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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Ford F150 Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2013 Ford F150 Regular Cab

Overview

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2008 Ford F150 Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

If Ford does one thing better than building tough trucks, it's selling them. Rising fuel prices and a move toward smaller vehicles have forced the company to revise its 2008 F-150 line-up by offering more features and options with an aggressive new pricing strategy. Determined to keep the F-150 America's best-selling pickup, Ford continues to offer a dizzying array of configurations as well as a new 5.4-liter V8 Flex Fuel engine that can run on E85, a blend of 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline. Tough competition from Dodge, as well as new lines from GMC and Chevrolet, will keep the fire under the F-150's tires, which could very well translate into some great deals for the savvy consumer.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you're a pickup-truck kind of person to begin with, but your spouse is not, this truck could very well win him or her over. Bold colors, outrageous trim packages, a lavish interior and the all-American big Blue Oval should win thumbs-up approval.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you like your trucks rough, loud and shaky, this one won't cut it. On a serious note, the 2008 Ford F-150 cannot claim the most horsepower or torque in its class, an important bragging right for some truck owners. Safety-conscious consumers won't care for the lack of side-impact and side-curtain airbags.

What's Significant About This Car?

New options include a factory-installed cargo management system, remote start, manual telescoping trailer mirrors and a rear backup camera which displays its image in the rearview mirror. New trims include the Lariat Limited, STX Wheels and Stripes package and the XL SuperCrew. Fleet buyers can opt for a mid-box cargo container that fits between the cab and the bed.

Driving the F150 Regular Cab

Driving Impressions Power is the name of the game when it comes to full-size trucks, and here Ford has made some significant advances. The Triton 5.4-liter V8 features a three-valve-per-cylinder design and...

variable cam timing to generate 300 horsepower and a healthy 365 pound-feet of torque. A beefed-up version of the 4R75E automatic transmission has been assigned to handle the engine's added muscle. Gone are the long-familiar Ford power steering system and torsion bar front suspension; replacing them are a modern rack-and-pinion steering and front coil-over-shock suspension. The combination of these features makes these the best-handling, best-riding F-150s to ever leave a Ford factory. If you grew up driving older F-150 models (2004 or prior), you'll be duly impressed by the dead-on steering feel and straight-line tracking of today's F-150s.

Favorite Features

Cargo Management System
Installed at the factory, Ford's new Cargo Management System (available only on short-bed Styleside models) consists of two rails, a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar.

Small Rear Door
Regular Cab models have a small rear door to help load items behind the back seat.

2008 Ford F150 Regular Cab Details

Interior

The F-150's interior is as close to car-like as you'll find in any pickup. Not only is the new F-150 better looking inside, it's also more quiet, safe and spacious. The dash and interior design on the base models look good enough, but the addition of leather, wood, chrome and center console-mounted shifter found on the high-end models combine to raise the bar on the plush pickup concept. Seating is firm and upright, and SuperCrew models feature lots of rear legroom and amenities such as DVD-entertainment and power windows.

Exterior

The 2008 Ford F-150 carries over with only minor exterior upgrades. The recently redesigned shapely Ford body, egg-crate grille and Blue Oval badging remain intact, surrounded by some new chrome trim and a crop of fresh new colors. The F-150's silhouette is easy to spot, thanks to its tall bed wall (about two inches taller than the previous-generation F-150). Though it looks different, some may find the tall bed walls make it difficult to reach a toolbox from the side of the truck. The Regular Cab features a set of small, rear-hinged doors that allow easy access to the narrow space behind the front seat. Those who like to have as much fresh air in the cabin as possible will appreciate the SuperCab's optional rear roll-down windows, a first in this segment.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The base F-150 has a 202-horsepower V6, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), 26-gallon fuel tank, AM/FM stereo, dual side mirrors, vinyl split-bench seat, tilt wheel, power steering, locking tailgate and 17-inch steel wheels.

Optional Equipment

The F-150 offers numerous trim levels, engine choices and bed and cab lengths. Notable options include a 300-horsepower 5.4-liter Triton V8, power seats, power windows, power locks, remote entry, keypad unlocking system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, leather seats, DVD navigation, trailer and towing packages, power sliding rear window, cruise control, power moonroof, Reverse Sensing System, limited-slip differential, 35.7-gallon fuel tank, Rearview back-up camera, mechanical or automatic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, power-adjustable pedals and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Under the Hood

Base Regular Cab models are powered by a tepid but fuel-efficient (for a big truck) V6. We don't recommend this engine for towing or hauling heavy loads. The 4.6-liter V8 engine might save you some money, but it, too, seems to lack the punch this truck deserves. We prefer the 300-horsepower 5.4-liter V8, which has the power to move, haul and tow that fits this truck's can-do image.

4.2-liter V6
202 horsepower @ 4350 rpm
260 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19 (manual), 14/19 (automatic)

4.6-liter V8
248 horsepower @ 4750 rpm
294 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 (2WD), 13/17 (4WD)

5.4-liter V8
300 horsepower @ 5000 rpm
365 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/17 (2WD Gasoline), 10/13 (2WD E85),
12/16 (4WD Gasoline), 9/12 (4WD E85)

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Ford F150 Regular Cab vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2008 Ford F150 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 2233 Ratings for the 2004 - 2008 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.0/10
Comfort

9.2/10

Styling

9.3/10

good all around truck

By smtngearhead (GA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great handling, strong engine, can haul anything"

Cons: "Hard to reach into the bed from the outside"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"My last truck was a GM,it got stuck easy and just the slightest load in the bed would make the truck squat. My F150 has never gotten stuck and I have put some good sized loads in the bed and it doesn't even grunt. The truck has been very reliable only needing the alternator replaced last year."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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good all around truck

By smtngearhead (GA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great handling, strong engine, can haul anything"

Cons: "Hard to reach into the bed from the outside"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

Was this review helpful to you? yes | no | report abuse

good all around truck

By smtngearhead (GA) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great handling, strong engine, can haul anything"

Cons: "Hard to reach into the bed from the outside"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

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"MY" F150

By Forresto (AL) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 211,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 8/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "Powerful, Stylish, Aggressive, Reliable."

Cons: "MPG."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I am 17 years old. You may not take this seriously because of my age, but I have a pretty good knowledge of motor vehicles. Everything done to my F150 I have done myself. It is a very reliable vehicle. I have had to change the coilpacks on the plugs once and had to change the front driverside hub, but besides that it hasn't wronged me. It is a powerful truck having the 5.4 Triton 3V. Having around 300 HP and 345 FT/LBS torque. One thing is that I just wish it got closer to 20 MPG. It is a tough truck. I have taken it places where it did not belong during hunting season, but just by shifting into neutral and turning the knob to 4L I pulled out of any sloppy situation, It has never left me stranded. It is very spacious having a lot of leg room front and back. It is fairly stylish, It is overall a good truck."

5 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Great TRUCK!

By Greg (GA) on Tuesday, April 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 185,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "TOUGH TRUCK!"

Cons: "Fuel milage runs about 15mpg."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I bought this truck new in 2004. I have had not problems with it other than the driver side window mechanism broke and had to be replaced at 120,000 miles. I manage a 340 acre and a 62 acre farm with the truck. It has worked for a living not just looked pretty. I routinely pull a 20ft twin axle trailer with 11,000 plus in tractor, trailer and emplement weight with no problem. I also pull ferterlizer wagons of 4 plus tons. This is one tough truck. Ford lives up to their advertizing."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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I love my truck

By jaybo06 (TX) on Tuesday, April 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 111,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great price, fits my lifestyle"

Cons: "has a rattle sound and had a started issue"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I love my truck. I have had no problems with it except a small issue dealing with the starter. I would recommend if it comes with the p235/70r17 tires to change them for the p255/65r17 they look better and ride better on this truck. Overall I love my truck."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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See all 2233 reviews