What if the standard 2020 Ford F-150 isn’t quite tough enough for your needs, but the F-250 is a little too much truck? Maybe you need better gas mileage, or maybe there’s just no room for it in the driveway. The solution: An F-150 with a 5.0L V8 engine.
What sets this F-150 apart from the standard V6 variants?
Here are some key specs:
- 7,000 lb. towing capacity.
- 0-60 in 6.2 seconds.
- Best quarter-mile time: 15.45 seconds.
What else do you need to know about the 5.0 F-150? Read on and find out.
A Look Back at the F-150
Ford’s F-series dates back all the way to 1948, with the 2020 model being the thirteenth generation. The upcoming 2021 F-series will be the fourteenth generation, making this one of the longest-running nameplates in automotive history.
The F-150 itself goes back to 1975 when it was debuted as a middle-ground between the F-100 and the F-250.
This truck was introduced in response to emission control restrictions at the time and provided drivers with a comfortable compromise between the power of the 250 and the versatility of the 100.
The F-150 has not only outsold the rest of the F-series, it has not only outsold similar pickups, but it has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States since 1981.
A Little Extra Oomph
One of the great things about the modern F-150 is the aluminum body panels. In this way, it was the first mass-produced American vehicle of its kind. By making the body just a bit lighter, you get that much more power out of the engine.
But the 5.0L V8 engine helps, too.
With the 5.0 you get 395 horsepower with 470 ft. lbs. of torque, and a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. The payload capacity comes in at 2,080 pounds with a cargo capacity of 52.8 to 77.4 cubic feet, depending on your cab and trim level.
You can hit 60mph in just 6.2 seconds, and run the quarter-mile in 15.45. For reference, the stock 2020 Dodge Challenger hits the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds. That means you could almost beat a muscle car at the drag strip if your 10-speed automatic transmission kicks in just right.
Now that we’ve got the exciting stuff out of the way, yes, it’s a very safe vehicle, too. The NHTSA gives it an almost perfect five-star safety rating. It scored four stars on rollover. Other than that, this is as safe as a vehicle can possibly be, according to the NHTSA.
And you get 21/28mpg city/highway out of the 36-gallon gas tank.
What Else?
Here’s what we’ve established so far: This truck is fun to drive, it’s a great mix of work-truck and everyday-truck, and it’s about as safe as any other pickup on the market. But how many cup holders does it have?
One in the front, one in the rear. Both optional, if you want to trim some of the fat. In all seriousness, the truck does come standard with everything you expect from a new vehicle in 2020.
That means 2-3 12v DC power outlets, a 60-40 folding split-bench in the back, four-way manual-adjust seats up front, outside temp gauge and compass, box lights in the bed. Everything to keep you cozy no matter how long the trip.
Plus, all the common safety features like pre-collision assist, trailer stabilizer, and driveline traction control.
It’s not a luxury car (unless you’re willing to upgrade to the King Ranch or Lariat), but it won’t leave you wanting for any of the basics.
Read the Reviews
Reading all the specs is fun, but you really need to see what the drivers are saying if you want to get an idea of how this truck performs.
Pros:
- Great outdoor truck. Many of the owner reviews are written by hunters, hikers, fishers, dirt-bikers and general adventurer types. As one reviewer puts it: “have never been stuck”
- Built for outdoors, but runs super-smooth on streets and highways
- Roomy box for towing dirtbikes, 4x4s and whatever else you need for your next trip into the great outdoors
Cons:
- The V8 really moves once it’s moving, but can be a little sluggish to get going
- If you really want to get the most out of this truck as an outdoor-exploration vehicle, you might need to swap the suspension for something a little stronger
- Can be tricky to maneuver in cramped parking lots and makes very wide turns
Is This the Truck You’re After?
If your research has led you to an F-150 with a 5.0 engine, then you probably want an F-150 with a 5.0 engine. It’s a great mix of power and versatility.
But you won’t know for sure until you do your research. Read the Vehicle History, and make an informed purchase.
