The 2024 Ford F-150 is here with a well-rounded update, bringing new styling, a complicated tailgate, more technology and improved Raptor models.
Starting with the design, the F-150 will have a new suite of front grilles and bumpers. The overall theme centers on an increased sense of width, as each new F-150 model features a “coast-to-coast” grille look that Ford says harks back to the F-Series design of the 1970s and 1980s . These new grilles feature more textured fronts and darker finishes for 2024, in an effort to give the truck more personality when examining the details. Ford is also democratizing LED headlights for 2024, as every trim of the F-150 will now feature LED units, replacing the previously standard halogens. New wheel designs, both interior and exterior colors, and packages like the Electric Lime-themed STX trim are all evolutionary in scope.
What borders on revolutionary design, however, is the new Pro-Access Tailgate option. Instead of simply folding down as is always the case with the tailgate, the optional Pro-Access tailgate can open via a single swing door on the driver’s side, allowing access to the bed without having to lean out of the tailgate. This is not the same as other swinging tailgates like those from Ram or Honda, as this segments the tailgate into three parts and the only part that opens is the section in the middle, leaving behind two pieces of equal length on either side . . Ford says it’s designed to hit the first stop at 37 degrees to avoid slamming into the trailer hitch behind the truck, but can swing up to a maximum of 100 degrees for easier loading. A step under the bumper can be opened, and Ford increased the width of the rear bumper step, ultimately creating a two-step ladder in the truck bed and eliminating the pull-out step in the bed. There is a handle on the fixed part of the tailgate that you can use to lift yourself or balance yourself if necessary. This new liftgate will be optional (while the previous, more traditional liftgate will be standard) on all models except the Platinum Plus trim level, where it will be standard. And for those curious about the trim structure, Platinum Plus replaces the top-of-the-line Limited trim as the new top trim.
The F-150’s bed itself gets a new storage box on the passenger side that Ford says is deep enough for tie-down straps, jumper cables, or other small items of that nature. If you don’t opt for an F-150 with Pro Power Onboard, you’ll get a second identical enclosure in the same area where the Pro Power outlets would otherwise reside. And finally, the new Ford bed features cutouts in the wheel humps for DIY bed dividers. They are designed to fit snugly over 2x4s in the slots, so it should be an economical bed accessory if you choose to take advantage of the design.
Very little is truly new in the powertrain realm, but Ford is ditching the previous 3.3-liter V6 and making its 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 the new standard engine. Instead of being offered at a higher price than the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, the PowerBoost hybrid engine will now be offered at the same cost as the gas-only version. Ford expects this to significantly increase demand for PowerBoost and is in turn doubling its hybrid production capacity. The hybrid powertrain is ostensibly the same as before, but Ford tells us it’s smoothed out the transitions from the electric motor to the gas engine to make it a smoother driver. There are no other major changes to speak of to the powertrain lineup, as Ford says it has only made minor revisions to the engine software for emissions purposes. And in case you were wondering, yes, the 5.0-liter V8 is still very much available along with all other engine options from the current 2023 model year.
The F-150’s interior may look familiar, but Ford says it will all run on an all-new electric architecture for 2024. Ford lets you see this technology at work in the form of screens, as the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system It’s now standard on every trim. It’s the same screen you saw on the pre-update truck, and it’s still running Sync 4 software. This screen is augmented by a new 12-inch digital instrument cluster (also standard). And if this digital information wasn’t enough for you, a head-up display is also introduced as an option on the F-150. This new electrical architecture enables new anti-theft/vehicle recovery services not even seen in the pre-update F-150, which you can read about in detail here. Additionally, the truck’s new architecture enables a new 5G-powered hotspot that will let you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously to the car’s WiFi. Ford says it expects more over-the-air updates to roll out to trucks with this 5G connection.
Blue Cruise 1.2 will come to every F-150, but you’ll have to pay to activate it. Instead of a one-time additional cost when purchasing the vehicle, using Blue Cruise will be tied to a monthly or annual payment. Every new F-150 owner will get free access for 90 days, after which you’ll have to pay for the hands-free highway driving assist system. And since this is Blue Cruise 1.2, that means it will perform lane changes for you via a simple tap of the turn signal and will even reposition itself into a lane depending on the traffic around you. Standard driver assistance system upgrades include a more advanced pre-collision assist system, new exit warning (for opening doors in traffic), and both lane-keeping assist and corner warning blind.
Ford has largely maintained the status quo when it comes to interior design, but the rear seat now features a folding bin under the folding seat. The area under that bench was simply an extension of the floor previously, but now when you fold the seats down, you’ll be able to lift up a sort of box under the seats to create a box-like container that runs the entire width of the vehicle. It looks like it will be very useful for grocery shopping and keeping items from sliding around: Ford says this box will be standard starting with the XLT trim.
If you’re interested in one of the off-road-oriented models like the Tremor or Raptor, Ford has all the details on those models available today as well. The Tremor is getting a fairly substantial redesign of the front clip. You’ll see a new grille with more orange accents and the addition of a new modular front bumper that you can attach a Ford Performance winch kit to. This dealer-installed accessory has relocated the parking sensors and cameras to retain all the various assists you would otherwise lose with the installation of an aftermarket winch kit. The interior also gains more color (in the form of orange accents) than before, adding even more personality to the Tremor package.
As for the Raptor and Raptor R, you can read more about these models here. Thankfully, the R with its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 continues to be the upgrade over the high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost model. Ford is adding new Fox Dual Live Valve shocks to the picture for 2024, which will be paired with the 37-inch tire package that also includes Recaro seats and a new modular front bumper that exposes more of the front tires. Ford says new Dual Valve shocks offer greater control off-road and better handling on pavement too. Opt for the V6 Raptor with 35-inch tires (37s are standard on the Raptor R) and you get the pre-upgrade Fox Live Valve shocks, which are still nothing to sneeze at. Shelter Green joins the Raptor color palette again this year and will be exclusive to Raptor models.
Finally, Ford says it will reduce the number of configurations you can order by 90% for 2024. That means there will be many more packages with bundled options. This will save Ford money as it reduces construction complexity on the production line, but it will also reduce consumer choice in ordering. That said, Ford says it will keep a number of popular standalone options as individual items and not grouped into packages. Examples of these include the sunroof, axle upgrades, towing mirrors, and Max Recline seats.
The 2024 F-150 will arrive in dealerships next year, and orders for the new model are expected to open now.
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