In 2021, the Ford F-150 sold over 787,422 units making it the best-selling truck in the world. In fact, in its 73-year history, the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck for 44 of those years! So what makes the Ford F-150 so popular? Let’s take a look at some of the most unique selling points of this iconic pick-up truck.
Here are the top nine reasons the Ford F150 is popular:
- Long successful history
- It’s excellent value
- Easy to maintain
- It’s cultural statement
- Fuel efficent
- Excellent at towing
- Versatile cab configurations
- User friendly design
- Built to last
About the Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pick-up truck that is currently in its 14th generation. The Ford F-150 debuted in 1948 replacing the Ford Pick-Up model. Since 1977, the Ford F-150 has been the best-selling truck in the United States. Today, Ford sells over 100 F-150 trucks per hour.
1). The Ford F-150 Has a Long History
Reputation matters when it comes to any vehicle. The Ford F-150 model has been around since 1948 making it one of the oldest nameplates that is still being manufactured. That means that there have been several generations of truck drivers who have purchased the vehicle. Pick-up truck drivers tend to be among the most loyal of any vehicle owner. Therefore, someone who purchased an F-150 in the past is very likely to do so in the future. Over time, those loyal fan bases of F-150 owners have been rather substantial.
2). The F-150 is Excellent Value
The Ford F-150 has always been an excellent value when you look at the versatility and durability that it offers. The base model F-150 tends to be one of the most affordable full-size trucks on the market. Throughout the model, the Ford F-150 also tends to give you a lot of trucks for your money. For those who are dependent on their truck for work duties, the value will play an important role.
3). F-150 is Easy and Inexpensive to Maintain
The Ford F-150 is one of the easiest trucks to maintain. This is thanks to the widely available OEM Ford parts as well as the easy availability of third-party parts. Also, the Ford F-150 has been engineered to be easily repairable by those with limited vehicle repair knowledge. This makes the F-150 an easy choice for those who want to handle their own truck’s maintenance.
4). The F-150 is a Popular Cultural Statement In Many Parts of the United States
The Ford F-150 is more than just a truck in the United States. It is also an American icon. Because of this, the more traditional parts of America will always be more receptive to the Ford F-150 over a truck that is manufactured by another automaker.
5). The Ecoboost F-150 Offers Remarkable Fuel Efficiency
Pick-up trucks are not relatively known for their fuel efficiency. However, the Ford F-150 is the exception to the rule. For instance, the base model 2021 Ford F-150 – with the 2.7-liter Ecoboost V-6 engine – gets up to 20 miles per gallon in the city and up to 26 miles per gallon on the highway. This gives the Ford F-150 a combined fuel rating of 24 miles per gallon. Compared to other full-size pick-up trucks, these are impressive numbers.
6). F-150 Towing and Hauling Numbers Are Excellent
Towing and hauling capability is important to any pick-up truck. For generations, the Ford F-150 has maintained some of the best towing and hauling numbers in its class. The 2021 Ford F-150 has a max towing capacity of up to 11,300 pounds. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. The maximum hauling capacity of the 2021 Ford F-150 is rated at 3,220 pounds. If you want to use this truck at a worksite, the Ford F-150 will be able to handle more than its share of work.
7). The F-150 Has a High Level of Versatility
The engineers at Ford have had over 73 years to design this truck to be more versatile than its competitors. For instance, the current model F-150 has vinyl floors for easy cleaning as well as a large number of compartment spaces. Also, the front passenger seat folds completely down to function as a laptop desk. Finally, the F-150 is available in a number of cab configurations to seat anywhere from four to six occupants in total comfort.
8). F-150 is User Friendly
You don’t become the world’s selling truck by being hard to handle. In fact, the Ford F-150 is one of the most user-friendly full-size pick-up trucks on the market. All the controls are easy to read and access. The vehicle offers excellent visibility out of all of its windows and its overall responsiveness is excellent.
9). F-150 is Built to Last
When people think of American-made vehicle’s durability is usually not at the top of the list. However, the Ford F-150 is the exception to the rule. The engineers at Ford know that many F-150 models are going to be used on worksites. Therefore, these trucks are built to handle demanding day-to-day duties. Because of this, the Ford F-150 enjoys an excellent reputation as one of the most durable pick-up trucks on the market today.
10). The F-150 Can Be Optioned Up to Be a True Luxury Vehicle
With the Ford F-150, you can literally get any type of vehicle that you want. For instance, if you are just looking for a fleet truck for your business, you can order the base Tradesman trim. If you are looking for a well-equipped model with many popular features, then you can order the Lariat trim. However, if you want to equip your Ford F-150 with luxury touches such as leather, heated seats, and a premium audio system, then you can order the Limited trim.
The Ford F-150 Looks to Continue Its Winning Run
While there are many excellent full-size trucks on the market, none of them seem ready to overtake the Ford F-150 as the leader of its segment. As the Ford F-150 continues into its 14th generation, it appears that this long-running pick-up truck will continue its decade’s long winning streak.
Before buying a used truck, or any used vehicle, always run a VIN check for Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuild, Title washing, and Vin cloning. There are plenty in the business, it only costs a few dollars but could save you thousands. I’ve used VinAudit (links to VinAudit.com) several times and found them reliable and fast.
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- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write fluff-free articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.