Used 2023 Ford F150 Super Cab

The full-size pickup truck segment is one of the most competitive in the automotive world, and the perennial sales king of the class is the Ford F-150. It’s a best-seller for good reasons. It offers truck buyers just about everything they could want (except a diesel engine), whether you want a humble work truck, an off-road beast, a finely-tailored luxury vehicle, or anything in between.

And, once again, the F-150 is this year’s Full-Size Truck Best Buy.

Some significant upgrades for 2023 include the supercharged V8-powered Raptor R, a Heritage Edition celebrating 75 years of the F-Series, and a Rattler Package offering off-road style and capability at an affordable price point. The chief rivals of the F-150 are the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500.

The all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning is reviewed separately.

The driving experience of the F-150 can vary greatly depending on the configuration. For example, the XL model with a single cab and the base V6 engine drives differently than the 450-horsepower Raptor.

However, generally speaking, the Ford F-150 delivers a smooth and comfortable ride. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a big pickup truck, which means it can be tricky to maneuver in tight spaces, but it’s a bit more agile and refined than you might expect for a full-size truck.

The more traditional engine options are the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines. There aren’t any surprises with these trusty engines, which is good if you’re looking for familiarity.

We’re partial to the EcoBoost engines, comprising 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 options. The 2.7-liter engine prioritizes efficiency, while the 3.5-liter engine makes more power and torque, translating to greater capabilities. There’s also a hybrid turbo V6 available if you’re looking for the best fuel economy.

The F-150 Raptor uses a unique tuning of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 to make 450 horsepower for stellar off-road performance. A more budget-friendly alternative to the Raptor is the Tremor, which is still an excellent off-roader with the style to match. A new little brother to the off-road F-150 models is the Rattler Package for the XL trim, which adds the 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, 4-wheel drive (4WD), and various off-road upgrades like an electronic locking rear differential, an off-road suspension, skid plates, and more.

The interior of the Ford F-150 is practical and functional, but it’s also comfortable and high-tech. Whether you’re looking for a stripped-down work truck with vinyl seats or an opulent luxury vehicle with massaging leather seats, there’s an F-150 for you. A wide variety in the model range allows you to choose your level of luxury and technology.

The F-150 has three cab options: a regular cab, SuperCab extended cab, or SuperCrew crew cab. The regular cab is only available with the XL and XLT trims, the SuperCab is available up through the Lariat trim, and the King Ranch model and up are SuperCrew-only. The backseats of the SuperCrew models are roomy and comfortable, suitable for family use.

Like the interior of the F-150, there’s a ton of visual variety for the exterior of this truck. Depending on the trim, the look can change quite a bit. For example, the off-road-ready Tremor and Raptor models have a more rugged appearance, while the luxurious King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models are on the fancier side. Meanwhile, the humble XL and XLT models have the dignified look of a work truck.

There are a couple of new option packages for the 2023 model year. A special Heritage Edition celebrates the 75th anniversary of the F-150 with five different two-tone paint options available, unique 20-inch wheels, and a white “75 Years” upper windshield logo. A new Rattler Edition available for the XL trim has “Rattler” box-side decals and fender vent badges, black dual exhaust tips, and 18-inch dark-painted aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.

As for the size of the F-150, it’s in line with the full-size pickup truck class with dimensions similar to its rivals from GM and Ram.

Class-leading capabilities
Ford claims the title of best-in-class available towing and payload capacities for the F-150. It tows up to 14,000 pounds with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and carries a payload of up to 3,325 pounds with the 5.0-liter V8.

Mechanical variety
The F-150 has six distinct engine options (seven if you count the Raptor tuning as its own engine). This variety helps you find the perfect balance of performance, capability, and efficiency to fit your needs.

Luxurious upper trims
The King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims of the F-150 will make you think you’ve stepped inside a luxury vehicle. Premium available features in the upper trims include massaging leather seats, the Pro Power Onboard generator, power running boards, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and much more.

Rugged off-road models
Even if you don’t have the budget for a Raptor or Raptor R, there are multiple models in the F-150 range. The Tremor model has 33-inch all-terrain tires and an upgraded suspension, and the new Rattler Package is even more affordable while offering off-road style and capability.

BlueCruise hands-free driving
The BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system allows for hands-free driving in “Blue Zones” mapped by Ford, covering over 130,000 miles in North America. It’s optional on the Tremor, King Ranch, and Platinum trims and standard on Limited.

SYNC 4
The user-friendly SYNC 4 infotainment system with an 8-inch screen and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes standard on the F-150. It’s upgradeable to a bigger 12-inch screen with navigation, which is optional in the XLT model and standard in the Lariat trim and up.

A wide variety of engines is one of the many strong suits of the Ford F-150. The base engine is a 3.3-liter V6 that’s a good value for its efficiency and affordability. An old-fashioned 5.0-liter V8 is available if you’re looking for reliable horsepower.

There are two turbocharged EcoBoost engines available for the F-150. The more efficient of the two is a 2.7-liter V6, while a bigger 3.5-liter V6 is more performance-oriented, especially in the Raptor.

The hybrid F-150 is powered by a PowerBoost turbocharged V6, which is obviously the most efficient engine available in the F-150, but it retains muscular capabilities.

Finally, the new Raptor R is powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 sourced from the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It boasts 700 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque to battle the Ram 1500 TRX.

It’s worth noting that the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ram 1500 are all available with a turbo-diesel engine, but the F-150 is not.

Rear-wheel drive is standard, and 4-wheel drive is optional on most trims of the F-150. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Tremor, Raptor, and Limited trims.

3.3-liter V6
290 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
265 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/24 mpg (2WD), 19/22 mpg (4WD)

Twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6
325 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
400 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (2WD), 19/24 mpg (4WD)

5.0-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
410 lb-ft of torque @ 4,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg (2WD), 16/22 mpg (4WD)

Twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6
400 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (450 horsepower in Raptor)
500 lb-ft of torque @ 3,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 mpg (2WD), 18/23 mpg (4WD), 15/18 mpg (Raptor)

Twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 Hybrid
430 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
570 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/25 (2WD) 23/23 mpg (4WD)