The King of all Trucks: The Ford F-150 King Ranch
August 24, 2012
By: Anthony Murdoch
This truck is truly the "King" of all trucks, not only from a luxury perspective, but also in the way it is capable of working as an everyday, honest to goodness machine that gets the job done.
It's funny. There are some vehicles that really come in only one flavour, save for a few trim changes here and there. Ford's F-150 is like the Porsche 911 then, as it comes in may different combinations, such as engine and bed configurations, not to mention an options list that is truly extensive. So what makes the King Ranch version of the F-150 stand out? What convinces folks to shell out the near $60,000 as tested price my tester came to, which was loaded to the gills with every conceivable option?
It comes down to pure driving comfort. This is a truck which cossets your bottom like no other. After a hard day's work, it is like slipping into your favorite pajamas or slouching on your go-to sofa. My feelings are that buyers who opt for the King Ranch are people who appreciate the finer things in life. They also tend to be on the older side, which is not a bad thing, as hopefully they can afford the cost!
So what is the King Ranch like to drive? My tester came equipped with the optional 3.5-litre V-6 EcoBoost engine. This is a $1250 extra cost over the standard 5.0-litre V-8, and one I think might be worth it, for the right person. Let me explain. The EcoBoost makes 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and pumps out 420 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,500 rpm. This is more power than the 5.0-litre V-8! To make matters better, fuel economy for the EcoBoost is on paper at least better. During my time with the King Ranch, I average 18.1 litres per 100 kilometres. This is not bad, but the trouble is, this was a result of me being very soft on the gas at times. This engine has a dual personalty. It can loaf along all day long, returning great fuel economy. Get into the boost, and wham! The power is simply amazing! Take out the fact that this a truck for a second. This engine just pulls and pulls all the way to red-line. An audible turbo hiss is always evident, and gear changes from the 6-speed automatic are crisp and quick, better than I must say than in many new cars. If this sounds like something of interest to you then, go for the EcoBoost. If you want a more sedated, yet still powerful engine, go with the V-8.
Of course when the going gets rough, this truck can play too. Equipped with the 4x4 Off Road package with locking differentials, which is selected from a dash knob, this truck can sling in the mud, climb up or go down a hill with ease. This is even when equipped with the more sport oriented (for a truck at least) Pirelli tires! The ride on pavement is pretty good for a truck, but you still feel that it is a truck, make no mistake.
The fit and finish of the interior is pretty good, and I found that all the controls were logically placed and easy to reach. Ford really has improved its quality in all areas, and this is very evident. I found that the infotainment display was slow to respond and a bit outdated in its design graphics. This is remedied for the 2013 model year I have been told, which will get the newer Ford MyTouch display. Between the gauges sits a great graphics display which lets you know everything that is important. I found the cabin to be an amazingly quite place when cruising on the highway, a lot more than my personal family hauler 2011 Honda Odyssey!
Overall, the King Ranch is for those who want a truck which can work hard all day long yet at the end of the day, take one home in comfort. Heck, it's even nice enough to go out on the town with! A truck for the elite truck buying man then. Hey, these people exist!
By: Anthony Murdoch
This truck is truly the "King" of all trucks, not only from a luxury perspective, but also in the way it is capable of working as an everyday, honest to goodness machine that gets the job done.
It's funny. There are some vehicles that really come in only one flavour, save for a few trim changes here and there. Ford's F-150 is like the Porsche 911 then, as it comes in may different combinations, such as engine and bed configurations, not to mention an options list that is truly extensive. So what makes the King Ranch version of the F-150 stand out? What convinces folks to shell out the near $60,000 as tested price my tester came to, which was loaded to the gills with every conceivable option?
It comes down to pure driving comfort. This is a truck which cossets your bottom like no other. After a hard day's work, it is like slipping into your favorite pajamas or slouching on your go-to sofa. My feelings are that buyers who opt for the King Ranch are people who appreciate the finer things in life. They also tend to be on the older side, which is not a bad thing, as hopefully they can afford the cost!
So what is the King Ranch like to drive? My tester came equipped with the optional 3.5-litre V-6 EcoBoost engine. This is a $1250 extra cost over the standard 5.0-litre V-8, and one I think might be worth it, for the right person. Let me explain. The EcoBoost makes 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and pumps out 420 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,500 rpm. This is more power than the 5.0-litre V-8! To make matters better, fuel economy for the EcoBoost is on paper at least better. During my time with the King Ranch, I average 18.1 litres per 100 kilometres. This is not bad, but the trouble is, this was a result of me being very soft on the gas at times. This engine has a dual personalty. It can loaf along all day long, returning great fuel economy. Get into the boost, and wham! The power is simply amazing! Take out the fact that this a truck for a second. This engine just pulls and pulls all the way to red-line. An audible turbo hiss is always evident, and gear changes from the 6-speed automatic are crisp and quick, better than I must say than in many new cars. If this sounds like something of interest to you then, go for the EcoBoost. If you want a more sedated, yet still powerful engine, go with the V-8.
Of course when the going gets rough, this truck can play too. Equipped with the 4x4 Off Road package with locking differentials, which is selected from a dash knob, this truck can sling in the mud, climb up or go down a hill with ease. This is even when equipped with the more sport oriented (for a truck at least) Pirelli tires! The ride on pavement is pretty good for a truck, but you still feel that it is a truck, make no mistake.
The fit and finish of the interior is pretty good, and I found that all the controls were logically placed and easy to reach. Ford really has improved its quality in all areas, and this is very evident. I found that the infotainment display was slow to respond and a bit outdated in its design graphics. This is remedied for the 2013 model year I have been told, which will get the newer Ford MyTouch display. Between the gauges sits a great graphics display which lets you know everything that is important. I found the cabin to be an amazingly quite place when cruising on the highway, a lot more than my personal family hauler 2011 Honda Odyssey!
Overall, the King Ranch is for those who want a truck which can work hard all day long yet at the end of the day, take one home in comfort. Heck, it's even nice enough to go out on the town with! A truck for the elite truck buying man then. Hey, these people exist!
|
|
|
|
