MSRP: $17,900 - $40,205
Invoice: $16,818 - $36,203
MPG: 14 City / 20 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:8.4
Performance:7.3
Exterior:7.6
Interior:7.5
Safety:NA
Reliability:10.0
Pros and Cons
  • Smooth, responsive handling
  • Comfortable and customizable interior
  • Confidence-inspiring safety scores
  • Not enough power for its size
  • Outdated four-speed automatic transmission
  • Staid and unexciting exterior

Prices

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Ford F-150 - What the Auto Press Says

The F-150 delivers smooth handling and a comfortable, accommodating cab, but some reviewers say it is underpowered and has uninspired exterior styling.

Once the best selling vehicle in America, the 2008 Ford F-150 is a solid, capable pickup truck that offers a nice ride and a comfortable interior; high gas prices, however, have caused truck buyers to desert the F-150 for smaller, more economical rides. Still for those that need a truck, reviewers say the   F-150 is a well-rounded. Automotive.com says it "delivers a strong combination of style, interior comfort, performance, ride and handling."

However, the F-150 is part of a highly competitive class where its staid exterior and weak power make it less appealing. In a five-way comparison, Car and Driver places the F-150 fifth, behind the Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan and Chevrolet Silverado, explaining, "This truck feels heavy" and calling it "hindmost in acceleration."  A 2009 redesign was highly anticipated and sought to adress these shortcomings until slow truck sales and a stagnant economy caused Ford to delay the redesigned truck's introduction.  Now, buyers who don't mind the 2008 F-150 will find themselves in an excellent negotiating position, provided they don't mind spending what they saved at the dealership to fill the F-150's fuel tank. 

The F-150 is available with three different engines -- a 4.2-liter V6, a 4.6-liter V8 or a 5.4-liter V8; three different bed lengths -- 5.5, 6.5 or eight feet, and six different trim levels -- XL, STX, XLT, FX2/FX4, Lariat and King Ranch. A special edition Harley Davidson model is also available. Since the F-150 was significantly redesigned just last year, changes for 2008 are minimal.

If you're in the market for a full-size pickup, consider the strong performance of a Chevy Silverado, or the appreciated style of Nissan's Titan.

  • "Slightly upstaged by newcomers, the F-150 is still a favorite, with 30 years of full-size pickup sales leadership. Quiet, smooth, and comfortable, it offers a broad range of engines…and impressive payload and towing capabilities." -- Car and Driver
  • "The Ford F-150 comes in a broad range of models, yet they all seem to have nicely balanced suspensions that make them enjoyable to drive and well-designed, comfortable cabs." -- Automotive.com
  • "A utilitarian truck that can go to the construction site, haul plenty of lumber for weekend projects, beat its way through bad weather and rough terrain, but also provide a family of six with all the comforts of a luxury SUV." -- Boston Globe

F-150 Performance - 7.3 (Good)

According to our analysis, the 2008 Ford F-150's power is somewhat hindered by its weight. Still, the truck does impress reviewers with its smooth ride. U.S. News' Rick Newman says, "It's no Mercedes, to be sure, but the F-150's highway ride is almost carlike, with very little of the springy bouncing that's typical in some trucks." Read More

F-150 Exterior - 7.6 (Good)

Auto writers say the 2008 F-150's exterior styling is more refined than some of its competitors, but is also a bit staid. Read More

F-150 Interior - 7.5 (Good)

Impressions vary widely concerning the 2008 Ford F-150's many styles and trim levels, so the truck's interior isn't up to par with most of its class. Read More

F-150 Safety - NA

The 2008 Ford F-150 does very well in federal government crash tests. It comes with the safety features expected of trucks in its class, but lacks side air bags. Read More

F-150 Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)

The 2008 Ford F-150 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The F-150 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty. Read More

Review Last Updated: 3/10/09