Rental Car Review: 2016 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5 Ecoboost

"Boaty" (boaty1) 03/25/2016 at 10:16 • Filed to: rental car review, 2016 ford f150, ecoboooooooost

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Hello! Welcome to another round of Boaty’s rental car review! Before we get going, let’s recap the hints I gave you in yesterday’s “what did I rent?” Post. Your hints are:

Quintessentially American (seriously, like the most American vehicle ever)

Is made out of a revolutionary material (for its class) with a revolutionary engine (for its class)

The 13th generation came out in 2015

Do you know what it is? You’re right! It is a 2016 Ford F150. More specifically it’s a 2016 Ford F150 Lariat FX4 4x4 with the 3.5L Ecoboost V6 engine that has an MSRP of $50,685 or so (more on that later).

Now this isn’t the first 13th generation F150 I’ve rented but this is the first one with the larger Ecoboost engine. It’s also the first one I’ve rented that was a Lariat with leather and the newly released SYNC 3 system. All in all it was a pretty sweet truck but it does have some pretty glaring flaws in my book. Read on for my thoughts.

The good:

I have never been a Ford-fanboy but I have to say that the Ecoboost 3.5 is an amazing engine. The torque is out of this world and in terms of everyday drivability, it’s truly excellent to have. I DD a Ram with the Hemi and it’s nowhere near as quick in daily driving compared to the huge 420 torques coming out of the Ecoboost. The transmission isn’t anything to write home about (I like it more than the GM 6-speed unit) but with so much mid range grunt, it really doesn’t need to do much. In 2016 a 6 speed isn’t anything to write home about. I can’t wait to see what happens with the new 10 speed that’s coming out in the 2017 Raptor.

I had to move a couple pallets of inventory for work and even with 2k pounds in the bed, the engine handled it great. Once the suspension is compressed a little bit it’s quite comfy but with an empty bed it is a bit too harsh. Ford should take a note from the Ram playbook and either offer airbags or coil overs in order to make the unloaded driving a bit more comfortable. I do believe Ford’s claims for towing and and hauling which is more than I can say for other vehicles I’ve driven. This thing as a truck is stout.

Inside the truck is nice. The new SYNC 3 system is a million times better than the outgoing system and is something I actually enjoyed using. The leather is nice and soft, the stock radio is acceptable, and the screen between the gauges is awesome and has quite a few different readouts that tell you what the truck is doing. There’s a turbo boost gauge in there too which is fun to look at as you get in and out of the throttle. This truck also had the newly-released and optional (we’ll talk about options later…) trailer controller dial which I didn’t get to use but it seems like a nice idea. It is a little weird though that you get a trailer backing system but it’s not combined with the trailer brakes (which are extra). I’ve towed a ton of trailers in the past and generally don’t have issues with backing them up, but I’m sure this new system is a godsend for those folks that don’t tow often.

Other than that, it’s a decent truck but it’s not without its flaws. Read on below for my take on the biggest ones.

The bad:

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room - the price. As optioned, my F150 is $50,685 which is quite a bit of money for a truck. I think the F150 holds the title for the largest price range of any vehicle. Let me explain: the cheapest version of the F150 starts at $26,430. Sure, you don’t get a lot of features but it’s a vehicle that does its job quite well for that amount of skrilla. On the other end of the spectrum, you can option out an F150 to $66,650 which is just ridiculous money for a pickup truck. Now I know that at that level, the Platinum model is competing with various luxury sedans in terms of quality and toys but that’s still quite a bit of money for a truck that likely won’t be used as a proper truck.

So, let’s see what a $50,685 Lariat doesn’t have which to me is quite surprising:

Wheel well covers (?! - who does this? especially when your company is based in the rust belt…?)

Rear radar sensors to tell you how close you are when reversing

A center console (it comes standard with a 40/20/40 folding bench)

Navigation ($795 for a software change - really?)

Sunroof

Trailer brakes (not a big deal but it comes with the trailer steering system, why no brakes?)

Blind spot warning system

Radar guided cruise control

Bed step

Remote start (!)

110V electrical outlet

Automatic wipers

20’’ rims

If you wanted all of that on the Lariat, you’d have to pony up an additional $11,000 for features that a lot of other manufacturers are including at much lower costs. I understand that the incremental cost on Ford’s side of things is quite low but $11k is a lot of money for things that shouldn’t be optional once you’re in the $50,000 range. Just for giggles, I went over to Ram’s website and tried to find what I could get included for $50k. Just about everything listed above was included minus the bed step and the radar guided cruise control. Those are things a lot of people can live without but at this point, is the Ford worth $11k more when comparing Lariat to Laramie models? I don’t think so…

Outside of nickel and diming, there are a few other issues I have with the Ford. The first and most annoying is that everytime I put it into reverse, it beeps like a commercial vehicle. I have not been able to find a way to turn that off and frankly it drives me fucking crazy. I guess it’s a 102 dB commercial-grade beeping unit that in a personal (non-commercial) vehicle is absolutely 100% unnecessary. Also, in their infinite wisdom, Ford doesn’t allow you to turn it off - you have to physically unplug the system. That’s absolutely crazy and is something they should really look at getting rid of…

Other little niggles include the steering being a bit too light and the turning circle being a bit too big, the ride is too harsh when there isn’t a load in the bed (something Dodge definately got right in the coil-sprung Ram 1500), the 6-speed transmission is old (but that should be replaced by the 10-speed from the Raptor in the next few years) and when it’s cold or wet, the rear tires light up by just thinking about hitting the gas. That last one isn’t a major problem but just something I observed over the week I had the truck.

The verdict:

All in all I think the F150 is a good truck that just needs some tweaking. The mechanicals are on point and really make it a hoot to drive - especially with the intoxicating torque range that comes when the turbos spool up. The transmission is pretty good for a 6 speed and the locking rear differential is handy - especially if you live in Colorado which just got hit with a big blizzard. I have no doubt that it can haul and tow as much as they say it can and think that as a truck, it’s a bestseller for good reason. As a truck it’s awesome.

As a luxury truck it falls a little short in my book, especially in the Lariat trim level. I just feel like too much stuff is optional for something that positions itself as being a class leader. It feels like just a few years ago, the Lariat was the top-of-the-line trim that had all the bells and whistles. Nowadays in an effort to make more money and sell more trucks, they had to downgrade the Lariat model in order to make room for the Limited and Platinum models above it. In doing that I’m sure they’re making more money but they’ve lost me with the ridiculous pricing and lack of standard features on the lower levels. I have no doubt that the Platinum model with all the bells and whistles (and wheel wells) would be an awesome truck that could rival some luxury cars for features and comfort. I just don’t think it’s worth $66k to get there - especially when you can get almost all the bells and whistles from other manufacturers for significantly less. I’m torn though, the other manufacturers don’t have that engine...

So, have you drive a new F150? Your thoughts? Do you like luxury trucks or wish we went back to the olden days where they were used for actual work?

Here’s my video review if you’re bored and like moving pictures:

BaronBoaty (not his real name or title) is a consultant that lives in Denver but travels all over the country for work. He travels nearly every week and therefore spends a considerable amount of time in rental cars. Since he’s a car guy (and plane guy and motorcycle guy) and he occasionally writes about the cars that he rents and life in general. Recently he has also started recording YouTube reviews of certain cars. You can find him on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , his !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and via !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! if you want to talk.

Oh, I actually did real work with the truck this last week:

jimz > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 10:28

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Navigation ($795 for a software change - really?)

it’s more than a software change; if you don’t add nav at build time, the vehicle lacks the GPS module it needs. but with Carplay and Android Auto support coming, does it really matter?

Wheel well covers (?! - who does this? especially when your company is based in the rust belt…?)

aluminum doesn’t rust.

Do you like luxury trucks or wish we went back to the olden days where they were used for actual work?

they are used for “actual work.” people buying loaded-up Platinums and King Ranches doesn’t prevent you or me from buying an XL with no power windows or locks or cruise control.

cazzyodo > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 10:29

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Been meaning to check out how the new ones are. I hold a soft spot in my heart for white F-150 Lariats...but nothing will ever fill the void.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 10:37

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Thanks for the review. I’m not much of a Ford guy, but this new F150 seems pretty sweet. I’m still not sure how I feel about the aluminum construction. But I have to say, it looks like it handles that load pretty good, though I have no idea how heavy those pallets are.

Funny story - When I was in the Navy we had an older F150 in our motor pool with the 4.0L V6 and it was a dog even unloaded. One day my supervisor wanted me get rid of these pallets of old dot-matrix printer paper that had been languishing in the back of the warehouse for like 30 years. He told me to put them in the truck and take them to the recycling center on base. Each pallet weighed 2840lbs and I told him I was pretty sure that exceeded the trucks GVW but he didn’t care. That poor old F150 was never the same after that.

Svend > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 10:37

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What’s with the varied shades of brown vertical lines behind the grab handles on the doors? It looks out of place and awful.

Boaty > Svend 03/25/2016 at 10:43

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It’s a wood trim feature that this truck had. It actually doesn’t look so bad in person and is of reasonably good quality but I see exactly where you’re coming from.

Boaty > Snuze: Needs another Swede 03/25/2016 at 10:45

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I’m not much of a Ford guy either but this latest one is moving my feelings in the right direction. The load was about 3k pounds. Way more than you’re supposed to tow but not really something I cared about lol (the job had to get done... and it’s not my truck).

I think the engine is great and it’s a stout truck but obviously there are a few niggles that I had with the cost and features.

Boaty > jimz 03/25/2016 at 10:51

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I didn’t think about the aluminum doesn’t rust side of things. I still think that for the sake of keeping gunk and grim off of the undercarriage and other components that they would spring for the extra $1 for those wells. Especially on an otherwise pretty loaded truck.

Yeah my point for the GPS was that it looked like it was just a software update holding it back. That’s been the case for a while (especially with the older SYNC system) that it literally is an SD card with the map information. I never use GPS in a vehicle (as you said, people have phones) but sometimes it’s nice to have a map always up while driving around.

I was indicating that most people don’t use the luxury versions of these trucks for actual work. I’m fully aware that a good portion of the sales come from the beater XL or XLT models. I did find it interesting that in a reasonably luxurious work-truck you don’t get some of the features (110V power, console, reverse radar sensors, trailer brakes) that I would imagine are quite useful for a work truck. If they’re optional on the Lariat I would imagine that they’re optional (and more expensive) on the XL and XLT - once again going to my point of nickel and diming for things you’d hope were standard.

shop-teacher > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 11:03

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No remote start on a vehicle that is over $50k is freaking rediculous!

Svend > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 11:06

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‘Feature’? It looks like four swatches of wood effect placed vertically on the doors alone. It doesn’t appear to have any on the dashboard or anywhere else. They should either do it properly or not at all.

Birddog > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 11:15

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“Do you like luxury trucks or wish we went back to the olden days where they were used for actual work?”

Pickups haven’t been used solely for work since the 1940s. So, no I’d really not want to go back to that.

jimz > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 11:17

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all these things you want “standard” would drive up the price of the truck. the thing is, the F-150 has a large body, and changing from steel to aluminum was a huge cost hit. they’re not a charity, so they’ve got to figure out some way to make money on these things.

That’s been the case for a while (especially with the older SYNC system) that it literally is an SD card with the map information.

that’s just it, though. it’s not “just software.” The SD card holds the map data, but if the truck lacks the GPSM then it has no idea where you are on that map.

jimz > Snuze: Needs another Swede 03/25/2016 at 11:18

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Kenworth has been making Class 7 truck bodies out of aluminum for years.

Boaty > Svend 03/25/2016 at 11:30

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Great point and now that I think back to it it is a little half-assed that they didn’t do much more than that.

Boaty > jimz 03/25/2016 at 11:34

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I only want them standard on the expensive models. I completely understand that reasoning behind having the stripper models with the option packages that people can us to customize for their needs. What I had a hard time wrapping my head around was all the stuff that was extra on a truck that I already consider to be quite expensive. I guess they can do it because people will continue to pay for it and they obviously have to make a profit but my point was that for $50k you don’t actually get a whole lot of those little features that are standard on other trucks in this price range. That’s all I was getting at.

Boaty > Birddog 03/25/2016 at 11:34

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Haha, that’s fair. I like the perks and options on the more expensive trucks too but there is something to be said for an honest bare-bones truck built just to work.

Boaty > shop-teacher 03/25/2016 at 11:35

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Yep! That one blew my mind the most I think.

Pickup_man > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 12:12

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Full disclosure, I’m a little bit of a Ford fanboy, but I try to remain as unbiased as possible.

I’ve driven a couple of these trucks in various trims and share a few of your issues, but not all. Wheel well liners? Meh, they’re a cheap option if you want them, and the truck’s made of aluminum, not a lot to worry about unless you really hate a little dirt in the crevices. Navigation? Yeah, for $795, that’s ridiculous.

Yes the leaf springs ride a little firmer than coils, but what they give up in comfort they make up for in payload. Apples to Apples (crew cab, 5.5' box) F-150 Payload - 2060 lbs , Ram 1500 payload - 1452 lbs .

I feel like your pricing is a bit off as well. I optioned up an F-150 with everything you wanted minus the sunroof, and 20" wheels (which honestly with the FX4 package you don’t want 20's) and all options came in at $5,660, not $11,000. For a total MSRP of $53,985. I also optioned up a Ram to as close as I could to the F-150 and came up with a price of $49,720. A $4,265 difference. Up to you to decide if the difference is worth it, personally, I’d still take the Ford.

Good review, I didn’t mean to try and tear it apart, just gotta defend my favorite truck a little.

wantafuncar > Birddog 03/25/2016 at 12:24

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Yes, but there was a sweet spot there in the 80's (maybe even 90's) where trucks had some basic options like a/c and power windows, but you could still get a manually shifted transfer case and a rubber floor mat if you wanted it... and where a basic truck was on par with the price of a well-optioned compact.

Boaty > Pickup_man 03/25/2016 at 12:34

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Hey no worries man, thanks for double checking the math for me. I had added the 502A package as it contained just about everything I thought I needed for the comparison between the Ford and the Ram. Adding in other things like the sunroof and the 20" rims is what got me to that ~11k difference but obviously depending on what you want you can make the gap smaller.

I have a Ram at home so I may be a tiny bit biased towards it but I agree that you can certainly haul more with the leaf springs in the Ford. The Ford’s not a bad truck for what it is and what it can do. It was just really surprising to me that 1, it was significantly more expensive ($5k-10k depending on options and what not) and 2, seemed to not have everything I would’ve imagined/wanted out of an expensive vehicle like that.

Everyone’s going to have differing opinions on the situation and that’s totally fine. I just appreciate folks taking the time to read mine and let me know their thoughts.

Birddog > wantafuncar 03/25/2016 at 13:47

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I remember the days of strippo trucks. They were only hot sellers for Fleets though. No air, manual trans, AM or no Radio and vinyl seats? Sure, if you’re not driving it daily. Otherwise it was a miserable place to be.

Pistol Whipped Cream > Boaty 03/25/2016 at 17:31

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oh hey timestamp....didn’t see you there.

Smoking Is Cool > Pickup_man 03/25/2016 at 17:32

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Thanks for the helpful review. I’ve had an Avalanche and now a Lariat and I miss the Avalanche’s extra storage quite a bit. If a heavily optioned Ram is a lot cheaper I might go that way next. The Rambox looks pretty cool.

Smoking Is Cool > shop-teacher 03/25/2016 at 17:34

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A remote starter is only about $300 installed at Best Buy. Not worth it as a dealer option. Remember the old days of after market sun roofs? Now those are best from the factory!

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Boaty 03/26/2016 at 17:13

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I’m confused by the beeping you said you heard when putting the truck into reverse. Where did you rent the truck from? It’s possible that company installed that. I ride in brand new F-150's every single day at work (Ford dealer tech) and never hear this beeping.

Boaty > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey 03/27/2016 at 00:23

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Really? That’s interesting. I rented from National and when I looked online it seems like there were civilians that had the same issue. It was the most annoying/aggravating thing ever.

Boaty > Pistol Whipped Cream 03/27/2016 at 00:24

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Damn, what’s with you Oppos and the timestamps lol? The camera I was using said it was turned off but obviously that’s not the case. I may just have to start taking pics with my cell phone so y’all quit bitching about them lol.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Boaty 03/27/2016 at 08:11

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Yeah, I’ve never heard them before. The only beeping I hear regularly is the Rear Park Assist, which you said this truck didn’t have. I have no clue how many of these I’ve driven total, but I have yet to hear it. Do you still have the truck?

Pistol Whipped Cream > Boaty 03/28/2016 at 11:44

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eh, we just like giving people a hard time. If it wasn’t the timestamp, it would have been something else.