TopSpeed’s Best Pickup Truck Of 2024: Ford F-150

There’s a reason the Ford F-150 has remained one of the best-selling vehicles of all time. Ford has remained relentless in it’s mission on continuous refinement of the F-150. The results speak for themselves. Ford proudly boasts its sales record of a whopping 46 straight years with the F-series pickup as the reigning champion. The competition is fierce, but through clever engineering in all aspects, whether it be chassis, powertrain, or tech, etc.. the F-150 continues to innovate in the pickup truck space.

While already a home run model for Ford, the F-150 is treated to a refresh just in time for 2024. The new F-150 receives a new grille, headlights, bumpers, taillights, while the interior remains largely the same. That’s no negative since the F-150 already had one of the most luxurious interiors in the (pickup truck) business. Also new for 2024 is Ford’s “Pro Access” tailgate, which operates like a normal tailgate when you want it, but with a built-in barn door in the middle section giving you quick access to items in the truck bed without having to lean over the tailgate and reach in.

In order to determine the best vehicle in this category for 2024, our in-house experts have voted on a number of factors, including but not limited to value for the money, performance, and expected reliability and safety. The aggregate review score you see in the display card below is indicative of the average score (rated 1-10) between these factors and is based on real-world experience. Further information regarding our methodology of rating vehicles can be found on the TopSpeed’s methodology page.

Why The Ford F-150 Is Still Remains The Quintessential Full-Size Pickup

Ford has continued to not only set the bar but raise it repeatedly in the full-size pickup truck segment. F-150 is the golden standard by which all others are constantly trying to strive to achieve. Drivers with truck duty needs can rely on it. Luxury car purists have switched to the pickup because of it’s now glitzy interior/comfortable ride. Enthusiasts enjoy unrivaled off-road performance with the Raptor. Ford has created what can only be described as an ecosystem of features that make the F-150 so applicable to so many different types of drivers.

Like most of the auto industry, Ford is cramming tech inside the F-150. Historically this has been a model with very low levels of technology and sophistication. Sure it has always been a great tool, by which to get hard work done, but things have certainly changed. Not only is the F-150 still one of the strongest vehicles out there, but now it benefits from tech-laiden brains to match its brawn.

Performance Specifications

F-150 exhibits incredible performance, on-road, off-road, while towing, and even flying through the air. Yes, the Raptor and Raptor R models are actually tested to jump, and tuned to provide a soft landing thanks to some very sophisticated suspension geometry and cushy shocks from Fox. Depending on the trim, and options, the F-150 boasts a best in class towing capacity at 14,000 pounds, and a max payload capacity of 2,335 pounds. The F-150 Raptor R’s 5.2-liter V8 borrowed from the Shelby GT500 was only out-powered by Ram TRX, but that vehicle has been discontinued, and in the real world it wasn’t any more capable than the Raptor R.

Ford has blessed F-150 with six different torque-rich engine configurations in addition to the all-electric F-150 Lightning. While others turn to four cylinders, Ford has gone all-in on their EcoBoost engine family making up four of the six engine choices. Purists love a V-8 and Ford knows this. They have kept around the 5.0-liter engine, also a Mustang carry-over. As it turns out, this engine takes well to modification and owners often supercharge them. This became so popular that Ford actually offers a supercharger kit through Ford Performance to scratch that power hungry itch.

Best Features Of The 2024 Ford F-150

• Wide variety of powertrain options
• High towing capacity
• Wide variety of models
• Integrated/adjustable drive modes
• Towing/trailer aid tech
• New “Pro Access” tailgate

The best features of the F-150 are the ones that took decades of trial and error from both Ford and owners of the vehicle. To develop seriously helpful features for every aspect of not only truck ownership, but also some genuine luxury baked in is a massive step forward for the pickup truck segment as a whole. Ford’s drive modes, originally derived from the Raptor have trickled down into the rest of F-150’s models. The new Pro Access tailgate solution could be a welcomed addition for some wanting easier access to their truck bed. Ford’s suite of safety features are packed into the F-150 such as lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, pre-collision braking, evasive steering, pedestrian safety alert to name a few. The B&O sound system is a great luxurious interior feature, too.

The Runners Up

The Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 have gone toe-to-toe for generations each trying to gain the upper hand in any measurable way possible. Comparing the two in maximum towing capability leaves the Silverado behind at a 700 pound deficit and a 45 pound payload deficit as well. Currently, the Chevrolet ZR2 trails the Raptor R by some 280 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. It’s trick Multimatic DSSV suspension is impressive but still not adjustable, or electronically actuated like the Raptor’s Fox suspension set-up.

Ram has brought some impressive firepower to the fight in the full-size segmet with the mighty impressive TRX and its 6.2-liter, Hellcat-sourced V-8. That truck, however, just can’t hang with the Raptor R’s more sophisticated suspension and chassis tuning. Moreover, Ram’s model range appeals to a narrower audience, where the F-150 explores a wider range of lifestyle-focused models.

Final Thoughts And Predictions For 2024

With a refresh specifically for the 2024 model year, Ford is sure to have a winner on their hands. The new design is sleek, but instantly recognizable as an F-150 as we have come to know it. Eliminating the 3.3-liter base engine was a smart move, providing a nearly all-turbocharged V-6 engine lineup with the exception of Ford’s beloved V-8s borrowed from the Mustang. We love the performance, features, and strangely, the luxury of the current F-150. Now it has even better looks to match.