Best Large Light Duty Pickup of 2020. In 2021, the 2022 Ford F-150 was called the North American Truck of the Year by an independent jury of 50 professional automotive journalists from Canada and the United States.
The Ford F-150 engine: What’s really inside this used truck?
If it’s in your budget, shopping for a 2017 or newer F-150 is likely your best bet. An extensive update for that model year brought higher towing capacity, wider deployment of safety and connectivity tech across the lineup, and an extensively reworked powertrain lineup that included the second-generation 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine and a new 10-speed automatic transmission rolled out as standard across most of the model range. These improvements helped the F-150 deliver stronger performance and refinement, while using less fuel.
Other engine options include a 3.3-litre V6, a 5-litre V8 (dubbed Coyote) and a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6, ideal for shoppers looking for a balanced mix of efficiency and low-rev torque response.
From model year 2018 and on, fuel-saving auto start-stop was added to all engines, the 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 was updated for additional efficiency by way of a new fuel injection system, and a major exterior refresh was applied, too.
The PowerStroke turbo-diesel V6 was introduced for this model year as well, though this short-lived engine option was discontinued in 2021 to make room for the new PowerBoost V6 engine, a hybrid option that appeared that year. A used F-150 with the PowerBoost engine won’t be cheap, though its fuel-saving hybrid tech also enables this engine to function as a built-in generator to power your job site, campsite, or power tools and toys.
Checking a used F-150 before you buy
Regardless of the age or mileage of the used F-150 you’re considering, its current condition will depend on how it’s been used and maintained during its life with previous owners.
Add confidence to your purchase by opting for a model sold as part of a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program at a Ford dealership. CPO requires used F-150s to meet a higher standard of quality and condition than units sold privately. Used models sold as part of a CPO program often include additional perks like extended warranty coverage and roadside assistance.
If you’re buying privately, having the F-150 checked over by a Ford technician in a dealer setting is ideal for maximum peace of mind. Contact your local dealer and ask to schedule a pre-purchase inspection (PPI). This usually costs less than $250 and is your single best defense against an F-150 that’s concealing pricey problems.
