2016 Ford F-150 Review

The 2016 Ford F-150 offers a variety of options to buyers including four engines, various trim levels and a range of tech to fit your needs and applications. There is even a Trailer Backup Pro Assist feature that simplifies backing up trailers.

After spending a week putting 450 miles and almost 15 hours in the 2016 Ford F-150 Supercab XL with a 2.7L v6 Ecoboost engine I left impressed with what the pickup is capable of.

Ford did not change the design of the F-150 much for 2016. The same aluminum body from last year helps improve fuel economy and allow you to carry more.

The 2016 Ford F-150 starts at $26,450 for a base model and climbs up to a $58,885 starting price for the luxurious Limited model. We spent the week in a $41,365 Ford F-150 XL Supercab with the trailer tow package, auto start stop, upgraded appearance features, a backup camera, factory bed-liner and the Sport package.

The 101A package is an essential upgrade if you plan to use this truck for more than simply driving around the job site. This upgrades the 2016 Ford F-150 to power windows, power mirrors, a 4.2-inch display, Sync voice control, remote keyless entry, Ford MyKey technology that can limit speed and adds four tie down cleats to the pickup bed to secure cargo.

The 301A package adds more seat control options, storage, auto dimming mirrors and Sirius. The 302A package adds more luxury with a power sliding rear window, rear parking sensors, LED bed lighting, remote start, power adjustable seats, a 110-volt power plug and an 8-inch Sync 3 touch screen.

With the Supercab, the F-150 seats six people comfortably, and there is a six foot bed on the back for cargo. You can upgrade all the way to a Ford Sync 3 system that offers better performance than the MyFord Touch system on older F-150 pickup trucks, but our F-150 review vehicle offered a spartan 4.2-inch screen with Sync voice commands.

This model is already set up for towing with a receiver and plugs that will accommodate most trailer connections. The backup camera includes a zoom to simplify hooking up a trailer and to aid in the smart backup system that makes it possible for a novice to backup a trailer like a pro.

With the upgraded 2.7L V6 engine you get 325 horse power and 375lb-ft of torque. The EPA rates this four-wheel drive model as 18 mpg city and 23 highway. In our test the vehicle delivered an overall 19.1 miles per gallon for our total time with the vehicle, which consisted of more city driving than highway. During a highway test the 2016 Ford F-150 beat the sticker, delivering 23.6 miles per gallon.

Thanks to the extended range 36 gallon fuel tank there was still plenty of gas left. When full you can expect 625 to 650 miles depending on how you drive.

Performance is on point with the 2.7L V6. In standard driving mode the acceleration is good, but when you want to go faster you should engage Sport Mode. That will allow you to go 0 to 60 faster, closer to six seconds. While it isn’t going to win a drag race, you will not be left wanting speed while trying to merge onto the highway.

The truck also includes a Tow/Haul mode that adjusts shifting to make it easier to haul heavy cargo in the bed or pull a trailer.

With the Ford Pro Trailer Backup Assist you can easily back up a trailer, even if you aren’t a pro. Instead of turning the wheel just right, you turn a small knob and the truck turns the wheel just right to turn the trailer. It uses the backup camera and a small sticker on your trailer to make the magic happen. If you haul trailers, but you aren’t a master of reverse or if you need to share with someone who needs help, this is an excellent option.

Keep in mind you can only use this with a conventional trailer. It will not work with gooseneck or fifth wheel trailers. You will need to place a sticker on the trailer and program the trailer to your truck once, and then you can choose from your array of trailers when you connect again.

The six-foot truck bed with a factory spray in bed liner is ready to haul whatever you need. We used it to stock up for a fishing trip and to haul tools to do bathroom renovations. There are tie downs in each corner and the Box Link cleats offer four more new places to tie down your cargo so that it is secure even when you are traveling at highway speeds. You can remove the Box Link cleats later and snap in a bed divider if you need to keep cargo secure, offering plenty of flexibility.

If you are sick of jumping up into the bed, opt for the tailgate step that folds out of the tailgate and includes a handle to help you get into the bed. After using the truck for a week, I would also add in the box side steps in addition to the running boards so that you can easily reach into the front of the pickup bed.

Inside there is plenty of room for hauling friends and coworkers with room for six people. The back doors open completely so it’s easy to get in and it is also  easy to put cargo in the backseat if you need it locked up. The cloth seats are comfortable, though you miss out on the finer adjustments that you get on the higher trim levels. If you routinely plan to take this truck on long distance runs, you should test out the seats with more adjustments.

The middle seat in the front folds down to become the armrest and it includes two cup holders. There is storage underneath this seat and two cupholders that you can put inside the storage compartment if someone is sitting there. The doors also offer a lot of storage opportunities since there is not a traditional center area to stash things.

Our review truck came equipped with a 4.2-inch screen for the backup camera and to display information about music and phone calls. This system supports SYNC, so you can pair your phone to the system to make calls or stream music. There is a USB port to connect directly for listening to music and charging your phone as well as three 12V power connections.

This basic system includes support for Siri Eye’s free, so you can hold the voice control button to use Siri while you are driving and when you plug-in your phone you can use the SYNC voice control to control some apps.

The 2016 F-150 is a capable truck with many great options and features that will help you do more and stay connected on the road. Most buyers should upgrade from the base model to get connectivity and power controls that users expect in a new vehicle. If you haul trailers and need to maneuver them in tight quarters, the Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature is something you should seriously consider.