For centuries, Americans have held a fascination with size and power. From their food to their homes, the United States is renowned for doing everything on a grand scale. This obsession extends to vehicles, including the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT.
Re-engineered, or remanufactured if you prefer, to right-hand drive for the Australian market, the F-150 has undergone a metamorphosis, with everything from the steering rack to the seat controls, wiring harnesses and gear selector meticulously converted.
The brake pedal assembly, brake lines, climate control system, exterior mirrors, and even voice command have also been switched, with the level of detail and effort put into this conversion best described as remarkable.
A classic American pickup, the F-150 exudes nostalgia, with a hint of adventure, if only for its sheer size. The XLT variant we’re testing is the long wheel-base version and features halogen headlights and a striking front end that commands attention.
It’s so big it’s hard to miss, let’s be honest. As you move down the side, you realise just how long the truck is, measuring more than 6.0-metres in length. The 20-inch wheels add a nice touch, and the kink in the windows gives an almost semi-trailer look.
Weirdly, the push button in the door handle is on the passenger side, and clearly got missed in the conversion. That aside, the rear of the truck features LED taillights, an integrated step for easy access, and a ruler imprinted on the tailgate.
The rear tub is protected with a spray-in bed liner, LED lighting and tie-down hooks for added convenience. In terms of load capacity and dimensions, the bed is just under 1700mm wide, 545mm in depth, and 2.0m long (short wheelbase is 300mm shorter).
The payload capacity is 710kg, the GVM is 3265kg, and the towing capacity is 4500kg, making the Ford F-150 a reliable and capable workhorse for various tasks. Inside, there’s plenty of hard plastics, which will disappoint some.
That aside, the cabin is well-designed, with such nice touches as easily accessible grab handles, and knobs for the climate and volume controls. The layout is utilitarian but functional, which works well for practicality.
The cloth seats, which are powered up front, feel premium and are surprisingly plush, with incredible support. In the rear, there’s ample head and knee room, making it easy for even taller individuals to get comfortable. You could even lay across the seats for a kip.
The flat floor provides plenty of space to stretch out, and if you need room to stack stuff back there (once the monstrous tray is full), the rear seats can be raised for additional storage.
Creature comforts include two large cup holders in a drop down console, a 12-volt outlet, a USB-C and USB-A port. For those needing to fit a baby seat, there are ISOFIX anchor points on both outboard seats, as well as top tether points.
The sheer size of the truck also makes fitting a baby seat easy, with plenty of room to store additional items on the floor. Back up front, steering wheel adjustment is manual, but you can adjust the pedals, making it effortless to achieve the perfect driving position.
Seemingly endless storage options abound too, including supersized door bins and cup holders. Notably, the storage compartment in the centre console stands out as one of the largest we’ve seen, capable of storing a laptop.
It’s equipped with USB-C and USB-A ports, and there are a heap of those littered throughout the console, as well as a 12V socket. The split glove box provides additional options, and the armrest that covers the central storage can be converted to a work table.
An 8.0-inch infotainment display and similarly sized semi-digital driver’s display function effectively. The integration of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is welcome too.
In terms of safety, the Ford F150 XLT LWB come equipped with autonomous emergency braking, emergency assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, a reverse camera, cruise control and rear parking sensors.
The party piece though has to be what Ford calls Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which allows for convenient control of the truck when towing. By using a swivel wheel located just left of the steering wheel, drivers can easily manoeuvre the trailer into tight spaces.
But it’s on the road where the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT LWB defies expectations with its driving prowess. Despite sporting a 3.5-litre V6 twin turbo engine in lieu of a traditional V8, this truck still offers 298kW of power and 678Nm of torque.
The 10-speed automatic transmission seamlessly transfers all this power to the rear wheels, allowing the F150 XLT to go from 0 to 100km/h in just over 6.5 seconds. Not only does it pack a punch, but it also offers impressive fuel efficiency.
With its 136-litre tank full, you can average 11-7 to 12.3-litres/100km and expect at least 1000km in travel range from a single fill (unladen, of course). That’s incredible considering the size and weight of this thing.
It excels at long journeys and cruising, providing a smooth and responsive ride. The ample power and torque allows for an impressive blast of acceleration when required, which undoubtably adds to the driving experience.
The precise steering makes manoeuvring through city streets surprisingly easy, although it’s on the highways where it truly shines, feeling much more like its smaller Ranger sibling that a big American pickup.
It does fall short from being perfect when parking though, or when it comes to such tasks as executing a three-point turn, with the latter turning into a cumbersome 100-point manoeuvre.
Off the beaten path, the F-150 is well-equipped with 4H, 4L, and a rear locking diff for when you want to get dirty. The truck’s suspension may feel bouncy on uneven surfaces, but its focus on long-distance driving rather than off-roading is apparent.
Its quiet cabin and massive towing capacity make it a versatile choice, while seven driving modes mean its ready for anything. It’s a formidable powerhouse when you put all the ingredients together.
Priced at $107,950 plus on-roads, it’s a lot of truck for the money. It also makes a lot of sense if you have a big boat or caravan to haul around the countryside. It exudes classic American pickup vibes, and is robust and spacious.
Up against the likes of the RAM 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, it’s certainly worth more than a sideways glance. You can find out more by visiting the Ford Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote on your next vehicle purchase, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Ford Australia for independent review purposes.
