2019 Ford F-150 Review: The Truck With All the Tech

The 2019 Ford F-150 is an incredibly capable pickup truck that can tackle the tasks at work and handle weekend projects. It’s also one of the most tech-ready trucks on the market with handy features that will keep you safe and help you trailer with ease — even if you aren’t a pro.

I tested the 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat FX-4 out hauling a small trailer, spending an afternoon trap shooting and then wrapped it all up helping a family friend haul away a giant washer dryer combo unit. During this time I also took a road trip to Michigan to see how it feels to drive the Lariat a long distance. Here’s what I learned.

The 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrew I tested came with the 3.5L EcoBoost and 10 Speed Automatic Transmission. Options included Equipment Group 502A, Pro Trailer Backup  Assist, Adaptive Cruise with Stop and Go, Max Tow Package FX4 Offroad package and other options that brought the MSRP to $65,180. You can configure one at Ford.

[letsreview]

2019 Ford F-150 Tech & Towing

The 2019 Ford F-150 packs in a lot of technology that can keep you connected on the road and that makes towing easier if backing up with a trailer kicks your heart rate up and makes your hands clammy.

Sync 3 is at the heart of the F-150 tech. This responsive touch screen and software are easy to use. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which makes it easy to make calls, check and reply to message, get directions with Waze or another map system and choose your music.

The F-150 also comes with FordPass Connect which adds a 4G LTE connection to the truck. During the summer heat, this came in handy cooling the truck down with remote start from my phone. You can also lock and unlock the truck using the app on your phone. With FordPass Connect you can also use your truck as a hotspot. Sometimes your truck has a better connection than your phone and other times this is just a handy way to get your laptop or a tablet online while on the go. This is great for working mobile or for keeping kids entertained on road trips.

The truck also features two really useful Trailer tech options that make towing much easier. As someone that doesn’t tow a lot, the Pro Trailer Backup Assist is a must-have when I do hook up a trailer.

Another really nice towing feature is the ability to set up a trailer that ties into the Blind Spot Monitor system. You can save several different trailers, and you don’t need any other gear. Once configured, you choose the trailer you are hauling and the blind-spot monitoring will cover your trailer. While you still need to learn how to properly configure and use your mirrors, this is an added bit of trailer tech that adds to my confidence while on the highway.

There are Truck Apps in the center display that you can use to monitor and manage your trailer. The trailer apps allow you to get a checklist to make sure your trailer is ready, an option to check the lights and multiple trailers you can save. When you look at the trailers, you can see the miles pulled and other options.

There is an off-road app that shows you the pitch, yaw and wheel direction when you are off-road.

If you can fit it into your configuration, opt for the upgraded B&O sound system, which delivers a very good audio experience.

If you want a tech-ed out towing truck, you should try out the F-150 and the GMC Sierra HD, which features a camera setup that can essentially let you see through your trailer.

2019 Ford F-150 Driving & Performance

The 2019 F-150 handles nicely and with an array of engines to choose, you can pick the power that you need for work, hauling and towing.

I tested the 3.5L EcoBoost with the Max Trailer Tow Package and found plenty of power for the small trailer and cargo I needed to haul. The Ecoboost performance is good and if you need more power you can opt for a V8.

The handling is great in traffic, on country roads, and at speed. Even with an empty bed, the ride is good. You know you’re in a truck for sure, but it’s still good.

Fuel economy is good for a full-size truck with 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

2019 Ford F-150 Interior And Features

The 2019 F-150 Lariat interior is spacious and comfortable with a lot of leather and plenty of soft-touch surfaces while still feeling like a truck you’re comfortable getting dirty.

Upfront the driver and passenger have plenty of room even with a huge center console full of storage and cupholders. The seats are comfortable and remain so even on a longer drive.

In the back of our Supercrew, there is room for up to three adults and the seats are still comfortable. I really like the fold-up seats which make it easy to put cargo in the cabin when you need to lock it up.

Controls are clearly labeled and easy to reach and toggle on or off. There are plenty of chargers in the front and in the rear of the vehicle with USB, 12V and standard outlet charging connections.

It can be quite the step up to get into the F-150, but with the optional auto-deploy running boards on the Lariat I tested it was easy for a shorter passenger like my mom to get in.

2019 Ford F-150 Bed and Features

You can get the F-150 with a 5.5-ft, 6.5-ft or 8-ft. bed and there are a number of handy options in the bed. There are plenty of tie-downs and n movable tie-downs allow you to secure cargo even better.

I hauled a washer and dryer combo on country roads and the interstate and thanks to the multiple tie-down points and my handy ratchet straps it was easy to secure.

You also get bed lighting options that you can turn on from inside the cabin if you’re working at dusk. The tailgate includes a pop-out step and a handle to make getting into and out of the bed easy. While the GMC Sierra Multi-Pro Tailgate bests Ford’s in options, this is still quite usable.

2019 Ford F-150 Driver Assist

There are a variety of driver-assist features in the F-150 that really help when on longer trips.

While stuck in traffic I was glad that this F-150 was equipped with the optional Adaptive Cruise with Stop and Go. I set the cruise and distance to keep between the vehicle in front of me and the 7 miles of stop and go traffic was way more manageable.

The truck will automatically come to a stop when the car in front of you does, and if traffic moves in a few seconds it will start moving again. If it takes longer, just tap the gas to get back in motion and following with adaptive cruise.

The 360-degree camera shows you a standard backup view as well as an overhead view that makes getting into and out of tight situations easy. This came in very handy when I had to take a large washer and dryer combo to a recycler and they wanted it dropped off back a narrow pathway of aluminum and steel.

Other safety features include Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and a lane-keeping system that can help keep your truck centered in your lane.