2023 Ford F-150 Lariat Review

The Ford F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in American history and this is to be expected when it offers so much capability and durability. The F-150 Lariat is widely considered to be the best option for most as Car and Driver calls it the “middle-ground between luxury and performance.”

In this piece, we take a look at its latest model, the 2023 F-150 Lariat:

Features

The all-new Ford F-150 was launched last year, taking the iconic full-size truck into its 14th generation. It offers 9 trim levels, with the Lariat being the mid-range trim. 4 engine choices are offered, which also include a hybrid. No changes have been made to it for this year.

Powertrain and Numbers

The standard engine on the 2023 F-150 Lariat is the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 325 hp 400 lb-ft. You can also upgrade to the 5-liter V8 that makes 400 hp and 410 lb-ft or the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 400 hp and 500 lb-ft.

A 3.5-liter hybrid V6 making 430 hp and 570 lb-ft is also available. A 10-speed automatic is standard on all the models except the hybrid which has its own version. Also, rear-wheel drive is standard and 4-wheel drive is an optional extra.

In terms of performance, each engine is powerful enough to give you quick acceleration. The 3.5-liter V6 or the hybrid engine are two examples here, as they both can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5 seconds.

Then there’s the towing capacity, which can make or break a pickup truck. Thankfully, the 2023 F-150 Lariat can tow up to 14,000 lbs if you equip it with the SuperCrew option, the 5.5-foot box, the 3.5-liter engine and keep the standard 2-wheel drive setup. Payload goes up to 3315 lbs.

As you’d expect, the hybrid engine is the most efficient at 25 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Next up is the base 2.7-liter engine which will do up to 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Third best is the 3.5-liter engine at 18 mpg city and 24 highways.

Interior and Technology

A simple look at the 2023 F-150 Lariat’s interior will have you hooked and impressed. It is attractive and Ford has used a nice range of materials in it, so you’ll get a great feel for it as well. The cabin should be spacious no matter how tall or large you are.

The in-cabin storage is usually overlooked in the case of a pickup truck, but Ford still goes above and beyond to ensure that you have all the necessary cubbies at your service. You can even upgrade to the fold-flat storage option for some more room.

The interior colors offered on the 2023 F-150 Lariat are the following:

• Black
• Medium Dark Slate
• Baja Tan

The tech includes dual-zone climate control, push-button ignition, keyless entry, ambient mood lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 12-inch instrumentation screen. You also get leather-trimmed, heated, and ventilated front seats, and 10-way power adjustable for the driver.

You can add to this list by going through the options list. It includes a heated steering wheel, a wireless charging pad for your phone, partitioned and lockable fold-flat storage, an interior work surface, heated seats for the rear, and the list goes on.

The F-150 Lariat 2023’s infotainment is centered around a 12-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, 4G LTE WI-FI hotspot, and Ford’s SYNC 4 system (w/voice recognition). Satellite navigation and a premium stereo system tuned by B&O are optional.

For safety, there are features such as automated emergency braking (w/pedestrian detection), a lane-keeping system, and reverse sensing. The options include forward sensing, 360-degree camera, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, and some trailering-assist systems.

Exterior and Driving

Plenty of features are offered to enhance the F-150 Lariat 2023’s already majestic appearance. These include LED lighting, DRLs, and a chrome grille, bumpers, and 18-inch wheels. Bed sizes of 5.5 and 6.5 feet in length are offered, along with the crew cab configuration.

The exterior colors available on the 2023 F-150 Lariat are the following:

This may look like a large half-ton truck with a commanding presence, but it isn’t slow and dimwitted like the pickups of old. You get great handling and stopping power, which along with minimal body roll, helps you stay composed.

The off-roading prowess can be increased by opting for 4-wheel drive and utilizing the various driving modes available. Also, the Lariat along with all the other trims has also been praised for the comfortable environment that it provides. There’s no noise or vibration felt in the cabin.

Reliability and Warranty

JD Power gives all the F-150 variants – including the Lariat – a score of 86 out of 100, which puts them in the ‘Great’ category. The reviews from the 2023 F-150 Lariat’s current owners are also quite positive in this regard.

There are two warranties offered on the 2023 F-150 XLT. The first is a limited warranty that covers you for 3 years/36k miles. The second is the powertrain components warranty that’s good for 5 years/60k miles. If you opt for the hybrid, you can get another warranty as well.

Verdict

It is safe to say that the new F-150 Lariat should be the best pickup truck to buy if you’re torn between workaholism and luxury. It is an awesome truck as far as performance and capabilities are concerned, but it is also one of the most sophisticated trucks in the market today.

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