There’s more to your average $50,000 pickup truck than the price tag.
Expensive full-size trucks are nothing new these days; a preponderance of high-luxury items and heavy-duty gear pushes the sticker price on many pickups into luxury car territory. Different trucks justify the price in different ways, however. Pickups such as the GMC Sierra Denali and Ford F-150 Platinum pack on the premium upgrades, while heavy-duty pickups justify the price tag with the ability to tow, well, everything. And some trucks, like the Ford F-150 FX4, simply deliver $50,000 worth of enthusiasm.
The FX4 could be the embodiment of the joy of trucks. This is a pickup for people who very much want to have a big cargo bed out back and an excuse to use it. It’s by no means a simple vehicle — the price tag ensures that you’ve got four-wheel drive, a leather interior, a navigation system, and a trailer-brake controller. Ford’s sporty pickup is a hard worker that blends strength and ability with a comfortable ride and cool amenities — and a fuel-efficient surprise under the hood.
The FX4 is like a comfortable pair of Carhartt overalls (yes, we know that Carhartt actually is partnered with Chrysler, but the F150 embodies work clothes much better than the Chrysler 200). Ford’s styling is familiar, thanks in part to the F-150’s perennial best-seller status, but it escapes being ubiquitous through a dizzying array of body styles. With regular, extended and crew cab models as well as a choice of three bed lengths and no fewer than eight different trim levels, there’s an F150 for every taste. The FX4 is the playful one of the bunch, with a lightly lifted suspension and tall tires to give it some height, and available hockey-stick striping that’s reminiscent of the classic Boss Mustang. The FX4 isn’t as extreme as the off-road racing Raptor; it’s a bit more light-hearted, and better suited for general truck tasks. The F150’s got lots of little tricks that make it more of a pleasure to work with, too, from the cool stepladder hidden in the tailgate to the backup camera that’s also aimed at the trailer hitch for easier hookup.
The interior is big and comfortable, with a purposeful look that’s partly borrowed from the uber-truck Super Duty series of vehicles. Wide seats, a huge console and a spacious cabin even in SuperCab guise provide a pleasing environment. The FX4 is dressed up with unique Alcantara seat inserts. Visibility is good as well, so this truck’s easy to maneuver in traffic. Power-extendable trailer towing mirrors are available.
Ford’s voice-activated SYNC infotainment system is standard on the F150, enabling hands-free control of MP3 players and phones. Features such as turn-by turn navigation, news, traffic information and business info also are available. A 4.2-inch information screen is standard, and there’s a larger 8-inch screen available in trucks equipped with the MyFord Touch reconfigurable display. A special “truck interface” makes it possible to use MyFord Touch while wearing gloves.
The thing that really puts the F150 FX4 over the top is that it’s actually fun to drive. If you’ve ever seen a video of a race truck bombing across the desert, seeming to glide along the top of the sand with a dedicated and purposeful air of careless ease, well, the F150 FX4 captures that feeling without actually having to tackle the Baja 1000. Even when you’re just tumbling down a perfectly smooth freeway, it’s got a Grand Adventure feeling to the drive that makes it more than just a pickup truck. Above and beyond that, the ride is smooth and direct, with very little harshness. The FX4 uses a double-wishbone independent front suspension and a Hotchkiss live rear axle, so it’s stable (especially with the available 20-inch wheels) and the electronic power steering is precise. Hill descent control is standard on the FX4. The FX4 is a tall truck, thanks to an off-road suspension, but it feels secure in the turns and the only thing it can’t do is fit into a low parking garage.
And best of all — surprise, surprise — there isn’t even a V-8 under the hood. Why is this a good thing? Ford’s new EcoBoost turbocharged V-6 provides this truck with ample power for towing and hauling, and it returns respectable fuel economy on the freeway when all is said and done. The 3.6-liter turbocharged direct-injectionV-6 produces 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, and will tow up to 11,300 pounds while returning up to 22 mpg on the freeway. While the fuel economy numbers are bested by some hybrid pickups, the FX4’s capabilities are higher.
This truck has a lot of virtues to back up its steep price tag. Ford is a truck leader for a good reason, and the competent and entertaining FX4 is one of the best multi-purpose vehicles out there. F150 pricing starts at $24,070, but the FX4’s backup camera, trailer brake controller, remote start and other upgrades bump the bottom line of a 4×4 model to $38,765. In the case of Fyidriving’s test truck, the navigation system, trailer towing package, and FX4 appearance package caused the MSRP to sail to $50,230. And do you know what? It was worth it!
