If you asked anyone what comes to mind when they first think of a pickup truck, they’ll probably say an F-150. With many cab variations, bed sizes, and a plethora of options to choose from, the 2024 Ford F-150 XLT Powerboost is a great choice for those looking for a great blend of features and affordability without breaking the six-figure price mark.
For 2024, Ford has refreshed the 14th-generation F-150 with a revised front and rear end. The black accents throughout the truck contrast very nicely against the Rapid Red Metallic paint, garnering a lot of looks on the road and in parking lots. Two engine options have been dropped for 2024 due to low demand: the 3.3-litre naturally-aspirated gas V6, and the 3.0L turbodiesel V6. The base engine is now the familiar 5.0L V8, followed by the 2.7- and 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engines that buyers have become familiar with. The hybrid variant of our tester is only available with the 3.5L V6; it was a sublime pairing when we sampled it last year, and still is today.
In addition to the twin-turbo V6, a 35 kW electric motor and a 1.5 kWh battery pack work together to make a combined 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque — a noticeable increase over F-150s with just the V6. Driving all four wheels is a 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with GM; although there were complaints with the early iterations of the current-gen F-150, the transmission tuning here feels seamless, refined, and always in the right gear no matter what driving condition it faced.
Power delivery and transmission mannerisms aside, the standard Pro Power Onboard Generator system of the Powerboost is the biggest highlight: a 2.4 kW generator is standard on all F-150 Powerboost models, with a higher output 7.2 kW generator available for an additional $1,000. Stepping up is a no-brainer.
For the uninitiated, the 2.4 kW generator system can power small to medium-sized appliances simultaneously, such as a refrigerator to store your cold ones during a tailgate party, or a microwave to cook your Swanson TV dinner at a campsite, with an 85-hour maximum run time on a full tank of gas. On the other hand, the optional 7.2 kW generator is more ideal for running bigger power-draw items all at once, such as a small job-site with various power tools running, or even an entire Airstream camper with working appliances and air-conditioning.
The 7.2 kW generator is silent most of the time, with the EcoBoost motor only kicking on a couple of times per hour for a few minutes just to keep the batteries charged. It also negates the need to carry and move a cumbersome generator, which means more available space and payload to carry more stuff. A 32-hour maximum run time on a full tank of gas is quoted by Ford to power this higher output generator.
And as long as it’s properly outfitted, the F-150 Powerboost can even act as a back-up generator for a house in the event of a blackout. It can run appliances such as a washing machine, a water heater, and other smaller kitchen items to fulfill various chores in the pinch. This is very useful for those who live in areas prone to power outages, or if you have a cottage off the beaten path.
Besides acting as a literal generator, the F-150 Powerboost also generates amazing fuel economy numbers for a 5,000-pound truck as long as you don’t have a lead foot. Around town, it’s officially rated at 10.5 L/100 kilometers in the city, 10.4 on the highway, and 10.4 combined. Although my stint recorded a worse 13.2 L/100 km over the 600 kilometers I travelled, I’ll admit to flooring it many times. The power delivery and passing power in this beast is intoxicating. On the flip side, in my hypermiling attempts in Eco mode, I saw numbers as low as 6.8 L/100 km during small jaunts around town, so long as I encountered downhills and kept forward momentum to minimize the gas motor turning on.
Although this isn’t the top-of-the-line model in the F-150 range, the the XLT trim offers many accoutrements such as very comfortable leather seating, a power moonroof, a superb Bang & Olufsen sound system, and 360-degree cameras that aid in parking, just to name a few. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto also come standard as expected. The airy cabin provides great visibility, impressive sound insulation, and is finished in stitched-vinyl door surfaces with low-gloss plastics throughout the cabin. It may not feel as special inside as the range-topping Limited, with its quilted seats and full leather trimmings, but the XLT strikes a nice balance of feeling luxurious yet hard-wearing.
The supposed standout tech feature with this particular tester is Ford’s BlueCruise, a $2,750 option that lets the F-150 drive semi-autonomously. It’s best left off the table; it’s a good attempt by Ford, but I didn’t feel comfortable using it for long periods. It constantly wanders in the lane, has poor lane discipline, and applies the brakes abruptly just to maintain a certain distance from the leading vehicle. Compared to GM’s Super Cruise, BlueCruise just isn’t there … yet.
The most basic F-150 XLT starts at $64,199 for the crew cab, the 6.5-foot bed, and the Powerboost powertrain. Our tester worked out to $81,224 as-tested with the various option boxes it checked off, but we recommend saving yourself the $2,750 and leave BlueCruise off the table. Still, although prices have gone up over the years, it’s great value for those who want many high-end features, high horsepower, and great overall capability without breaking the six-figure mark.
The 2024 Ford F-150 XLT Powerboost will continue to be a successful variant in the infinitely configurable F-150 lineup and fulfill many extreme use-cases, whether it’s powering your house during a blackout, glamping in style, or eating those messy shawarmas from your favourite Middle Eastern hole-in-the-wall on that trick armrest that turns into a small table.
