Ford made four notable improvements to its popular F-150 pickup to keep it atop the full-size heap for 2027 with a new base engine, exterior updates, two new affordable variants, and upgraded BlueCruise technology.
The automaker swapped the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 base engine for a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6. The company admits there’s no gain in power — it’s still 325 horsepower — but it sees up to an 11% boost in torque to about 440 lb-ft, which is important when you’re towing a heavy object or trying to pull a tree stump out of the ground. The new engine can tow up to 8,400 pounds, officials say.
The rest of the powertrain lineup remains unchanged for 2027:
· 5.0-liter V8 (400 hp/410 lb-ft torque)
· 3.5-liter EcoBoost (400 hp/500 lb-ft torque, towing at 13,500 pounds)
· 3.5- liter PowerBoost Hybrid (570 lb-ft torque, available 2.4kW, available 7.2 kW Pro Power Onboard)
The truck’s King Ranch and Platinum trims can be equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 engine for the first time in four years. It is now available on all trim levels. It’s a mainstay in the portfolio and popular among owners who regularly tow boats or campers.
Driving, and Looking, Good
The exterior updates come on the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims, and they’re more evolutionary than revolutionary. They all receive distinctive grilles and new wheels for the new model year. The changes, according to Ford officials, were largely dictated by customers who said “they wanted a modern spin on a familiar face” without any sacrifices to performance or reliability.
Ford also announced a partnership with industrial clothing maker Carhartt, which resulted in a new F-150 Carhartt model. This variant rides on 20-inch wheels, and the Carhartt name can be found in various spots on the exterior, including the lower rocker and tailgate, as well as the logo on the F-150’s fender vents.
On the inside, the Carhartt name is stitched into the headrest and embossed into the floor mats. Carhartt’s work-ready influence continues with two-toned Carhartt-themed seat covers designed to handle tough jobs and rough days, along with updated door trim panels, a center console lid, and a steering wheel featuring accent stitching. There is no change in performance, and the Carhartt package adds $4,195, with the F-150 Carhartt starting at $62,600 plus destination fees.
Affordable Performance
Ford’s push to be an off-road performance leader gets a boost for the 2027 model year with two new, more affordable models. The entry-level F-150 Tremor and the Raptor supertruck provide off-road-ready vehicles using equipment from less expensive trim levels.
For example, the new Tremor Low comes equipped with the STX trim’s steering wheel, manual air conditioning is standard instead of dual-zone climate control, heated front seats are out, six audio speakers instead of eight from B&O, off-road running boards are nixed, and there is just fixed rear glass instead of a power sliding window. However, it does knock $5,300 off the price of the previous model. The new model starts at $65,195.
The Raptor receives similar treatment with the head-up display, fog lamps, 2-kilowatt-hour Pro Power Onboard generator, mobile office package, power passenger seat, and under-seat storage all deleted. It also has a manually adjustable steering column instead of a powered version and eight speakers instead of 14. But it is $4,000 less than the 2026 Raptor, which starts at $80,595.
The most affordable 2027 F-150, the XL Regular Cab 4×2 version, starts at $40,585 including destination fees — a $500 increase compared with the 2026 model’s base price.
Easier to Tow
Ford made it easier to tow with the 2027 model by updating its semi-autonomous BlueCruise technology to support towing. It does have restrictions, however. The technology will not engage if the vehicle’s towing limit is exceeded, according to Kevin Wegienka, BlueCruise Core Development Manager. It also will not drive faster than 75 mph.
He also noted that it will work with the driver to correct trailer sway and then not exceed the speed at which the swaying began, it will simply inform the driver to put their hands on the wheel and it will not reengage. It will also not work when driving through construction zones. Wegienka noted that 75% of F-150 owners use their trucks to tow, most often a boat or a camper.
“We tested in as many real-world scenarios as we could to make sure that we launched quality, and we did this with a wide variety of trailers,” he noted. Drivers are required to enter the specifications, i.e., weight, length, height, of what’s being towed to use BlueCruise. He noted the focus was on ensuring the experience was safe and convenient.
Officials noted the company said towing is now part of BlueCruise. “We’re not gatekeeping this. If you have BlueCruise, you have BlueCruise with towing.”
