The interior in our mid-range XLT test truck was extremely roomy and comfortable, even for the denizens of the back seat. I’m continually amazed at how much back-seat space is available in this roomy class of crew-cab pickups, even enough for my extra-tall sons to fit comfortably.

The F-150 dashboard is functional and good-looking, with the test truck enhanced by the XLT trim package. (Photo: Bob Golfen)

The big SuperCrew cab takes space out of the cargo bed, which is a fairly short five foot, five inches on this “short-wheelbase” model. You can get bigness all the way around with the 156.5-inch wheelbase version, which has a one-foot longer bed.

The XLT EconBoost test truck started off at a pricey $35,895 and included an XLT chrome package, $1,595; convenience package power driver seat and pedals, and a voice-actuated SYNC system, $950; Max towing package, $940; the $750 engine premium; off-road package, $595; XLT feature package, $495; a rear-view camera; and sundry other bits and pieces.

With $975 shipping, the bottom line came out to a serious $41,520, including $1,500 in feature discounts. And you can still go higher on an F-150 with its luxury models.

The EcoBoost engine is quite a star, and such powerplants could eventually relegate V8s to the realm of hot rods, muscle cars and exotic sports cars. A pretty painless way to conserve, really, so watch for more turbo V6 engines going places where V8s used to be.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door pickup truck, four-wheel drive.
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 420 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic.
Wheelbase: 144.5 inches.
Overall length: 231.9 inches.
Curb weight: 5,625 pounds.
Towing capacity: 11,300 pounds (with optional equipment)
EPA mileage rating: 15 city, 21 highway.

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at