Automotive

2019 Ford F-150 Limited combines rugged luxury with Raptor power

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The Limited runs on 22-inch wheels and has the 450-horsepower (336 kW) turbocharged 3.5-liter engine from the Raptor, plus a larger fuel tank
Aaron Turpen/New Atlas
The F-150 Limited model aims for a luxury format and sits at the top of the pickup model’s pyramid of trim options
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The Limited runs on 22-inch wheels and has the 450-horsepower (336 kW) turbocharged 3.5-liter engine from the Raptor model
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Unlike the Raptor, the Limited foregoes the off-pavement equipment and instead includes heated and cooled seats with massage functions, leather upholstery, wood inlay, and most every comfort gadget that can be named
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
After spending a week with the F-150 Limited, the only difference we could find between it and a luxury SUV or sedan of the same fitment was in ride quality
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Tthe F-150 is surprisingly car-like in its maneuverability and handling
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The bed of the 2019 Ford F-150 is where the work happens
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The F-150 is a segment benchmark for a reason
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
A problem with the F-150, and it’s across the board in our experience, is with fuel economy
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
We wish the 2019 F-150 came with more tie-down points than it does
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Seating in the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is some of the best we’ve seen in a pickup truck
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is, on our minds, a perfect example of why full-sized pickup trucks are so popular in the U.S.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The Limited runs on 22-inch wheels and has the 450-horsepower (336 kW) turbocharged 3.5-liter engine from the Raptor, plus a larger fuel tank
Aaron Turpen/New Atlas
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The best-selling vehicle in North America is a pickup truck. The world might roll their eyes at that American fact, but there's good reason for it. Americans like big, capable, and luxurious. The 2019 F-150 in its Limited package sets the benchmark for all of those things.

Ford has made several worthy additions to the F-150 in its Limited packaging for the 2019 model year. The most exciting of those is that the 3.5-liter high-horsepower V6 from the Raptor (reviewed here) is now standard in the Limited as well. Perhaps less attention-grabbing, but no less important, Ford also added forward collision warning with emergency braking as standard to all F-150s this year. The Limited also gets the larger 36-gallon (136.3 liter) fuel tank.

In looking at a 2019 Ford F-150 in its Limited packaging like this, we get a better understanding of why full-sized pickup trucks are so popular in the U.S. This high-end truck is not cheap, but its interior rivals that of many price-comparable luxury sport utilities without compromising the capability and versatility that pickup trucks inherently have. Not only can trucks haul stuff and tow trailers, they can carry the family along for the ride and (much of the time) are capable of SUV-matching (or better) fuel economy.

The luxury-oriented F-150 Limited sits at the top of the pickup model's pyramid of trim options, and has just about every option available as included equipment. The Limited runs on 22-inch wheels, plus the 450-horsepower (336 kW) turbocharged 3.5-liter engine from the Raptor and the larger fuel tank we mentioned. Unlike the Raptor, the Limited foregoes the off-pavement equipment and instead includes heated and cooled seats with massage functions, leather upholstery, wood inlay, and most every comfort gadget that can be named.

Seating in the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is some of the best we’ve seen in a pickup truck
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas

After spending a week with the F-150 Limited, the only difference we could find between it and a luxury SUV or sedan of the same fitment was in ride quality. The F-150, being a pickup truck, is rough on the road when compared to luxury models from other segments. It's also generally louder, and the huge wheels and mirrors have a lot to do with that. Yet the F-150 is surprisingly car-like in its maneuverability and handling, thanks to this-generation's lighter aluminum bodywork.

With all of that, there are some caveats that go with the F-150 when compared to other full-sized trucks on the market. The Ram and GMC models are generally better in their on-road experience for both ride quality and sound dampening. The F-150 is a benchmark for a reason, though, offering lots of interior comfort and a bevy of ergonomic touches that are only rivaled, perhaps, by Ram. Infotainment in the F-150, especially with the Sync 3 upgrade, is very capable and easy to use.

Seating is some of the best we've seen in a pickup truck. In our experience with 2019 models, only the Ram Truck options can rival it. Roominess is another big factor in the F-150, and the Crew Cab has easy three-across seating with good comfort for short or long trips.

A problem with the F-150, and it's across the board in our experience, is with fuel economy. The EPA's estimates are generally high compared to what we've seen in the real world. Those driving judiciously at lower highway speeds and at lower altitudes will likely find the EPA's numbers accurate. The rest of us who aren't in those ideal conditions won't. My returns were consistently 2-3 mpg lower than the sticker (15/18/16 mpg for city/highway/combined) thanks to higher altitude and higher freeway speeds. Any amount of hauling or off-road will drop fuel economy considerably as well.

As a pickup truck, the F-150 is more than capable of doing most of what owners of a half-ton truck would expect. It carries loads well, though after-factory options for load tying and securement are recommended as the F-150 comes only with low-box connection points and not much else. When towing, the F-150 can tend to be a bit jerky as the lighter weight of the body often means that the trailer is bulkier than the truck. Ford has worked to mitigate this and done a good job of it, though.

The 2019 Ford F-150 Limited is, on our minds, a perfect example of why full-sized pickup trucks are so popular in the U.S. It ticks all the boxes for power, capability and family hauling, and the Limited offers true luxury in that package.

The 2019 F-150 Limited has a starting price of US$67,135.

Product Page: 2019 Ford F-150 Limited

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3 comments
WB
once tesla enters this segment.. Ford will be getting their behinds handed to them the same way Mercedes, Lexus and BMW are experiencing now where Tesla took 50% of the small luxury market in the US within 2 years and Mercedes and BMW suffering majorly as a result. If Ford were smart they would put all their eggs into an EV pickup before Tesla is leading them behind the barn!
McDesign
As a 'murrican, if it doesn't have an 8' bed, it's not really a truck. Just sayin'.
Aaron Turpen
WB: Tesla will not compete well against the Ford or any other half-ton truck currently made. For two reasons: range and lack of delivery. Ford currently makes more F-150s in one day than Tesla makes vehicles in a week. Think about that math. That's just one out of five trucks in the overall market. Once you attach a trailer to or put a load into an electric truck, its range tanks. Google Dan Edmunds and his adventures towing with a Model X if you don't believe me.
Tesla couldn't make a competitive crossover (the X is terrible and the Y will be too, given it's design). I'm not going to hold my breath that Musk and Co will know what to do to make a good truck either.
And FYI, their cars are selling really well in a failing market that was falling well before Tesla entered it. It won't be long before the backorders are filled. Tesla doesn't have the sales volume to keep up with their current production pace. Make a guess as to what happens then..
Sorry to dump some reality on you, but them's the numbers.