It’s safe to say no full-size pickup has ever employed so much new technology in one splurge. From aerospace materials to the latest electronics and creature comforts, the Ford F-150 defends its jelly beans with more than just reputation. The truck’s sugar cubes are turbos and aluminum, but it’s more than that. It just might be a better truck – at a price. Before you decide to look into the legality of riding in the bed of a pick-up truck you want to view the specs before you decide to buy.

Glancing at the outside, sporting Blue Flame Metallic paint and 18″ chrome wheels, it looks as fresh as a facelift. It’s handsome with its big grille, step bars, LED bed lighting, and streamlined appearance. A flip-down tailgate step and LED bed lights help with the heavy lifting. If you want to add even more utility to the bed of your truck, you may want to consider installing a Peragon bed cover to protect and secure your vehicle’s cargo. Additionally, you’ll recognize Ford’s stepped windowline. But you won’t immediately notice, without tapping nails to metal, the military-grade aluminum body panels – the big story for the new truck.

Replacing steel, aluminum panels save up to 700 lbs. to enhance fuel economy and towing capacity. The truck still rides on a stiff steel frame, so don’t worry about its ability to carry heavy loads. Ford claims the aluminum panels better resist dents, but some owners will not be convinced until proven. And insurance companies note they will cost marginally more to repair. Still, doubters should note the original Hummer and Boeing 777 are made of aluminum. Also keep in mind Ford owned Jaguar and Land Rover when they were pioneering aluminum-intensive body structures. This is no longer rocket science.

You can get the F-150 with non-turbocharged 385 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 or 282 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engines, but that’s not what people buy. A majority of these trucks leave factories with the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost (turbocharged) V6 that kicks out 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Our truck relied instead on a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 325 horsepower, 375 lb.-ft. of torque, and 18/23-MPG city/hwy (with all-wheel-drive). All engines match with six-speed automatic transmissions.

That’s about the smallest engine you’re likely to find in a pickup truck, but the numbers and time behind the wheel show it’s plenty of power for weekend chores and daily commuting. Plus, remember the F-150 is significantly lighter than before, allowing it to match performance with a smaller, more efficient engine. Max towing capacity of 8,500 lbs. and payload up to 2,250 lbs. should do it. If not, pick one of the F-150’s other engines.

Climbing inside, the F-150 is a pleasant place to work and play. Our extended cab with rear-hinged doors has enough space for a couple of kids in the back or adults on short hops. Up front, twin buckets, deep consoles, and USB ports work with glove-friendly knobs for audio and climate control. Sirius Satellite Radio and leather-wrapped steering wheel add pleasure while the rearview camera makes backing easier.

All nice, but there are features our F-150 doesn’t have. Forget about automatic climate control, heated leather seats, sunroof, or touchscreen. There’s no navigation either. Gears are selected the old-fashioned way with a column shifter. Beige canvas seats and hard plastic on every surface will wear well, but do nothing to give the truck an upscale feel. It’s pretty basic.

None of that would bother me given a bargain price, but Ford is asking $43,085 as-tested. You can buy an F-150 for $26,030, but forty-three large is pretty steep for a fairly basic truck with 4×4. However, it offers an aluminum body and powertrains the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan can’t match. So far, that’s kept the better F-150 on top of the sales charts.

Storm Forward!

2015 Ford F-150 Supercab

Five-passenger, 4WD Pickup
Powertrain: 325hp 2.7-liter turbo V6, 6-spd auto trans
Suspension f/r: Ind/Solid axle
Wheels: 19″/19″ alloy f/r
Brakes: disc/disc fr/rr
Must-have features: Interior, powertrain
Towing: 8,500 lbs.
Fuel economy: 18/23 mpg city/hwy
Assembly: Dearborn, MI
Base/as-tested price: $26,030/43,085