The F-150 stands as Ford’s undisputed best-seller, making any update, even a mid-cycle refresh, a matter of considerable significance. Indeed, for the 2024 model year, the automaker has implemented substantial alterations to the truck’s choices, given it a fresh appearance, and introduced a novel swinging tailgate.
Styling Tweaks
Let’s begin our exploration of the 2024 F-150 with its design. According to the Blue Oval, they’ve refreshed the front end to impart a “sophisticated, modern appearance.” This includes the incorporation of new daytime running lights (DRLs) and an increased emphasis on design packages. For example, the Black Appearance Package will be accessible for models ranging from the STX to the Lariat. Additionally, the Platinum series will come standard with blacked-out interior and exterior accents right from the factory.
A Trick Tailgate
Meanwhile, at the back, the changes are more than skin deep. Ford is entering the tailgate wars on a new front. The Pro Access Tailgate offers owners a new way into their bed with a cutout that swings open to form a new door.
Designed with detents at 100 degrees, 70 degrees, and 37 degrees, the final mode is intended to allow owners easy access to their bed even when a trailer is attached to their truck, which may explain why the tailgate has a cutout and doesn’t open all the way across.
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Furthermore, trucks equipped with the Pro Access tailgate will also get a wider bumper to act as a more stable step into the bed. Even without getting all the way in, Ford suggests that not having to reach over the folded-down tailgate allows owners to reach farther into the bed more easily.
Aside from the funky new tailgate, the bed also gets a fairly low-tech, but high-use feature. A lock box behind the passenger-side wheel well is standard on the 2024 F-150, and gives owners a secure place to store small items such tools and flashlights. Owners who don’t select the Pro Power Onboard option will get a box on both sides of the 5.5-ft and 6.5-ft beds as standard.
Read: 2022 Chevrolet Silverado HD Gains New Six Function Multi-Flex Tailgate
These new additions to the bed are also intended to work with Ford’s advanced driver assistance features, like Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist. The latter utilizes the backup camera and the corner radars to align the F-150’s hitch with a trailer coupler. Using the feature, the truck controls the steering, speed, and braking, and is designed to stop when the hitch is perfectly aligned.
2024 Ford F-150 XLT
Once you hook your trailer up, Pro Trailer Backup Assist allows a driver to reverse it more easily, using just a knob next to the infotainment system. This also controls the wheel, meaning that the driver just has to point the knob in the direction they want to go, and the truck will go by itself.
In addition, the Smart Hitch can measure the weight of the trailer to help drivers properly organize their load to reduce trailer sway and to accurately measure how much payload they can carry. For 2024, the F-150 will have a maximum towing capacity of 13,500 lbs (6,123 kg) and a max payload of 2,455 lbs (1,113 kg).
Providing the power for all of that towing and hauling is a familiar lineup of engines, including the 5.0-liter V8, the 3.5-liter V6, and the standard 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, which offers more power and torque than in 2023, though Ford has not yet said how much.
2024 Ford F-150 STX
Ford plans to make the 3.5-liter PowerBoost Hybrid powertrain start at the same price as the same truck when equipped with the same ICE only engine. Available on the XLT through Platinum Plus trim, Ford wants to double the number of hybrid F-150s it sells with the updated model.
Inside, Ford said it will make the 12-inch touchscreen standard across all F-150s now, and it will be the first vehicle in North America with Ford’s Stolen Vehicle Services. These, as the name suggests, can help authorities locate a vehicle after it has been stolen. Also, for the first time, the F-150 will offer a head-up display with custom views for BlueCruise, tow/haul, and off-road drive modes.
Finally, the 2024 Ford F-150 will come with BlueCruise 1.2, an updated version of its Level 2 advanced driver assistance package. With new capabilities like Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning, it will be free for a 90-day trial, and will afterward be usable via a monthly or annual subscription.
Ford says that all of these new standard features have helped it reduce ordering complexity by 90 percent, which should make it easier to order the truck when it goes on sale in early 2024. Prices will be revealed at a later date.