| First Drive | Los Angeles, USA | 2012 Ford F-150 |
Key Facts
Model tested: 2012 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCab EcoBoost
Pricing: £38,000 (approximately - after import)
Engine: 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost
Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: double cab pick-up truck
Rivals: Chevy Silverado and Dodge RAM (USA), Nissan Navara (UK)
Combined economy: 23mpg (approximately)
0-62mph: 6.1 seconds (estimated)
Power: 365bhp at 5,000rpm
Torque: 420lb.ft at 2,500rpm
In the Metal: 
Ten different variants of the 2012 Ford F-150 are available, with the Lariat version tested sporting a six-person 'SuperCab' body with rear-opening back doors. It's an imposing beast up close due to its size and, ignoring the awkward and huge side mirrors, has a simple blend of understated toughness and style with a chrome front grille and 18-inch alloy wheels. Even so, it looks a hell of a lot more like a serious work tool than a family car.
The US do big, spacious and cosseting interiors very well, and this F-150 had the full upgrade treatment with acres of leather and wood trim for the dash and door inserts: far more relevant to a weekend-tripping family than mud-encrusted workmen. It can seat three in the back and three up front, with this third seat easily folded down into a central armrest if preferred. Up front at least, head, elbow and backside room would accommodate even the most obese. Ford has a huge range of F-150s, and the interior can be luxury SUV salubrious rather than utilitarian if you spend the cash.
Driving it:
Four-wheel drive F-150s are the go for those using a truck as nature intended, but this rear-drive 4x2 is the choice for tarmac trips. Its trump card is Ford's 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost petrol engine with twin turbochargers; it's a treat of a power plant that has no trouble pulling the near 2.5-tonne truck along. Acceleration is impressively diesel-like thanks to 90 per cent of its 420lb.ft torque available from 1,700rpm, and with 365bhp it has more power than the basic 5.0-litre V8 engine Ford offers in the F-150. The quick-spooling V6 engine feels refined and smooth as well as damn fast through a hard-to-fault six-speed automatic, making it easy to forget you're piloting a truck at times.
Until you hit the corners or try to park the beast, that is. Americans use these trucks for sitting loftily above traffic, cruise-controlling on freeways, towing giant caravans or occasionally a bit of hauling. They don't take them around bends too often. As America's best-selling vehicle (cars included) it must be judged in all conditions, and if people buy the F-150 and expect it to handle like a car - or even an SUV - they're in for a shock.
It constantly reminds you it's a high-riding, large and heavy machine. It wallows and lurches in corners when pushed, and while the electrically assisted power steering is great for low-speed manoeuvres, there's minimal feel through the steering wheel when out on the road. Its length makes it a chore to park and turn as well, while economy, even without the V8 heavy drinker, is still around 23mpg: how could anyone live with one of these in a city?
What you get for your Money:
Considering these F-150s start at only $23,000 (£15,000) in America the entry-level choice is a bit wanting. Our test Lariat starts at $35,000 (£23,000) and provides leather-trimmed seats, 4.2-inch LCD screen, Roll Stability Control, superb towing ability, unlimited room for shopping in the back and monster fuel bills as standard.
Worth Noting
Why mess around with a run-of-the-mill F-150? If you want to import one and really get noticed, consider the F-150 SVT Raptor. Now this is a proper off-road weapon, with a 411bhp 6.2-litre V8, Fox Racing suspension, front bash-plate and all-terrain tyres. Oh, and about 15mpg when driving sensibly.
Summary
In a country the size and importance of America, it is impossible to ignore the vehicle it makes its best-seller each year. Shifting over half-a-million of these F-150s annually, Ford obviously has a winning formula for its American buyers, but today, more than ever, an F-150 makes little sense in Europe. If you've got five tonnes you need to tow regularly by all means import one (with upgrades the F-150 has a towing capacity of over 5,000kg), and this V6 EcoBoost engine is the pick of the range, with V8-esque performance and a decent stab at economy.
